# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S125 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) WITNESS AND OUTREACH 125 Resolved, That the Synod commend those districts that are encouraging Jewish evangelism and assisting their congregations (especially the Atlantic, Ontario, New Jer- sey, and Southern California Districts) and encourage other districts to take similar action; and be it further Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod try var- ious methods of reaching Jewish people in their parish areas, including the Messianic Bible study group or con- gregation; and be it finally Resolved, That the Board for Mission Services include in its planning a staff position that will deal with the con- cerns of reaching Jewish people with the Gospel both in North America and other parts of the world. Action: Adopted (14). (In session 12 an amendment had been introduced to the effect that a new resolve be added, stating, “Resolved, That five con- gregations in North America be staffed with messianic pastors or church professionals to do this important cross-cultural ministry (one in the Atlantic District, one in Ontario District, one in New Jersey District, one in Northern Illinois District, and one in South- ern California District.” This amendment was declined when dis- cussion was resumed in session 14.) To Support Great Commission Convocations RESOLUTION 1-14A Overture 1-50 (CW, p. 36) Wuereas, By the blessing of God, the second Great Commission Convocation of The Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod, held in St. Louis Oct. 25-28, 1984, was at- tended by 8,000 people from every district and every college and seminary of the Synod, with 15,000 present for the Saturday night “Victory Celebration” rally; and WuEREAS, The responses to the convocation on the eval- uation forms and in personal letters affirm that the con- vocation was a great blessing to individuals and to congregations; and Wuereas, Many participants responded to the encour- agement given, used the handouts, and witnessed to hundreds of people in the downtown area during the con- vocation and the outreach, with the parishes in the St. Louis area providing opportunity for personal experience in doing evangelism; and Wuereas, Carrying out the Great Commission always includes the proclamation of the Gospel; and Wuereas, All evaluations overwhelmingly request an- other similar convocation; and Wuereas, Some districts have conducted Great Com- mission Convocations during 1985 and others are con- ducting them in 1986, and the circuits are encouraged to conduct convocations during 1987; and Wuereas, There continues to be a need to sustain the priority of the Great Commission in its full dimension of being disciples of Jesus Christ and making disciples for Him; and Wuereas, The Board of Directors has decided to have another convocation in 1988, and the planning for it has begun; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod commend those districts that have conducted district convocations and encourage other districts to hold similar events; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod encourage the circuits to con- duct circuit convocations in 1987 that give a high priority to the Great Commission; and be it further Resolved, That the planning committees at all levels consider providing specific opportunities for personal wit- ness and outreach to the communities in connection with the convocations; and be it finally Resolved, That this convention thank God for the bless- ings that continue to come to the church through Great Commission Convocations and pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and blessing for all those involved in planning and conducting them. Action: None. To Encourage the Publication of Spanish Materials RESOLUTION 1-15 Report 1-02 (CW, p. 15) Wuereas, A growing number of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregations in North America carry out ministry among Spanish-speaking people; and WHEREAS, Spanish-speaking people are often frustrated because of a linguistic barrier that prevents them from interacting with their English-speaking brothers and sis- ters of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and Wuereas, There are so few Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod materials presently available in Spanish, such as news publications and synodical proceedings; therefore be it Resolved, That all boards and commissions of the Synod be encouraged to consider the production of their materials in the Spanish language; and be it further Resolved, That a summary of the official Proceedings of the 1986 synodical convention also be published in Span- ish. Action: Adopted as amended (15). (Delegates first agreed to delete the final resolve but later voted to include it and to insert the words “a summary of.”) To Congratulate Partner Churches RESOLUTION 1-16 Report 1-02 (CW, pp.18—23) Wuereas, In years past the Lord enabled our Synod to walk through doors He opened and bring His Gospel to peoples of many countries and nations; and Wuereas, The Holy Spirit richly blessed the “going” so that believers were gathered into congregations and con- gregations united in a church body in partnership with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and