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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 291

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

NATIONAL WITNESS
the minor child in circumventing parental authority and to provide
guidelines for parents as it relates to this topic.
Northern Illinois District
Ov. 1-26

To Strengthen Christ-Centered Homes
through Family Discipleship Work
WHEREAS, All Christians—whether young or old, single or
married, widowed or barren—are placed within a family and
entrusted with vocations (Psalm 68:5–6); and
WHEREAS, Moses writes “And these words that I command you
today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your
children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and
when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you
rise” (Deut. 6:6–7); and
WHEREAS, The Pew Research Religious Landscape Study has
shown a strong correlation between: (1) growing up in religious
homes and remaining in the faith; and (2) frequency of church
attendance growing up and frequency of church attendance as an
adult (“Religious Landscape Study,” Pew Research Center, Oct. 26,
2016;
pewresearch.org/religion/2016/10/26/links-betweenchildhood-religious-upbringing-and-current-religious-identity/,
accessed Feb 27, 2026); and
WHEREAS, Faith formation has been misunderstood as primarily
the responsibility of the church, while Scripture reveals that parents
are the primary influence on faith formation; and
WHEREAS, Family discipleship encourages all households to
develop and maintain faith habits of faithfully attending worship,
having home devotions, and discussing and living out their faith in
their home; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage
congregations to pray for families, including single people and
married couples without children; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations are commended to support and to
partner with all households in family discipleship; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of National Mission (ONM) be
directed to provide resources for parents and other adults who are
influencing faith, support for church workers equipping the family,
and resources for households to grow in their personal faith; and be
it finally
Resolved, That congregations and members thereof be
encouraged to support family discipleship resource development by
the ONM with their gifts and prayers.

291

WHEREAS, Just as athletes and soldiers have a better chance of
success when working together, Scripture teaches: “As iron
sharpens iron, so one [man] sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17 BSB);
and
WHEREAS, The Synod would reap inestimable benefits from a
Christ-centered, Bible-based men’s ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That we encourage all congregations to become part
of the Synod’s men’s ministry to provide opportunities for all
Christian men to:
• encourage their Synod brothers in spiritual growth by regular
Bible study, prayer, and gatherings on the congregation,
circuit, district and Synod level;
• build strong families as faithful sons, brothers, husbands,
fathers, and grandfathers;
• confess the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3);
• provide for and protect the church and her pastors;
• visit orphans and widows in their affliction (James 1:27).
Mid-South District
Ov. 1-28

To Study and Recommend Strategies to Advance
Congregation-based Older Adult Ministries
WHEREAS, Congregations of the Synod are blessed by growing
memberships of active older saints; and
WHEREAS, Older adults, at a different stage of life, may be
seeking renewed purpose and value; and
WHEREAS, Older adults, as God’s children, make a significant
impact upon the lives of others in the name of Jesus Christ; and
WHEREAS, Older adults are to be looked upon as a special
blessing God gives to the Church to be actively used in the mission
of the Church; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for
the gifts and service of older adults in its congregations; and be it
further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the appropriate
synodwide board or office to study and identify resources and
strategies to empower congregation-based older adult ministry at
the local level and to report its findings and recommendations to the
congregations and districts of the Synod; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage the use of this
study to strengthen and expand faithful, congregation-based older
adult ministries throughout the Synod.
Southeastern District

Board for National Mission
Ov. 1-29

Ov. 1-27

To Propose LCMS Men’s Ministry
WHEREAS, Christ warns us that in the last days “Because of the
multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold”
(Matt. 24:12, Berean Study Bible [BSB]) and “when the Son of Man
comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8); and Saint Paul
admonishes us “Watch you, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be
strong” (1 Cor. 16:13 BSB); and
WHEREAS, Christian men face increasing hostility from a culture
that speaks of “toxic masculinity” and mocks their faith in God; and

To Celebrate 500th Anniversary of Luther’s
Small Catechism and To Encourage
Heads of Households to Teach It in Home
WHEREAS, The year 2029 marks the 500th anniversary of the
publication of both Martin Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms;
and
WHEREAS, In the year 2029 the Synod will gather for its 70th
Regular Convention and, prior to the convention, will choose a
convention theme; and

2026 Convention Workbook