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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 299

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

FLOOR COMMITTEES: REPORT AND OVERTURE ASSIGNMENTS

299

Ov. 3-02

3. Mercy
REPORTS
R1, R1.2–R1.2.2, R1.2.4, R5.2–R7, R60, R62.1
OVERTURES
Ov. 3-01

To Promote Awareness of Christian Adoption
and Fostering Needs
WHEREAS, Adoption figures prominently in Holy Scripture (Gal.
4:5) and the baptismal theology of salvation by grace in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church; and
WHEREAS, Christians have a historical legacy of enacting this
Gospel by undertaking and coordinating care for “orphans and
widows in their affliction” (James 1:27); and
WHEREAS, In the United States, The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, her congregations, and affiliated parachurch organizations
have especially exemplified these concerns and embodied this
mercy; and
WHEREAS, Some 115,000 children nationwide are awaiting
families and homes through adoption this year; and
WHEREAS, In many jurisdictions, state involvement in adoption
imposes restrictions that result in a significant proportion of these
children receiving placements in situations contrary to the Heavenly
Father’s design and intention for sexuality and marriage and
without regard for their eternal welfare; and
WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has not explicitly spoken
about the connection of adoption to our doctrine and our vocation
to serve these neighbors in need; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Indiana District, in grateful response to our
own baptismal adoption as children of God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, affirm our Christian privilege and responsibility to advocate
and undertake protecting and providing for children awaiting
adoption and fostering, particularly that they might enter His
kingdom by baptism and belief in His saving name; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage our district’s leaders and
congregations to promote awareness of Christian adoption and
fostering needs, agencies, and opportunities; and be it further
Resolved, That we recognize and commend Synod recognized
service organizations (RSOs) engaged in these services with our
prayers, our advocacy, and our contributions to further their labors
among us and on our behalf; and be it further
Resolved, That the Indiana District in convention memorialize
the Synod in convention to encourage our Synod leaders and
congregations to promote awareness of Christian adoption and its
Christ-pleasing benefits and promote awareness of Christian
adoption and fostering needs, agencies, and opportunities; and be it
finally
Resolved, That the Indiana District in convention memorialize
the Synod in convention to recognize and commend the Synod
RSOs engaged in these services with our prayers, our advocacy, and
our contributions to further their labors among us and on our behalf.
Indiana District

To Commend and Encourage Life Ministry Efforts
of Congregations, Schools, Districts,
and Recognized Service Organizations
WHEREAS, God has created every human life (Job 10:9–11;
Psalm 139:13–16; Jer. 1:5), and people are taught by Holy Scripture
to love those in need in every stage of life, from conception to death,
with not only our words but also our actions (1 John 3:16–18; James
1:22–27); and
WHEREAS, Increasing numbers of Lutherans are planning and
participating in pro-life marches and other advocacy events across
the United States; and
WHEREAS, LCMS Life Ministry has awarded Million Dollar Life
Match grants to Synod congregations and districts to support and
expand beginning-of-life care projects, sanctity of life education
and pro-life advocacy work that upholds the value of all human life;
and
WHEREAS, LCMS Life Ministry has created new resources that
proclaim the Gospel and equip the saints for pro-life efforts that
serve the neighbor and witness to Christ (many such resources to be
found in the LCMS Life Ministry Library online at
resources.lcms.org/reading-study/life-library/); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for
the ongoing and increasing witness to the sanctity and dignity of
every human life by Synod congregations, schools, districts,
Recognized Service Organizations (RSO), and by LCMS Life
Ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That LCMS Life Ministry, the Office of National
Mission, the Office of the President, and district staff members be
encouraged to participate in not only Synod efforts, but also
ecumenical and civic pro-life organizations and events, when and
where appropriate; and be it further
Resolved, That LCMS Life Ministry continue to create
resources, offer educational events such as conferences and
webinars, and advise congregations, schools, districts, and RSOs in
their pro-life work; and be it finally
Resolved, That congregations, schools, and districts of the
Synod, as well as RSOs, continue to promote and encourage both
church workers and congregation members to be involved in prolife efforts, such as advocating state and federal lawmakers to
protect and defend human life from conception until natural death,
educating congregation members and school families about the
God-given sanctity and dignity of human life, and finding myriad
ways to care for the body and soul needs of fathers, mothers, babies,
and whole families.
Board for National Mission
Ov. 3-03

To Thank God for Work
of LCMS Disaster Response and Training
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture teaches us to “Bear one another’s
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2), and the Lord
calls His Church to works of mercy that flow from His mercy given
to us in Christ Jesus; and
WHEREAS, Since its current organizational structure in 2005,
LCMS Disaster Response has faithfully equipped the church for

2026 Convention Workbook