# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S212 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 212 RESOLUTIONS tions be urged to take an active, supportive role contacting leg- islators and authorities on divesting,” the chairman ruled this was not a substitute motion. The chair was not sustained. The delegates, however, declined to consider the substitute motion.) To Urge Support for Oppressed RESOLUTION 7-08A Overtures 7-18, 7-20, 7-22 (CW, pp. 359-60) WHEREAS, Christ commands His disciples to love every- one (Mark 12:31, Matt. 5:44); and Wuereas, Racial discrimination occurs throughout the world; and Wuereas, This discrimination is particularly fostered by the system of apartheid in the Republic of South Africa; and Wuereas, We abhor racial discrimination wherever it occurs; and WHEREAS, Christians have a moral responsibility to ad- vocate for victims of racial discrimination; therefore be it Resolved, That all Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod members be encouraged to undertake a self-examination with respect to their attitude toward all people; and be it further Resolved, That congregations through worship, prayer, and Bible study groups assist in sensitizing members to evils of racial discrimination so that they may through the love of Christ respond to the needs of the oppressed; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod declare publicly that it denounces apartheid as well as other forms of racial discrimination; and be it finally Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod continue to develop ways and means to share the love of Jesus Christ in all parts of the world and to bear witness to the reconciliation that is possible in Christ. Action: Adopted (14). (In session 13 an amendment was introduced to delete the third whereas and to substitute “all” for the words “apartheid as well as other” in the third resolve. It was declined when dicussion was resumed in session 14. In that session an amendment was introduced to add at the end of the third resolve the words, “as contrary to the command of Christ to love your neighbor as your- self. This does not mean, however, that we countenance the use of any violence against those who support apartheid in South Africa.” It too was declined.) To Support Lutherans for Life RESOLUTION 7-09A Overture 7-08 (CW, p. 357) Wuereas, Human life before and after birth is the gift of God; and Wuereas, The legalized murder of unborn children con- tinues as an American abomination without equal in the sordid history of man; and Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has consistently expressed an uncompromising, Scriptural po- sition on the sanctity of life; and Wuereas, Lutherans for Life exists to promote the sanctity of life through a clear Scriptural witness and to terminate the abortion holocaust of our own time; and WHEREAS, The effectiveness of Lutherans for Life would be intensified with increased congregational support; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod thank and praise God for those volunteers who have given so freely of their time and talents for Lutherans for Life; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod encourage its congregations to provide increased support which will allow Lutherans for Life to become more effec- tive. Action: Adopted (14). To Support Synodical Efforts to Alleviate World Hunger RESOLUTION 7-10A Overtures 7-58A—B (CW, p. 368) Wuereas, Our Lord said that the worship He chooses is for us to share our food with the hungry (Is. 58:7); and Wuereas, The Board for Social Ministry Services and Lutheran World Relief in their World Relief—World Hun- ger programs have been faithful in attempting to alleviate world hunger; and Wuereas, There continues to be great need to provide relief for the many poor in the world; and WuHEREAS, It has been the practice of the Board of Di- rectors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to des- ignate the last Sunday of November as World Relief— World Hunger Sunday; therefore be it Resolved, That we commend the Board for Social Min- istry Services for its past World Relief—World Hunger ef- forts and encourage it to continue its positive efforts; and be it further Resolved, That we urge support of our districts, con- gregations, and individuals for continued aid; and be it finally Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention urge the Board of Directors to continue to designate the last Sunday in November as World Relief— World Hunger Sunday. Action: Adopted as amended (6). (The first whereas was amended by common consent.) To Uphold Sanctity of Human Life RESOLUTION 7-11A Overtures 7-10A-—7-11, 7-13A—-B (CW, p. 358) Wuereas, Scripture admonishes us to “speak up for peo- ple who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy” (Prov. 31:8- 9 TEV); and Wuereas, The 1983 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Res. 3-04B resolved “that the Board for Social Ministry Services be directed to develop proposals by which congregations might help expectant