# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S214
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

214 RESOLUTIONS

Resolved, That we challenge each district with the re-
sponsibility of creatively resettling one case (individuals
or families) per circuit within said district during each of
the coming three years; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to observe
Refugee Concerns Sunday as designated by the Synod.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Warn Against Dangers of Tobacco,
Alcohol, and Other Substance Abuse

RESOLUTION 7-14
Overtures 7-40—7-44 (CW, p. 365)

Wuereas, 1 Cor. 6:19-20 says: “Do you not know that
your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your
body” (NIV); and

Wuereas, Smoking is a significant cause of death (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services 1983 Report)
and $65 billion in annual health care costs is attributable
to smoking; and

Wuereas, Alcoholism and substance abuse are diseases
of epidemic proportion, intimately affecting one out of
every three American families (Gallup Polling Services,
November 1982); and

Wuereas, Alteration of all destructive life-styles re-
quires recognition by individuals alerted to the signs and
symptoms of these disorders and subsequent intervention
and treatment by trained professionals; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Social Ministry Services
take appropriate actions to educate the members of the
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod on all the dangers
of smoking and aspects of alcohol and substance abuse,
specifically in the areas of prevention, intervention, treat-
ment, and referral; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Social Ministry Services
provide a resource center with literature, audiovisual aids,
and a bibliography of reputable resources; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board for Social Ministry Services
provide professionals to staff workshops to train church
professionals as to the proper detection of symptoms of
alcohol and substance abuse, so that referrals can be made
for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Action: None.

To Strengthen Our Response to Human
Care Issues

RESOLUTION 7-15
Report 7-01—7-04 (CW, pp. 345-57); Overtures 7-06—
7-81 (CW, pp. 357-72)
Wuereas, The reports relating to Human Care (CW,
pp. 345-57) indicate a great deal of activity on the parts

of boards, commissions, and task forces of the Synod in the
area of social ministry; and

Wuereas, The overtures assigned to Floor Committee
7 (CW, pp. 357-72) show a great interest on the part of
congregations to the meeting of human needs; therefore
be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
in convention give thanks to God for the work of the Board
for Social Ministry Services and its staff, including the
areas of the aging, institutional chaplaincy, world relief,
refugee resettlement, alcohol and substance abuse, and its
work with agencies and institutions; and be it further

Resolved, That we thank God for the Commission on
Health and Healing, the Commission on Ministerial
Health, and the work of the Board of Managers—Worker
Benefit Plans; and be it further

Resolved, That we commend our congregations for their
social ministry activities, and encourage our districts to
continue energetic support of those activities; and be it
further

Resolved, That. we direct the CCPU, as part of the syn-
odical planning process, to establish a Human Care Plan-
ning Unit encompassing the boards and commissions of
the Synod responsible for human care issues, and including
representation from district and congregational levels of
Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Human Care Planning Unit function
under the direction and supervision of the Executive Sec-
retary of the Board for Social Ministry Services.

Action: Adopted (15).

To Promote Christian Attitudes
in Government and Country

RESOLUTION 7-16
Overture 7-81 (CW, p. 372)

WHEREAS, Jesus spoke openly to the world (John 18:20)
and challenged us to be the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13)
and not hide our light under a bushel (Matt. 5:15); and

WHEREAS, There are interest groups in our society that
are advocates of abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, evo-
lution, and other matters of deep concern for Christians;
and

WHEREAS, James said that faith without works is dead
(2:17) and to know to do good and not do it is sin (4:17);
therefore be it

Resolved, That we encourage the members of our Synod
to express their scripturally-informed beliefs on the moral
and political issues of our day (1) at political caucuses and
other political functions, (2) in letters to their represen-
tatives in federal, state, and local governments, (3) in let-
ters to the editors of newspapers and magazines, and (4)
in voting conscientiously; and be it further

Resolved, That we as members of our Synod pray for all
those in public office, and particularly pray for those Chris-
tians who are working as Christ’s servants in public office,
that they present a more effective Christian witness.

Action: None.