To Encourage and Support More Fervent Teaching,Proclamation, and Efforts to Promote Culture of Life among God’s People

WHEREAS, All life is valuable to God especially the most vulnerable (John 3:16–17; Psalm 139:13–16; Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:41– 44; Psalm 31:14–15; Job 10:9–12; Matt. 6:26; 18:10; Psalm 82:3– 4; Small Catechism [SC] III, First Article); and

WHEREAS, God created us to care about other people and to help them in their times of need (SC I, Fifth Commandment); and

WHEREAS, Mothers, fathers, and children are a gift from God entrusted to each other’s care to form a family and serve Him through their love for each other (Gen. 1:27–28; Eph. 5:22–6:4; Psalm 127:3); and

WHEREAS, For the last 50 years the United States of America has dealt with the reality of legalized abortion, which is murder and transgresses God’s law in the Fifth Commandment, which teaches that we are “not to hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need” (SC I 9–10); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has long worked to promote a culture of life; and

WHEREAS, A one-million-dollar grant has been established by the LCMS available as matching funds for congregations to support local life issues; and

WHEREAS, There are many pro-life organizations which work to build a culture of life, such as Lutheran Family Service, A Place of Refuge, Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries, Lutherans For Life, and many others like these; and

WHEREAS, Establishing a culture of life begins in our churches and communities; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for His unending mercies, especially in overturning Roe v. Wade, thus preserving the lives of many unborn children; and be it further

Resolved, That LCMS Life Ministry continue to support congregations in establishing new mercy ministries that support a culture of life; and be it further

Resolved, That LCMS Life Ministry provide support and training materials for congregations, districts, and recognized service organizations (RSOs) to write grants and support their efforts; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod continue to extend life ministry support and training materials, including but not limited to resources for policy manuals, guidance to life ministry agencies, and encouragement to access grants from allied institutions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod leadership encourage congregational involvement with life ministry in ways such as education, advocacy, and human care efforts (e.g., forming a life team, participating in sidewalk counseling, contacting legislators); and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod, its congregations, districts, and RSOs work to provide care for those suffering from the effects of abortion and encourage God’s people to show mercy by providing options to abortion such as adoption, pre- and postnatal care, housing support, etc.; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod encourage all pastors and congregations to teach and proclaim human life as sacred and, in word and deed, live out mercy, life, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ our Savior (John 10:10