Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 363

2026 Convention Workbook
328 LIFE TOGETHER
authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those 
that exist have been instituted by God.” (Rom. 13:1); and 
WHEREAS, Our Lord reminds us through the words of St. Paul, 
“…  the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very 
thing.” (Rom. 13:6); and 
WHEREAS, Serving in elected or appointed offices within our 
local community, county, state, and nation is a God- ordained 
vocation; therefore be it 
Resolved, That pastors and congregations of the Texas District 
be encouraged to continue to pray for peace and goodwill among all 
the people of our nation, especially praying that the eyes of all 
people would turn to our Lord and Savior through whom we have 
true peace; and be it further 
Resolved, That pastors and congregations of the d istrict be 
encouraged to pray for those serving at city, county, state, and 
federal levels of government; and be it further 
Resolved, That pastors and congregations of the d istrict be 
encouraged in providing a good example for others in how to 
discuss politics, politicians, and all aspects of public service; and be 
it further 
Resolved, That pastors and congregations of the d istrict be 
encouraged to identify, encourage, and raise up from within our 
midst those with the gifts and abilities to serve God and their 
neighbor in public service; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod in convention 
to encourage congregations of the Synod to do the same. 
Texas District 
Ov. 4-48 
To Oppose Federal Immigration Raids  
and Call for Pastoral Advocacy 
WHEREAS, The Synod has consistently affirmed the common 
humanity and dignity of all people as beings created in the image of 
God; and 
W
HEREAS, Current federal policies involving expanded 
enforcement actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement 
(ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have reportedly 
included raids near “sensitive areas,” such as churches, which 
disrupts the free exercise of religion and creates an atmosphere of 
fear for our immigrant neighbors; and 
WHEREAS, Synod President Matthew Harrison has previously 
emphasized that the Synod is “pro-immigrant” and has encouraged 
congregations to provide compassionate action and assistance to 
those facing deportation; and 
WHEREAS, Scripture mandates that we “welcome the stranger” 
(Matt. 25:35) and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), 
regardless of their documentation status; and 
W
HEREAS, The 2026 Synod convention serves as the primary 
legislative body for the Synod to speak on matters of public concern 
and provide direction to its officers (Bylaw 3.1.1); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod formally oppose the use of aggressive 
tactics by ICE and CBP that infringe upon the sanctity of worship 
and the safety of our communities; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod President issue a bold public statement 
in 2026, speaking up for the safety and civil rights of all residents, 
including those being targeted for mass deportation; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the Synod President be urged to use the influence 
of his office to advocate with government officials for humane 
immigration reform that prioritizes family unity and human dignity 
over punitive enforcement; and be it finally 
Resolved, That 
the Synod be encouraged to provide spiritual, 
legal, and material support to those in our midst who are impacted 
by these federal actions, ensuring that no one stands alone in the 
face of these challenges. 
Markham 
Markham, IL 
Ov. 4-49 
To Provide Direction concerning Disputes 
Appearing on Social Media 
WHEREAS, Social media platforms have become principal venues 
where an increasing number of members of the Synod publicly 
express disagreement with each other’s actions as well as their 
application of the Synod’s positions on doctrine and practice; and 
WHEREAS, Such disagreements, when amplified online, risk 
undermining the unity of the C hurch, tend to confuse the faithful, 
and often distort the Synod’s confession to the wider world; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church 
Relations (CTCR) has recognized both the constructive and 
destructive potential of social media in its 2019 report, A Snapshot 
of Trending Tools: Christians and Social Media  
(resources.lcms.org/reading-study/ctcr-library-social-issues-and-
citizenship); and 
W
HEREAS, Holy Scripture bids God’s people to live in harmony 
and unity with one another and to use edifying speech that builds up 
and not tears down (cf.  Psalm 133:1–3; Eph. 4:29; 5:2); therefore 
be it 
Resolved, That the Synod encourage its rostered workers, 
congregations, and lay members of its congregations to avoid using 
social media to express their disagreements, and for the sake of 
theological clarity, pastoral care, and a spirit of reconciliation, seek 
in-person opportunities to engage each other in civil and respectful 
conversations; and be it further 
Resolved, That the CTCR further study how social media 
discourse impacts the unity of the C hurch and provide updated 
resources for congregations to respond faithfully to online attacks 
on Synod church workers and the congregations in which they are 
serving. 
Circuit 7 (Washington, East) 
Southeastern District 
Ov. 4-50 
To Encourage Production of Sunday School 
Material for Very Small Congregations 
WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures command the Church to teach all 
nations, baptizing and instructing them in all that Christ has 
commanded (Matt. 28:19–20), and to train up children in the way 
they should go (Prov. 22:6); and