LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 130

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3. MERCY

To Increase Awareness among Synod
Congregations of Human Trafficking
RESOLUTION 3-02A

Upon immediate closure of debate, as suggested by the chair, the
resolution was adopted by unanimous voice vote.

To Continue the Synod’s Efforts to Address
Mental Health and Mental Illness

Overture 3-03 (CW, 269–70)
WHEREAS, God created all life and sent His Son, Jesus, to
redeem all life, and He desires that all people come to the
knowledge of Him, be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), and have abundant
life in Him (John 10:10); and
WHEREAS, St. Paul called the church to repent of sexual
immorality of all kinds (1 Cor. 5:1–2; 6:12–20) and God
repeatedly worked repentance in His people and saved them
from physical and spiritual prostitution (Exodus 32; Deut.
23:18; Judges 2:17; 1 Kings 11:5; Hos. 1–14; Ezekiel 16); and
WHEREAS, God is able to forgive and restore all who are in
bondage to any slavery and sin (1 Sam. 7:4; 2 Samuel 11–12;
Psalm 23:3; Psalm 51; Luke 8:1–2; John 8:1–11, 31–36; Heb.
11:32), and we by God’s grace are taught to repent of all sins of
which we are aware and unaware (Small Catechism V 16); and
WHEREAS, God, the Father of mercies, has called us to
comfort all with the comfort He gives us (2 Cor. 1:3–4) and to
love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 19:19; Mark 12:31; Luke
10:29); and
WHEREAS, Human trafficking, including forced labor and
sex trafficking, affects an estimated 24.9 million victims
worldwide at any given time; and
WHEREAS, The Office of National Mission (ONM) and
recognized service organizations (RSOs) have addressed
human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, Many people in Synod congregations are
unaware of the magnitude of this deplorable act against
humanity; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct ONM to
research and share synodwide—through publications, social
media, and other sources—churches, schools, and RSOs who
are having an impact on their communities plagued by human
trafficking, as a witness to the Synod of ministries for
implementation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod encourage its church workers
and lay people to become educated regarding this issue and be
proactive in their response; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commit to pray
that almighty God would by His power bless and direct all law
enforcement agencies in their fight against human trafficking
and that He would through His Church and other relief
organizations provide healing, support, and ministry to the
victims of human trafficking and that He would bring an end
to these deplorable acts.
Action: Adopted (6)

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

RESOLUTION 3-03A
Overture 3-05 (CW, 270–71)
Preamble
Over the course of the 2019–23 quadrennium, the Office of
National Mission (ONM) staff reflected on how best to
respond to the Synod’s ongoing desired goals, objectives, and
possible beneficial actions pertaining to mental health and
mental illness. Mental illness is considered the most severe yet
diagnosable form of a mental health problem, with
diagnosable mental illness affecting 20+ percent of the U.S.
population in any given year. As ONM leadership considered
2019 Resolution 3-04A, “To Encourage Training of Our
Pastors, Church Workers and Congregations to Recognize and
Provide Pastoral Care for Those Suffering from Clinical
Depression, Mental Illnesses, and Other Mental Disorders”
(Proceedings, 131), particularly its four resolves,
Resolved, That our seminaries, universities, and
recognized service organizations be encouraged
to continue to strive for improved training in
mental illness, health, and wellness for those
studying to be pastors and church workers; and
be it further
Resolved, That we encourage the seminaries and
universities to include continuing education
opportunities and resources regarding the topic
of mental illness; and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod districts work to provide additional
training to all workers through partnerships
with our seminaries, our Concordias, and other
trusted experts in the field; and be it finally
Resolved, That we encourage our pastors, church
workers, and congregations to actively advocate
for mental health and wellness in their
congregations, among their people, and provide
Christ-centered compassion and ministerial
supportive care to those in need through prayer,
private confession and absolution, and the
means of grace,
ONM eventually determined to establish an ad hoc task force
to undertake further study, immediately feasible actions, and
the development of recommendations aimed at future Synod
actions and initiatives to address mental health and mental
illness issues among both church workers and laity. ONM is
grateful for the direct participation of the following
individuals on the ad hoc task force, chaired by Rev. Steven
Briel, D. Litt. (chair, LCMS Board for National Mission [BNM]);
Resolutions