# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1959_S161
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MISSIONS

161

Wuereas, This is a synodically approved program; therefore
be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod urge
all congregations of Synod, even those in isolated areas with but
limited mission opportunities, to participate in such a mission to
raise the witnessing level and to instill a new missionary spirit.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

Evangelism Promotion

RESOLUTION 11, COMMITTEE 2

Memorial 402, page 339, Reports and Memorials

Wuereas, The church was established by Christ with a divine
mandate to “go and preach the Gospel to every creature” and
evangelism is the proclamation of the Gospel and the power of the
Holy Spirit; and

Wuereas, Under God’s blessing a concerted Synodwide evan-
gelism effort has served to enlist many congregations and individ-
uals in intensive efforts both of internal and external evange-
lism; and

Wuereas, The church’s responsibility to evangelize presents an
important challenge for the church; and

Wuereas, The average annual loss of 5.8 members per church
requires immediate attention in addition to such factors as soul
conservation, integration, and assimilation; therefore be it

Resolved:

a) That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod express its
joy and thanksgiving to God for the blessing bestowed upon our
evangelism efforts in the past; and

b) That the Board for Missions in North and South America,
through its Department of Evangelism intensify its efforts to assist
Districts and congregations in developing and conducting a com-
plete program of evangelism, giving special attention to the use
of conferences, workshops, and institutes for this purpose; and

c) That the Department of Evangelism explore the possibility
of using new avenues and new media in attaining its objective and
share its findings with the church.

Action: This resolution was adopted.