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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 476

should be ashamed to be called “a slave of Christ” (1 Cor. 7:22 ESV 
pre-2011); and 
WHEREAS, Such continuing changes in translation create a sort 
of “plastic text” which hinders the commonality of text necessary 
for memorization, and undermines confidence in the translation as 
a whole; therefore be it 
Resolved, That in order for the Synod to discern for itself the 
preferred translation of Holy Scripture, the Synod, CPH,  and 
agencies of the Synod be directed to use—for Scripture quotations 
in their printed materials used for public worship and teaching (i.e., 
hymnals and catechisms) —only sustainable translations of Holy 
Scripture, meaning translations that either are in the public domain, 
or have a copyright license that allows  the Synod, in its sole 
discretion, to continue to use and republish such  translations and 
make new derivative works thereof in the future from the consistent 
translations, without being subject to the veto power or permissive 
rights of any outside body. 
St. Paul 
Brookfield, IL 
Ov. 8-08 
To Request Additional Resources  
using New King James Version 
WHEREAS, God is a God of order (1 Cor. 14:33) and repetitio est 
mater studiorum (repetition is the mother of learning); and 
WHEREAS, Having a good stable text that does not change is 
helpful for hearing, reading, marking, learning, and inwardly 
digesting the Word; and 
WHEREAS, The English Standard Version  (ESV) was published 
by Crossway in 2001 and has since that time undergone revisions in 
2002, 2007, 2011, and 2016, along with a standing desire for 
ongoing revisions (Crossway, “Crossway Statement on the ESV 
Bible Text,” www. crossway.org/articles/crossway-statement-on-
the-esv-bible-text/, Sept. 28, 2016); and 
WHEREAS, The New King James Version (NKJV), published by 
Thomas Nelson, is also a clear, faithful, beautiful, and true 
translation, quoted by Synod’s Lutheran Service Book: Agenda , 
including the Rites of Holy Baptism (Mark 10:13 –16), Ordination 
(Matt. 28:18–20; John 20:21–23; Eph. 4:11–12; Acts 20:28; 2 Tim. 
3:14–17), and Committal (Job 19:23 –27); and the NKJV has not 
been revised since 1982; and 
WHEREAS, The NKJV is used in faithful c atechetical material 
including resources by Concordia Catechetical Academy (Lutheran 
Catechesis), Kloria Publishing, and Ad Crucem (The Family Bible 
Commentary, Vol. 1 –5), and has seen increased usage throughout 
our Synod; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention ask Concordia 
Publishing House to produce additional resources to include at least 
Bibles, commentaries, and devotionals using the NKJV. 
South Wisconsin District 
Ov. 8-09 
To Open Access to Lutheran Confessions 
WHEREAS, The primary objectives of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod, as stated in Constitution Article III, are 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 to “strengthen 
congregations and their members in giving bold witness by word 
and deed to the love and work of God, the Father, Son, and Holy 
Spirit, and extend that Gospel witness into all the world”; and 
WHEREAS, We pray in the collect for the Church that “Thy Word, 
as becometh it, may not be bound, but have free course and be 
preached to the joy and edifying of Christ ’s holy peopl e” ( The 
Lutheran Hymnal, 14); and 
WHEREAS, The Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church (Lutheran Confessions), as listed in Constitution Article II 
“as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word 
of God,” are an indispensable resource for achieving the primary 
objectives of the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House (CPH) is the official 
publishing house of the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, CPH in 2006 published the Lutheran Confessions 
under the title: Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions— A Reader’s 
Edition of the Book of Concord, 2nd edition (Reader’s Edition); and 
WHEREAS, The Reader’s Edition, with its historical introductions 
and other included materials, presents the Lutheran Confessions 
most intelligibly and clearly, is the generally preferred English 
translation among native and non-native English speakers alike, and 
is the preferred sourc e for most derivative translations into other 
languages; and 
WHEREAS, The Reader’s Edition  is currently restricted by 
copyright and licensing, so that the full text is not accessible on the 
Synod’s website nor anywhere else online; nor is the print 
publication available in most countries; nor is any derivative 
translation permitted to be made a nd published in print or online 
without prior permission; and 
WHEREAS, Removing the current restrictions of the Reader’s 
Edition would greatly assist the Synod in achieving her primary 
objectives, by enabling a wider distribution and accessibility of the 
Lutheran Confessions; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the text of the Reader’s Edition be released into 
the public domain. 
Rocky Mountain District 
Ov. 8-10 
To Open Access to Lutheran Confessions 
WHEREAS, The Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church (Lutheran Confessions), as listed in Constitution Article II 
“as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word 
of God,” are an indispensable resource for achieving the primary 
objectives of the Synod  as stated in Article III of the Synod 
Constitution; and 
WHEREAS, The members of the Synod are bound by the Lutheran 
Confessions to regard Holy Scripture as teaching of the Holy 
Supper of our Lord, Jesus Christ: that His body and blood are truly 
and substantially present, distributed, and received in, with, and 
under the elements of the bread and wine (AC X); that these are 
received by both the believing and unb elieving participants, by 
those who eat in repentance and faith, to “forgiveness of sins, life, 
and salvation,” and by those who eat in unrepentance or unbelief, to 
judgment (SC VI; Ap XXIV; FC Ep, SD VII); and that so that we 
may obtain the faith that counts as righteousness in God’s sight, the 
2026 Convention Workbook
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