LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 223

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11. CHURCH AND CULTURE
An amendment was declined to replace, in the tenth whereas,
“include” with “some proponents endorse” and, in the eleventh,
“often divide people…racism” with “sinfully divide.” The
second-last resolve was amended by consent to strike “implore
her congregations and ministries to” from before “continue to
utilize the 1994…Report…” An amendment was declined to
amend the third-last resolve to insert “in our common
humanity and” before the words “in our confession of the
Word,” and to add, in the final resolve, “traumas” to the list,
“movements, methodologies, and ideologies.” With twenty
minutes debate having elapsed, closure was called and was
carried. The resolution was adopted as amended [Yes: 875; No:
84].

To Love and Disciple Peoples of All Ethnicities,
Languages, and Skin Colors
RESOLUTION 11-03A
Overtures 11-02–03, 12–16, 21–23 (CW, 407–8, 413–16, 419–
20)
WHEREAS, God has created all people, all have their
common descent from Adam and Eve which makes all subject
to original sin, and all are redeemed through the atoning
sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Gen. 2:7, 19–22; 1 Cor. 15:22); and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) has acknowledged in convention the ways in which
differences in ethnicity, language, and skin color can be used
sinfully and by Satan himself to divide us from each other and
from the love of God in Christ our Lord (2019 Resolution 1104A; 1992 Res. 3-03; 1981 Res. 8-07; 1971 Res. 9-32); and
WHEREAS, The Word of God clearly teaches that using
ethnic, linguistic, or physical differences to show partiality is
not pleasing to our Lord and stands in contradiction to His
saving work for all people in Christ (Matt. 28:19–20; James
2:8–9; Acts 6:1–3; 10:34–35; 15:16–17; Rev. 7:9); and
WHEREAS, The New Testament witnesses to the need for
Christians to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2), to listen
to one another, to learn one another’s languages, and to
understand one another’s backgrounds, in order to speak the
Good News even more clearly to one another (James 1:19; Acts
2:6–8; 17:16–28); and

love our neighbors in accordance with the Lord’s will; and be
it further
Resolved, That we rejoice that God has brought the nations
to our neighborhoods, and that we challenge the leaders and
congregations of the Synod to engage the people of the many
ethnicities and languages that now make up the communities
around our churches; and be it further
Resolved, That pastors be encouraged to consider pointing
out during the penitential season of Lent ways in which Satan
uses our differences to divide us, and to highlight at Pentecost
our common identity in Christ; and be it further
Resolved, That LCMS Communications regularly
spotlight, in Synod publications, on the web, in social media,
and in e-newsletters, practical ways that congregations and
districts are witnessing across ethnic and language
boundaries, especially in their own communities; and be it
further
Resolved, That the people of the Synod be encouraged to
investigate and inform themselves of the historic and current
work of the Synod in outreach and mission to the various
ethnic groups in our midst; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of National Mission work with
Concordia Publishing House to prepare a scholarly book and
supporting materials on the successes, failures, and
opportunities of the Synod’s ministry and outreach to
communities of color, in commemoration of the 150th
anniversary of black ministry in the Synod in 2027; and be it
further
Resolved, That the Lutheran Church Extension Fund be
encouraged to support the work of proclaiming the Gospel
across ethnic and linguistic lines; and be it finally
Resolved, That we, as a church body, strive intentionally to
love and disciple peoples of all ethnicities, languages, and skin
colors, and thank God for and celebrate the steps made toward
this goal.
Action: Adopted (7)

Upon closure of debate, as suggested by the chair, the resolution
was adopted [Yes: 882; No: 69].

To Address Abortion
and Use of Fetal Tissue in Vaccines

WHEREAS, We acknowledge the disparities in educational,
medical, and financial outcomes among people of various
ethnicities, languages, and skin colors in our nation, as well as
the suffering these disparities bring; and

Overtures 5-42–44, 11-27 (CW, 312–13, 423)

WHEREAS, We sorrow over the suffering caused when
individuals are persecuted in civil society for voicing opinions
at odds with certain contemporary ideologies; therefore be it

WHEREAS, Abortion is a sin against God’s Law (Exodus 20;
Deuteronomy 5; Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation,
Fifth Commandment, 2017 ed., Ques. 62–63 [88–92]); and

Resolved, That all Christians be continually urged to “…
not give false testimony against [their] neighbor” and to “…
explain everything in the kindest way” (Small Catechism I,
Eighth Commandment), and repent where we have failed to

WHEREAS, The methods and means of elective abortion
have changed dramatically since the publication of the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) 1984
report Abortion in Perspective; and

Resolutions

RESOLUTION 11-04

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 223