LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 142

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142

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

sexual ethics, recommend and coordinate implementation with
Synod entities and organizations that will best deliver 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).” The resolution finally asked the task force to report on its
work and make further recommendations to the 2026 convention.
The 2023–26 task force returned all regular members from the
previous triennium, including the Rev. Christopher Esget (LCMS
Fifth Vice-President, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Va.);
Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor (ONM); Dr. Mark Rockenbach (faculty member, Concordia Seminary); the Rev. Kevin Robson (St.
Louis, Mo.); Rev. Dr. Gifford Grobien (faculty member, Concordia Theological Seminary); the Rev. Kevin Karner (Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bristol, Conn.); the Rev. Jonathan Lange (St. Paul
Lutheran Church, Kemmerer, Wyo., and Our Saviour Lutheran
Church, Evanston, Wyo.); the Rev. Brian Barlow (Grace Lutheran
Church, Banning, Calif.); and the Rev. Jared Melius (Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Denver, Colo.). In addition, at the direction of 2023
Res. 1-04A, it added the following representatives of other Synod
entities: the Rev. Roy S. Askins (Managing Director of Editorial,
LCMS Communications); the Rev. Dr. Jacob Corzine (Vice-President of Publishing, Concordia Publishing House); the Rev. Dr.
Richard J. Serina Jr. (Associate Executive Director, Commission
on Theology and Church Relations [CTCR]); and the Rev. Dr. Scott
Stiegemeyer (Associate Professor of Theology, Concordia University Irvine). Pastor Esget served as chair, Dr. Serina served as vicechair, and Pastor Karner served as secretary.
The task force met four times during the triennium: June 13–14,
2024; Aug. 21–22, 2024; Aug. 6–7, 2025; and Nov. 4–5, 2025. In
order to accomplish its work more effectively, the members divided
themselves into two separate working groups that also met virtually
to complete various projects. To fulfill the mandate to conduct field
research, a research-focused working group developed multiple
digital surveys concerning attitudes toward sexual orientation and
gender identity, which it shared with LCMS commissioned ministers and ordained ministers, as well as further qualitative study
of select individuals and families. The nearly 1,500 respondents
showed a remarkable unity of doctrine regarding human sexuality
and gender identity issues. Furthermore, almost all survey respondents knew personal acquaintances or households in the school or
church either struggling with sexual identity issues or family members struggling with them (see the attached appendix to this report
for particular areas where church workers felt less than prepared
to respond to such situations). To fulfill the mandate related to the
production of resources, a content-focused working group assessed
existing publications and digital materials, identified specific materials to commend to the Synod, and identified other materials that
are still needed. It compiled a list of recommended resources with
annotations for distribution by ONM. In addition to its task force–
specific work, individual members collaborated with the ONM for
Created Male and Female programming and resource creation,
helped lead multiple retreats for families affected personally by homosexuality and transgenderism, offered educational opportunities
at the LCMS Youth Gathering, and recorded videos and podcasts to
address related topics. The ONM now hosts a website that will include recommendations of literature, links to online resources, and
other pertinent information (createdmaleandfemale.org).
2026 Convention Workbook

In concluding its work and submitting its report to the convention, the task force wishes to recommend several courses of action
to the Synod and its entities to further address pressing issues of
sexual orientation and gender identity and to help the members of
our congregations understand those issues, respond to them, and
care for and protect those struggling with them.
•

To continue and expand Created Male and Female retreats: Members of the task force organized and led two retreats at Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat Center for families affected by these issues. It is the recommendation of the task
force that the ONM continue these retreats, and, additionally, seek to recruit and train potential facilitators (specifically
those with counseling experience, theological competence,
and pastoral sensitivity) so that such retreats might be expanded in number and to different locations.

•

To cultivate lists of recommended counselors in every
district: District presidents advised the task force that more
personnel was needed to care for those struggling with sexual
orientation and gender identity confusion and temptations. A
request for theologically trustworthy counselors was expressly stated. To that end, it is recommended that the Council of
Presidents ask each district (possibly in conjunction with other contiguous districts) to develop lists of LCMS counselors,
psychologists, and psychiatrists who specialize in this area
and whose understanding of marriage and sexuality reflects
biblical positions. Relatedly, the task force also encourages member colleges of the Concordia University System to
develop and promote counseling programs to help meet the
growing demand for biblically competent, theologically trustworthy Lutheran counselors who specialize in sexual orientation and gender identity.

•

To encourage synodwide conversation: The survey data referenced in this report conducted by LCMS Research Services
shows remarkable unity on matters of sexual orientation and
gender identity within the Synod. Those findings should receive more attention and foster discussion within the Synod,
particularly related to matters of pastoral care. The task force
encourages the districts and circuits of the Synod to study the
findings in their conferences and meetings over the course of
the next triennium. It encourages the use of the recommended
resources available on the Created Male and Female website.
It also encourages the Synod to make use of the resources
commissioned below, upon completion and publication.

•

To commission resources: The task force commends the
website it has developed, which will include a list of recommended resources with annotations. More resources are
needed, however. It is the task force’s opinion that those
needs exist on multiple levels, and we recommend that the
Synod commission or continue this work, which includes:
o

Practical resources: In light of the survey data, the
task force identified a need for practical resources
to support church workers in their vocations. It is
recommended that the ONM in collaboration with
the Office of Pastoral Education develop published
resources and continuing education offerings to aid
church workers in responding to individual situations
pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity,
especially in pastoral care and student/parent relations. It is also recommended that the ONM in collaboration with the CTCR and LCMS Communications develop a lexicon that provides definitions for