RESOLUTION 17-03
Overture 15-02 (CW, p.475)
WHEREAS, October 31, 2017, marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, when Dr. Martin Luther posted on the door of the Castle Church the Ninety-Five Theses, his invitation to debate how one receives the blessings of Jesus Christ; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Luther writes of preachers and proper preaching:
The first and only duty of the bishops, however, is to see that the people learn the gospel and the love of Christ. For on no occasion has Christ ordered that indulgences should be preached, but he forcefully commanded the gospel to be preached. (Luther’s Works 48:47)
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Luther also writes:
The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God” (Luther’s Works 31:31, Ninety-Five Theses), and St. Paul writes, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17), and, again, “I charge you ... preach the word.” (2 Tim. 4:1, 2)
and
WHEREAS, In honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and beneath the theme “It’s Still All about Jesus,” the President’s Office has initiated the Preach the Word Project, which invites pastors to improve their craft of preaching the pure, sweet Gospel and the laity their hearing of it; and
WHEREAS, Both seminaries of our Synod endeavor to prepare men to preach the Word of Christ crucified and risen for the salvation of people to the fullest of each man’s ability and with competent skills but also seek to engender an understanding that preaching is to involve lifelong development of those skills; and
WHEREAS, Our seminaries likewise energetically support the Synod’s increasing emphasis on continuing education for all pastors; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention, as one way to honor the historic event of the Reformation, encourage pastors and congregations to participate in the Preach the Word Project.