# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S135
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 135

To Emphasize Pastoral Care to Families
RESOLUTION 7-11

Overture 7-06 (CW, pp. 362—365)

Wuereas, The 1962 convention of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod asked the Board of Parish
Education to explore the church’s needs and resources
regarding marriage education and counseling and to
prepare an adequate program of action; and

Wuereas, The Board of Parish Education conducted
three pilot seminars utilizing professional guest lecturers
and clinically trained pastors; and

Wuereas, The evaluation of these pilot programs in-
dicates that pastors desire and need specialized training
in their ministry to families: therefore be it

Resolved, That under the sponsorship of the Boards
of Parish Education, Higher Education, Missions, Social
Ministry, and the Wheat Ridge Foundation an inten-
sive pastoral training program for family counseling be
authorized by the Synod and cosponsored by interested
Districts; and be it further

Resolved, That under professional leadership a series
of 25 seminars for pastors, approximately 40 in each, be
conducted over a 4-year period; and be it further

Resolved, That the plans for financing the project be
approved and that the participating boards include their
share of the cost in their work program and budget
requests; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Parish Education be
responsible for the implementation and administration
of this program; and be it further

Resolved, That biennial reports and evaluations be
made to the Synod through the Board of Parish Educa~
tion; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to make
it possible for their pastors to participate in this project.

Action: Adopted (14).

To Consider Establishing Center for Study
of Parish Life and Its Nurture
RESOLUTION 7-12

Report 7-01, I, D, Recommendation 5 (CW, p.339)

Wuereas, The Board for Higher Education report on
ministerial training (CW, pp. 248—251) calls for open-
ness to change in curriculum, modes of instruction, and
relationships between preparation and professional min-
istry and urges experimentation and innovation; and

Wuereas, A number of overtures to this convention
(6-95U, 6-99U, 6-101U) ask the Synod to establish a
Bible and Missionary Training Institute and professional
continuing education programs in extension centers to
keep missionaries, parish pastors, teachers, and pro-
fessors in touch with theological and educational de-
velopments with the parish life and foreign fields of the
church; and

Wuereas, A number of graduate study and research

centers that provide setting and resources for profes-
sional seminars and experimentation have made distinct
contributions on an advanced level to specific needs that
are not adequately served by established schools; and

Wuereas, The church dare not take its method of
operation and the teaching of its saving, edifying Gospel
for granted at a time in history when the world is forg-
ing ahead through research and advanced studies in far
less important fields; therefore be it

Resolved, That in order to keep alert and be crea-
tively farsighted in its educational mission and minis-
tries, the Synod ask the boards in the Division of Parish
Services to consider establishing a Center for the Study
of Parish Life and Its Nurture, preferably in a local
parish setting; and be it further

Resolved, That the possibility of conducting such a
laboratory jointly with our terminal schools be explored
so that it might provide an accredited program of parish
education training for graduate students as well as pas-
tors, teachers, youth leaders, missionaries, and laity.

Action: Adopted (14).

To Urge Congregations to Study
“The Edifying Word”
RESOLUTION 7-13

Report 7-01 (CW, pp. 337—360)

Wuereas, A study book on “The Edifying Word” was
prepared for delegates to the Denver convention of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in the hope that
study groups in local congregations would later also
gain some of the benefits of the convention essayist’s
presentation; therefore be it

Resolved, That for growth in understanding the mis-
sion of the church to itself, all congregations be urged
to use the study book on “The Edifying Word” as a
springboard for discussions of the convention theme
in various kinds of local groups.

Action: Adopted (14).

To Give Thanks for Servants of Church
RESOLUTION 7-14
Report 7-01 (CW, pp. 337—360)

Wuereas, God communicates His edifying Word to
a disturbed world by His Spirit through His people; and

Wuereas, God sends pastors and teachers to equip
His people for their ministry of His Word; and

Wuereas, The Reverend Doctor Oscar E. Feucht,
retiring Secretary of Adult Education, and Doctor Ar-
thur W. Gross, retiring Editor of Vacation Bible School
Materials, faithfully served their Lord and the Synod
for more than two decades, effectually enabling men and
women, children and youth to join in Christ’s proclama-
tion of His Word, by especially emphasizing the need
for lifelong study of and obedience to the Holy Scrip-
tures; therefore be it