LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 243

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Whereas, Such unions destroy the picture of Christ’s love for
the Church and are a matter of grave offense before God (Rom.
1:26–27; 1 Cor. 6:9–11; 1 Tim. 1:8–11); therefore be it
Resolved, That 2016 LCMS convention affirm and faithfully confess the biblical truth that marriage is God’s creation, the exclusive
union of one man and one woman; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention affirm and faithfully confess that
same-sex marriage is contrary to Scripture and to God’s design for
His creation and in no way fulfills God’s intention to bless His children through holy marriage; and be it further
Resolved, That the pastors of the Synod continue to deal compassionately with those who experience same-sex attraction through
the proclamation of the Law and Gospel and the administration
of Baptism, corporate and individual Confession and Absolution,
and the Lord’s Supper; and be it further
Resolved, That the pastors of the Synod continue to deal compassionately with the family, friends, and all others impacted by those
who struggle with same-sex attraction or those involved in samesex relationships, through the proclamation of the Law and Gospel
and the administration of Baptism, corporate and individual Confession and Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to utilize current
LCMS resources such as the following Commission on Theology
and Church Relations (CTCR) documents: Human Sexuality: A
Theological Perspective, Response to Human Sexuality: Gift and
Trust, and The Creator’s Tapestry: Scriptural Perspectives on ManWoman Relationships in Marriage and the Church; and be it further
Resolved, That the CTCR be directed to update the document
Human Sexuality (1981) in order to address current challenges to
the estate of marriage; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention direct the Office of
National Mission, Concordia Publishing House, and the two seminaries of our Synod to provide resources that enable the church to
confess the truth boldly and deal compassionately with those who
struggle with same-sex attraction and those who care for them.
Action: Adopted (5)
(During discussion, several suggested amendments were
accepted as friendly amendments by the committee: (1) to add the
words “Law and” before the word “Gospel” in each occurrence
in the third and fourth resolves; (2) to replace the words “struggle with” with the word “experience” in the third resolve; and (3)
to relocate “the Lord’s Supper” to follow the mention of “corporate and individual Confession and Absolution” in the third and
fourth resolves. When the chair asked whether the assembly was
willing to close debate, he heard no objection, and Res. 14-03A was
adopted as changed [Yes: 1,004; No: 25].)

“14. Church and Culture”

To Affirm the Right of Clergy
to Continue Conducting Weddings
in Accordance with Confession
RESOLUTION 14-04
Overtures 14-02, 14-06, 14-10–12, 14-14 (CW, pp. 465–466,
470–471)
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has
repeatedly affirmed its belief that God established marriage to be
for one man and one woman (Gen. 1:27; 2:21–24), even as our Lord
Jesus declares (Matt. 19:4–6) and the inspired apostle Paul teaches
(Eph. 5:21–33); and
Whereas, The Supreme Court of the United States has now
affirmed same-sex marriage (Obergefell v. Hodges), and every state
now must license the marriage of same-sex couples; and
Whereas, There is a need for the LCMS to give prayerful and
thoughtful guidance to pastors about preserving the religious
freedom afforded by the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution and about being mindful of potential threats to such
freedom as they conduct weddings in today’s legal and societal context; therefore be it
Resolved, That no LCMS congregation shall make its facilities
available for a ceremony sanctioning a same-sex union and no
LCMS pastor shall consent to officiate or participate in any ceremony sanctioning the union of a same-sex couple; and be it further
Resolved, That for the purpose of public disclosure (e.g., marriage handbooks and congregational websites), each congregation
be encouraged to utilize the Synod’s publication Information on
Marriage Policies for Member Congregations to develop policies for
marriage in accord with the witness of Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks for and seek to preserve
the right of pastors to decline to officiate weddings that are contrary to their conscience and the teachings of our Synod, as well as
protections that preserve the right of congregations to determine
on the basis of conscience and the Word of God whom they will
allow to use their facilities; and be it finally
Resolved, That the CTCR, in consultation with the seminary
faculties and other scholars, prepare materials to facilitate a biblical and confessional, theological and practical study affirming the
right of our clergy to continue conducting weddings in accordance
with our confession, and that these materials be prepared in time
for the 2019 convention.
Action: Adopted (9)
(During discussion, when a motion to call the question was
introduced, debate was ended by voice vote and Res. 14-04 was
adopted as presented [Yes: 830; No: 33].)

U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

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