Posted on 07/19/2010 10:47:27 AM PDT by Patriot1259
Convention delegates overwhelmingly adopt resolutions
HOUSTON—Delegates to the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) endorsed Thursday resolutions to support efforts to end human trafficking/slavery and to uphold the sanctity of life.
More than 98 percent of voting delegates supported a resolution that upholds efforts to end human trafficking/slavery. The resolution also directs the LCMS president to write a letter to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime expressing support for that office’s efforts to end trafficking/slave trade. It also directs the LCMS Board for National Mission to provide LCMS pastors and congregations with information about this practice in order to educate them and encourage them to become proactive in their response. The United Nations reports that human trafficking is a thriving business, with a market value of $32 billion, and that at any given time, between 2.5 and 2.7 million people throughout the world are recruited, entrapped, transported and exploited through the human trafficking process. “I am grateful that our LCMS in convention passed this resolution, standing up to this sinful injustice of human trafficking that so demeans God’s precious creation,’’ said Rev. Carlos Hernandez, director of congregations and districts for LCMS World Relief and Human Care, the LCMS’ mercy ministry. “It challenges and calls us, as Christ’s people, to demonstrate His mercy by alerting our congregations to ways in which they can, as Christian citizens, combat human trafficking with raised voices and united action against this insidious evil that enslaves humans so valued and precious to our Creator,’’ said Hernandez, who also is a board member of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), a cooperative agency of the LCMS that welcomes vulnerable newcomers to the United States.
“The LCMS has always been committed to ministering to and walking with the most vulnerable,’’ said LIRS President and CEO Linda Hartke in a release. The “vote stands as yet another example of the Synod’s concern about human care. We are thankful that the LCMS shares not only our ministry of welcome in broad strokes, but shares our specific concern for people who are victims of modern-day slavery.’’
In other action, the convention by a vote of more than 94 percent of voting delegates agreed to denounce any legislation or action that supports or funds abortions, to work with local crisis pregnancy centers and to encourage more LCMS members to become involved in the governmental process.
“With the passage of this resolution, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has once again defined itself as unique among the many mainline U.S. religious denominations by maintaining a steadfast and unwavering witness to the sanctity of life,’’ said Maggie Karner, director of life and health ministries for LCMS World Relief and Human Care. “What makes this resolution different is its call for definitive action -- in addition to talk and education. By specifically calling for our congregations to get involved in grassroots efforts such as supporting and volunteering at local pro-life pregnancy resource centers, and educating our members to become active in the governmental process of our country, this resolution clarifies that our role is to spread the love of Christ to those in crisis in very tangible ways.
“We hope, by serving others with progressive solutions, it will eventually make abortion unthinkable.” The convention is meeting under the theme “ONE People–Forgiven” in Houston through Saturday, July 17. Among the approximately 3,000 participants are some 1,200 clergy and lay voting delegates. The convention serves as the principal legislative assembly for the LCMS and includes opportunities for worship, inspiration and fellowship. LCMS conventions are held every three years.
About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod The St. Louis-based Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, founded in 1847, has nearly 2.4 million baptized members in some 6,200 congregations and more than 9,000 pastors. The church body, which ranks as one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, owns and perates KFUO radio, two seminaries, and 10 colleges and universities. Its congregations operate the largest Protestant parochial school system in America. The LCMS has relationships and active mission work in 88 countries around the world and, in the last five years, has awarded more than $35 million through more than 900 domestic and international grants for emergency response and disaster relief. Today, the LCMS is in full doctrinal fellowship with 32 other confessional Lutheran church bodies worldwide and is a founding partner of Lutheran Services in America, a social ministry organization serving one in every 50 Americans. For more information, visit www.lcms.org.
About LCMS World Relief and Human Care LCMS World Relief and Human Care (LCMS WR-HC) is the mercy arm of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. LCMS WR-HC supports human care and disaster relief work worldwide. Its Life Ministries arm is devoted to upholding the sanctity of human life, both in our church body and the culture at large. Over the past five years, LCMS WR-HC has awarded more than $35 million through more than 900 domestic and international grants to help those who are homeless, persecuted, sick and hungry, in conjunction with proclamation of the Gospel. To learn more about LCMS WR-HC, visit www.lcms.org/worldrelief.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.