To Rescind 1981 Resolution 8-05 and Request Commission on Theology and Church Relations Report on Human Organ Donation and Transplantation

Official Workbook overture source text

5-23 
To Rescind 1981 Resolution 8-05 and Request 
Commission on Theology and Church Relations 
Report on Human Organ Donation  
and Transplantation 
WHEREAS, The 1981 Synod convention adopted Resolution 8-
05, “To Encourage Donation of Kidneys and Other Organs”: 
  W HEREAS, We accept and believe that our Lord Jesus came to 
give life and to give it abundantly (John 10:10); and 
  W HEREAS, Through advances in medical science we are aware 
that at the time of death some of our organs can be transplanted 
to alleviate pain and suffering of afflicted human beings (see Gal. 
6:10); and 
  W
HEREAS, Our Heavenly Father has created us so that we can 
adequately and safely live with one kidney and can express our 
love and relieve the unnecessary prolonged suffering of our 
relative; and 
  W HEREAS, We have an opportunity to help others out of love 
for Christ, through the donation of organs; therefore be it 
  Resolved, That our pastors, teachers, and DCE’s be 
encouraged to inform the members of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod of the opportunity to sign a Universal Donor 
Card (which is to authorize the use of our needed organs at the 
time of death in order to relieve the suffering of individuals 
requiring organ transplants); and be it further 
  Resolved, That we encourage family members to become 
living kidney donors; and be it further 
  Resolved, That the program committees of pastors and 
teachers conferences be encouraged to include “organ and tissue 
transplants” as a topic on their agendas; and be it finally 
  Resolved, That the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief 
seek ways to implement this program so that the entire Synod 
may join in this opportunity to express Christian concern;  
and 
W
HEREAS, Both medical technology and its academic, peer -
reviewed, and published theological assessment have advanced 
significantly since 1981; and 
W
HEREAS, The recitals of 1981 Res. 8 -05 may now be 
considered jejune and theologically dubious for the complex and 
morally weighty question of human organ donation and 
transplantation and the implications of its encouragement and 
routinization realized since 1981; and 
WHEREAS, The operative clauses of 1981 Res. 8- 05 may 
improperly, even if unintentionally, burden the consciences of 
pastors, church workers, and laity who hold informed and serious 
concerns about the practice and moral implications of routinized 
human organ donation and transplantation; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod is blessed with many gifted theologians 
considered experts in theological ethics who are well -informed on 
the moral significance and contemporary concerns of routinized 
human organ donation and transplantation; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention rescind 1981 Res. 8-05; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention ask the Commission on 
Theology and Church Relations to produce a document to be 
published before the 2029 convention that considers and evaluates 
the theological and moral implications of human organ donation 
and transplantation. 
Circuit 9 (Decatur) 
Indiana District 
Ov.