Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 361

2026 Convention Workbook
326 LIFE TOGETHER
angels always behold the face of their Father in heaven, to stumble 
through confusion and offense (Matt. 18:6; see Ap XV  49); 
therefore be it 
Resolved, That the English District in convention unequivocally 
affirm the practice of first Communion p rior to c onfirmation as a 
God-pleasing practice and a legitimate way to faithful reception of 
the Lord’s Supper; and be it further 
Resolved, That the English District in convention encourage 
member congregations and p astors of the English District to 
recognize the validity of the aforementioned practice of first 
Communion prior to confirmation that they may commune visiting 
children who, though not yet confirmed, are nevertheless 
communicant members in good standing at their home 
congregations; and be it further 
Resolved, That the English District in convention memorialize 
the 2026 Synod c onvention to adopt the same position; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the English District survey her m ember 
congregations in order to determine the percentage of congregations 
making use of the Rite of First Communion prior to Confirmation , 
and publish the results of said survey among our congregations; and 
be it further 
Resolved, That the English District in convention memorialize 
the 2026 Synod convention to survey all member congregations in 
order to determine the percentage of congregations making use of 
the Rite of First Communion prior to Confirmation, and publish the 
results of said survey among the congregations of Synod; and be it 
finally 
Resolved, That the English District prepare a tool kit for 
congregations and pastors that both equips p astors who desire to 
implement such a rite to teach about the practice of first 
Communion prior to confirmation and that, likewise, equips pastors 
to instruct congregations who do not yet understand the God-
pleasing nature of the Rite of First Communion prior to 
Confirmation so that such congregations who do not observe this 
practice gladly welcome and receive visiting communicant children 
who desire to re ceive the Lord's Supper, and that encourages all 
communicant members to announce for Communion when visiting 
congregations other than their own. 
English District 
Ov. 4-43 
To Call All in Synod to Love, Peace,  
and Brotherly Care 
WHEREAS, Christ our Lord says, “By this all people will know 
that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 
13:35); and 
WHEREAS, St.  Paul writes, “Let all bitterness and wrath and 
anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all 
malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one 
another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:31–32); and 
WHEREAS, Our Synod has too often been torn by harsh words, 
pride, and strife, which weaken our witness and grieve the Spirit; 
and 
W
HEREAS, The unity of the Church does not rest in uniformity of 
human will but in the pure preaching of the Gospel and the right use 
of the Sacraments (AC VII); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod urge all its members, from laity to 
pastors to leaders, to repent of anger, pride, and harsh speech; and 
be it further 
Resolved
, That the Synod call on all its members to “bear with 
one another in love” (Eph. 4:2), to speak well of each other, to pray 
for one another, and to seek peace; and be it finally 
Resolved
, That we, brothers and sisters in Christ, commit 
ourselves anew to walk in love, so that our life together may be 
marked not by strife but by joy in the Gospel, to the glory of God 
and the good of His Church. 
Christ Greenfield, Gilbert, AZ; Circuit 16 (Faribault), Minnesota 
South District; Circuit 28, Pacific Southwest District 
Ov. 4-44 
To Exhort Members to Earnestly and Regularly 
Pray for and Pursue Synodical Unity,  
and To Appoint a Task Force 
WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed for the unity of His 
Church so that the world might believe He has been sent by the 
Father (John 17:11, 20–23); and 
WHEREAS, Jesus stated, “By this all people will know that you 
are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35), 
and “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they 
may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in 
heaven” (Matt. 5:16); and 
WHEREAS, The apostle Paul enjoins God’s people to “walk in a 
manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with 
all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another 
in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of 
peace” (Eph. 4:1–3); and 
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture is filled with many other similar 
prayers for, and exhortations to pursue, unity and reconciliation in 
the Church (Psalm 133:1; Matt. 5:23 –25; 7:1–5; 18:15–35; Rom. 
12; 15:5; 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:12; 2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 4:4– 6; 
Phil. 1:27; 2:1–11; Col. 3:14; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 4:20); and 
WHEREAS, The first objective listed in Article III of the Synod 
Constitution is to “conserve and promote the unity of the true faith 
(Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor. 1:10), work through its official structure toward 
fellowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united 
defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17), and heresy”; 
and 
WHEREAS, Unity in the Church is a gift from God (Rom. 15:5–
6) we should humbly seek from Him in prayer; and 
WHEREAS, Division and acrimony between Christians severely 
compromises the witness of the Church to the world and may 
directly impede the proclamation of the Gospel and may, thereby 
threaten the eternal salvation of numerous souls; and 
WHEREAS, Such disunity, where it is not necessary to maintain 
fidelity to the Scriptures and the Confessions, but is rather the result 
of human sin, tarnishes God’s name and thus violates the Second 
Commandment; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod is frequently known even outside of itself 
for its internal conflicts and for the refusal of pastors, congregations, 
and circuits to commune together; and 
WHEREAS, Strife and division in the Church for sinful reasons 
are indications that the Church is reflecting the ways of the world 
rather than providing a godly alternative to it; and