# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1989_S94 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) EEE 94 RESOLUTIONS the direction mission activities ought to take in the next decade and century. Reports to the church will be given on an interim basis before the 1992 convention. Therefore, as it considers the resolutions, this conven- tion needs to recognize that we are right in the middle of these two major projects—the statement of our mission theology and the formation of our mission strategy. There- fore, the 1992 convention of the Synod will be a pivotal mission convention as we prepare for the next century. In a paraphrase of Dr. Martin Luther, Dr. C. F. W. Walther stated, “Our gracious God only allows Christians to live on earth, so that they might bring others to the one saving faith. Otherwise God would immediately take a Christian to heaven as soon as he is reborn ... But God says you must finish your earthly task of leading others to eternal life.” In a pluralistic, multicultural, and mul- tiethnic world rapidly expanding into urbanization, that is our task today, in the decade of the 90s and in the 21st century. The Floor Committee on Witness and Outreach thanks the convention for the privilege of serving and comes before you now with this mindset from God’s word, “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31). Wilbert Sohns, Chairman To Intensify and Prioritize Mission RESOLUTION 1-01 Report R1-01 (CW, pp. 6-15); Overtures 1-10, 1-14, 1- 30 (CW, pp. 151—52, 154) Wuenreas, The mission which our Lord presented to His church is to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18- 20); and Wuereas, Worldwide 67 percent of all people do not know Jesus as their Savior; and Wueneas, Our Lord is presenting His church with both opportunities and challenges by bringing millions of people from many nations, races, cultures, and religions into our communities and neighborhoods; and Wuereas, The fastest growing of these cultures in the U.S.A. is the Hispanic; and Wuereas, In the United States, about 100 million (42 percent) out of 240 million do not belong to a church and about 69 million (29 percent) are church members with very little commitment; and Wuereas, A common mission statement by The Lu- theran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) would help unify and coordinate the church’s mission ministry; and Wuereas, In order to continue to tell everyone what He has done , a renewed and clear mission vision is essential; and Wuereas, Our gracious God allows Christians to live on earth so that they might bring others to the one saving faith; therefore be it Resolved, That the message “that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” continue to be powerfully and sweetly proclaimed so that all our members are united in their conviction that telling everyone what He has done is our highest priority and deserving of our ongoing com- mitment and constant prayers; and be it further Resolved, That the members of our congregations, both individually and corporately, continue to be informed of the ever-present challenge of world missions as the Lord continues to open doors for our church; and be it further Resolved, That the congregations and Districts continue to be sensitized to and challenged with the mandate pre- sented to us by our Lord as He brings people from a mul- titude of nations to our shores; and be it further Resolved, That mission planting, both worldwide and in the U.S.A., become the highest priority for the LCMS at all levels; and be it further Resolved, That the forthcoming comprehensive mission plan for the ’90s (Mission Task Force) and the statement of mission (Commission on Theology and Church Rela- tions) be completed as soon as possible and be commended to the Synod; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod instruct the Board of Directors to evaluate the structures of our Synod in the light of God’s primary purpose for the church; and be it further Resolved, That the Board of Directors recommend to the 1992 synodical convention a structure for mission and min- istry which gives priority to God’s primary purpose for the church; and be it further Resolved, That each congregation and District and the Synod itself be encouraged to set an increased mission bud- get which represents a faith-filled commitment for the next triennium; and be it further Resolved, That we, the Synod, be recommited to the mission and goal of telling as many people as possible what He has done in Christ; and be it finally Resolved, That this convention pray that the Holy Spirit might fill us with His power to enable us to faithfully and effectively carry out the Great Commission. Action: Adopted as amended (4). (The original resolution was amended by deleting a resolve which stated, “Resolved, That amidst the necessary activities, pro- grams, finances, structures, organization, planning, and admin- istration of the Synod, that God’s purpose for the church be given priority as we move into the 21st century, and that all such nec- essary activities be evaluated in the light of the mission of making disciples of every nation by bearing witness to Jesus Christ that the lost be saved.” The sixth and seventh resolves above were substituted for it. The words the highest were substituted for a high in the fourth resolve and the words the Synod itself were added in the eighth resolve by common consent.) To Review and Reaffirm Mission Goals RESOLUTION 1-02 Report R1-01 (CW, pp. 6-15) Wuereas, The Synod in 1979, in the fear of God and counting on His blessing, adopted a number of measurable mission goals; and Wuereas, In the 10 years since the adoption of those goals in these areas we are compelled to tell everyone what He has done: