LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 118

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1. NATIONAL WITNESS
Gender Identity Disorder or Gender Dysphoria in Christian
Perspective), those who present themselves as members of the
opposite sex in dress and physical appearance, and those who
participate in hormonal and/or surgical procedures in an
attempt to modify their anatomy from male to female or from
female to male; and
WHEREAS, We are called to preach repentance and
forgiveness of sins with clarity and compassion to all; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS parochial schools, congregations,
seminaries, the Concordia University System (CUS), church
workers, parents, children, and other individuals in our Synod
are experiencing mounting pressure and intimidation to
affirm viewpoints contrary to clear teaching in Holy Scripture
as a result of media propaganda, cultural, and legal changes;
and
WHEREAS, LCMS church workers and laity have asked for
guidance in pastoral care for individuals and families
struggling with matters of same-sex attraction and sexual
identity issues; and
WHEREAS, The Church is called to support and proclaim
the Gospel to all those who struggle with the corrupting
power of concupiscence, including those with the propensity
toward a myriad of sexual sins and identity confusion; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS has produced resources such as the
following CTCR reports: Gender Identity Disorder or Gender
Dysphoria in Christian Perspective (adopted September 2014);
Human Sexuality: A Theological Perspective (adopted September
1981); Response to Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust (adopted
April 2012); The Creator’s Tapestry: Scriptural Perspectives on
Man-Woman Relationships in Marriage and the Church
(adopted December 2009); and A Chaste and Decent Life: An
Update to Human Sexuality (1981) (adopted December 2022);
as well as the treatment of these matters in Luther’s Small
Catechism with Explanation (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing
House [CPH], 2017); and
WHEREAS, ONM has already established an ad hoc Created
Male and Female task force in response to 2019 Res. 11-03A
which has begun work on these and related issues; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the Synod direct the continuance of said
task force during the new triennium, consisting of the current
ad hoc task force members (which include parish pastors,
commissioned church workers, representation from the
Council of Presidents, ONM, and the seminaries), and also add
to the existing membership as necessary, to include but not be
limited to one CTCR member or staff person and
representation from LCMS Communications, CUS, and CPH;
and be it further

resources to the Church, and encourage congregations to raise
awareness of media propaganda, cultural intimidation, and
mounting pressures upon all people to affirm viewpoints
contrary to clear teaching in Holy Scripture, responding to
those influences by the study of Holy Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions (particularly the Small Catechism) and
further encouraging support for those persecuted for their
faithful confession of human sexuality and marriage; and be it
finally
Resolved, That the task force report to the next Synod
convention its work and further recommendations.
Action: Adopted as amended (3)

Three amendments were adopted by consent: in second resolve,
to strike the word “consider” before “conduct[ing] field
research”; in the second-last whereas, to add “A Chaste and
Decent Life”; and in the first resolve, to add “one CTCR member
or staff person.” Upon closure of debate suggested by the chair,
the resolution was adopted as amended by hand and voice vote.

To Increase Mission Efforts to
Immigrants and Various Cultural Groups
in North America
RESOLUTION 1-05A
Report R1.2.1 (CW, 15–16); Overture 1-04 (CW, 256)
WHEREAS, The Lord has obliged His Church to preach
repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name to all nations
(Luke 24:47); and
WHEREAS, Many immigrants who have come to the United
States and Canada from all over the world are not Christians;
and
WHEREAS, The Synod has a rich history of reaching and
assimilating new immigrants; and
WHEREAS, The United States and Canada contain a variety
of cultural groups not only as a result of recent immigration
but also due to various non-Christian religious and spiritual
influences (e.g., “Mormon culture” in several places within
western states); and
WHEREAS, The Synod’s Office of National Mission (ONM)
has resources to locate and call the Synod’s attention to the
whereabouts of groups currently underserved with the Gospel
of Christ; therefore be it

Resolved, That the task force conduct field research; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Synod recognize and actively promote
the fact that the United States and Canada form a mission field
with many unreached immigrants, ethnic groups, and nonChristian religious groups; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force recommend and advocate for
strategies and structural approaches to serve the Church
better and address the challenges posed by contemporary
sexual ethics, recommend and coordinate implementation
with Synod entities and organizations that will best deliver

Resolved, That the Synod direct ONM to assemble an
inventory of existing efforts to bring the Gospel to various
immigrant, ethnic, and non-Christian religious groups,
whether these efforts have been undertaken, e.g., by the
Synod and its agencies, auxiliaries, or recognized service

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

Resolutions