Official Workbook PDF page source text

2026 Convention Workbook

331LIFE TOGETHER

confessors in every age, thereby strengthening the unity of the Church across time; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention acknowledge Charlie Kirk as a modern Christian witness whose death on Sept. 10, 2025, serves as a testimony to the enduring power of the Gospel; and be it further

Resolved, That LCMS Worship establish Sept. 10 as a Day of Prayer for Faithful Witnesses in Our Time, with reference to Charlie Kirk as one such example, providing resources for congregations including suggested readings (e.g., Acts 7:54 –60 on Stephen’s martyrdom) and hymns (e.g., “A Mighty Fortress”), that the Church may be strengthened in boldness and consolation; and be it further

Resolved, That Synod districts and congregations be encouraged to observe this day annually with prayers for the persecuted Church, sermons on faithful suffering, and educational materials drawing from the Confessions to explain martyrdom and faithful witness as an example of God’s grace, not human achievement; and be it further

Resolved, That this commemoration remind the Synod of our baptismal calling to bear the cross, imitating the saints in faith while relying solely on Christ’s merits for salvation (Ap IV); and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its rejection of violence and incendiary rhetoric within our churches, schools, and communications.

Circuit 12 (Western Michigan)

English District

Ov. 4-54

To Recognize Charles James Kirk as Christian Martyr Preamble Charles (Charlie) James Kirk was publicly murdered on Sept. 10, 2025, moments after giving a defense for the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ and confessing the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Charlie Kirk, one of the most outspoken Christians of his generation, encouraged young people to go to a Bible -believing church and frequently gave a defense for the reason for the hope that was in him with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15b). Many young people were led to go to church and confess their C hristian faith on account of Charlie Kirk’s confession.

WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk frequently and vocally confessed his Christian faith around the country, through public events, podcasts, and interviews; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk went to college campuses where so many young people abandon the Christian faith and encouraged them to go to a Bible-believing church; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk encouraged young people to lead a chaste and decent life (SC I, Sixth Commandment), to get married and have children according to God’s holy will (Gen. 1:28; 2:24;

9:1; Psalm 127:3; Matt. 19:5; Eph. 5:31), and to raise children to be Christians (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:1–4); and

WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk, in faithfulness to God’s Word , spoke truthfully in defense of the unborn against the murder of abortion, against transgender ideology as an affront to God’s Word and Truth, and defended biblical marriage as the lifelong union between one man and one woman; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk set a Christian example of defending the reason for the hope that is in him with gentleness and respect, confessing Jesus as our risen Lord who grants salvation to all who believe in Him (1 Peter 3:15b); and

WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk was murdered publicly before the world because of his Christian witness; and

WHEREAS, The murder of Charlie Kirk resulted in his defense of the Christian faith being shared in numerous videos across the internet, resulting in many being encouraged to seek out a Bible - believing church; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk’s widow, in her Sept. 12, 2025, address to the nation, used her platform to confess Jesus Christ as the Savior of sinners and urged everyone who was moved by Charlie’s death to join a Bible-believing church; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a Bible-believing church body; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS receives and embraces “the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the pure, clear fountain of Israel,” which is “the only true standard or norm by which all teachers and doctrines are to be judged” (FC SD, Comprehensive Summary, 3); and

WHEREAS, A Christian martyr is a Christian who bears witness for Christ through his confession and life and dies on account of that witness; and

WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutheran Church acknowledges Christian martyrs who were murdered for their confession of Christ;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for Charlie Kirk’s public confession of Christ Jesus as the only Savior of sinners; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod recognize Charles James Kirk as a Christian martyr.

Circuit 1 (Metro-South Shore), South Wisconsin District; Circuit 18 (Montevideo), Minnesota North District; Circuit 8 (Hastings), Nebraska District; Circuit 8 (Mount Pleasant), Iowa East District

Ov. 4-55

To Commend Confession That Charles James Kirk Died a Christian Martyr Preamble Charles (Charlie) James Kirk was publicly murdered on Sept . 10, 2025, moments after giving a defense for the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ and confessing the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Charlie Kirk, one of the most outspoken Christians of his generation, encouraged young people to go to a Bible -believing church and frequently gave a defense for the reason for the hope that was in him with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15b) . Many young people were led to go to church and confess their C hristian faith on account of Charlie Kirk’s confession.

WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk frequently and vocally confessed his Christian faith around the country, through public events, podcasts, and interviews; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Kirk went to college campuses where so many young people abandon the Christian faith and encouraged them to go to a Bible-believing church; and