# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S141
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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‘ge be commended to the congregations, seminaries,
colleges of the Synod for their use in the church.
Action: Adopted (9).

convention declined to drop point 4 of the third resolve.)

._ To Refer Overture 1-22
(Church Growth) to the Council
i of Administrators

RESOLUTION 1-15A

nt

7 overture 1-22 (CW, p. 33)

na WHEREAS, Several departments of the Synod are

; yging some aspects of church growth; and

. ahey ~*

”’ .gy WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church
~. Relations is presently studying church growth; and

it WHEREAS, Districts and: congregations are looking
for resource materials and advice in this area; and
WHEREAS, The responsibility. for coordinating the
activities of various boards belongs to the Council of
Administrators; therefore be it

Resolved, That the subject matter of Overture 1-22 be
referred to the Council of Administrators for the de-
velopment of a recommendation to the Board of Di-
rectors regarding the responsibility for the coordination
of church growth programs, so that the appropriate
aspects are best utilized by our boards, Districts, and
congregations.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Initiate
Pastors Witness Workshops

RESOLUTION 1-16
Overture 1-21 (CW, p. 33)

WHEREAS, The pastor is the called witness to wit-
nesses; and

; WHEREAS, The pastor can grow in evangelistic at-
titudes and techniques through attendance at a pastor-
ally oriented witness workshop; and

WHEREAS, A pastor could become a more effective
equipper of the saints of his congregation with the

completion of a pastors witness workshop; therefore be
it

Resolved, That each District be encouraged during
the next triennium to arrange for one or more witness
workshops for pastors only; and be.it further

Resolved, That the Board for Evangelism Services
Provide resource material and recommend leaders for
such workshops; and be it finally

Resolved, That the whole church be encouraged to
Pray for the Holy Spirit’s blessings on these gatherings;

MISSIONS, EVAN GELISM, AND SOCIAL MIN ISTRY

141

and that pastors be encouraged to Participate joyfully
and enthusiastically.

-: Action: Adopted (12).

To Encourage Continued Support
for Ministry to the Armed Forces

RESOLUTION 1-17 |
Overture 1-17 (CW, p. 32)

WHEREAS, Our nation continues to maintain a siz-
able military force to insure our national liberties; and

WHEREAS, Many of the members of the Armed Forces
are members of our church who have volunteered to
serve their country; and

WHEREAS, The church has an obligation to serve the
spiritual needs of these members who are serving
throughout the world; therefore be it

Resolved, That we encourage congregations to con-
tinue to support the Ministry to the Armed Forces by
prayer and financial contributions; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage all congregations to
fully utilize the services of the Ministry to the Armed
Forces by forwarding the names of all military members
to its Ministry-by-Mail office and by establishing their
own program of ministry to members in the military;
and be it finally

Resolved, That we encourage congregations whose
pastors are members of the military reserves to facilitate
their pastors’ participation in and fulfillment of the
requirements placed upon them as members of our
nation’s military forces. ,

Action: Adopted (12).

To Use Synod Convention
to Emphasize Ethnic Ministry

RESOLUTION 1-18
Report 1-04 (CW, p. 25); Overture 1-15 (CW, p. 31)

WHEREAS, Our Lord has commissioned us to bring
the Gospel to all people; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
needs to reemphasize, rededicate, and implement more
fully its ministry to ethnic groups in the United States
in order to maintain a credibility in the ethnic com-
munities and others committed to this vital area of
ministry; therefore be it ,

Resolved, That we encourage all members of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to engage more
vigorously in pursuing the work among ethnic com-
munities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention urge the
President of the Synod to consider an emphasis on the