# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S213
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SOM ERC Bas ER Ae dee: Se Ia

HUMAN CARE 213

parents and families, might encourage adoption for those
who may regard abortion as their only option, and might
provide supportive services for those experiencing an un-
timely pregnancy”; and

Wuenreas, The Sanctity of Life Task Force of the Board
for Social Ministry Services has developed a resource guide
to assist local congregations in their efforts on behalf of
the unborn, the elderly, and the handicapped; therefore be
it

Resolved, That the congregations and pastors of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be encouraged to ob-
tain this resource guide from the Board for Social Ministry
Services; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations and pastors of The Lu-
theran Church—Missouri Synod use the guide as a tool to
provide local alternatives to abortion and actively support
the needs of the elderly and the handicapped; and be it
further

Resolved, That congregations and individuals be en-
couraged to request and study the CTCR document “Abor-
tion in Perspective” and implement its suggestions on
pages 45 and 46 (CW 392-93); and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board for Social Ministry
Services (a) utilize the Synod’s Office for Government In-
formation to track pending legislation, (b) keep abreast of
medical developments relative to pro-life issues, and (c)
inform the Synod’s members of issues concerning the
sanctity of human life in all aspects; and be it finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
work through all legal and Godly means to change atti-
tudes that do not uphold the sanctity of life.

Action: None.

To Continue to Develop Programs
to Alleviate Human Suffering

RESOLUTION 7-124
Overtures 7-59-7-63 (CW, pp. 368-69)

Wuereas, The Old Testament issues a clear call for
social justice and action to attain it (Is. 5:8-10); and

Wuereas, The Gospel also calls us to address the social
issues of our age (Luke 14:12—14; Matt. 25:31-46); and

Wuenreas, There are people both in this country and
abroad who are still hungry, malnourished, starving, and
homeless in the midst of material wealth; and

Wuereas, There is a continuing need for the Christian
church to be sensitive to those who are mistreated minor-
ities, persecuted people, and persons of the “captive na-
tions”; and

WHEREAS, A microcosmic glimpse of the need of Chris-
tians of the “captive nations” was presented to the con-
vention on Sunday evening through the illustration of the
Latvian Lutheran Church in Exile by President Vilis Vars-
bergs; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod his-
torically has had ministries to hurting people; therefore be
it

Resolved, That the Synod on all levels—national, dis-
trict, and local—seek to identify the causes of misery, and
to pursue a Christian response; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod continue to develop programs
through the Board for Social Minstry Services, explore new
ways to alleviate human suffering, and deal with root
causes of misery and be increasingly creative in searching
out effective means for publicizing the human needs of the
captive peoples of the world; and be it finally

Resolved, That we continue to urge our congregations
to pray for all oppressed people, for just government, and
for the powerful effect of the Gospel upon all those who
are instruments of oppression.

Action: Adopted as amended (12).

(By common consent the word “tradition” after “testament” in
the first whereas was deleted. The word “church” was changed to
“Synod” in the first resolve. Delegates were reminded that the
third week in July is Captive Nations Week.)

To Continue to Support Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Services and
Its Resettlement Program

RESOLUTION 7-13A
Overtures 7-29—-7-32 (CW, pp. 361-62)

Wuereas, Jesus says to us in Matt. 25:34—40: “Then
the King will say to those at His right hand, ‘Come, O
blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world ... I was a stranger
and you welcomed Me. .. . Truly, I say to you, as you did
it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to
Me’” (RSV); and

Wuereas, Heb. 13:1—2 says: “Let brotherly love con-
tinue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for
thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (RSV);
and

WHEREAS, We are His disciples; and world circumstan-
ces have presented us the opportunity to show Christian
love to our neighbor in need; and

Wuereas, We, as Christians, are mindful of the plight
and suffering of the over eight million refugees, including
most recently Ethiopian refugees, fleeing from repressive
governments, oppressive war, senseless brutality, and ab-
ject poverty; and

Wuereas, Lutheran involvement, through Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Services, has a long and suc-
cessful history of Lutheran congregations as sponsors and
resources for refugee people; and

Wuereas, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services
will continue to seek resettlement of refugees coming into
the United States; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
continue to support and cooperate with Lutheran Immi-
gration and Refugee Services or its successor; and be it
further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
urge all congregations to consider first-time or additional
sponsorship of refugees; and be it further