# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1989_S99 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) . . Resolved, That our congregations and pastors continue “49 identify and encourage retired people to enroll in the ‘paborers for Christ program for participation in one or : more of its projects. Action: Adopted (15). To Encourage Participation in Great Commission Convocations RESOLUTION 1-14 Report R1-06 (CW, p. 21); Overture 1-50 (CW, p. 156) WHEREAS, The Synod has been uniquely blessed through three Great Commission Convocations; and Wuereas, The 1988 Great Commission Convocation Committee recommended future convocations; and Wuereas, Financial support would be helpful in en- abling greater participation by both laity and full-time church workers; and Wuereas, Traditionally, Great Commission Convoca- tions have been carried out without financial assistance ' from the synodical budget; therefore be it Resolved, That we encourage the scheduling of future Great Commission Convocations; and be it further Resolved, That we challenge congregations, Circuits, and Districts to provide financial assistance through spe- cial offerings, grants, and other avenues to facilitate the involvement of a maximum number of people; and be it finally Resolved, That we thank God for His abundant bless- ings on these Great Commission Convocations, which en- able us to tell everyone what He has done. Action: Adopted (15). 5: oN we me To Facilitate Process of Securing ae Directors of Evangelism RESOLUTION 1-15 Overture 1-23 (CW, pp. 153-54) WHEREAS, There is a genuine need to assist congrega- tions in identifying and securing individuals to serve as certified directors of evangelism; and Wuereas, The District offices can render valuable ser- vices to our congregations in locating such individuals; and WueEreas, The District Presidents already provide con- gregations with lists of candidates for such offices as pas- tor, teacher, or DCE; therefore be it Resolved, That the District Presidents, in consultation with their staffs, develop and maintain a list of people who can serve our congregations as certified directors of evan- gelism; and be it further Resolved, That we encourage the colleges of the Synod which certify directors of evangelism (Christ College Ir- vine, Irvine, Calif.; and Concordia College, St. Paul, Minn.) regularly to supply the District Presidents with the names of individuals who are available to be consecrated as di- rectors of evangelism; and be it further Resolved, That we encourage congregations seeking to WITNESS AND OUTREACH 99 obtain a director of evangelism to request a list of candi- dates through the office of their District President; and be it finally Resolved, That when an individual accepts an appoint- ment to serve as a director of evangelism, he notify the President of the District in which the congregation is lo- cated as well as the Secretary of the Synod. Action: Adopted (15). To Celebrate Centennial of Deaf Ministry RESOLUTION 1-16 Overtures 1-60A—G (CW, p. 156) Wuereas, Lutheran congregational ministry with deaf people began in 1894 with a worship service in sign lan- guage conducted by Rev. Augustus Reinke in Chicago; and Wuereas, The Synod established deaf ministry as its mission at the 1896 synodical convention in Fort Wayne; and Wuereas, God has richly blessed this ministry, so that there are now 54 congregations of deaf people in the Synod and an additional 200 congregations with interpreted min- istry for deaf people, with more than 5,000 confirmed mem- bers who are deaf; therefore be it Resolved, That we give thanks to God for His blessings to this ministry and for the gifts that His Spirit has given to His people who are deaf; and be it further Resolved, That the President of the Synod consider ini- tiating in the 1995 synodical convention the celebration of the Centennial of Deaf Ministry. Action: Adopted (4). (In connection with adoption of the resolution the John of Bev- erly Award was given by Mill Neck Manor to Dr. Elaine Costello, presently director and editor-in-chief of the Gallaudet University Press. The Detroit School for the Deaf presented its Ephphatha Award to Rev. Walter Busby for his ministry to and contributions to the education of the deaf.) ; To Include Congregations in Formation (Missions) in the Lutheran Annual RESOLUTION 1-17 Overture 1-34 (CW, pp. 154-55) Wuereas, Conservation of souls is important in the work of the kingdom; and Wuereas, Members should be referred to sister con- gregations when moving into a new area; and WueErEAS, Many use The Lutheran Annual for vacation worship planning; and Wuereas, The Lutheran Annual currently lists the names of the congregations in formation (mission) when they are submitted by the District offices; therefore be it Resolved, That all District offices be directed to submit to the Department of Human Resources the names of those congregations in formation (mission). Action: Adopted (15).