Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 358

2026 Convention Workbook
323LIFE TOGETHER
and Gender Identity Issues,” has begun its work in studying these 
problems among rostered church workers and in Synod schools, 
identifying existing and needed resources, and developing programs 
that might offer care to those struggling with these temptations and 
their families; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage its member 
congregations and church workers to pray for those whose families 
have been affected by homosexuality, transgenderism, and sexual 
libertinism, and also encourage them to remain steadfast in their 
commitment to uphold and teach God’s design for marriage and 
sexuality while navigating difficult familial relationships, and 
lovingly support them as they bear these burdens; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod thank the Created Male and Female 
task force for its work , and continue the task force in the next 
triennium, with a specific encouragement to develop and facilitate 
conferences, seminars, and retreats to help the families of our 
congregations and church workers who have loved ones dealing 
with these temptations; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod direct its seminaries, colleges, and 
other responsible agencies ( districts, recognized service 
organizations [RSOs], etc.) to identify biblically faithful Lutheran 
counselors who will abide by God’s revealed design for marriage 
and sexuality, and aid in providing theological education and 
standards to ensure their biblical faithfulness; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod direct its seminaries, colleges, and 
other responsible agencies ( districts, RSOs, etc.) to identify and 
support theologically trained pastors, seminarians, and laypeople 
who may wish to seek further training in counseling in order to 
provide care to those struggling with these challenges; and be it 
finally 
Resolved, That the Synod encourage the institutions of the 
Concordia University System to establish or expand counseling 
programs that provide  both for b iblically faithful counseling to 
students tempted by homosexuality, and transgenderism, and sexual 
libertinism, and for the training of b iblically faithful counselors to 
care for those inside and outside of the church who are tempted or 
whose lives and families have been affected by homosexuality, 
transgenderism, and sexual libertinism. 
Missouri District 
Ov. 4-37 
To Continue to Oppose Practice of Couples  
Living Together outside Marriage and To Support 
Pastors and Congregations Who Lovingly Call to 
Repentance, Give Absolution, and Help to Live  
in Harmony with God’s Word 
WHEREAS, The Sixth Commandment commands Christians to 
live chaste and decent lives in word and deed (SC I, Ed. 1942); and 
WHEREAS, God’s Word condemns fornication, that is, sleeping 
with someone who is not your spouse (Galatians 5; Ephesians 5; 
Colossians 3); and 
W
HEREAS, Jesus calls Christians not to conform to the ways of 
the world, but to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5) and to 
“abstain from the passions of the flesh” and to “[k]eep your conduct 
among the Gentiles honorable,” so that they may not accuse us of  
being evil doers (1 Peter 2:11–12); and 
WHEREAS, God’s Word does not want us to live in a way that 
tempts others to sin. Living together outside of marriage not only 
sets a bad example, but it also tempts the youth of the congregation 
and those who may be struggling with sexual immorality to believe 
that this is acceptable Christian living. Jesus says, “whoever causes 
one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better 
for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be 
drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6); and 
WHEREAS, God’s Word calls Christians to repent of sin and bear 
fruit in keeping with repentance. St. Paul writes, “Brothers, if 
anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should 
restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest  
you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1); and 
WHEREAS, Cohabitation before marriage in the Christian 
congregation is a common source of grief for faithful servants of the 
Word, whose work should “be a joy, not a burden, for that would 
be of no benefit to you” (Heb. 13:17 NIV); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod affirm that couples living together 
outside of marriage are living contrary to God’s Word; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention voice their support for 
pastors and congregations who lovingly call such couples to repent, 
who offer absolution to them, and who help and guide such couples 
to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 
Circuit 5 (Mitchell) 
South Dakota District 
Ov. 4-38 
To Amend Bylaws to Provide Clarity  
and Address Practical Considerations  
for Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry 
Rationale 
The Office of National Mission  (ONM) requests attention to the 
bylaws that address the work of Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry. 
Several updates are needed. First, the language utilized by 
recognized service organizations and other agencies that provide 
specialized spiritual care has changed over time. Organizations that 
serve people who are ill, aging , or disabled no longer refer to their 
work as being “institutional.” Additionally, the ONM’s Specialized 
Spiritual Care Ministry endorses workers for broa
der work than 
chaplaincy, which has historically referred to an ordained pastor 
associated with a physical chapel in which worship services are 
conducted. The term “institutional chaplain” utilized in Synod  
Bylaws is outdated and leaves out the s pecialized spiritual care 
work of the ministers of religion — commissioned who do not lead 
worship services and serve in related chaplaincy or counseling 
roles. Secondly, the O NM and the Office of International Mission  
(OIM) have determined that the work of chaplains serving in the 
Department of Veterans A ffairs (VA) is more closely aligned and 
thus better supported by the Ministry to the Armed Forces which is 
a department of the OIM. The bylaw that references the VA has the 
calling agency as the Board for National Mission and needs to be 
updated. 
Proposed Action 
Therefore be it 
Resolved, That Bylaw 2.11.1 (h) be amended as follows: