LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 224

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11. CHURCH AND CULTURE
WHEREAS, There are some vaccines and medications that
are developed utilizing human fetal tissue from aborted
children and human fetal cell lines from past abortions
(www.lozierinstitute.org/cell-lines-used-for-viral-vaccineproduction/); and

WHEREAS, Mandated closings of congregations and
banning of pastors from healthcare facilities during the time
of the COVID-19 pandemic caused harm to members of
congregations of the Synod and others residing in our
communities; and

WHEREAS, Christians should not be partakers in any evil
nor provide any sort of support or justification for evil
committed in the past (Eph. 5:11–14; 1 Thess. 5:22); and

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic exposed an increasing
hostility of culture and governmental authorities toward the
church in her Word and Sacrament ministry; and

WHEREAS, Initial guidance has been provided to the
congregations of the Synod by President Matthew C.
Harrison’s “LCMS COVID Vaccine Pastoral Letter” dated Jan.
21,
2021
(files.lcms.org/f/1F618D12-7061-4157-9321A0B870A37B34) and the Sept. 24, 2021 document: “The LCMS
and COVID-19 Vaccines: Facts and Considerations”
(files.lcms.org/f/169E6F74-5868-40A3-8DCB47F075EDEE81); and

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic also engendered
ambiguities concerning faithful church membership, faithful
citizenship, and love of neighbor, leading to polarization and
division among Christians of our Lutheran confession;
therefore be it

WHEREAS, Some Synod congregations have expressed a
desire to receive additional guidance about vaccine
development and testing in relation to abortion so that their
members may make decisions about vaccination and
medication in good conscience; therefore be it
Resolved, That the CTCR, in consultation with LCMS Life
Ministry and the seminaries and universities of the Synod,
address the changing nature of abortion and specifically the
topic of vaccines and other medications as it relates to the
issue of abortion and the use of fetal tissue.
Action: Adopted (7)

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

To Address the Relationship
between Church and State in an Increasingly
Hostile Environment
RESOLUTION 11-05
Overtures 11-24–27 (CW, 421–23)
WHEREAS, God has given the Word and Sacraments and
instituted the Office of the Ministry that we may obtain saving
faith (Matt. 28:18–20; John 20:21–23; Augsburg Confession
[AC] IV; V); and
WHEREAS, God has commanded His people to gather to
hear His Word and receive His Sacraments for the forgiveness
of sins, refreshment, comfort, and strength (Matt. 26:26–29;
Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 4:13; Heb. 10:25; 1 Cor. 11:23–26; Large
Catechism [LC] V 72); and
WHEREAS, When we gather together in person to receive
God’s gifts, we are strengthened to withstand the attacks of
the evil one (Eph. 6:10–18; LC V 80–82); and
WHEREAS, Historically, the Church has continued its
essential work during times of plague, and pastors have
brought God’s Word and Sacrament to the sick and
homebound; and
224 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

Resolved, That the Synod affirm that gathering together in
person to receive God’s gifts in Word and Sacrament is
essential for the health and well-being of God’s people; and be
it further
Resolved, That the Synod assert that the State has no Godgiven authority to dictate the sacramental and liturgical
practices of churches; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod affirm that in times of pandemic
or public crisis the church in Christian love should seek to
implement measures that serve the public good while
continuing to carry out her essential role of offering the Word
and the Sacraments; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod affirm that in Christian freedom
(Gal. 5:1), and in consideration of local conditions, some
congregations may choose to temporarily suspend public
gatherings, but that Word and Sacrament ministry must
continue; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod acknowledge that reasonable
minds can disagree in Christian love on how a congregation
may respond to a plague or public crisis in an increasingly
hostile State and culture; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod will support to the best of its
abilities the conscientious acts of its members; and be it
further
Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations address the relationship among Church, State, and
Christian love of neighbor, especially in light of an increasing
hostility toward the Christian faith; and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod continue
boldly to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and provide
spiritual care for their members and communities; and be it
finally
Resolved, That the Synod confess to the world that only
the Gospel of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus
Christ can provide final victory over sin, sickness, and death.
Action: Adopted (7)

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

Resolutions