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To Support Confessional Lutheranism at Home and Abroad
RESOLUTION 3-02 (starting at line 50)
Overture 3-14 (CW, p. 169)
WHEREAS, The decisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at its August 2009 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis regarding homosexual relationships are contrary to Scripture and 2000 years of Christian teaching, and to confessional Lutheranism in particular; and
WHEREAS, Many congregations and individuals have withdrawn from or are considering withdrawal from affiliation with or membership in the ELCA and consider their decision necessitated by conscience, Holy Scripture, and right reason; and
WHEREAS, For the sake of good order and in furtherance of the clear proclamation of the Gospel of Christ, many of these same congregations and individuals have organized themselves into groups such as Word Alone, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), Lutheran CORE, etc.; and
WHEREAS, Individual and congregational contacts from the ELCA with LCMS congregations and officials have increased significantly since August 2009; and
WHEREAS, This decision by the ELCA has also grieved Lutherans and upset inter-church relations among confessional Lutheran church bodies outside the United States; and
WHEREAS, While this state of disruption and uncertainty among confessional Lutherans threatens to hinder the proclamation of the Gospel, it also calls us to confess our faith anew; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS, while not encouraging discord in the ELCA, nevertheless cannot turn away from those who dissent from the ELCA, lest we deny our own convictions; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS has been encouraged to provide leadership and support to emerging and formative Lutheran church bodies; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS earnestly pray for her brothers and sisters in the ELCA, including those who have departed from this biblical and Christian understanding, asking that the ELCA would reconsider—even now—its actions; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS provide encouragement to other Lutheran church bodies as they strive to remain faithful to confessional Lutheranism; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS commend groups such as Word Alone, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), Lutheran CORE, and others for their courage and faithfulness in maintaining their confessional identity by opposing the ELCA’s recent decision; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS commend efforts such as the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR)-sponsored Confessional Leadership Conference (June 2010) which gathered Lutheran leaders from around the world for the purpose of promoting confessional Lutheranism; and be it further
Resolved, That the CTCR be requested to continue to develop plans for confessional leadership (cf. 2007 Res. 3-03) by sponsoring an international model theological conference on confessional leadership in the 21st century; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS through the Office of the President and the CTCR continue exploring ways together with the ILC to bring together Lutherans for the purpose of promoting confessional Lutheranism throughout the world.