Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2026 · 69th Convention, Phoenix › Page 309
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 309

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

LIFE TOGETHER
5.3.4
The circuit forum may also participate in the triennial
process of suggesting, developing, and attaining the Synod’s
priorities and goals.
…

Board for National Mission; Board for International Mission
Ov. 4-13

To Task Commission on Theology and Church
Relations to Write Report and Accompanying
Study addressing Christian Nationalism
in American Context
WHEREAS, Scripture does not, since the fall of ancient Israel,
endorse or prescribe one form of government over another; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, a form of government known as
Christian nationalism has been promoted by both good faith and bad
faith actors, such as in the book The Case for Christian Nationalism
by Stephen M. Wolfe (Moscow, ID: Canon Press, 2022); and
WHEREAS, There is no set or agreed-upon form of what
constitutes Christian nationalism, with some adherents advocating
for basic theonomy and others arguing for a version in which only
Christians would hold office and have rights; and
WHEREAS, There is much fear and misunderstanding over what
is and is not Christian nationalism due to public discourse, and this
causes much confusion within our Synod, as addressed by the 2023
Concordia Seminary Theological Symposium, “Living By Hope in
a Secular Age: Church and Society”; and
WHEREAS, Martin Luther argues that since the role of
government is to enforce laws and not preach the Gospel it cannot
by definition be Christian, and states that “It is out of the question
that there can be a common Christian government over the entire
world, or for that matter, over one country or a great number of
people…” (Martin Luther, What Luther Says [CPH, 1959] §1795;
see also 1780 and 1781); and
WHEREAS, Pastors, other church workers, and laity have many
questions on this topic as they seek to live out their faith in Godpleasing ways, especially in their vocations as citizens; and
WHEREAS, In the politically charged times in which we live,
members of the Synod find themselves on all sides of this topic,
leading to discord and disunity; therefore be it
Resolved, That the district request the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations (CTCR) to thoroughly study Christian
nationalism, detailing various forms, working definitions, and how
each does or does not follow the faith handed down from the
apostles by mixing up the role of the two realms/kingdoms; and be
it further
Resolved, That the district request the CTCR to write a report of
their study; and be it further
Resolved, That the district request the CTCR to create a study of
their report that is easily accessible and understandable not only by
clergy and church workers, but by Synod laity and the church body
as a whole; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention be memorialized to
instruct the CTCR to accomplish the above requests if the CTCR
has not already begun to do so.
Oklahoma District

309

Ov. 4-14

To Direct Commission on Theology and Church
Relations to Address Christian Nationalism
in American Context
WHEREAS, Scripture does not, since the fall of ancient Israel,
endorse or prescribe one form of government over another; and
WHEREAS, There is much fear and misunderstanding of what is
and is not Christian nationalism due to public discourse and this
causes much confusion within our Synod; and
WHEREAS, Pastors, other church workers, and laity have many
questions on this topic and seek to live out their faith in God
pleasing ways, especially in their vocations as citizens; therefore be
it
Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations be directed to thoroughly study and publish a report on
Christian nationalism detailing its various forms, working
definitions, and its relation to our Lutheran understanding of the two
kingdoms.
Northern Illinois District
Ov. 4-15

To Direct Commission on Theology and Church
Relations to Examine, and Provide Guidance on
Public Teaching and Engagement of,
Lutherans for Racial Justice and to Clarify
Lutheran Teaching on Justice
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture commands love of neighbor and
justice without partiality (Micah 6:8; Luke 10:25–37); and
WHEREAS, The Synod has repeatedly condemned racism and
urged Christian action (e.g., 2019 Res. 11-04A); and
WHEREAS, Lutherans for Racial Justice (LRJ) publicly states it is
a “grassroots coalition committed to fostering multiethnic church
and school cultures as we pursue racial equity, justice, and healing”
(lutheransforracialjustice.com/about-us-1); and
WHEREAS, LRJ’s public resources curate materials that engage
contemporary frameworks (e.g., Black Lives Matter and Critical
Race Theory), which may, if treated normatively, conflict with the
primacy of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; and
WHEREAS, Our Lord testifies, “Wherever the corpse is, there the
vultures will gather” (Matt. 24:28), indicating that falsehood and
decay inevitably attract those who feed on them, and Scripture more
broadly teaches that teaching bears discernible fruit (Matt. 7:15–
20); and
WHEREAS, Concerns have been raised regarding the character of
public discourse surrounding LRJ’s materials and whether such
discourse reflects alignment with confessional Lutheran teaching or
instead draws upon ideological frameworks foreign to the Synod’s
doctrine and practice; and
WHEREAS, LRJ has publicly critiqued Synod leadership on
matters of immigration and public theology (e.g., responses to
President Harrison’s statements), and has amplified narratives and
resources that appear to place political advocacy ahead of
confessional unity, raising legitimate questions under Romans 13
and the Lutheran doctrine of vocation; and
WHEREAS, LRJ has promoted or circulated materials that
encourage resistance to civil authorities (e.g., “Everyone is
2026 Convention Workbook