To Consider Realignment of Constitution Article III Objectives 1 and 2

WHEREAS, In Scripture there is clear teaching about the mission and witness of the Church given by our Lord Himself (Matt. 28:18– 20; Acts 1:8); and

WHEREAS, In Scripture there is no official structure for the Church or church bodies given; and

WHEREAS, The Church is blessed when the mission of God is first in the hearts of its people, and a primary focus on official structure providing defense against schism, sectarianism, and heresy is, while praise worthy (Rev. 2:3–4), a departure from our first love (Rev. 2:4–5); and

WHEREAS, Article III of the Constitution of the Synod states: Article III Objectives The Synod, under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, shall—

1. Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor.1:10),work through its official structure toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17), and heresy; witness by word and deed to the love and work of God,the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend that Gospel witness into all the world; … and

WHEREAS, Thisisnot the original order of our objectives but was shifted in 1917 when the Constitution of the Synod was rewritten, and the order was changed without specific convention attention to the order of Const. Art. III; and

WHEREAS, There has been a demonstrated deterioration in mission outreach for the past 50 years; and

WHEREAS, A priority of “bold witness” applies to both those already gathered in the worshipping church and those who are yet to come to faith in Christ and will not impede an emphasis on bringing this witness with sound and pure doctrine; therefore be it

Resolved, That the California-Nevada-Hawaii District in convention take note of and apply this priority in word and action;

and be it further

Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod in its 2023 convention to return the “bold witness” and the mission of God to its rightful place as the first objective of achurchof Christ dedicated to unity of the true faith which proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ into all the world.