Res. 8-06 — To Commend Concordia Publishing House for Prioritizing Mission and Distribution

WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House (CPH) was established in 1869 to serve the congregations of the Synod by publishing materials that are useful to the church and faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, The mission statement of CPH further states that it “ … will develop, produce, market, and distribute products and services that are faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and which will effectively serve such proclamation to people throughout the world. All to the Glory of God” (“Who We Are,” Concordia Publishing House, about.cph.org/who-we-are.html, accessed Feb. 25, 2026); and

WHEREAS, The vision statement of CPH states that they will “strive to be the premier publisher and provider of choice for products and services that are faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions” (ibid.); and

WHEREAS, CPH has a longstanding history of collaborating with Synod mission personnel and partner organizations to translate its resources into multiple languages so that the Gospel may reach people throughout the world. To support this work, CPH maintains accessible permissions policies for essential confessional resources; and

WHEREAS, At the end of most years, CPH is able to make a financial gift to the Synod. One half of this is designated for the Synod to purchase resources from CPH to be used in ministry as they see fit. Over the last two years, CPH has given $300,000 in resources to the pastors and seminaries of Synod partner churches so that they have the necessary confessional resources; and

WHEREAS, In addition to accessible permissions fees, CPH makes key confessional documents available at no cost. With the CPH Liturgy License, used with or without Lutheran Service Builde r, congregations are granted permission to reproduce any copyrighted element from the liturgical sections of The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship, and Lutheran Service Book for use in congregational service folders at a nominal fee. In addition to accessible licensing fees, CPH provides generous discounts to missionaries and church workers. Synod missionaries receive the highest discount CPH offers—50 percent. Synod mission churches receive 40 percent off the majority of CPH products. Rostered church workers receive a 20 percent discount on individual purchases, and CPH added free shipping for those orders over $49; t herefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for CPH and its faithfulness to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions in providing materials to churches and church workers for 156 years; and be it further

Resolved, That the laborers and congregations of the Synod give thanks to God for the faithful authors, hymnwriters, and others who often work to provide useful teaching material to the c hurch and pray God bless the wide distribution of their labors to the glory of God and the coming of His kingdom; and be it finally

Resolved, That we commend and give thanks to CPH for its policies, licensing structures, and discount programs described above that demonstrate that CPH is actively reducing barriers to global access without requiring Synod action to do so.