To Proclaim 2029 500th Anniversary Year of the Catechism

Ov. 1-30

To Proclaim 2029 500th Anniversary Year of the Catechism

WHEREAS, 2029 marks the 500th anniversary of the Small and Large Catechisms of Martin Luther; and

WHEREAS, The renewal of catechesis ushered in by Luther’s catechisms is arguably the greatest contribution to catechesis since the time of the apostles; and

WHEREAS, The catechisms capture “the pattern of sound words … in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13), which is essential for evangelism, mission work, teaching the faith, and the health and growth of the Church; and

WHEREAS, The doctrine and life of the congregations and schools of the Synod are to conform to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions of which the catechisms play a central role; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention proclaim 2029 the 500th Anniversary Year of the Catechism; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage every entity of the Synod to prepare resources, activities, conferences, symposia, continuing education opportunities, educational materials, worship resources, and catechetical materials to equip our congregations, schools, pastors and church workers to “Tell the Next Generation” of the treasure we have in the catechisms for evangelism, discipleship, teaching the faith, the life of prayer, Christian vocation, mercy work, and confessing Christ to the world; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Office of National Mission to work with each district of the Synod to coordinate a program of study and celebration for our congregations and schools to commemorate the 500th Anniversary Year of the Catechism; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage each university of the Concordia University System and each seminary of the Synod to engage in an intentional program of study and celebration to commemorate the 500th Anniversary Year of the Catechism; and be it further

Resolved, That preaching, teaching, and worship celebrations of the 500th Anniversary of the Catechism be encouraged throughout the Synod in the year 2029; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to our gracious Lord for the gift of Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms, and rise to the singing of hymn, “Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain” (LSB 865):

Lord, help us ever to retain The Catechism’s doctrine plain As Luther taught the Word of truth In simple style to tender youth.

Help us Your holy Law to learn, To mourn our sin and from it turn In faith to You and to Your Son And Holy Spirit, Three in One.

Hear us, dear Father, when we pray For needed help from day to day That as Your children we may live, Whom You baptized and so received.

Lord, when we fall or go astray, Absolve and lift us up, we pray;

And through the Sacrament increase Our faith till we depart in peace.

Board for National Mission