Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2026 · 69th Convention, Phoenix › Page 326
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 326

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

LIFE TOGETHER

326

angels always behold the face of their Father in heaven, to stumble
through confusion and offense (Matt. 18:6; see Ap XV 49);
therefore be it
Resolved, That the English District in convention unequivocally
affirm the practice of first Communion prior to confirmation as a
God-pleasing practice and a legitimate way to faithful reception of
the Lord’s Supper; and be it further
Resolved, That the English District in convention encourage
member congregations and pastors of the English District to
recognize the validity of the aforementioned practice of first
Communion prior to confirmation that they may commune visiting
children who, though not yet confirmed, are nevertheless
communicant members in good standing at their home
congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That the English District in convention memorialize
the 2026 Synod convention to adopt the same position; and be it
further
Resolved, That the English District survey her member
congregations in order to determine the percentage of congregations
making use of the Rite of First Communion prior to Confirmation,
and publish the results of said survey among our congregations; and
be it further
Resolved, That the English District in convention memorialize
the 2026 Synod convention to survey all member congregations in
order to determine the percentage of congregations making use of
the Rite of First Communion prior to Confirmation, and publish the
results of said survey among the congregations of Synod; and be it
finally
Resolved, That the English District prepare a tool kit for
congregations and pastors that both equips pastors who desire to
implement such a rite to teach about the practice of first
Communion prior to confirmation and that, likewise, equips pastors
to instruct congregations who do not yet understand the Godpleasing nature of the Rite of First Communion prior to
Confirmation so that such congregations who do not observe this
practice gladly welcome and receive visiting communicant children
who desire to receive the Lord's Supper, and that encourages all
communicant members to announce for Communion when visiting
congregations other than their own.
English District
Ov. 4-43

To Call All in Synod to Love, Peace,
and Brotherly Care
WHEREAS, Christ our Lord says, “By this all people will know
that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John
13:35); and
WHEREAS, St. Paul writes, “Let all bitterness and wrath and
anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all
malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:31–32); and
WHEREAS, Our Synod has too often been torn by harsh words,
pride, and strife, which weaken our witness and grieve the Spirit;
and
WHEREAS, The unity of the Church does not rest in uniformity of
human will but in the pure preaching of the Gospel and the right use
of the Sacraments (AC VII); therefore be it
2026 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That the Synod urge all its members, from laity to
pastors to leaders, to repent of anger, pride, and harsh speech; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Synod call on all its members to “bear with
one another in love” (Eph. 4:2), to speak well of each other, to pray
for one another, and to seek peace; and be it finally
Resolved, That we, brothers and sisters in Christ, commit
ourselves anew to walk in love, so that our life together may be
marked not by strife but by joy in the Gospel, to the glory of God
and the good of His Church.
Christ Greenfield, Gilbert, AZ; Circuit 16 (Faribault), Minnesota
South District; Circuit 28, Pacific Southwest District
Ov. 4-44

To Exhort Members to Earnestly and Regularly
Pray for and Pursue Synodical Unity,
and To Appoint a Task Force
WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed for the unity of His
Church so that the world might believe He has been sent by the
Father (John 17:11, 20–23); and
WHEREAS, Jesus stated, “By this all people will know that you
are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35),
and “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they
may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in
heaven” (Matt. 5:16); and
WHEREAS, The apostle Paul enjoins God’s people to “walk in a
manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with
all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another
in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace” (Eph. 4:1–3); and
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture is filled with many other similar
prayers for, and exhortations to pursue, unity and reconciliation in
the Church (Psalm 133:1; Matt. 5:23–25; 7:1–5; 18:15–35; Rom.
12; 15:5; 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:12; 2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 4:4–6;
Phil. 1:27; 2:1–11; Col. 3:14; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 4:20); and
WHEREAS, The first objective listed in Article III of the Synod
Constitution is to “conserve and promote the unity of the true faith
(Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor. 1:10), work through its official structure toward
fellowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united
defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17), and heresy”;
and
WHEREAS, Unity in the Church is a gift from God (Rom. 15:5–
6) we should humbly seek from Him in prayer; and
WHEREAS, Division and acrimony between Christians severely
compromises the witness of the Church to the world and may
directly impede the proclamation of the Gospel and may, thereby
threaten the eternal salvation of numerous souls; and
WHEREAS, Such disunity, where it is not necessary to maintain
fidelity to the Scriptures and the Confessions, but is rather the result
of human sin, tarnishes God’s name and thus violates the Second
Commandment; and
WHEREAS, The Synod is frequently known even outside of itself
for its internal conflicts and for the refusal of pastors, congregations,
and circuits to commune together; and
WHEREAS, Strife and division in the Church for sinful reasons
are indications that the Church is reflecting the ways of the world
rather than providing a godly alternative to it; and