# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S165
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 165

3-16

To Reaffirm Position on Membership
in Anti-Christian Groups

WHEREAS, The Handbook of the Synod sets forth our
declaration of opposition to al] societies, lodges, and organiza-
tions of an un-Christian or anti-Christian character; and

WHEREAS, There is continued need to instruct and remind
our members of the opposition to Christ by participation in
such anti-Christian groups; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention reaffirm our position of
opposition to all societies, lodges, and organizations of an un-
Christian or anti-Christian character, and be it further

Resolved, That all congregations be urged to instruct all of
their members in this matter.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Sturgis, Mich.

William A. Menser, Chairman
Albert D. Bumann, Secretary

To Utilize Available Educational
Material Warning About the Cults

WHEREAS, A cult explosion has been troubling America the
past two decades and continues to do so; and

WHEREAS, Millions of Americans have been stolen from our
Lord Jesus Christ, having been blinded with systems of works-
righteousness under various brand names such as Moonies,
Mormons, Hare Krishna, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology,
Christian Science, The Way International, Transcendental
Meditation, etc.; and

WHEREAS, Lutheran Research and Information Center and
Concordia Publishing House have materials available which
describe these groups’ history, methods of recruitment, their
contrasts with Christian doctrines, and offer points on how to
witness to them; therefore be it

Resolved, that all pastors, teachers, and congregations of
our Synod seek ways in which they may utilize these materials
for Bible classes and topic study in organizations so that
forewarned and forearmed and trained Christians of all ages
would be better prepared to make a defense and witness to their
sure hope in Jesus Christ alone, based on sound Scriptural
teachings and thus not be lost from the flock of Jesus Christ.

St. Peter Lutheran Church
Hilbert, Wis.

Gene R. Kangas, Pastor
Ralph Koffarnus, President
Dean Bergelin, Secretary

3-18

To Improve the Divine Calling Process
Within the Synod

WHEREAS, The calling of a pastor, teacher, or other servant
of the Lord is both a sacred and a practical matter within the
church; and

WHEREAS, The calling process varies from area to area,
which may result in misunderstanding; and

WHEREAS, Ineffective practices (e.g., outdated information
on candidates for calls) can result in poor stewardship of time
and money; and

WHEREAS, Certain practices may demonstrate a lack of
awareness of the divine nature of the call; therefore be it

Resolved, That the District President, after careful study
and evaluation adopt and publicize procedures that offer
vacant congregations an awareness of the divine nature of the
call, current information on candidates, and effective aid
during the period of vacancy; and be it further

Resolved, That the California-Nevada-Hawaii District re-

spectfully encourage the Synod to make a further study of the
calling procedures because of these concerns.

California-Nevada-Hawaii District

Sergei S. Koberg, Secretary

To Give an Informed Choice
to Calling Congregations

WHEREAS, Vacant congregations are dependent on char-
acterizations of candidates which are supplied by District
Presidents; and

WHEREAS, Such characterizations are often vague about the
candidates Biblical views; and

WHEREAS, Some congregations feel that they have been
misled, while others go to great expense in order to determine
what a candidate is really like; and

WHEREAS, There continues to be wide variation throughout
the Synod on such issues as evolution, ecumenism, church
discipline, women’s role in the church, abortion, and the
authority of Scripture, therefore be it

Resolved, That vacant congregations be authorized to
request their District President to state exactly what the
candidates’ positions are with respect to such official doctrinal
documents as the “Brief Statement” and “A Statement of
Scriptural and Confessional Principles.”

Hope Lutheran Church
San Leandro, Calif.
Oscar Osness, President
Ellen Pelham, Secretary

3-20A

To Declare Female Teachers
“Ministers of Religion”’

Resolved, That the synodical Board of Directors be directed,
in consultation with all appropriate boards and officers of the
Synod, to take action to place the female teachers who are on
the teacher roster of the Synod on the same “‘minister of
religion” status as the male teachers, for all purposes of federal
aws.

Reasons:

1. Female teachers must meet the same qualifications to be
included on the teacher roster of the Synod as do male teachers.

2. Female teachers are called upon to perform the same
“minister of religion” duties as do the male teachers.

3. Female teachers should be entitled to the same tax
benefits under the federal laws to which male teachers on the
teacher roster are entitled.

Board of Directors
Atlantic District
Ronald F. Fink, President

Identical or similar:

3-20B
Calvary, East Meadow, N.Y. Herbert Kern

3-21

To Further Participation of Women
in the Church

WHEREAS, We recognize the service performed by women in
the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Southern District propose to the synod-
ical Board of Directors and synodical convention that a task
force be established to study the role of women in the churchin
the 1980s, and that the task force make appropriate recom-
mendations for change to subsequent synodical conventions,
and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage the Synod to nominate and