Official Workbook PDF page source text

2026 Convention Workbook

289NATIONAL WITNESS

Ov. 1-22

To Affirm Atlantic District Commitment to Education and Formation

WHEREAS, The 2022 Atlantic District convention passed Resolution 2022 -01-03, “To Explore Future Lutheran Higher Education Opportunities in the East Coast Region” (2022 Atlantic District Proc., 11, ad-lcms.org/now/districtevents/convention/convention-61); and

WHEREAS, The 2022 district convention passed a resolution (2022-01-09, “Encouraging the Use of the Ancient Catechumenate Model”) to affirm the ancient catechumenate; and

WHEREAS, In 2024, an education committee was formed by the district board of directors to consider current and future opportunities for Lutheran education and formation; and

WHEREAS, The district has committed resources specifically to the mission and ministries of Martin Luther School in Queens and Our Saviour Lutheran School in The Bronx, among other schools;

and

WHEREAS, The district has a tradition of forming solid theological minds grounded in the evangelical, catholic, and reforming tradition of the Augsburg Confession in its congregations and schools; therefore be it

Resolved, That the district in convention affirm the ongoing work of its education committee; and be it further

Resolved, That the district in convention encourage her congregations to recommit themselves to the tradition of raising up and forming solid theological minds grounded in the evangelical, catholic, and reforming tradition of the Augsburg Confession; and be it finally

Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize this resolution to the 2026 Synod convention.

Atlantic District

Ov. 1-23

To Affirm and Encourage Parents as Primary Teachers of the Faith

WHEREAS, In the Scriptures, we read: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4); and

WHEREAS, Luther writes in the Small Catechism, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4)” (SC Table of Duties, For Parents); and

WHEREAS, Luther, in his Large Catechism explanation to the Fourth Commandment states, “But [parents] should consider that they are obligated to obey God. First of all, they should seriously and faithfully fulfill their office, not only to support and provide for the bodily necessities of their children, … but, most of all, they should train them to honor and praise God [Proverbs 22:6]” (LC I 168–69); and

WHEREAS, Luther further declares, “let everyone know that it is his duty, on peril of losing the divine favor, to bring up his children in the fear and knowledge of God above all things [Proverbs 1:7]” (LC I 174); and

WHEREAS, Parents are, therefore, entrusted with the ultimate responsibility of teaching the faith and catechizing their children ;

and

WHEREAS, Contrary to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, parents may neglect their role as the primary teacher of the faith in the lives of their children or be given the impression that faith formation in their children is a primary work of the pastor, teacher, or other called minister of the congregation, rather than the father and mother; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention clearly and unequivocally reassert and affirm the scriptural truth that God has given to parents to be the primary teachers of the faith in their children; and be it further

Resolved, That parents within the church be regularly encouraged to undertake and fulfill the duty God has given them to bring up their children in the fear and knowledge of God; and be it further

Resolved, That the pastors, teachers, and other commissioned ministers of the church be encouraged to affirm parents in their God-given duty and to support, equip, and encourage them, through prayer and other means, to fulfill the duty God has given them; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod use its resources and influence to encourage parents in their God- given role as the primary teachers of the faith for their children.

St. John Seward, NE

Ov. 1-24

To State Religious Objection to Government Interference with Parents’ Duty

WHEREAS, The Small Catechism confesses that God has created and given to each person “my body” (SC II, Second Article); and

WHEREAS, The body of the baptized is the temple of the Holy Spirit and belongs not to government or its institutions (such as schools [public or private]), but to God (1 Cor. 6:19); and

WHEREAS, The Fourth Commandment, as explained in the Large Catechism, places all authority over a child on the parents of that child, so that we confess, “For all authority flows and is born from the authority of parents. Where a father is unable alone to educate his … child, he uses a schoolmaster to teach the child .

… So all whom we call ‘masters’ are in a place of parents and must get their power and authority to govern from them” (LC I [Fourth Commandment] 141–142); and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures and the Catechism do not limit parental authority to a particular age, but state that God has given authority to parents over all children who live under their roof; and

WHEREAS, The doctrine of the two kingdoms affirms prescriptively that while the government bears the sword for civil order (Rom. 13:4), it allows the kingdom of the left no jurisdiction relative to the responsibilities God has given to parents in the spiritual and moral upbringing of their children; and

WHEREAS, Government in our society— at federal, state, and local levels—has attempted or may attempt to step between children and their parents (impeding the parents' duty to raise their children in the faith and life of the Christian confession) in various ways, including but not limited to: