# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S215
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

HUMAN CARE 215

To Continue and Expand
Project Compassion Training

RESOLUTION 7-17
Overture 7-64A-B (CW, p. 369)

WHEREAS, Project Compassion seeks to train lay people
to be able to share themselves and Christ with lonely and
hurting people; and

WHEREAS, Scripture instructs us to reach out to people
who are lonely and hurting when it says: “Suppose a
brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one
of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and
well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what
good is it?” (James 2:15-16 NIV); and “For I was hungry
and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you
gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you
invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was
sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came
to visit me.” (Matt. 25:35-36 NIV); and

Wuereas, We have spiritually growing laymen and lay-
women who desire to serve their Lord; and

Wuereas, Our church has made training materials
available since 1969, with continuous additional materials;
therefore be it

Resolved, That districts and congregations support the
ministry provided by Project Compassion with our prayers
and encouragement; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board for Social Ministry
Services supply training materials geared for visitation in
city and county jails and minimum and medium security
correctional institutions; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations and district social min-
istry committees be encouraged to use the new materials
on Project Compassion training developed by the Synod’s
Board for Social Ministry Services.

Action: None.

To Practice Stewardship of Soil
and Water

RESOLUTION 7-18
Overture 7-56A-D (CW, p. 368)

Wuereas, The land and water of our country is a pre-
cious gift of a gracious God; and

Wuereas, All our people in towns and countryside are
affected by the erosion of the soil and pollution of the water;
therefore be it

Resolved, That we affirm our conviction concerning
stewardship of land and water resources by encouraging
all our congregations, both rural and urban, to annually
observe “Soil Stewardship Week” as an occasion for fur-
thering awareness among our membership of the ultimate
value of soil and water for our livelihood; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage our members to practice
good soil and water conservation.

Action: None.

Chairman Ronald Fink of Committee 7

To Take Responsibility for Ministry
to Institutionalized Persons

RESOLUTION 7-19
Overture 7-76A—J (CW, p. 371)

Wuereas, Institutions are clearly included in the con-
gregation’s call to proclaim the Gospel in its community;
and

WuEREAS, Persons confined to an institution present a
unique need for the new life in Christ either in support of
their Christian faith or as an alternative to a Christless
way of life; and

WHEREAS, Congregations, metropolitan federations,
and districts have an interest in the quality of pastoral
care, professional service, and ethical decision-making in
the institutions of their areas; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod strongly encourage congre-
gations, metropolitan federations, and districts to explore
the opportunities and the responsibilities commensurate
with their obligations to institutionalized persons in their
geographic areas; and be it further

Resolved, That Chaplaincy Services within the Board
for Social Ministry Services offer consultation models and
names of appropriate chaplaincy candidates to assume
these ministries as requested.

Action: None.

To Offer Continuing Education Through
Board for Social Ministry Services

RESOLUTION 7-20
Overture 7-78A-K (CW, p. 371)

Wuereas, The Synod recognizes a serious need for the
development in pastors of additional pastoral care skills
for ministry in today’s world; and