1-26

To Strengthen Christ-Centered Homes through Family Discipleship Work

This is official source text extracted from the 2026 LCMS Convention Workbook. It is distinct from analysis or commentary. Check official LCMS convention materials for final authority.

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Official Workbook overture source text

Overture: 1-26

Workbook page: 291

Source pages: 291

Source status: source checked / public

Submitter: Board for National Mission

Ov. 1-26

To Strengthen Christ-Centered Homes through Family Discipleship Work

WHEREAS, All Christians —whether young or old, single or married, widowed or barren —are placed within a family and entrusted with vocations (Psalm 68:5–6); and

WHEREAS, Moses writes “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut. 6:6–7); and

WHEREAS, The Pew Research Religious Landscape Study has shown a strong correlation between: (1) growing up in religious homes and remaining in the faith ; and (2) frequency of church attendance growing up and frequency of church attendance as an adult (“Religious Landscape Study,” Pew Research Center, Oct. 26, 2016; pewresearch.org/religion/2016/10/26/links-betweenchildhood-religious-upbringing-and-current-religious-identity/, accessed Feb 27, 2026); and

WHEREAS, Faith formation has been misunderstood as primarily the responsibility of the church, while Scripture reveals that parents are the primary influence on faith formation; and

WHEREAS, Family discipleship encourages all households to develop and maintain faith habits of faithfully attending worship, having home devotions, and discussing and living out their faith in their home; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage congregations to pray for families, including single people and married couples without children; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations are commended to support and to partner with all households in family discipleship; and be it further

Resolved, That the Office of National Mission (ONM) be directed to provide resources for parents and other adults who are influencing faith, support for church workers equipping the family, and resources for households to grow in their personal faith; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations and members thereof be encouraged to support family discipleship resource development by the ONM with their gifts and prayers.

Board for National Mission

Source record notice

Official Workbook source text remains separate from any clearly labeled draft discernment material. Review status is source checked.

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Committee

National Witness

Themes

Theme tags are a conservative research aid for finding patterns in proposed resolutions. They are not official LCMS classifications.

Doctrinal Missional Governance Procedural Relational Pastoral

Citations

Workbook source for 1-26: LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook, p. 291

Draft discernment material

AI Summary and Discernment Aid

This section is an AI-assisted summary and prayer guide based on a draft discernment document. It is not official LCMS material, not a substitute for the Workbook, and not a substitute for reading the full overture. Please read the complete overture text below before forming conclusions, speaking publicly, or voting.

The draft guide summarizes the apparent direction this way. Readers should compare this with the full overture text and any floor committee action.

Floor Committee 1: National Witness

Summary and possible impact

The resolves appear to ask the church body to strengthen Christ-Centered Homes through Family Discipleship Work. In plain language, this overture is trying to move the stated concern into convention action by directing specific offices, boards, congregations, or workers toward action, publicly giving thanks, commending faithful work, or marking an anniversary, encouraging local, district, or synodwide support without necessarily creating a mandate. Main actors named or implied include congregations, mission boards or missionaries, recognized service organizations or agencies, pastors and church workers. The overture contains about 4 resolve clauses, so delegates should read each clause rather than reacting only to the title. Its impact depends on how a floor committee rewrites, combines, refers, or declines it, since overtures often become part of broader resolutions. Delegates should read the final committee resolution carefully rather than assuming the original overture language will come to the floor unchanged. Support it if it strengthens Gospel proclamation, the means of grace, faithful congregational life, and the sending of Christ's people. Seek amendment or oppose it if it weakens confession, obscures Law and Gospel, burdens local ministry, or turns a preference into a rule.

Prayer for discernment

Lord Jesus Christ, risen Shepherd of Your Church, guide our delegates and leaders as they weigh this overture. Keep them captive to Your Word, joyful in the Lutheran confession, sober under Your Law, and bold in Your Gospel. Bless children, families, teachers, schools, and households learning the faith. Give courage to support what serves Your truth and mission, humility to amend what is unclear or excessive, and faithfulness to reject what would burden consciences, obscure the forgiveness of sins, or distract from Your sending. Let all things serve the proclamation that Christ is risen, sinners are forgiven, and Your Church is sent in love. Amen.

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