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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 281

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

NATIONAL WITNESS

281

Ov. 1-08

Ov. 1-07

To Study, and To Make Recommendations to Stop
and Reverse, Long Decline in Synod Membership

To Expand Work of Revitalization
and Encourage Use of re:Vitality Resources

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, founded in
1847, has historically been one of the largest Lutheran bodies in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has always placed a strong emphasis on
confessional fidelity, education, and mission work; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has experienced periods of remarkable
growth, especially after World War II, leading to a peak in
membership in the latter half of 20th century; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, the Synod reported 2,719,319 baptized
members; 6,048 congregations; 1,453 elementary schools; 59 high
schools; 11 colleges in the United States; and three seminaries (one
in Canada); and
WHEREAS, In 2024, the Synod reported 1,635,076 baptized
members; 5,794 congregations; 660 elementary schools; and 114
high schools; 5 colleges; and two seminaries; and
WHEREAS, This decline reflects the aging of our membership,
lower birth rates, fewer young families joining our congregations,
rural depopulation, and the increasing secularization of our culture;
and
WHEREAS, The faithfulness of the Synod to Holy Scripture, the
Lutheran Confessions, the proper distinction between Law and
Gospel, and the Great Commission, along with our traditional forms
of worship, are still our greatest strengths and the means through
which the Holy Spirit grows Christ’s Church; therefore be it
Resolved, That a synodwide conversation be encouraged to take
place over the next triennium involving all our congregations,
circuit forums, districts, schools, colleges, seminaries, and all other
agencies of our church regarding this long trending decline, how to
slow it, and ultimately reverse it; and be it further
Resolved, That this synodwide conversation include wherever
possible essayists, trained speakers and facilitators with knowledge
of the subject, panel discussions, informative videos, and printed
material; and be it further
Resolved, That appropriate agencies of the Synod, such as our
seminaries and/or the Board for National Mission along with
Concordia Publishing House, prepare conversation and study
materials to facilitate this synodwide conversation, as well as
develop formats by which results and recommendations of these
conversations can be submitted to the appropriate agencies for
compilation, editing, summarization, recommendations, proposals,
and synodwide publication before the 2029 Synod convention; and
be it finally
Resolved, That every baptized member of our congregations be
encouraged to continue steadfastly in prayer for the success of the
Gospel and the prospering of the Synod, that the decline would be
stopped, and that a great harvest of souls would be brought in and
continue to be added to the church to the end that “at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the
earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10–11).

WHEREAS, The Synod has prioritized revitalization of its
congregations; and
WHEREAS, Many existing Synod congregations have plateaued
or are declining in membership or worship attendance; and
WHEREAS, Less than five percent of existing Synod
congregations have officially utilized a re:Vitality workshop; and
WHEREAS, Re:Vitality workshops provide practical training and
theological rationale for planning strategically, intentional outreach
to the community, and ministry to inactive members; and
WHEREAS, A forthcoming re:Vitality workshop provides
practical training and theological rationale for intentionally
incorporating members for increased involvement; and
WHEREAS, Re:Vitality is designed to meet a large-scale need for
revitalization at little to no cost to congregations; and
WHEREAS, Re:Vitality workshops are faithful to the Scriptures
and to the Lutheran Confessions; and
WHEREAS, Congregation revitalization is centered in the new life
that is found in God’s Word being proclaimed in purity and His
Sacraments being rightly administered; and
WHEREAS, The 2013 and 2016 Synod conventions approved the
increased focus on revitalization and the expansion of re:Vitality
from the Office of National Mission (ONM) (2013 Res. 3-08A;
2016 Res. 1-03); therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod congregations be regularly encouraged to
engage in biblically based, confessionally faithful best practices
concerning planning for the future, outreach to the community,
caring for inactive members and intentionally incorporating current
members into the life of the church (Matt. 28:19–20; 1 Cor. 3:6; 1
Cor. 14:40); and be it further
Resolved, That districts utilize the ONM’s “Exploring God’s
Mission Here” Bible Study with congregations to help them discern
their needs for revitalization efforts; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to make use of
re:Vitality resources as these are made available; and be it finally
Resolved, That current revitalization efforts in our districts and
local congregations be commended.

Christ the King
Los Lunas, NM

Board for National Mission
Ov. 1-09

To Encourage Congregations and Agencies
to Work Together to Share Resources
WHEREAS, The Atlantic District was founded in 1906 to address
the emerging needs to Gospel mission and ministry; and
WHEREAS, Congregations and agencies in the district were
founded with the goal of faithfully and vigorously embracing
Gospel mission and ministry; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran high schools in New York City (Martin
Luther and Our Savior) and some congregations in Albany (Unity)
recently have come together to share resources for the benefit of
Gospel mission and ministry, just as other congregations in the
district have done in the past; and

2026 Convention Workbook