To Increase Engagement 1 of Lutheran Young Adults in Ministry and Service Work of LCMS

RESOLUTION 16-04

Report R1.2 (CW, pp. 14–15, 30); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, pp. 21–31)

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has a long and distinguished history of acts of mercy and of Christ-centered ministry to all ages; and

WHEREAS, God commands in Paul’s letter to Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching, reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:12–13); and

WHEREAS, Research shows nearly six in ten (59%) of young people who grow up in Christian churches end up walking away from either their faith or from the church at some point in their twenties, and that the Millennial Generation has increasingly (44 to 52 percent) identified themselves as un-churched in the last decade; and

WHEREAS, LCMS Youth Ministry seeks to support young adults as they grow in the Christian faith, and engage them through service opportunities, resources, and leadership training; and

WHEREAS, Lutheran Young Adult Corps and other young adult service opportunities provide Lutheran young adults an increased opportunity to serve in Christ’s name and grow as current and future leaders for the LCMS; therefore be it

Resolved, That LCMS young adults, campus ministries, and congregations be provided with resources to meet the spiritual needs of young adults in their congregations and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That LCMS intentionally provide an increased number of service opportunities for LCMS young adults; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS ensure that the Office of LCMS Youth Ministry will continue to provide for support for Lutheran Young Adult Corps, young adult servant events, and Young Adult Volunteers for the LCMS Youth Gathering; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod fund Lutheran Young Adult Corps and young adult service opportunities to ensure ongoing opportunities for acts of mercy, faith growth, and training for young adults in our church body; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations pray for their young adults, the congregations and ministries that serve them, and the leadership of Lutheran Young Adult Corps and other young adult servant events; and be it finally

Resolved, That the congregations encourage their young adults to participate in Lutheran Young Adult Corps and other young adult service opportunities.

[The estimated cost to implement this proposed resolution appears in the Report of the Finance Floor Committee – found in Sunday’s issue of Today’s Business.]