# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1965_S82 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 82 RESOLUTIONS — COMMITTEE 1 Resolved, That the Board for Missions in North and South America, the Board for World Missions, the Board for Missions to the Blind, the Board for Missions to the Deaf, the Board for European Affairs, and the Commis- sion on College and University Work be united into a single Board for Missions to which the Medical Mission Council and the Church Extension Board shall be at- tached in their established service capacities; and be it further Resolved, That this single board shall normally meet two times a year to formulate and review policy, direct and adopt planning, establish and present budgets, re- view organizational effectiveness, evaluate the correla- tion and coordination of the synodical mission endeavor, and do all else necessary to effect an aggressive and united mission effort for the Synod; and be it further Resolved, That this single board organize itself, elect its own officers, and establish such standing committees and ad hoc commissions as may be required to review and evaluate work more closely and to study policy for possible formulation and proposal to the plenary board; and he it further Rvsolved, That the single Board for Missions be in- structed 1o give special attention to the further definition of its objectives, functions, size, and internal organiza- tion and, working closely with the office of the Execu- tive Tirector of the Synod, submit its findings and rec- omni=ndations to the synodical delegate convention of 1967; and be it further Resolved, That the single Board for Missions, in con- sultation with the Executive Director and with the ap- preval of the Board of Directors, be authorized in or- ganizing its work to develop, define, redefine, assign, and reassign the staff responsibilities and personnel re- qitred but that established staffing procedures be in- voked following the synodical delegate convention in 1967; and be it further Resolved, That a constituting meeting of the single Board for Missions be convened in January 1966 upon the call of the President of the Synod through the chair- man of the Division of Mission and that the single divi- sional Board for Missions become operative on Feb. 1, 1966; and be it finally Resolved, That the Board for Missions in North and South America, the Board for World Missions, the Board for Missions to the Blind, the Board for Missions to the Deaf, the Board for European Affairs, and the Commis- sion on College and University Work designate one board member each who, convened by the chairman of the Division of Missions, shall during the latter months of 1965 work with the office of the Executive Director in preparing an agenda and pertinent materials for the constituting meeting of the single divisional board in January 1966. Consultative representation shall be sup- plied by the executive secretaries of each of the parti- cipating boards, the Medical Mission Council, and the Church Extension Board. Action: This resolution was adopted. To Make Evangelism a Matter of Major Concern RESOLUTION 1-03 Report 1-02, I, A, 9 (CW, p. 4) Wuereas, In recent years there has been a gradual decline in the rate (percentage) of growth of The Lu- theran Church — Missouri Synod; and Wuenreas, A disturbingly large number of congrega- tions have had few or no accessions by confirmation; therefore be it Resolved, That the Districts of the Synod, in and through their responsible boards or committees, make evangelism a matter of continuing major concern; and be it further Resolved, That this concern be expressed through regular consideration at all District conventions, pastor and teacher conferences, and any other outlet through which God’s people can be confronted with the challenge of the church’s mission in its witnessing responsibilities. Action: This resolution was adopted. To Use Directed Programs of Evangelism RESOLUTION 1-04 Report 1-02 (CW, pp. 2—4) Whereas, The Department of Evangelism of the Synod has developed effective and successful programs such as the Evangelism Festival, Evangelism Work- shops, Lutheran Open House week, Spiritual Life Mis- sion, Families for Christ, and Ambassadors for Christ; therefore be it Resolved, That we commend the Department of Evangelism for its development of these effective pro- grams; and be it further Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to ob- serve the Evangelism Festival each year; and be it further Resolved, That congregations also be encouraged to make a concerted effort in organized educational agen- cies to equip children for their Christian mission in life; and be it finally Resolved, That evangelism workshops for pastors, teachers, and laymen be emphasized on all levels. Action: This resolution was adopted. To Have Organizations and Other Agencies of the Synod Develop Their Witness for Christ Through Study and Service Programs of Evangelism RESOLUTION 1-05 Report 1-02 (CW, pp. 2—4) Wuereas, We gratefully recognize that the Holy Spirit has led the organizations of our Synod, such as the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, the Lutheran Laymen’s League, and the Walther League, to introduce