LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 129

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3. MERCY
To Encourage and Support
More Fervent Teaching, Proclamation,
and Efforts to Promote Culture of Life among
God’s People
RESOLUTION 3-01
Overtures 3-01, 04 (CW, 269–70)
WHEREAS, All life is valuable to God especially the most
vulnerable (John 3:16–17; Psalm 139:13–16; Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:41–
44; Psalm 31:14–15; Job 10:9–12; Matt. 6:26; 18:10; Psalm 82:3–
4; Small Catechism [SC] III, First Article); and
WHEREAS, God created us to care about other people and
to help them in their times of need (SC I, Fifth
Commandment); and
WHEREAS, Mothers, fathers, and children are a gift from
God entrusted to each other’s care to form a family and serve
Him through their love for each other (Gen. 1:27–28; Eph.
5:22–6:4; Psalm 127:3); and
WHEREAS, For the last 50 years the United States of
America has dealt with the reality of legalized abortion, which
is murder and transgresses God’s law in the Fifth
Commandment, which teaches that we are “not to hurt or
harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in
every physical need” (SC I 9–10); and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) has long worked to promote a culture of life; and
WHEREAS, A one-million-dollar grant has been
established by the LCMS available as matching funds for
congregations to support local life issues; and

Resolved, That the Synod continue to extend life ministry
support and training materials, including but not limited to
resources for policy manuals, guidance to life ministry
agencies, and encouragement to access grants from allied
institutions; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod leadership encourage
congregational involvement with life ministry in ways such as
education, advocacy, and human care efforts (e.g., forming a
life team, participating in sidewalk counseling, contacting
legislators); and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod, its congregations, districts, and
RSOs work to provide care for those suffering from the effects
of abortion and encourage God’s people to show mercy by
providing options to abortion such as adoption, pre- and
postnatal care, housing support, etc.; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod encourage all pastors and
congregations to teach and proclaim human life as sacred and,
in word and deed, live out mercy, life, and forgiveness in Jesus
Christ our Savior (John 10:10).
Action: Adopted as amended (2)

It was moved and adopted to amend by inserting the first
resolve. It was moved but declined to amend to add a secondlast resolve as follows: “That the Synod expand its definition of
life ministry to include a whole life approach to include support
for gun violence prevention initiatives, abolition of the death
penalty, advocacy for proper health care provided to all people,
etc.” At the orders of the day and without objection the chair put
the resolution as amended to a vote. The resolution as amended
was adopted by voice vote.

WHEREAS, There are many pro-life organizations which
work to build a culture of life, such as Lutheran Family Service,
A Place of Refuge, Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries,
Lutherans For Life, and many others like these; and
WHEREAS, Establishing a culture of life begins in our
churches and communities; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God
for His unending mercies, especially in overturning Roe v.
Wade, thus preserving the lives of many unborn children; and
be it further
Resolved, That LCMS Life Ministry continue to support
congregations in establishing new mercy ministries that
support a culture of life; and be it further
Resolved, That LCMS Life Ministry provide support and
training materials for congregations, districts, and recognized
service organizations (RSOs) to write grants and support their
efforts; and be it further
Resolutions

Committee 3 Chairman Brady L. Finnern
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 129