To Offer Care and Support for Families Affected by Homosexuality, Transgenderism, and Sexual Libertinism

Ov. 4-36

To Offer Care and Support for Families Affected by Homosexuality, Transgenderism, and Sexual Libertinism

WHEREAS, God in His almighty power has made humans in His image, which has subsequently been defaced and damaged through original sin (Genesis 1; Ap II 17–18; FC SD I 10–11); and

WHEREAS, God made humans male and female (Gen. 1:27; Matt.

19:4), and designed marriage between a man and a woman (Gen.

2:24) for the purposes of companionship and support (Gen. 2:18, 20–23), procreation (Gen. 1:28), and protection from sin (1 Cor.

7:1–9); and

WHEREAS, God has designed and gifted sexual intimacy and intercourse to occur only within marriage between one husband and one wife (Ex. 20:14 ; Deut. 5:18; Num. 5:11 –31; Matt. 5:27 –30);

and

WHEREAS, The world and our own sinful flesh continue to tempt Christians away from God’s design for marriage and sexuality, with errors such as sexual libertinism, homosexuality, and transgenderism; and

WHEREAS, The families of our congregations and church workers face these temptations and struggle to find resources for instruction, spiritual care, and personal counseling that are faithful to biblical designs for marriage and sexuality; and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Created Male and Female t ask force, created by the Office of National Mission in accordance with 2019 Resolution 11-03A, “To Encourage Synod to Develop Resources to Aid Congregations and Schools regarding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues,” and continued by the Synod as instructed in 2023 Res. 1-0 4A, “To Continue to Address Sexual Orientation

and Gender Identity Issues,” has begun its work in studying these problems among rostered church workers and in Synod schools, identifying existing and needed resources, and developing programs that might offer care to those struggling with these temptations and their families; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage its member congregations and church workers to pray for those whose families have been affected by homosexuality, transgenderism, and sexual libertinism, and also encourage them to remain steadfast in their commitment to uphold and teach God’s design for marriage and sexuality while navigating difficult familial relationships, and lovingly support them as they bear these burdens; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod thank the Created Male and Female task force for its work , and continue the task force in the next triennium, with a specific encouragement to develop and facilitate conferences, seminars, and retreats to help the families of our congregations and church workers who have loved ones dealing with these temptations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod direct its seminaries, colleges, and other responsible agencies ( districts, recognized service organizations [RSOs], etc.) to identify biblically faithful Lutheran counselors who will abide by God’s revealed design for marriage and sexuality, and aid in providing theological education and standards to ensure their biblical faithfulness; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod direct its seminaries, colleges, and other responsible agencies ( districts, RSOs, etc.) to identify and support theologically trained pastors, seminarians, and laypeople who may wish to seek further training in counseling in order to provide care to those struggling with these challenges; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod encourage the institutions of the Concordia University System to establish or expand counseling programs that provide both for b iblically faithful counseling to students tempted by homosexuality, and transgenderism, and sexual libertinism, and for the training of b iblically faithful counselors to care for those inside and outside of the church who are tempted or whose lives and families have been affected by homosexuality, transgenderism, and sexual libertinism.

Missouri District