LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 374

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THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
and other industries. She and her husband have relatives on both sides of the
border. They agonize over the distressing circumstances their families face in
Mexico and sympathize with the desire of many to migrate to the U.S. for their
safety and well-being.
Questions for Discussion:
1.
2.

3.
4.

How would you counsel Juanita if she shared her conscience pangs
with you?
In what ways may her vocations as a citizen, border control agent,
and family member be in conflict? How do our experiences and
background color and sometimes confuse our viewpoint and
attitudes? Do you have ideas as to how these responsibilities should
be prioritized?
Are there circumstances in which a government official should
criticize or question the duties she is expected to uphold?
Is there a conflict between compassion and law? How would you
encourage Juanita to retain both a respect for government and those
who hold authority and continued compassion for her family and
other potential immigrants?

Case Study 6—Vocation, Two Realms, and Neighbor
James is a border control officer as well. He has developed a deep antipathy toward the “coyotes” who smuggle people and drugs into the U.S., having
observed occasions when they left weak or injured people on their own in
danger of death and other times when they have fired on him and his colleagues. He realizes that the immigration problem is complex, but he has no
sympathy for those who cross illegally because every crossing puts lives in
danger, including his own.
As a consequence of his daily work, James was deeply troubled when his
pastor encouraged the congregation to show compassion to all immigrants,
legal or illegal. James believed that the pastor failed to recognize both the
immediate dangers illegal immigration entails and the long-term problems
that happen as increasing numbers of poor immigrants enroll in schools and
require medical services.
Questions for Discussion:
1.
2.
3.

How would you assess the legitimacy of James’ attitudes and concerns
from a Christian perspective?
What would you encourage him to do if he shared with you his
distress over the pastor’s comments? What might you say to his
pastor?
In what ways do Christian teachings—such as love for one’s
neighbor, submission to governing authorities, sin and grace—
apply to this situation?

4.

How does our particular vocation both present opportunities for
serving our neighbor and also tempt us to particular biases?

Case Study 7—Vocation, Neighbor, and the Ministry
The pastor of a congregation near an entry point for the U.S. has learned
that one of his members is an undocumented worker. She has come to him in
fear that she will be unable to continue to work and may be deported. Her husband and their children are citizens of the U.S. After securing her permission,
the pastor discussed this confidentially with the elders. The different members
of the Board of Elders had significantly different opinions about what should
be done. One believes the woman should be compelled to turn herself in to
the authorities or be excommunicated, another that the church should provide
legal support to her family. Others are unsure about what should be done.
Questions for Discussion:
1.
2.
3.
4.

How would you advise this pastor to minister to the woman and
her family? What should his priorities be as their pastor?
To what extent does the church—this particular congregation—
have a corporate obligation to its members? Does it have a corporate
obligation toward the government? How should they be prioritized?
How should the importance of maintaining family unity be weighed
against the obligation of obedience to governmental authority?
Do you see any ways that our theology might help to draw the
elders toward a godly consensus and greater unity in dealing with
situations of this kind?

Case Study 8—Confession, Absolution, and Pastoral Care
A woman begins to attend church regularly and expresses interest in
becoming a member. In a new member class, while discussing the fourth
commandment and its meaning, the pastor notices that the woman is crying.
When the pastor speaks with her privately and asks if he can help, she confesses to him that she has been in the U.S. illegally for many years and feels
guilty and ashamed about it. She has two children who are legal residents,
both in school. The pastor hears her confession and absolves her. They agree
that they will visit an immigration attorney together. The attorney’s counsel
is not very optimistic, but she says that it may be possible for this woman to
gain legal status and they begin that process. The woman and her children
complete member preparation and the pastor and congregation welcome
them into membership. Yet, because the case drags on, the woman continues
to struggle spiritually and seeks the comfort of forgiveness from her pastor.

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Questions for Discussion:
1.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.

How should the pastor’s callings as a servant of the Word and also
a citizen guide him in this instance?
How should the woman’s God-given vocation as a mother be taken
into account by the pastor as he counsels her?
Was it proper for the pastor to absolve this woman in the first place?
Should he continue to commune her? Should he continue to absolve
her if she returns to him, still struggling with guilt and shame? What
is the basis for your answers?
Should the congregation be informed of this immigrant woman’s
legal status in the U.S.? What might be helpful or problematic about
informing the congregation?
If the pastor brought up general aspects of this case in a circuit
meeting, what advice would you hope other pastors in that circuit
would give?
As the pastor counsels the woman, what difference should it make,
if any, if the woman in this case study were single and without
family in the U.S.?

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APPENDIX II
Terms
A. Immigration Terms:99
1.

2.
3.

4.

5.

Asylum Seekers: People forced to flee their homeland without
access to the refugee resettlement process. People must apply for
asylum within one year of arrival in the United States, unless certain
limited exceptions apply, in order to be considered eligible. Those
who receive asylum are called asylees.
Immigrants: People who have been admitted to live permanently in
the United States as lawful permanent residents (LPRs).
Lawful Permanent Residents: Individuals who have legal
authorization (a “Green Card”) to live and work in the U.S. for an
indefinite period of time, but are not citizens and do not have the
right to vote. Typically foreign-born individuals seek to become
lawful permanent residents in one of three ways:
• Family Sponsorship. Adult U.S. citizens can sponsor their foreign-born spouses, parents, children and siblings. Lawful permanent residents can sponsor their spouses, children under age
21 and unmarried adult children.
• Employment Sponsorship. U.S. employers can sponsor individuals for specific positions when there is a demonstrated shortage
of available highly skilled workers.
• Diversity Lottery. Immigrants from certain countries can register
for 50,000 visas made available each year.
Mixed-Status Families: Mixed-status families are those with
one or more members who are not U.S. citizens. The noncitizen
family members may or may not be documented. For example, a
mixed-status family might comprise a U.S. citizen married to an
undocumented immigrant with U.S.- born citizen children.
Naturalized Citizens: Lawful Permanent Residents are eligible to
apply for U.S. citizenship through a process called naturalization. To
qualify for naturalization applicants must meet these qualifications:
• They must have resided in the United States for five years, or
three years if they are married to U.S. citizens, without having
committed any serious crimes.
• They must show that they have paid their taxes and are of
“good moral character.”
• They must demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and
government as well as an ability to understand, speak and
write basic English.

99
The definitions of immigration terms in this Appendix, with minor adaptations, are from
LIRS, Bible Study Guide, 6-7, 9-10.

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2013 Convention Workbook

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