To Support Racial Equality and Great Commission

WHEREAS, As the sin of racism is 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 and the 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. 5:22; 25:42–43; 1 John 4:19– 21, Prov. 31:8–9); and

WHEREAS, Many Synod 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 [Nov. 2020], lsfm.global/uploads/Nov%202020/LMM%2011-20__Borrasso.pdf; Matthew E. Borrasso, “Concordia Selma Closes: Putting the Demise of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Educational Institutions for Black Ministry in Historical Perspective,” Journal of the Lutheran Historical Conference [2019]: 214–30.); and

WHEREAS, The report of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Commission on Theology and Church Relations (Commission on Theology and Church Relations, Racism and the Church [St. Louis: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 1994]) documents a disturbing 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, 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 Equality 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 Synod; and

WHEREAS, Such an event should be held synodwide urging all LCMS pastors, congregations, and other affiliates of Synod to participate on the Sunday in conjunction with June teen th celebrations; 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 we respectfully ask the 2023 Synod convention to issue 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 Synod to participate; and be it further

Resolved, That we set this Day of Repentance and Prayer for Racial Healing 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.