Section Seven: Resolutions
Resolution 1-14
- Ratified
- Last Edited July 10, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Coloration of textual components of this document are part of an incidental programatic anamolie not a part of overtures and should be disregarded.
Resolution 1-14
To Establish an Atlantic District
Commission on Immigration and
Immigration Resources
WHEREAS the issue of United
States immigration procedures is
under great scrutiny nationally
and within the boundaries of the
LCMS Atlantic District, and
neighboring districts, and
WHEREAS the LCMS Atlantic
District has been at the forefront
of welcoming immigrants into its
congregations since its founding
in 1906, including called church
workers specifically for immigrant
populations, and
WHEREAS the Atlantic District
has fostered immigrant pastors in
recent years to complete the
process of entering the clergy
roster of the LCMS, with 18 first
generation immigrants currently
serving Atlantic District
congregations, and
WHEREAS the membership of
Atlantic District congregations
currently is composed of a
substantial number of first and
second generation immigrant
families, representing significant
percentages of the membership in
many congregations, and,
WHEREAS the blessing of those
immigrant members has produced
leaders serving in diaconal and
parish ministries as well as at
the district level, and,
WHEREAS some of these members
currently fear unjust detainment
and deportation, and,
WHEREAS Holy Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions speak
directly to care and hospitality
for the stranger, (see attached
documentation), and
WHEREAS in 2012 the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations
(CTCR) published a document
“Immigrants Among Us: A Lutheran
Framework for Addressing
Immigration Issues” which advises
LCMS congregations and other
members concerning immigrants, and
in 2018 the CTCR published a
complementary Bible study based on
the 2012 document, and
WHEREAS Lutheran Social
Services of New York (LSSNY) and
Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Service)
are collaborative partners in
programs and opportunities for
refugees, asylum-seekers, and
immigrants, and
WHEREAS LSSNY and Global Refuge
provide not only advice and
counsel concerning immigrant
issues, but also opportunities to
serve the migrant and immigrant
communities in just and righteous
ways, Therefore be it,
RESOLVED that the 2025 LCMS
Atlantic District in Convention
authorize the formation of an
Atlantic District Commission on
Immigration and Immigration
Resources, and be it further
RESOLVED that composition of
the commission may include
representatives from LSSNY and
Global Refuge, as well as Atlantic
District rostered church workers
and laity, and be it further
RESOLVED that the commission
be established within 60 days of
the 2025 Convention of the LCMS
Atlantic District, and be it
further
RESOLVED that the tasks of the
commission may include
● Study of the 2012 CTCR
document “Immigrants Among Us” and
the 2018 complementary Bible
study.
● examination of migrant issues
in the congregations of the
Atlantic District.
● institution of programs,
workshops, and individual
consultation for the use of
Atlantic District congregations.
● collaboration with LSSNY and
Global Refuge on specific means to
address those issues.
● the creation of biblical, civil,
and lawful guidelines to advise
congregations on how best to care for
our neighbors
● in addition to workshops,
programs, and consultation, to
provide regular remission of
current programs, opportunities,
and involvement in immigrant
issues to be distributed via
various means to congregations,
congregational members, and
rostered workers of the Atlantic
District, and be it further
RESOLVED that the Atlantic
District budget include resources
and opportunities for the
commission, and, be it finally
RESOLVED that this resolution,
as passed by the delegates to the
Atlantic District Convention, be
made available to share with other
members of the LCMS for
appropriate adaptation ahead of
the 2026 LCMS convention.
Supplementary Material
Both the Bible and Lutheran
confessional materials
consistently emphasize themes of
immigration, hospitality to
strangers, and care for migrants.
Here's a breakdown of key texts
and concepts:
Biblical Materials:
The Bible, both Old and New
Testaments, provides a strong
foundation for a compassionate
approach to strangers and
migrants.
● Old Testament:
- The Experience of Israel as
Strangers: A recurring theme is
God reminding the Israelites that
they were once "strangers in the
land of Egypt" (Exodus 22:21,
23:9; Leviticus 19:33-34;
Deuteronomy 10:19). This personal
history is used to compel them to
treat foreigners with kindness and
justice.
- Laws Protecting the Stranger:
Numerous laws are given to ensure
the well-being and fair treatment
of "sojourners" or "aliens." This
includes:
▪ Not oppressing them (Exodus
22:21, 23:9).
▪ Leaving gleanings from fields
for the poor and the stranger
(Leviticus 19:10, 23:22;
Deuteronomy 24:19-22).
▪ Treating them as native-born
and loving them as yourself
(Leviticus 19:33-34).
▪ Ensuring justice for them
(Deuteronomy 24:17, 27:19;
Zechariah 7:9-10).
▪ Including them in tithes and
festivals (Deuteronomy 14:28-29,
16:14).
- God's Character: God is
portrayed as one who "loves the
stranger, providing him with food
and clothing" (Deuteronomy 10:18)
and "watches over the stranger"
(Psalm 146:9).
- Prophetic Calls for Justice:
Prophets condemn those who oppress
the alien, widow, and orphan
(Jeremiah 7:6, Ezekiel 22:7,
Malachi 3:5).
