Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 2B. pp. 281-282. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 3-03A
Canonical number: 3-03
Committee: Mercy
Source: Today's Business, Issue 2B
Printed pages: pp. 281-282
PDF pages: 29-30
Version: revised, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 2B, pp. 281-282
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 2B, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 281
- To Thank God for Work of LCMS Disaster Response and Human Care Partners
- and To Require Districts to Appoint Disaster Response Coordinators
- RESOLUTION 3-03A
- Overtures 3-03–04 (CW, 299–300)
- WHEREAS, Holy Scripture teaches us to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal.
- 6:2) and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31), and the Lord calls His Church to works of mercy that
- flow from His mercy given to us in Christ Jesus; and
- WHEREAS, Since its current organizational structure was established in 2005, LCMS Disaster Response has
- faithfully equipped the church for acts of mercy in times of crisis, trained and coordinated Lutheran Early Response
- Team (LERT) volunteers, trained leaders, and supported congregations and districts in times of disaster; and
- WHEREAS, LCMS Disaster Response currently works through 104 key leaders across 35 districts , and in
- collaboration with six recognized service organizations (RSO), supporting a network of more than 9,200 trained LERT
- volunteers and more than 80 pieces of specialized disaster equipment, enabling faithful and compassionate response;
- and
- WHEREAS, In the past triennium, LCMS Disaster Response provided $3,427,748 in national disaster relief grants,
- mobilized 6,630 LCMS responders who collectively contributed 77,350 hours of service across training and deployment,
- with 4,755 LCMS responders completing training during this same period (Mary Henrichs, “‘Gospel at the center’:
- LCMS Disaster Response update ,” Reporter Online, January 28, 2026, reporter.lcms.org/2026/gospel-at-center-
- disaster-response-update); and
- WHEREAS, In the past triennium, LCMS Disaster Response and its volunteers have responded to disasters in the
- United States (including hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and other emergencies) and
- have provided enhancements with new training options for LERT volunteers and trainers, showing Christ’s mercy in
- tangible acts of service and bringing the comfort of the Gospel with pastoral care to thousands of survivors; and
- WHEREAS, LCMS Disaster Response also extended Christ’s mercy internationally in the past triennium, distributing
- $1,082,873 in international grants, including response to the 2024 floods in Brazil , where eight churches were rebuilt,
- 200 pastors and lay leaders were trained in disaster response, thousands of confessional materials were replaced, and
- more than 2,200 families received assistance; and response to the 2024 wildfires in Chile, where construction materials
- were provided to rebuild homes, over 30,000 meals were distributed, and more than 8,000 people were served through
- preaching, teaching, mercy care, and spiritual support (ibid.); and
- WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has a rich history of caring for the most vulnerable, and in the
- past triennium this has included disaster relief and support for legal immigrants and refugees through LCMS Disaster
- Response and with various RSOs; and
- WHEREAS, The congregations and members of the Synod have generously contributed their time, resources, and
- prayers to sustain these vital ministries of mercy; therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks and praise to God for His mercy and provision through the
- ongoing work of LCMS Disaster Response and its human care partners, especially for the witness and service offered
- through LERT volunteers, districts, and RSOs; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod encourage continued support and prayer for those vulnerable neighbors affected by natural
- disasters, and for those who serve faithfully in times of crisis; and be it further
- Resolved, That each district appoint a district disaster response coordinator to work directly with LCMS Disaster
- Response and offer LERT training modules in the district; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod commend LCMS Disaster Response, its staff, leaders, and volunteers, to the Lord’s
- continued care, asking Him to strengthen their work in mercy and to bless their proclamation of the saving Gospel of
- Jesus Christ in word and deed; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod give thanks for these efforts and seek additional ways to extend Christ’s mercy to those
- in need, so that the church at large may continue to bear witness to the love of Christ through acts of mercy and service;
- and be it finally
Page 282
- Resolved, That the Synod joyfully confess that every act of mercy flows from Christ Himself, “who comforts us in
- all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction” (2 Cor. 1:4), to the glory of God
- and the comfort of His people.
- The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
- Committee, anticipate no significant incremental costs to the Synod as the activity is understood to be covered by the
- present budget; districts may incur costs for establishing coordinators if not already in service (estimate required by
- Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).
