# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S20 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 20 MISSIONS instance shall be the five members of the Board of Control. Board for Missions Wilbert J. Sohns, Chairman Edward A. Westcott Jr., Executive Secretary Appendix IV Overture: To State Clearly the Synod’s Position on Comity Arrangements WHEREAS. The Synod in its 1979 convention instructed the Board for Missions to review and evaluate the guidelines governing comity arrangements and their implementation in the light of our church planning and strategy (cf. Res. 1-32A); and WHEREAS. The Board for Missions through a survey has consulted with those involved in joint planning through LCUSA Regional Planning Consultations concerning the LCUSA “Guidelines for Regional Planning Consultations”; and WHEREAS. The Board for Missions in its review and evalua- tion of LCUSA “Guidelines for Regional Planning Consulta- tions” together with the response of those involved in Regional Planning Consultations has verified a general consensus that such consultations are mutually beneficial in the area of mission planning and strategy; and WHEREAS. The Board for Missions in its review and evalua- tion of the LCUSA “Guidelines for Regional Consultations” concludes that we are not in fact a comity arrangement but rather in a consultatory arrangement with our fellow Luther- ans (pp. 1—d); and WHEREAS. The Board for Missions in its review and evalua- tion of the LCUSA “Guidelines for Regional Planning Consulta- tions” further concludes that the implementation of regional and local guidelines (pp. 6 ff.) presents a form of comity arrangement which, if regarded as binding, hinders an aggres- sive church-planting strategy; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in conven- tion adopted a goal of planting, under God’s blessing, 1,800 new churches in the decade of the ’80s; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention affirm its commitment to consultation with other Lutheran bodies as a responsible part of mission planning and strategy as defined on pp. 1—5 of the LCUSA “Guidelines for Regional Planning Consultations”; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod reject the binding nature of any decisions made at the national, regional, or local consultations, as implied on pp. 6 ff. of the Guidelines, which hinder any Lutheran church body from initiating or allowing to be initiated any new ministry consis- tent with its responsibility to the Lord of the church; and be it finally Resolved, That all congregations, circuits, and Districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be urged to take seriously the mandate of Christ to reach the millions of unreached in this country and prayerfully and joyfully make every effort necessary to reach the challenging goal of plant- ing, under the Lord’s blessing, 1,800 new churches in the decade of the ’80. Board for Missions Wilbert J. Sohns, Chairman Edward A. Westcott Jr., Executive Secretary Mission Information Resources The following resource materials will be helpful for providing additional background information: 1. The 1979 Convention Workbook, Board for Mission Report, pp. 1—39; 2. The 1979 Convention Proceedings, various mission-related resolutions; 3. The Lutheran Annual 1981 (consult Index for various listings); 4. 1979 STATISTICAL YEARBOOK, published 1980; In addition to complete statistics for the LCMS in North America, world mission statistics may be found on pp. 256—64. “World Mission Notes” may be found on pp. 265—71. 5. The Board for Missions, 500 N. Broadway, St. Louis, Mo. 63102. can supply “God Opens Doors” pamphlets. The BFM office also has information concerning mission projects. 6. The Board of Stewardship, Mission Education Services, 500 N. Broadway, St. Louis, Mo. 63012, has a listing of available materials for use in mission education materials such as pamphlets, the “Pray for rT s” booklet, pictures, filmstrips, etc. 1-02 Report of Board for Evangelism DISCIPLING IN THE ’80s The final word that our Lord Jesus Christ left with His disciples before He returned to heaven is called the Great Commission, the commission, or command, that His followers (disciples) should make disciples of all nations of the world. In the words recorded by Matthew, Jesus used one imperative, “make disciples,” supported by three participles: Going into the world, they should make disciples by baptizing and by teaching. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. (Matt. 28:19-20 RSV). This commission broadens the traditional concept of evangelism, which emphasizes bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ or making them members of the church. The emphasis of our Lord is to ‘make disciples,’ which is a continuous process. First a person becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ through faith, by which he or she receives the forgive- ness of sins and a new birth. For an infant this happens in Baptism; but once a person is a disciple of Jesus Christ, then that person continues to grow in his or her relationship to Him through the Word and the Sacrament of the Altar. Thus the life and character of Jesus Christ is reproduced in the life of the disciple as that disciple becomes more and more like his or her Master. Thus discipleship is an ongoing process. One way in which the disciple is like his or her Master is that the disciple seeks, as the Master did, the lost and tries to bring them into that relationship with Christ, so they can also be His disciples. This becomes a continuous cycle: Peoplecome to faith through the work of the Holy Spirit; become a part of the body of Christ: and grow, mature, and learn to disciple others. 1. The First Great Commission Convocation The theme “‘Discipling in the ’80s” was chosen for the first Great Commission Convocation of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod in order to stress both being disciples and making new disciples. It was held Nov. 6—9, 1980, at the Cervantes Convention Center in St. Louis, with 14 plenary speakers chosen from the list of preferred speakers gathered by a survey of congregations of the Synod. The convocation also included 26 inreach workshops, 26 outreach workshops, and 26 special ministry workshops. A special steering committee, appointed by the Board for Evangelism, planned and con- ducted the convocation. The following were committee members: Dr. Walter Stuenkel, Indianapolis, Ind.—General Chair- man Mr. Richard Korthals, Arcadia, Mich.—Program Chairman Rev. Jerrold Nichols, Fort Wayne, Ind.—Worship Chair- man Rev. Howard Allwardt, Birmingham, Mich.—Follow- Through Chairman Dr. Oswald Waech, Cypress, Calif.—Prayer Chairman Rev. Wallace Schulz, St. Louis, Mo.—Rally Chairman Mrs. Helen Morris, Mankato, Minn.—Arrangements Chair- man Rev. Elmer Scheck, Milwaukee, Wis.—Publicity Chairman Dr. Wilbert Griesse, Memphis, Tenn.—Representative of the Council of Presidents Dr. Guido Merkens, San Antonio, Tex.—Representative of the President, Vice Presidents, and Board of Directors Dr. Erwin J. Kolb, St. Louis, Mo.—Staff Coordinator