- Inclusion in the Community:
Ezekiel even describes a future
where strangers are to be allotted
an inheritance among the tribes of
Israel (Ezekiel 47:21-23).
Furthermore, Isaiah envisions
God’s promised future as the
nations streaming to the mountain
of the Lord, which is the Church
of the New Testament with Christ
as its cornerstone (Isaiah 2:1-5).
- God’s Gospel Promise as
Blessing for all Nation in the
Family of Abraham: God’s promise
to Abraham is to be blessed and be
a blessing for all nations, where
all nations can find blessing in
the family of Abraham, which is
fulfilled in Christ and His Church
(Genesis 12:1-3; Galatians 3:29).
Saint Paul, in his letter to the
Galatians, even refers to this
promise as the Gospel proclaimed
in advance for establishing the
doctrine of justification by faith
(Galatians 3:8).
● New Testament:
- Jesus as a Refugee: Jesus
himself was a refugee, as his
family fled to Egypt to escape
Herod (Matthew 2:13-15).
- The Parable of the Sheep and
Goats: Jesus famously identifies
himself with "the least of these,"
including the stranger: "I was a
stranger and you welcomed me"
(Matthew 25:35, 40). This passage
is often cited as a core biblical
mandate for hospitality.
- Commands for Hospitality: The
New Testament explicitly calls
Christians to "extend hospitality
to strangers" (Romans 12:13) and
"Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers, for
thereby some have entertained
angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:1-2).
- Unity in Christ: Ephesians
2:19 states that believers are "no
longer strangers and aliens, but
you are citizens with the saints
and also members of the household
of God," emphasizing that in
Christ, distinctions are broken
down.
- A Sojourner Identity:
Christians are also called to view
themselves as "aliens and
strangers on earth," awaiting a
heavenly home (Hebrews 11:13, 1
Peter 2:11), which can foster
empathy for those who are
literally strangers in a land.
- Jesus’ Great Commission
Mandate for the Church: Our
Resurrected Lord, as an exercise
of his full authority over heaven
and earth, commissions His
apostolic church to make disciples
of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Church, in order to be
faithful to its Lord, must
intentionally be ministering with
the Gospel to the nations in our
midst, who are our immigrant
neighbors.
- The Eschatalogical people of
God: Revelation clearly envisions
the Redeemed people of God as the
people redeemed, by the blood of
Christ, from every language and
tribe and people and nation
(Revelation 5:9). This vision of
the Church is not a future reality
only since John’s vision in
chapter 5 is a lens of the present
reality of the church from its
heavenly vantage point even before
the last day. We too are to adopt
such a heavenly perspective as
Saint Paul says, “Seek the things
that are above, where Christ is
seated at the right hand of the
Father. Set your mind of things
above” (Colossians 3:1-2).
Lutheran Confessional Materials:
While the direct focus on
immigration as a distinct issue is
more recent in modern Lutheran
social statements, the underlying
theological principles that inform
such statements are rooted in the
Confessions and Lutheran theology.
● The Augsburg Confession and
Apology: These foundational
documents emphasize:
- Love of Neighbor: The core
Christian command to love one's
neighbor as oneself (Article IV of
the Augsburg Confession, and
consistently throughout the
Apology) is understood to extend
to all people, including strangers
and those in need. This is the
overarching principle that guides
Lutheran engagement with social
issues.
- Justification by Grace
Through Faith: This central
doctrine (Article IV, Augsburg
Confession) leads to a life of
good works, not for merit, but as
a fruit of faith. These good works
naturally include acts of mercy
and hospitality.
- The Two Kingdoms Doctrine:
Lutherans understand God to rule
in two ways: through the spiritual
kingdom (the Church, where the
Gospel reigns) and the earthly
kingdom (civil government, where
law and order are maintained).
This framework allows for a
nuanced approach that respects
civil authority while upholding
the Christian's call to love and
serve the neighbor, even when
civil laws may seem to conflict
with that call. Lutheran social
statements often navigate this
tension by advocating for just
laws while still calling for
individual and congregational acts
of love and compassion.
● Later Lutheran Documents and
Statements:
- Social Statements and
Messages: The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod – LCMS has
issued the document Immigrants
Among Us for use and guidance of
LCMS congregations.
- Emphasis on Vocation:
Lutheran theology emphasizes
"vocation," or God's calling for
individuals in their various roles
(family, work, citizenship,
church). This means Christians are
called to love their neighbor and
work for justice within their
specific vocations, including
advocating for immigrants and
showing hospitality in their
communities.
- The Dignity of All People:
Lutheran theology affirms that all
human beings are created in the
image of God (imago Dei), and
therefore possess inherent dignity
and worth, regardless of their
nationality or legal status. This
underpins the call to treat all
people with respect and love.
In summary, both the Bible and
Lutheran confessional materials
provide a robust theological
framework that calls for profound
hospitality and justice toward
strangers and migrants, rooted in
God's own character, Israel's
historical experience, Christ's
teachings, Christ’s missional
mandate for the Church, and the
inherent dignity of all humanity.