Official Resolution Source Text
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 6, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
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- To Address Modern Day Martyrdom
- NEW RESOLUTION
- Overtures 4-54–55 (CW, 331–32)
- WHEREAS, The Church has had a long- standing recognition and honor of martyrs in the faith for their confession
- and example to us all; and
- WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutheran Church has long celebrated feast days for Christ’s martyrs; and
- WHEREAS, Archbishop Balestrero (the Holy See’s diplomat to the United Nations) reported an estimated 5,000
- Christians were killed for their faith in 2025 (approximately 13 every day) ( www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-
- city/news/2026-03/holy-see-christian-persecution-religious-freedom-human-rights.html, accessed July 22, 2026); and
- WHEREAS, In the last triennium there have been high profile killings of Christians for their faith in America and
- across the world including the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota; the bombing at St. Elias
- Orthodox Church in Damascus; and the ongoing attacks on Christians in Nigeria; and
- WHEREAS, The public assassination of Charlie Kirk and suspicions that Kirk’s faith played a large role in the
- attacker’s motive have brought concerns for many parishioners about growing violence against Christians in America;
- and
- WHEREAS, Missionary brothers and friends of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod have encountered
- regular threat and martyrdom, including martyrs who cannot be publicly recognized in the interest of protecting
- others still under persecution around the world; therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod give thanks and praise to God for the steadfast faith of our Christian brothers and
- sisters who face persecution; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod give thanks and praise God for the encouragement and example of steadfast faith
- given to us by the Christian martyrs; and be it further
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- Resolved, That the Synod encourage congregations to regularly recognize and celebrate the feast days for martyrs;
- and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod encourage parish pastors to prepare their respective congregations to stay faithful, even
- facing the threat of death, by preaching and teaching on martyrdom; and be it finally
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for the confession of all martyrs of old and of recent
- times by rising and singing the common doxology.
- Ethan Thompson
- Lay Delegate, Michigan District
