LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 254

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1. Plant, sustain, and revitalize distinctly Lutheran churches
2. Support and expand theological education
3. Perform human care in close proximity to Word and Sacrament ministry
4. Collaborate with the Synod’s members and partners to enhance mission effectiveness
5. Nurture pastors, missionaries, and professional church
workers to promote spiritual, emotional, and physical
well-being
6. Enhance early childhood, elementary, and secondary education and youth ministry
therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention commend the work
of the Office of National Mission’s Lutheran Family Initiative; and
be it further
Resolved, That the convention amend the mission priorities to
include “Strengthen and support the Lutheran family in living out
God’s design.”
Action: Adopted (6)
(After discussion, debate was ended and Res. 16-02A was
adopted [Yes: 892; No: 47].)

To Encourage Christian Care
and Discipling of Fathers
RESOLUTION 16-03
Overture 16-02 (CW, p. 476)
Whereas, It is clear from Scripture that our heavenly Father
delights in and exhorts the raising of children in the fear and admonition of the Lord that they may offer Him their praise (Deut. 6:1–9;
LC 172); and
Whereas, Scripture tells us that the children’s father is to be
a spiritual leader in the household, leading them in prayer, teaching them godly ways, and nurturing them as they grow (Eph. 5:23;
6:4); and
Whereas, A study of the role of how a father’s attendance in
church affects a child’s attendance in church states, “It is the religious practice of the father of the family that, above all, determines
the future attendance at or absence from church of the children”
(http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-05024-v#ixzz49v9ms2dk); therefore be it
Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to deliberately
encourage, exhort, and catechize men of all ages to fulfill their Godgiven role as the spiritual head of their households; and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod encourage congregations to create specific ministries that are designed for
the purpose of Christian care and the enabling of fathers to disciple their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and
be it further
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U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

Resolved, That we give thanks to God for and promote the use of
the excellent resources for fathers produced by Concordia Publishing House, Lutheran Laymen’s League, and others; and be it finally
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention amend the mission
priorities to include “Strengthen and support the Lutheran family
in living out God’s design.”
Action: Adopted (6)
(During discussion, a motion to amend the resolution by striking “Lutheran” in the last line of the final resolve was moved and
seconded, but by a vote of 647 to 250, the convention determined
not to consider the amendment. After debate was ended, Res. 16-03
was adopted as presented [Yes: 937; No: 21].)

To Increase Engagement of Lutheran Young
Adults in Ministry and Service Work of LCMS
RESOLUTION 16-04
Report R1.2 (CW, pp. 14–15, 30); President’s Report, Part 2
(TB, pp. 21–31)
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
has a long and distinguished history of acts of mercy and of
Christ-​centered ministry to all ages; and
Whereas, God commands in Paul’s letter to Timothy, “Let no
one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in
speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote
yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:12–13); and
Whereas, Research shows that nearly six in ten (59 percent)
of young people who grow up in Christian churches end up walking away either from their faith or from the church at some point
in their twenties, and that the Millennial Generation has increasingly (44 to 52 percent) identified themselves as unchurched in the
last decade; and
Whereas, LCMS Youth Ministry seeks to support young adults
as they grow in the Christian faith and engage them through service opportunities, resources, and leadership training; and
Whereas, Lutheran Young Adult Corps and other young adult
service opportunities provide Lutheran young adults an increased
opportunity to serve in Christ’s name and grow as current and
future leaders for the LCMS; therefore be it
Resolved, That LCMS young adults, campus ministries, and congregations be provided with resources to meet the spiritual needs
of young adults in their congregations and communities; and be
it further
Resolved, That LCMS intentionally provide an increased number
of service opportunities for LCMS young adults; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS ensure that the Office of LCMS Youth
Ministry will continue to provide support for Lutheran Young

“16. Family, Youth, and Young Adults”