To Adopt Triennial Mission and Ministry Emphasis on Clear Gospel Proclamation, Unity in Christ, and Multicultural Ministry

WHEREAS, “The district convention shall, through the delegate vote, forward to the national convention a list of two or three triennial mission and ministry emphases for consideration by the national convention.” (Bylaw 4.2.1 [d]); and

WHEREAS, The Apology of the Augsburg Confession (Ap) IV on justification confesses the central teaching of the Gospel, namely, that we are justified by grace through faith in Christ alone; and

WHEREAS, Rom. 1:16 (NIV) proclaims, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile,” and Smalcald Articles (SA) II I states, “The first and chief article is this: That Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins and was raised again for our justification (Rom. 4:25)” (Triglotta); and

WHEREAS, The temptation of the flesh and the work of the enemy continually seek to distort, add to, or replace the Gospel with a false alternative, and we confess that members of the Synod are not exempt from this temptation; and

WHEREAS, Eph. 4:15–16 (NIV) reminds us, “Instead, speaking the truth in love,we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work”; and

WHEREAS, We should celebrate the unity we have in Christ; and

WHEREAS, Jesus commands Hispeople to “Loveone another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34–35 [NIV]); and

WHEREAS, The Church is beautifully diverse in language, ethnicity, and life experiences; and

WHEREAS, The Pacific Southwest District houses both the Cross- cultural Ministry Center and the Mission Training Center within its geographic confines; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has historically emphasized taking the Gospel to all nations and continues to support Gospel ministry and theological education around the world; and

WHEREAS, We proclaim the clear and compelling Gospel for all people, without distinction; and

WHEREAS, There is a great need for a clear and unified ministry emphasis for the upcoming triennium; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod return boldly and faithfully to its roots of proclaiming the Gospel clearly, confidently, and joyfully in all its purity without confusing it with any works of men; and be it further

Resolved, That members of the Synod actively work to celebrate our unity in Christ within our fellowship, expressed in sacrificial love, in bearing with one another, and in seeking the good of the whole body of Christ; such love being evident in circuit forums, circuit meetings, conferences, and other places where we walk together; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod emphasize, throughout the next triennium, multicultural ministry within the United States; that we celebrate and support local congregations engaged in “all nations” ministry among us; and that we increase support for the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, Center for Hispanic Studies, Cross-Cultural Ministry Center and Mission Training Center—and for the equipping of evangelists(all ofus) for the clear proclamation of the Gospel in our communities; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod focus its work on: (1) the clear proclamation of the Gospel; (2) walking together in love and trust; and (3) supporting ethnic and multicultural ministry within the United States.