Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 344

2026 Convention Workbook
309LIFE TOGETHER
5.3.4 The circuit forum may also participate in the triennial 
process of suggesting, developing, and attaining the Synod’s 
priorities and goals. 
… 
Board for National Mission; Board for International Mission 
Ov. 4-13 
To Task Commission on Theology and Church 
Relations to Write Report and Accompanying 
Study addressing Christian Nationalism  
in American Context 
WHEREAS, Scripture does not, since the fall of ancient Israel, 
endorse or prescribe one form of government over another; and 
WHEREAS, In  recent years, a form of government known as 
Christian nationalism has been promoted by both good faith and bad 
faith actors, such as in the book The Case for Christian Nationalism 
by Stephen M. Wolfe (Moscow, ID: Canon Press, 2022); and 
WHEREAS, There is no set or agreed -upon form of what 
constitutes Christian nationalism, with some adherents advocating 
for basic theonomy and others arguing for a version in which only 
Christians would hold office and have rights; and 
WHEREAS, There is much fear and misunderstanding over what 
is and is not Christian nationalism due to public discourse, and this 
causes much confusion within our Synod, as addressed by the 2023 
Concordia Seminary Theological Symposium, “Living By Hope in 
a Secular Age: Church and Society”; and 
W
HEREAS, Martin Luther argues that since the role of 
government is to enforce laws and not preach the Gospel it cannot 
by definition be Christian, and states that “It is out of the question 
that there can be a common Christian government over the entire 
world, or  for that matter, over one country or a great number of 
people…”  (Martin Luther, What Luther Says  [CPH, 1959] §1795; 
see also 1780 and 1781); and 
W
HEREAS, Pastors, other church workers, and laity have many 
questions on this topic as they seek to live out their faith in God-
pleasing ways, especially in their vocations as citizens; and 
W
HEREAS, In the politically charged times in which we live, 
members of the Synod find themselves on all sides of this topic, 
leading to discord and disunity; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the district request the Commission on Theology 
and Church Relations (CTCR) to thoroughly study Christian 
nationalism, detailing various forms, working definitions, and how 
each does or does not follow the faith handed down from the 
apostles by mixing up the role of the two realms/kingdoms; and be 
it further 
Resolved, That the district request the CTCR to write a report of 
their study; and be it further 
Resolved, That the district request the CTCR to create a study of 
their report that is easily accessible and understandable not only by 
clergy and church workers, but by Synod laity and the church body 
as a whole; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention be memorialized to 
instruct the CTCR to accomplish the above requests if the CTCR 
has not already begun to do so. 
Oklahoma District 
Ov. 4-14 
To Direct Commission on Theology and Church 
Relations to Address Christian Nationalism  
in American Context 
WHEREAS, Scripture does not , since the fall of ancient Israel , 
endorse or prescribe one form of government over another; and 
WHEREAS, There is much fear and misunderstanding of what is 
and is not Christian n ationalism due to public discourse and this 
causes much confusion within our Synod; and 
WHEREAS, Pastors, other church workers, and laity have many 
questions on this topic and seek to live out their faith in God 
pleasing ways, especially in their vocations as citizens; therefore be 
it 
Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church 
Relations be directed to thoroughly study and publish a report on 
Christian nationalism detailing its various forms, working 
definitions, and its relation to our Lutheran understanding of the two 
kingdoms. 
Northern Illinois District 
Ov. 4-15 
To Direct Commission on Theology and Church 
Relations to Examine, and Provide Guidance on 
Public Teaching and Engagement of,  
Lutherans for Racial Justice and to Clarify  
Lutheran Teaching on Justice 
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture commands love of neighbor and 
justice without partiality (Micah 6:8; Luke 10:25–37); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has repeatedly condemned racism and 
urged Christian action (e.g., 2019 Res. 11-04A); and 
WHEREAS, Lutherans for Racial Justice (LRJ) publicly states it is 
a “grassroots coalition committed to fostering multiethnic church 
and school cultures as we pursue racial equity, justice, and healing” 
(lutheransforracialjustice.com/about-us-1); and 
W
HEREAS, LRJ’s public resources curate materials that engage 
contemporary frameworks (e.g., Black Lives Matter and Critical 
Race Theory), which may, if treated normatively, conflict with the 
primacy of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; and 
W
HEREAS, Our Lord testifies, “Wherever the corpse is, there the 
vultures will gather” (Matt. 24:28), indicating that falsehood and 
decay inevitably attract those who feed on them, and Scripture more 
broadly teaches that teaching bears discernible fruit (Matt. 7:15–
20); and 
WHEREAS, Concerns have been raised regarding the character of 
public discourse surrounding LRJ’s materials and whether such 
discourse reflects alignment with confessional Lutheran teaching or 
instead draws upon ideological frameworks foreign to the Synod’s 
doctrine and practice; and 
WHEREAS, LRJ has publicly critiqued Synod leadership on 
matters of immigration and public theology (e.g., responses to 
President Harrison’s statements), and has amplified narratives and 
resources that appear to place political advocacy ahead of 
confessional unity, raising legitimate questions under Romans 13 
and the Lutheran doctrine of vocation; and 
WHEREAS, LRJ has promoted or circulated materials that 
encourage resistance to civil authorities (e.g., “Everyone is