# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S38 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 38 MISSIONS, EVANGELISM, AND SOCIAL MINISTRY Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service for the sponsorship and resettlement of refugees; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod encourage the government of the United States to continue involvement in the resettlement of the world’s outcasts and homeless. Redeemer Lutheran Church Salem, Oregon Robert Wright, Director Dell B. Schomburg, Pastor 1-38 To Strive to Resettle Refugees WHEREAS, The Lord God has made known in His Holy Word His special care and concern for people in deep hurt and need, and our Lord Jesus Himself was a refugee early in His earthly life among us; and WHEREAS, We have been bought at a great price—a price paid by the Lord Jesus for all, and we cannot refuse to love and show special concern to those most helpless and hurting, for whom Christ Himself shows special care and concern and compassion; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has taken part with other Christians in the resettlement of refugees; and WHEREAS, The number of worldwide refugees is huge, those willing to help are comparatively few, and this is a special opportunity to express our Lord’s love by living the Gospel in word and deed; therefore be it Resolved, That this convention give honest thanks to God specifically for allowing us to be a part of reaching out with His love in the resettlement of refugees; and be it further Resolved, That this convention encourage and strongly urge our congregations and members to become not only informed and aware of this great need, but also sensitive and compassionate, reflecting the love of Jesus and to translate love into action by assuring and providing housing, employment, and assistance for immediate needs to refugees through the programs of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. St. John's Lutheran Church Durand, Wis. Immanuel's Lutheran Church Plum City, Wis. Thomas Hoelter, Pastor To Renew Congregational Support for Refugee Resettlement WHEREAS, The Lutheran churches of our Synod in the United States and in Canada have in the past carried out effective programs for the resettlement of refugees from various countries through the Department of Immigration and Refugee Services of LCUSA and Canadian World Relief; and WHEREAS, About a half million Indochinese refugees have come to our shores since Apmil 1975, of which Lutherans nationwide have resettled approximately 15%; and WHEREAS, The number of refugees who really are in need of safe havens from torture, terror, and starvation is still enormous; and WHEREAS, The economic conditions of our country and the distractions of other ministry needs have turned many away from continuing to help these refugee peoples; therefore be it Resolved, That our Synod in convention in 1983 commend the people and their congregations who have so gallantly participated these past years for their support of this resettlement work; and be it further Resolved, That we encourage, with confidence in our Lord’s support, all congregations to become involved and renewed in their efforts to be sponsors of these refugee persons and families through the programs presently in effect in our Synod whereby we may assure refugees of housing, employment, and assistance in their daily needs over a limited period of time; and be it finally Resolved, That our synodical Board for Social Ministry Services devote time and energy to this encouragement through its work with the Districts and District Refugee Coordinators. Holy Cross Lutheran Church Peonia, II. Ray G. Barnes, President Loralyn D. Mayyou, Secretary Charles C. Gillet, Pastor 1-40 To Support Refugee Efforts Wuereas, Our Lord Jesus Christ commands that we befriend those among us who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, or sick (Matt. 25:35); and WHEREAS, We as Christians are ever mindful of the desperate plight and suffering of the millions of refugee families fleeing from repressive government, oppressive war, senseless brutality, and abject poverty that now engulfs their homeland; and WHEREAS, Our church was founded by Christian refugees over 47 years ago who also were fleeing and searching for both spiritual and secular freedom; and WHEREAS, We today reap the fruits of our predecessors’ endeavors and continue to be blessed with the abundance of God's grace and bounty; and WHEREAS, It is our Christian obligation as the children of God to carry the true light of God’s message, ministry, and service to those in need; and WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ pronounced, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me” (Matt. 25:40); therefore be it Resolved, That the congregation of True Light Lutheran Church, located in Chinatown, New York City do hereby support the efforts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to meet the needs of refugees around the world and join in proclaiming Sunday. April 17, 1983, as “Refugee Concerns Sunday.” True Light Lutheran Church New York, N.Y. Donald Eng, President Philip Yang, Pastor 1-41 To Take Stand Against Entanglement in Secular Affairs WHEREAS, Various church denominations and church councils have taken various corporate positions which have actually favored social and economic theories on which Chris- tians have honest differences; and WHEREAS, There are abundant statistics available to indicate that various forms of humanism are growing faster than orthodox Christianity in the world; and WHEREAS, Orthodox Christians in other church denomina- tions have witnessed much erosion of membership, evangel- ism, and mission in their churches due to a focus not clearly established in the Word; and WHEREAS, The Great Commission gave clear priorities to His church; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod withdraw all positions taken on economic, social, and political matters unless such positions are clearly established and undergirded by Biblical and confessional principles; and be it further Resolved, That the LCMS express itself against joining, establishing. or maintaining fellowship or joint operations with (while not cutting off dialog with) any other body.