Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 326

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-between-
childhood-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 
W
HEREAS, 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, congregation-
based 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