I believe we should make this paragraph a cut and paste rallying cry - every time we see an opportunity to use it in a discussion that asks for discussion on this marriage issue.

It takes little time to cut and paste it to Notebook or Word, and also little time to paste in a comment thread. It is short but encapsulates our synod's message. Park it on you desktop ....

"As faithful Christians, we shall continue to be obedient to just laws. We affirm the human rights of all individuals and the inherent and equal value of all people. We respect the divinely given dignity of all people, no matter their sexual preference. We recognize that, under the exacting and demanding laws of God, we are indeed sinners in thought, word and deed, just as are all (Romans 3:9ff.). We confess that the “blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all our sins” (1 John 1:7). We confess that God’s divine law of marriage and the entire Ten Commandments apply to all, and that so also the life-giving sacrifice of Christ on the cross is for all. It is a “righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:22)."