RESOLUTION 16-03
Overture 16-02 (CW, p. 476)
WHEREAS, It is clear from Scripture that our Heavenly Father delights in and exhorts the raising of children in the fear and admonition of the Lord that they may offer Him their praise (Deut. 6:1–9; LC 172); and
WHEREAS, Scripture tells us that the children’s father is to be a spiritual leader in the household, leading them in prayer, teaching them godly ways, and nurturing them as they grow (Eph. 5:23, 6:4); and
WHEREAS, A study of the role of how a father’s attendance in church affects a child’s attendance in church states, “It is the religious practice of the father of the family that, above all, determines the future attendance at or absence from church of the children” [Cite: http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-05-024- v#ixzz49v9ms2dk]; therefore be it
Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to deliberately encourage, exhort, and catechize men of all ages to fulfill their God-given role as the spiritual head of their households; and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod encourage congregations to create specific ministries that are designed for the purpose of Christian care and the enabling of fathers to disciple their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and be it further
Resolved, That we give thanks to God for and promote the use of the excellent resources for fathers produced by Concordia Publishing House, Lutheran Laymen’s League, and others; and be it finally
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention amend the mission priorities to include “Strengthen and support the Lutheran family in living out God’s design.”