2001-2

A Position Paper on the Welcoming of all Individuals

According to the parable in Luke 10:25-37, everyone is our neighbor to whom we are to love and show mercy. Jesus says what we do unto others is what we do unto Him, for God is within us. Since God is within us and within our neighbors we should treat each other with loving kindness and respect as well as remember to not let our pride and our human flaws interfere with God's glory.

As a Christian body, the Lutheran Student Movement-USA, we welcome all people as worthy of God's grace, realizing as St. Paul says in Romans 3, "There is no distinction since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Ephesians 2:8-9 goes on to say, "For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God -- not the result of works, so that no one may boast." Since we all sin but are saved by the grace of God, our righteousness before God is always an alien righteousness. This is God's gift through Jesus' death and resurrection. All our attempts at righteousness in the issues that find us in our human existence, no matter how pleasing and good, are always going to be flawed and only reveal our own sinfulness. Therefore, it is only with great patience, discernment, humility, and respect for each other that we may debate issues that will direct our common life together as God's people.

Therefore, we as members of LSM-USA take the following position on the welcoming of individuals:

"LSM-USA welcomes all individuals because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ who are saved solely by the grace of God, for all have sinned and fall short of the grace of God, and thus are in need of God's forgiveness. Christ died on the cross for each and every one of us. Therefore, as we live out each day and reunite each year for the National Gathering, we may discuss and debate issues with great patience, discernment, humility, and respect for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ."           

To further illustrate our position on this matter, a vote will take place at the 2002-2003 LSM-USA Assembly to include the above paragraph as a statement of intent to be attached to the LSM-USA Constitution and Bylaws.

Author: Adela Larson, University of Wisconsin-Stout, North-Central Region