Official Workbook PDF page source text

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

WHEREAS, 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

WHEREAS, Pastors, other church workers, and laity have many questions on this topic as they seek to live out their faith in Godpleasing ways, especially in their vocations as citizens; and

WHEREAS, 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

WHEREAS, 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

WHEREAS, 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