Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 2B. p. 280. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 3-02
Canonical number: 3-02
Committee: Mercy
Source: Today's Business, Issue 1
Printed pages: pp. 76-77
PDF pages: 76-77
Version: original, superseded
Source reference: Issue 1, pp. 76-77
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 Promote Awareness of Christian Adoption and Fostering Needs
- RESOLUTION 3-02
- Overture 3-01 (CW, 299)
- WHEREAS, Adoption figures prominently in Holy Scripture (Gal. 4:5) and the baptismal theology of the Evangelical
- Lutheran Church; and
- WHEREAS, Christians have an historical legacy of enacting this Gospel by undertaking and coordinating care for
- “orphans and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27); and
Page 77
- WHEREAS, In the United States, The Synod, her congregations, and recognized service organizations (RSOs) have
- especially exemplified these concerns and embodied this mercy; and
- WHEREAS, Some 117,000 children nationwide are awaiting families and homes through adoption this year
- (www.adoptuskids.org/meet-the-children/children-in-foster-care/about-the-children, accessed May 30, 2026); and
- WHEREAS, In many jurisdictions, state involvement in adoption imposes restrictions that result in a significant
- proportion of these children receiving placements in situations contrary to the heavenly Father’s design and intention for
- sexuality and marriage and without regard for their eternal welfare; and
- WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has not explicitly spoken about the connection of adoption to our doctrine and
- our vocation to serve these neighbors in need; therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention, in grateful response to our own baptismal adoption as children of God through
- our Lord Jesus Christ, affirm our Christian privilege and responsibility to advocate and undertake protecting and providing
- for children awaiting adoption and fostering, particularly that they might enter His kingdom by Baptism and belief in His
- saving name; and be it further
- Resolved, That we recognize and commend RSOs engaged in these services with our prayers, our advocacy, and our
- contributions to further their labors among us and on our behalf; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage our Synod and district leaders and congregations to promote
- awareness of Christian adoption and its Christ-pleasing benefits and promote awareness of Christian adoption and fostering
- needs, agencies, and opportunities; and be it finally
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention recognize and commend the RSOs engaged in these services with our prayers,
- our advocacy, and our contributions to further their labors among us and on our behalf.
