LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 115

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RESOLUTIONS
1. NATIONAL WITNESS
To Stimulate Training for Witness
RESOLUTION 1-01A
Report R1.2.1 (CW, 15–16)
WHEREAS, Christians as God’s people are to “proclaim the
excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his
marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) and to maintain constant
preparation “to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a
reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15); and
WHEREAS, As Martin Luther observed, it might seem “best
for God to take away our breath and let us die as soon as we
are baptized and have begun to believe. But He lets us live here
in order that we may lead other people to believe, doing for
them what He has done for us” (What Luther Says, [CPH, 1959]
§ 3021; WA 12:267); and
WHEREAS, Christians know and interact with many nonChristians and unchurched people through their vocations
and daily lives (e.g., family, coworkers, classmates); and
WHEREAS, Most people who attend church for the first
time or for the first time in a long time do so at the invitation
of a member who has a relationship with them; and

recurring parish education opportunities (including, but not
limited to: Bible and catechism classes, youth ministry,
retreats, etc.) to teach church members key witnessing skills
(such as listening discerningly to unchurched people,
beginning a spiritual conversation, making a simple
statement of the Gospel, defending the resurrection),
including the provision of opportunity to practice such skills;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod instruct its districts to encourage
and assist congregations as they train their members to tell
the Good News about Jesus, Christ crucified for sinners; and
be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod’s districts and its institutions of
higher education be required to include in their reports to the
2026 Synod convention the steps they have taken to
implement this resolution.
Action: Adopted as amended (3)

It was moved and adopted by consent to amend the second last
resolve to add the appositive “Christ crucified for sinners.”
Upon closure of debate as suggested by the chair, the resolution
was adopted as amended by voice vote.

WHEREAS, In this sinful world, Christians often fear to
speak of Christ with others; and
WHEREAS, Such fear can be addressed through teaching
and learning not only the biblical message of the Gospel but
also particular ways to become conversant concerning it; and
WHEREAS, There are resources for learning such as
Synod’s Every One His Witness (E1HW), both its core module
and a growing number of context modules that help prepare
Christians for witness to people from various specific
backgrounds; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod encourage its congregations and
its institutions of higher education to make diligent and
widespread use of E1HW; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod encourage its pastors and other
church workers to inculcate a desire in people to witness,
consistent with the Lutheran Confessions, particularly to
unchurched people; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod encourage all the baptized
members of her congregations to recognize they are Christ’s
witnesses wherever they are; and be it further

Committee 1 Vice-Chairman David R. Nehrenz (right)
and Committee Member Dien Ashley Taylor (left)

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its congregations,
their pastors, and other church workers to take serious and
realistic stock of how often and how well they employ
Resolutions

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 115