Official Workbook PDF page source text

2026 Convention Workbook

291NATIONAL WITNESS

the minor child in circumventing parental authority and to provide guidelines for parents as it relates to this topic.

Northern Illinois District

Ov. 1-26

To Strengthen Christ-Centered Homes through Family Discipleship Work

WHEREAS, All Christians —whether young or old, single or married, widowed or barren —are placed within a family and entrusted with vocations (Psalm 68:5–6); and

WHEREAS, Moses writes “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut. 6:6–7); and

WHEREAS, The Pew Research Religious Landscape Study has shown a strong correlation between: (1) growing up in religious homes and remaining in the faith ; and (2) frequency of church attendance growing up and frequency of church attendance as an adult (“Religious Landscape Study,” Pew Research Center, Oct. 26, 2016; pewresearch.org/religion/2016/10/26/links-betweenchildhood-religious-upbringing-and-current-religious-identity/, accessed Feb 27, 2026); and

WHEREAS, Faith formation has been misunderstood as primarily the responsibility of the church, while Scripture reveals that parents are the primary influence on faith formation; and

WHEREAS, Family discipleship encourages all households to develop and maintain faith habits of faithfully attending worship, having home devotions, and discussing and living out their faith in their home; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage congregations to pray for families, including single people and married couples without children; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations are commended to support and to partner with all households in family discipleship; and be it further

Resolved, That the Office of National Mission (ONM) be directed to provide resources for parents and other adults who are influencing faith, support for church workers equipping the family, and resources for households to grow in their personal faith; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations and members thereof be encouraged to support family discipleship resource development by the ONM with their gifts and prayers.

Board for National Mission

Ov. 1-27

To Propose LCMS Men’s Ministry

WHEREAS, Christ warns us that in the last days “Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matt. 24:12, Berean Study Bible [BSB]) and “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8); and Saint Paul admonishes us “Watch you, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13 BSB); and

WHEREAS, Christian men face increasing hostility from a culture that speaks of “toxic masculinity” and mocks their faith in God; and

WHEREAS, Just as athletes and soldiers have a better chance of success when working together, Scripture teaches: “As iron sharpens iron, so one [man ] sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17 BSB);

and

WHEREAS, The Synod would reap inestimable benefits from a Christ-centered, Bible-based men’s ministry; therefore be it

Resolved, That we encourage all congregations to become part of the Synod’s men’s m inistry to provide opportunities for all Christian men to:

• encourage their Synod brothers in spiritual growth by regular Bible study, prayer, and gatherings on the c ongregation, circuit, district and Synod level;

• build strong families as faithful sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, and grandfathers;

• confess the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3);

• provide for and protect the church and her pastors;

• visit orphans and widows in their affliction (James 1:27).

Mid-South District

Ov. 1-28

To Study and Recommend Strategies to Advance Congregation-based Older Adult Ministries

WHEREAS, Congregations of the Synod are blessed by growing memberships of active older saints; and

WHEREAS, Older adults, at a different stage of life, may be seeking renewed purpose and value; and

WHEREAS, Older adults, as God’s children, make a significant impact upon the lives of others in the name of Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, Older adults are to be looked upon as a special blessing God gives to the Church to be actively used in the mission of the Church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for the gifts and service of older adults in its congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the appropriate synodwide board or office to study and identify resources and strategies to empower congregation -based older adult ministry at the local level and to report its findings and recommendations to the congregations and districts of the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage the use of this study to strengthen and expand faithful, congregationbased older adult ministries throughout the Synod.

Southeastern District

Ov. 1-29

To Celebrate 500th Anniversary of Luther’s Small Catechism and To Encourage Heads of Households to Teach It in Home

WHEREAS, The year 2029 marks the 500th anniversary of the publication of both Martin Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms;

and

WHEREAS, In the year 2029 the Synod will gather for its 70th Regular Convention and, prior to the c onvention, will choose a convention theme; and