Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 357

2026 Convention Workbook
322 LIFE TOGETHER
WHEREAS, The Office of National Mission (ONM) and the 
Office of International Mission (OIM) are tasked with the granting 
of RSO status (Bylaw 6.2.4); and 
WHEREAS, Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) 
and Lutheran Social Services of Northern California (LSSNorCA) 
have both been granted RSO status; and 
W
HEREAS, LCSNW, as recently as June of 2024, participated in 
an annual Spokane Pride Parade “as they do every year” in an effort 
to make their communities “more healthy, just, hopeful and [sic] 
Prideful for all,” (“Pride is more than a month at LCSNW; it’s a 
mindset to serve LGBTQ clients ,” lcsnw.org/2024/06/pride-is-
more-than-a-month”, accessed Oct. 1, 2024); and 
WHEREAS, LSSNorCA stands with the LGBTQIA+ community 
and proudly supports them, as stated in a 2023 letter from the CEO 
of the LSSNorCA, (“Statement on LGBTQIA+ Pride ,” 
www.lssnorcal.org/file_download/b8699925-8345-437f-8cda-
dad7d95d3d77, accessed Oct. 1, 2024); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the RSO status of LCSNW and LSSNorCA be 
terminated immediately; and be it further 
Resolved, That Synod members support and encourage their 
respective district presidents as they go about their task given them 
in Bylaw 6.2.1 (c) of overseeing the RSOs under their ecclesiastical 
supervision. 
Resolved, That the Office of the Secretary decline any 
applications for RSO status received from any organization 
supporting, uplifting, celebrating, or otherwise promoting 
LGBTQIA+ groups, agendas, thoughts, ideas, ideals, etc., including 
organizations seeking RSO status that are partnered with an 
organization supporting, advocating, or otherwise promoting the 
same; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod direct the ONM and OIM not to grant 
or renew RSO status to any organization supporting, uplifting, 
celebrating, or otherwise promoting LGBTQIA+ groups, agendas, 
thoughts, ideas, ideals, etc., including organizations seeking RSO 
status that are partnered with an organization supporting, uplifting, 
celebrating, or otherwise promoting LGBTQIA+ groups, agendas, 
thoughts, ideas, ideals, etc.; and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 6.2.3 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
6.2.3 Program administration shall be carried out by the Offices 
of National and International Mission according to these bylaws, and 
according to policies and criteria developed by the Synod Board of 
Directors, mission boards, and mission offices. 
(a) The Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church —Missouri 
Synod shall adopt common policies and criteria for granting of 
recognized service organization status by Synod’s mission 
offices, such polices relating to expectations for the corporate 
structure and g overnance of the organizations, statements 
regarding their legal and corporate independence from the Synod, 
and the necessary relation of their work to the mission and 
ministry of the Synod as generally expressed in its Constitution 
and Bylaws. These policies shall include an agreement with the 
recognized service organization stating that they adopt and will 
uphold the biblical definition of manhood, womanhood, and 
marriage, as adopted by the Synod and that they will not endorse, 
support the work of, nor enter into partnerships with other 
organizations who either undermine or do not uphold the same.  
The Board of Directors shall approve the standard form of 
agreement to be entered into by the Synod and each recognized 
service organization. 
… 
and be it finally 
Resolved, That Bylaw 6.2.4 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
6.2.4 Subject to policies adopted by the Synod’s Board of 
Directors and the respective mission board , recognized service 
organization status may be granted by the Office of National Mission 
or the Office of International Mission to a service organization (other 
than an auxiliary) that extends the mission and ministry of the Synod 
but is not part of the Synod as defined by its Constitution and 
Bylaws. 
(a) Applications for recognized service organization status shall 
be made to the Office of the Secretary of the Synod, which will 
facilitate the application as follows: 
… 
(4) To be declined are all  applications for RSO status from 
organizations currently supporting, uplifting, celebrating, or 
otherwise promoting groups, agendas, thoughts, ideas, ideals, 
etc., contrary to God’s design for man and woman as well as 
applications from organizations seeking RSO status that are 
partnered with the same. 
(b) Within the area of its responsibility and in accordance with 
policies and criteria developed by the Synod Board of Directors, 
the respective mission board and office, each mission office shall 
determine to which organizations recognized service 
organization status will be granted and revoked. 
… 
South Wisconsin District 
Ov. 4-36 
To Offer Care and Support for Families  
Affected by Homosexuality, Transgenderism,  
and Sexual Libertinism 
WHEREAS, God in His almighty power has made humans in His 
image, which has subsequently been defaced and damaged through 
original sin (Genesis 1; Ap II 17–18; FC SD I 10–11); and 
WHEREAS, God made humans male and female (Gen. 1:27; Matt. 
19:4), and designed marriage between a man and a woman (Gen. 
2:24) for the purposes of companionship and support (Gen. 2:18, 
20–23), procreation (Gen. 1:28), and protection from sin (1 Cor. 
7:1–9); and 
WHEREAS, God has designed and gifted sexual intimacy and 
intercourse to occur only within marriage between one husband and 
one wife (Ex. 20:14 ; Deut. 5:18; Num. 5:11 –31; Matt. 5:27 –30); 
and 
WHEREAS, The world and our own sinful flesh continue to tempt 
Christians away from God’s design for marriage and sexuality, with 
errors such as sexual libertinism, homosexuality, and 
transgenderism; and 
WHEREAS, The families of our congregations and church 
workers face these temptations and struggle to find resources for 
instruction, spiritual care, and personal counseling that are faithful 
to biblical designs for marriage and sexuality; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod’s Created Male and Female t ask force, 
created by the Office of National Mission in accordance with 2019 
Resolution 11-03A, “To Encourage Synod to Develop Resources to 
Aid Congregations and Schools regarding Sexual Orientation and 
Gender Identity Issues,” and continued by the Synod as instructed 
in 2023 Res. 1-0 4A, “To Continue to Address Sexual Orientation