To Love and Disciple Peoples of All Ethnicities, Languages,and Skin Colors

WHEREAS, God has created all people, all have their common descent from Adam and Eve which makes all subject to original sin, and all are redeemed through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Gen. 2:7, 19–22; 1 Cor. 15:22); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has acknowledged in convention the ways in which differences in ethnicity, language, and skin color can be used sinfully and by Satan himself to divide us from each other and from the love of God in Christ our Lord (2019 Resolution 11- 04A; 1992 Res. 3-03; 1981 Res. 8-07; 1971 Res. 9-32); and

WHEREAS, The Word of God clearly teaches that using ethnic, linguistic, or physical differences to show partiality is not pleasing to our Lord and stands in contradiction to His saving work for all people in Christ (Matt. 28:19–20; James 2:8–9; Acts 6:1–3; 10:34–35; 15:16–17; Rev. 7:9); and

WHEREAS, The New Testament witnesses to the need for Christians to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2), to listen to one another, to learn one another’s languages, and to understand one another’s backgrounds, in order to speak the Good News even more clearly to one another (James 1:19; Acts 2:6–8; 17:16–28); and

WHEREAS, We acknowledge the disparities in educational, medical, and financial outcomes among people of various ethnicities, languages, and skin colors in our nation, as well as the suffering these disparities bring; and

WHEREAS, We sorrow over the suffering caused when individuals are persecuted in civil society for voicing opinions at odds with certain contemporary ideologies; therefore be it

Resolved, That all Christians be continually urged to “… not give false testimony against [their] neighbor” and to “… explain everything in the kindest way” (Small Catechism I, Eighth Commandment), and repent where we have failed to love our neighbors in accordance with the Lord’s will; and be it further

Resolved, That we rejoice that God has brought the nations to our neighborhoods, and that we challenge the leaders and congregations of the Synod to engage the people of the many ethnicities and languages that now make up the communities around our churches; and be it further

Resolved, That pastors be encouraged to consider pointing out during the penitential season of Lent ways in which Satan uses our differences to divide us, and to highlight at Pentecost our common identity in Christ; and be it further

Resolved, That LCMS Communications regularly spotlight, in Synod publications, on the web, in social media, and in e-newsletters, practical ways that congregations and districts are witnessing across ethnic and language boundaries, especially in their own communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the people of the Synod be encouraged to investigate and inform themselves of the historic and current work of the Synod in outreach and mission to the various ethnic groups in our midst; and be it further

Resolved, That the Office of National Mission work with Concordia Publishing House to prepare a scholarly book and supporting materials on the successes, failures, and opportunities of the Synod’s ministry and outreach to communities of color, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of black ministry in the Synod in 2027; and be it further

Resolved, That the Lutheran Church Extension Fund be encouraged to support the work of proclaiming the Gospel across ethnic and linguistic lines; and be it finally

Resolved, That we, as a church body, strive intentionally to love and disciple peoples of all ethnicities, languages, and skin colors, and thank God for and celebrate the steps made toward this goal