# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S122 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 122 RESOLUTIONS To Encourage Urban Ministry Planning RESOLUTION 1-07 Overtures 1-34A-35D (CW, pp- 34-35) Wuereas, The continued influx of people into our na- tion’s large urban centers means that 50% of our citizens will live in an urban setting by the year 2000; and Wuereas, Millions of immigrants from countries around the world are settling in our nation’s large cities; and Wuereas, There isa potential harvest of souls which is rich in numbers and diversity in urban centers; and WuereEas, There are hundreds of Missouri Synod con- gregations actively engaged in a variety of cross-cultural, evangelistic, transitional, ethnic, and educational minis- tries in the urban setting, with little or no intercommun- ication beyond narrow city or regional boundaries; and Wuereas, Amidst the continuing stress produced by ur- ban change these congregations are in need of energetic, flexible leadership and other resources for effective min- istry strategies; and Wuereas, The Synod’s Board for Mission Services Ur- ban Task Force and other urban ministry consortia have been meeting to develop a demographic data base as well as to strategize future directions for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregational urban ministry efforts; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod’s Board for Mission Services Urban Task Force and other urban ministry consortia be encouraged to intensify efforts to undergird and strengthen the ministries of congregations in urban cen- ters as they seek to meet the challenge of reaching this burgeoning populace with the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further Resolved, That a plan of action to coordinate a network of urban parishes, their pastors and lay leaders, be un- dertaken by the Urban Task Force and other urban min- istry consortia for mutual support, encouragement, and the development of resources and ideas; and be it finally Resolved, That appropriate synodical and regional agencies develop plans for urban-oriented vicar/pastoral training, in-service growth, and lay leadership training to bring together a cadre of dedicated and capable urban workers. Action: None. To Thank God for the Nehemiah Plan RESOLUTION 1-08 Overture 1-37 (CW, p- 35) Wuereas, The Nehemiah Plan of the East Brooklyn churches has brought about the rebuilding of inner-city Brooklyn through new low-cost, single family, owner-oc- cupied housing; and Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod con- gregations in East Brooklyn (Risen Christ, St. Peter, St. —————— Paul, and St. Mark) have taken a leadership role in de- veloping the Nehemiah Plan as well as benefiting from its successes; and Wuereas, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s mil- lion dollar interest-free loan commitment was instrumen- tal in making the Nehemiah Plan a reality; and Wuereas, The Nehemiah Plan has proceeded according to Biblical principles of the Kingdom (Matthew 25; Luke 4; and Matthew 5-7), as well as springing from local con- gregational energy as outlined in Paul’s epistles and af- firmed in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s concept of “congregational autonomy”; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, assembled in convention, give thanks to God for the Neh- emiah Plan; and be it further Resolved, That we give thanks to God for the vision and action of local and denominational leaders in bringing about The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s partici- pation in the Nehemiah Plan; and be it finally Resolved, That we support with prayer and action all efforts to ensure the continuation of the Nehemiah Plan locally and nationally. Action: Adopted (12). To Establish a National LCMS Student Organization RESOLUTION 1-09 Overtures 1-26 —27B (CW, pp- 32-33) Wuereas, An organization for college and university students has not existed in the Synod since Gamma Delta was disbanded in 1968; and WueEreas, Four district conventions have officially ex- pressed the need for students on various campuses to as- sociate with fellow Lutheran students on the local level and to be involved with those from other schools; and Wuereas, Such an organization of students would as- sist in fostering an appreciation for the mission and the- ology of the Synod through a network of local, regional and national student gatherings, providing additional oppor- tunities for worship, fellowship, Bible study, leadership training, and the development of more effective ways to be involved in the church’s ministry; and Wuereas, A Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod stu- dent organization would also provide a vehicle for pro- moting campus ministry, particularly in the more than 600 town-gown and contact campus congregations where a full- time campus pastor is not presently available; therefore it Resolved, That the Synod direct the Board for Mission Services, through its Office of Campus Ministry, to work toward the establishment of a national Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod organization for college and university stu- dents that reflects the evangelical, Biblical, and confes- sional position of the Synod. Action: Adopted ( 12).