LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 245

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

To Encourage Vocation and Confession
in Public Square

To Affirm Compassionate Care
to End of Natural Life

RESOLUTION 14-07A

RESOLUTION 14-08A

Report R1 (CW, p. 3); Overture 14-02 (CW, p. 465)

Overture 14-02, 14-07 (CW, pp. 465, 467–468)

Whereas, The Lutheran Church confesses that we, as people
redeemed by Christ, live as citizens of both realms (two kingdoms)
who acknowledge the reign of God through His Word and through
civil authorities (Rom. 13: 1–4; Phil. 3:20; 1 Pet. 2:13); and

Whereas, Because the triune God alone gives life and recalls
life unto Himself (Ps. 90), Christians guard and defend human life
from conception to natural death; and

Whereas, Christians are called to live out their vocations faithfully to God and in service to the neighbor (1 Pet. 4:12–19; Rom.
12:1; Small Catechism Table of Duties); and

Whereas, Because Christians are called to help and protect
their neighbor in every bodily need (Small Catechism), we have
the duty and responsibility to care for human life from conception to natural death; and

Whereas, When civil authorities command that we disobey
what our Lord commands, “we must obey God rather than men”
(Acts 5:29); and

Whereas, Our culture increasingly sees the lives of the chronically ill, the disabled, and the aged as a burden that individuals,
their families, and society should not bear; and

Whereas, The church’s power and authority flows from the
Word of God alone and is not a coercive authority (Tr 31–37); and

Whereas, Elements of our society are enlisting the medical
profession to administer death (physician-assisted suicide) rather
than sustaining and protecting life; and

Whereas, Spiritual and civil authority therefore ought not
be “mixed” or confused (AC XXVIII 12), and the church itself,
as God’s “right hand kingdom,” ought not to seek civil rule and
authority (see AC XXVIII, Tr 2, 49–52; Brief Statement § 34); therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention urge all congregations, pastors, church workers, and members to support, teach,
and live out the biblical doctrines of vocation and of the two kingdoms regarding the relationship between church and state; and
be it further
Resolved, That members of the LCMS be encouraged as individual citizens of the left hand kingdom to exercise their rights
and responsibilities and within their vocations to hold positions
of civil power and authority in government and business (AC XVI;
Ap XVI); and be it further
Resolved, That members of the LCMS pray for and seek the good
of all, giving special regard to governmental policies that allow the
church to practice its faith freely and without hindrance (1 Tim.
2:1–2); and be it further
Resolved, That members of the LCMS pray for Judge Ruth Neely,
a member of the LCMS congregation in Pinedale, Wyoming, whose
job is threatened as a result of her public confession of the truth
concerning marriage (See Caspar Star Tribune, May 6, 2016); and
be it finally
Resolved, That in the face of hostility and resistance to the Gospel
and to the historic teachings of the church, the LCMS in convention
encourage the members of LCMS congregations to bear witness to
Christ and the truth of the Gospel in word and deed (Acts 4:19).
Action: Adopted (9)

Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
has repeatedly affirmed that the medical community has the duty
always to care, but never to kill; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS continue as a strong voice for the
sanctity of life, especially supporting the truth that life begins
at conception and continues until natural death and therefore
deserves our protection and care; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS continue to oppose physician-assisted
suicide and euthanasia; and be it further
Resolved, That pastors and congregations be encouraged to utilize resources concerning care at the end of life which have been
developed by the LCMS (Pastoral Care Companion [pp. 221–227]);
by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (Christian
Care at Life’s End); and by LCMS Life Ministry (Mercy at Life’s
End), all of which offer guidance and counsel concerning end-oflife decisions; and be it further
Resolved, That pastors and congregations be aware of, and
respond faithfully to, legislative and judicial rulings that call into
question the value of those whose lives are rendered burdensome
by disease, accident, or age; and be it finally
Resolved, That pastors will seek opportunities in their teaching
and preaching to address end-of-life issues in such a manner that
members of our congregations are prepared to think and act biblically when faced with decisions at the end of life.
Action: Adopted (9)
(The assembly agreed to vote without debate, and Res. 14-08A
was adopted as presented [Yes: 854; No: 12].)

(The chair hearing no objection to proceeding to vote on the resolution, Res. 14-07A was adopted as presented [Yes: 802; No: 11].)

“14. Church and Culture”

U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

|

245