# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S147
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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PARISH, YOUTH, AND COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES 147
To Channel Requests To Retain and Use 1943 Catechism
_for Special Sundays in Its Present Form
RESOLUTION 2-10 RESOLUTION 2-12

' Report 4-05, III, P (CW, p. 135)

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors, based on concerns
registered by many. congregations and pastors, has
been reducing the number of specially designated
Sundays; and

WHEREAS, Many of the specially designated Sundays
are mandated by convention action; and

WHEREAS, Too many special Sundays disrupt the
emphases and flow of the liturgical church year; and

WHEREAS, Even more requests to designate Sundays
are contained in overtures to the 1983 convention;
therefore be it

Resolved, That groups seeking the designation of
Sundays for special purposes channel such requests to
the Board of Directors for consideration under its policy
statement regarding special Sundays; and be it further

Resolved, That the practice of designating Sundays
for purposes other than those assigned by the liturgical
church year be used most cautiously.

Action: Adopted (8).

To Support Expansion
of Communications Counsel Services

RESOLUTION 2-11
Report 2-03 (CW, pp. 68—69)

WHEREAS, Twentieth-century communications tech-
nologies are gifts from God to be used by the church in
the cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, The work of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod has been blessed through the use of
developing technologies in the past; and

WHEREAS, Communication technologies (including
print, radio, television, video, cablevision, computers,
Satellites, etc.) and communication methodologies are
undergoing rapid change and dramatic revision in this
age; and

WHEREAS, The mission and ministry of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod at all levels can benefit from
the efficient and effective use of current and emerging
technologies; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Communication Ser-
Vices keep abreast of current and emerging technologies
in order to suggest appropriate utilization; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Board for Communication Ser-
vices give priority to offering the Synod and its con-
8regations counsel on how to make the most efficient
and effective use of the current and emerging tech-
nologies for both internal and external communication.

Action: Adopted (8).

Report 2-01 (CW, pp. 60—61); Overtures 2-43—2.
44 (CW, p. 87)

WHEREAS, The results of a survey made by the Board
for Parish Services revealed little call for a revision of
the 1943 catechism; and

WHEREAS, The 1943 catechism is still a usable and
understandable translation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Parish Services abstain
from developing any revision of the 1943 catechism at
this time; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Parish Services remain
open and sensitive to the needs of the church in regard
to such a revision.

Action: Adopted (10), reconsidered and replaced
(13).

To Prepare New Translation
of Catechism

RESOLUTION 2-12A

Report 2-01 (CW, pp. 60—61); Overtures 2-43—2-
44 (CW, p. 87)

WHEREAS, The 1943 synodical catechism (blue book)
has served the test of time; and

WHEREAS, The 1943 catechism is loved by the
majority of the membership of the Missouri Synod; and

WHEREAS, There has been great difficulty, not with
the substance of the catechism, but largely with its
archaic word usage; and

WHEREAS, Such archaic word usage obscures, for
many, the true substance of the catechism,-thus render-
ing it useless for some and difficult at best for many,
having the practical effect of creating an unavoidable
diversity of expression, which endangers our clear and
uniform exposition of Martin Luther’s great legacy to
the church; and ‘

WHEREAS, There are already in use synodically
unauthorized versions of the catechism; and

WHEREAS, Only 10 percent of the Synod were polled
by the Board for Parish Services regarding an updated
translation of the 1943 catechism (blue book); therefore
be it .

Resolved, That the Synod in convention instruct the
BPS to continue publishing the 1943 catechism. (blue
book); and be it further .

- Resolved, That the Synod in convention instruct the
BPS to prepare and submit to. the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations, for review and ap-
proval, anew translation of the catechism (blue book) in
contemporary English;.and be it finally a

Resolved, That upon the recommendation of the
aforementioned commission, the BPS be instrueted to