To Declare/Encourage Recognition of the Pastor’s Wife and Honor Her in 2025

WHEREAS, Genesis 1 and 2 along with many Old Testament references (particularly in Prov. 31:1–31), in addition to Jesus blessing the wedding at Cana (John 2:1–11) as well as Hebrews 13:4, substantiate the God-given institution of marriage between a man and a woman; and

WHEREAS, Both Old and New Testaments clearly support the marriage of clergy (consider Ex. 6:23, 25; Lev. 21:1, 13; Luke 1:5; 1 Cor. 9:5; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6); and

WHEREAS, The year 2025 will mark the 500th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther’s marriage to Katherine von Bora, June 13, 1525, helping to reestablish within the Reformation movement the sanctity of marriage among the Christian clergy in the West; and

WHEREAS, The wonderful blessing of marriage is underlined by both Martin and Katie, even establishing the role model of the pastor’s family and the parsonage for generations to follow;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in its 2023 convention recognize the upcoming 500th anniversary of the Luther marriage in the year 2025; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMSencourageitsdistrictsholdingpastoral conferences and/or conventions in 2025 to help celebrate this anniversary milestone by recognizing wedding anniversaries of their pastors and their wives in whatever manner or custom might be deemed best; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod charge the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to issue an up-to-date booklet on the importance and vitality of the married clergy and their wives both theologically and pragmatically; and be it finally

Resolved, That in the long standing tradition of Reformation numismatics over six centuries commemorating milestone anniversaries such as the centennials of 1517, the Augsburg Confession, Luther’s birth and many others, (i.e., a medal featuring Luther and Katherine as early as 1717 followed by other examples), the LCMS commission and sponsor a worthy commemorative medallion celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Luthers, and made available to districts,institutions,congregations,libraries, and individuals through Concordia Publishing House and Concordia Historical Institute, both of St. Louis, Mo. (as both agencies have on other past special occasions/anniversaries).