# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S128
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

128

of society—drugs, alcohol, child abuse, suicide, divorce . . .
etc.” (ef. CW, pp. 138-39); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod during 1986-92 work inten-
sively to help congregations strengthen the family; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Board for Parish Services develop
and implement a program and resources based on Biblical
concepts, providing support systems, learning experiences,
enrichment activities, and skills training appropriate to
the needs of the individuals in the congregations; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Board for Parish Services receive
adequate funding for staffing and implementation of this
program and the development of resources; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That all the boards of the Synod be requested
to cooperate with the Board for Parish Services in the de-
velopment of the program and resources; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board for Parish Services distribute
the program and resources through the districts to the local
congregations.

Action: Adopted (10).

To Designate 1988 as Year of Families
RESOLUTION 2-03
Overture 2-32 (CW, p. 88)

Wuereas, God instituted marriage, the family, society,
and the church, and He said that “It is not good for man
to be alone” (Gen. 2:18), and that this declaration is the
pattern for all subsequent human life; and

Wuereas, Family disruption (divorce, adolescent prob-
lems, drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse, etc.) has become
an increasing problem in the society and in the church;
and

Wuereas, The synodical Task Force on Young Adoles-
cents stressed the importance of the Christian family; and

Wuereas, The February 1985 synodical Planning Con-
ference named “strengthening families” as the top priority;
and

Wuereas, The secular press and other media are aware
of the continuing problems facing North American fami-
lies; and

Wuereas, The only adequate solution to these problems
is to be found in the abundant life in Jesus Christ (John
10:10) and in what God has done and continues to do for
our salvation (John 14:6); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod designate 1988 as The Year
of Families; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Parish Services, in coop-
eration with the Congregational Ministries Planning Unit,
make available to congregations and districts approved re-
sources to make the maximum impact on households of
our congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage congregations to
emphasize Bible study for families and households; and be
it finally

 —— ————

RESOLUTIONS

Resolved, That the Synod encourage congregations and
districts to send representatives to the synodwide family
festival in Oconomowoc, WI, on July 26-29, 1987, in prep-
aration for the 1988 emphasis.

Action: Adopted as amended (12)

(The word “approved” was substituted for “adequate” in the
second resolve.)

To Encourage Assimilation of New
Members

RESOLUTION 2-04
Overtures 2-63A-B (CW, pp- 94-95)

Wuereas, Our evangelism efforts to “make disciples”
are often nullified by our failure to assimilate new mem-
bers into the life and work of the congregation; therefore
be it

Resolved, That congregations be urged to give special
attention to the assimilation of new members; and be it
further

Resolved, That congregational leaders and pastors be
encouraged to study appropriate resources related to this
issue; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations be urged to make current
members sensitive to the needs of new members through
Bible classes, topic discussions, sermons, etc.; and be it
finally

Resolved, That congregations consider beginning an as-
similation committee, whose responsibility will be for new
member assimilation.

Action: Adopted (14).

To Change Black Ministry Sunday to
Black Ministry Emphasis

RESOLUTION 2-054
Overture 2-34 (CW, p. 88)

Wuereas, The congregations of the Synod have been
encouraged to set aside or to designate one Sunday of the
year as Black Ministry Sunday; and

Wuereas, This practice began with the centennial cele-
bration of black ministry and has traditionally emphasized
black recruitment and the scholarship endowment fund;
and

Wuereas, This practice has many other very positive
results, in that it informs, reminds, and challenges our
people to greater commitment to this vital area of the min-
istry of our church body; and

Wuereas, The need for an effective recruitment pro-
gram for black professional church workers is more critical
today than ever before; and

Wuereas, Our nation annually emphasizes black his-
tory and has designated February as Black History Month;
and

Wuereas, The Board for Parish Services has prepared
and distributed resources to the day schools of the Synod