Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 2B. pp. 279-280. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 3-01
Canonical number: 3-01
Committee: Mercy
Source: Today's Business, Issue 1
Printed pages: p. 76
PDF pages: 76
Version: original, superseded
Source reference: Issue 1, p. 76
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 1, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 76
- To Commend and Encourage Life Ministry Efforts of Congregations, Schools, Districts,
- and Recognized Service Organizations
- RESOLUTION 3-01
- Report R1.2.1 (CW, 17); Overture 3-02 (CW, 299)
- WHEREAS, God has created every human life (Job 10:9–11; Psalm 139:13–16; Jer. 1:5), and people are taught by Holy
- Scripture to love those in need in every stage of life, from conception to death, with not only our words but also our actions
- (1 John 3:16–18; James 1:22–27); and
- WHEREAS, Increasing numbers of Lutherans are planning and participating in pro-life marches (such as the National
- March for Life), and other advocacy events across the United States; and
- WHEREAS, LCMS Life Ministry has awarded Million Dollar Life Match grants to Synod congregations and districts
- to support and expand beginning-of-life care projects, sanctity of life education and pro-life advocacy work that upholds
- the value of all human life, having assisted during the past triennium some 38,100 people while coordinating with 2,512
- volunteers; and
- WHEREAS, Through the Million Dollar Life Match initiative, LCMS congregations and districts have dedicated
- $500,496.75 toward life-affirming ministries, which has been matched by $618,083.12 from the LCMS Office of National
- Mission (ONM), resulting in a total investment of $1,115,579.87 in support of these efforts; and
- WHEREAS, LCMS Life Ministry has created new resources that proclaim the Gospel and equip the saints for pro-life
- efforts that serve the neighbor and witness to Christ (many such resources to be found in the LCMS Life Ministry Library
- online at resources.lcms.org/reading-study/life-library); therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for the ongoing and increasing witness to the sanctity and
- dignity of every human life by Synod congregations, schools, districts, recognized service organizations (RSO), and by
- LCMS Life Ministry; and be it further
- Resolved, That LCMS Life Ministry, the ONM, the Office of the President, and district staff members be encouraged
- to participate in not only Synod efforts, but also other peaceful and law-abiding ecumenical and civic pro-life organizations
- and events, when and where appropriate; and be it further
- Resolved, That LCMS Life Ministry continue to create resources, offer educational events such as conferences and
- webinars, and advise congregations, schools, districts, and RSOs in their pro-life work; and be it finally
- Resolved, That congregations, schools, and districts of the Synod, as well as RSOs, continue to promote and encourage
- both church workers and congregation members to be involved in pro-life efforts, such as advocating state and federal
- lawmakers to protect and defend human life from conception until natural death, educating congregation members and
- school families about the God-given sanctity and dignity of human life, and finding myriad ways to care for the body and
- soul needs of fathers, mothers, babies, and whole families.
- The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
- Committee, anticipate no significant incremental costs as resources commended are understood to be presently in
- existence and activities described are already within scope and budget (estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).
