LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 241

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RESOLUTIONS
14

Church and Culture
To Encourage Intentional Leadership
in Matters of Religious Freedom

Whereas, These conflicts are making it increasingly difficult
for the church to give a clear and unfettered witness to the words
of Law and Gospel that she is called to proclaim; and

RESOLUTION 14-01

Whereas, The church is finding it increasingly difficult to carry
out the acts of love and mercy which are also her calling; and

Overtures 14-02, 14-06, 14-19–20 (CW, pp. 465–466, 472–473)
Preamble
As Lutheran Christians, we have always followed Scripture’s lead
in recognizing government as a good and God-ordained part of
God’s created order (Rom. 13:1–7). We have followed Paul’s apostolic mandate in offering prayers and other support for “our leaders
and all in authority” so that, living in a peaceful and well-ordered
society, we might share the Gospel freely. We have understood this
ordering to be “pleasing to God, who wants all men to be saved and
come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:2). Historically we
have been deferential to the authority of our elected and appointed
governmental officials acting in their proper sphere of influence
(kingdom of the left), even as they have been deferential to the
church in its proper sphere (kingdom of the right). In the context
of the American public square, we have exercised restraint. Even
in those rare instances where we have felt such efforts to be necessary, we have preferred to do so almost exclusively through the
independent political activity of the members of our congregations
as they exercise their vocation as citizens.
In recent years, two significant changes have occurred. The first is
that the culture has become more secularized. As a result, many
policy makers and leaders resist hearing the voice of the church at
large. Secondly, we are witnessing a structural change in the means
of how our government develops public policy. Vague laws have
given more opportunity to the executive branches of all levels of
government to interpret legislative intent and create law by means
of executive authority. Consequently, we are seeing more decisions
that encroach on the sphere of the church and other mediating
institutions of society, especially the family. In response to these
changes, we offer the following resolution.

Whereas, The “Free to Be Faithful” campaign educates and
motivates rostered workers and laity to take informed action in
defense of one-man/one-woman marriage, the sanctity of life,
and religious liberty; and
Whereas, The Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty (LCRL)
will create a direct presence for the LCMS in the nation’s capital
that will enable the church to
• engage federal and state officials through advocacy and
defensive legal strategies;
• educate future generations about serving God through vocations in government, law, and public policy; and
• connect with Lutherans involved in governmental affairs.
Where the government, culture, and faith conflict, Lutherans
can and must speak up and out in support of religious liberty.
Therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention encourage districts, congregations, and members to pray for the country, president, and
public officials; and be it further

Whereas, The religious freedom that our forebears sought and
enjoyed is under assault and being eroded; and
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
sees an opportunity for a uniquely Lutheran response to increasing intrusions, limitations, and challenges by the government in
the life of the church; and
Committee 14 Chairman Terry Forke
“14. Church and Culture”

U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

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