This is another in our series of resolutions to the 2010 Synod Convention, posted here to allow for discussion. If you have a comment on a specific resolution, see our Resolutions page. If the one you want to discuss is not yet posted, please contact us and we will add the resolution to start discussion.
This one has produced quite a bit of discussion on another related resolution — whether the LCMS should cease ties with ELCA on Resolution 3-03.
To Combat Malaria
RESOLUTION 6-04 (starting at line 45)
Overture 6-01 (CW, p. 207)
WHEREAS, Nearly one-half of the world’s population is at risk of contracting malaria; and
WHEREAS, Malaria affects 500 million people a year and kills one million of them; and
WHEREAS, This death rate translates into 2,880 deaths a day, 120 deaths an hour, or one death every 30 seconds; and
WHEREAS, The vast majority of those affected by malaria are children in Africa; and
WHEREAS, Malaria is a largely preventable and treatable disease worsened by poverty; and
WHEREAS, Many of the world’s wealthiest nations, including the United States, are largely unaware of the crisis of malaria; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI) is an unprecedented collaborative effort to mobilize the nearly eight million Lutherans in the United States to join in the battle against malaria; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Lutherans have been called by Christ to look after the needs of the “least of these” (Matt. 25:31–46) through “cooperation in externals”; and
WHEREAS, The preventable deaths of one million people a year call out for a compassionate response; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran World Relief (LWR), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), with financial support from the United Nations Foundation (UNF), have been invited to participate in the initiative; and
WHEREAS, LMI’s goal is to combat malaria through intensified and comprehensive efforts in education, prevention, advocacy, and mobilization of resources; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Board of Directors has endorsed a LCMS/LWR joint proposal to the UNF, including a grant request of $4 million to be made by these two entities to the foundation; and
WHEREAS, The Synod and Lutheran World Relief are developing a collaborative and coordinative memorandum of understanding regarding appropriate policies for working in concert to raise $45 million to combat malaria and to build support among their respective constituencies for the initiative; and
WHEREAS, Funds raised by the LCMS for LMI will be channeled through existing partner churches and organizations in African countries where malaria is most prevalent, as the Synod cooperates with and helps to empower, engage, uplift, and support its partners in the battle to prevent and treat malaria; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Michigan District schools devoted their February “Hearts for Jesus” campaign to educating children about malaria and committed their chapel offerings to LMI; and
WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House has expressed an interest in creating Vacation Bible School study materials around LMI; and
WHEREAS, The LMI initiative affords the LCMS a unique opportunity to increase the capacity of its partner churches to save lives and share the Gospel; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS be prayerfully committed to the LMI goals of education, advocacy, and fund-raising to prevent and contain malaria; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS through its agencies, congregations, schools, universities, and seminaries support LMI; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS join LMI in this life-saving effort for five years, beginning in 2010.