To Advance Racial Equality and Great Commission

WHEREAS, The sin of racism being an obstacle to the Great Commission, it would be irresponsible of us not to examine our human failings with respect both to the great commandment of love andthe Great Commission to make disciples of all tribes, languages, and nations through the Gospel and drawing them into the body of Christ (2 Cor. 19:7; Rom. 2:4; Gal. 2:6; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17; Matt. 28:19–20; Mark 16:15–16; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8); and

WHEREAS, Martin Luther taught, and we confess, that the Fifth Commandment, You shall not murder, means we should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbors, but help and defend them in every physical need, which many have shamefully failed to do especially regarding our fellow Americans who are black and people of other ethnic minority groups (Luke 10:25–37; Prov. 24:1–2; Eph. 4: 31–32; Matt. 25:42–43; Matt. 5:22; 1 John 4: 19–21; Prov. 31:8–9); and

WHEREAS, We lament the silence of Christians in the face of slavery in the past and other racial injustices that continue to this day, such as discrimination in jobs, housing, education, and other areas, past and present, which cause great suffering to many Americans and harm our entire nation, which leaves in place economic and social liabilities that would persist even if racial prejudice suddenly disappeared; and

WHEREAS, Justice, which goes beyond kindness toward others, is based on laws, institutions, and practices that are fair and just to all; and

WHEREAS, Many Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) convention resolutions on the issue of race have asserted the clear biblical teaching that all humans, whatever the color of their skin, have been created in the image of God and redeemed through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; yet we continue to lag in mission outreach that crosses racial lines, and in addressing racial injustices—offenses that put us in need of God's mercy and call us to action (Matthew E. Borrasso, “Repentance and Hope: A Missional Appreciation and Appraisal of LCMS Educational Institutions for the Training Black Church Workers,” Lutheran Mission Matters 2(57) [November 2020]: 221–39; Matthew E. Borrasso, Concordia Selma Closes: Putting the Demise of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Educational Institutions for Black Ministry in Historical Perspective.); and

WHEREAS, The report of Synod's Commission on Theology and Church Relations (Racism and the Church: Overcoming the Idolatry, Feb. 1994) documents adisturbing pattern in the LCMS of following the path of our surrounding culture regarding slavery and other racial injustices, thus conforming to the world rather than being transformed in Christ (Rom. 12:2); and

WHEREAS, Our former policy of having racially segregated churches and schools resulted in turning people of color and other ethnic groups away from our church doors and in fewer new members of color, yet these habits and attitudes of old sins persist, making our outreach across racial lines more difficult now than it should be; and

WHEREAS, We give thanks to God for courageous leaders among us who over the years have overcome racial barriers and do so even today,we still have much to learn about how to be racially inclusive; for all of which we seek the grace of God to find more faithful ways of reflecting God's love and our unity in Christ; and

WHEREAS, To reach deeply into the life of our congregations, a church-wide campaign that is truly filled with the love and joy of the Holy Spirit cries out for our response; and

WHEREAS, A Day of Repentance and Prayer for Racial Justice and Healing could be enhanced with simple but starkly honest background material, highlighting sins of racism in our nation’s history, and even in its Christian churches, including our own LCMS; and

WHEREAS, Such an event should be held Synod-wide urging all LCMS pastors, congregations, and other affiliates of Synod to participate perhaps on Life Sunday or another specified date; and

WHEREAS, This event should be a joyous, Spirit-filled day that can deepen our faith in Christ, empower us to seek justice, and help us eagerly to welcome people across all racial and ethnic groups into fellowship with us through our Lord and Savior; therefore be it

Resolved, That by the next LCMS convention, we respectfully urge the President of Synod and its district presidents to incorporate within our annual celebration of life an encouraging call to repent of all sins against the equal value of life created in God’s image, including, but not limited to, all sins devaluing people due to their tribe, language, skin color, or people group, urging all LCMS pastors and congregations and other affiliates of the LCMS to participate; and be it further

Resolved, That we see this day of repentance and prayer as a long-overdue confession of sins of commission and omission against people of color, for which we truly repent, and seek God's forgiveness and great mercy in Christ, that sets all of us free to be reconciled with all people regardless of race or color; and be it finally

Resolved, That we become known as a church body that eagerly welcomes people across all racial and ethnic groups into fellowship with us through our Lord and Savior.