# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S40
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

40 MISSIONS

13. That the way should be left open for the develop-
ment of a ‘Deaf District” if such promises to be the better
method of administration at a future date;

14. That the talents and abilities of the deaf in leader-
ship and administration be developed and utilized;

15. That for the purpose of interdependence and a
spirit of unity, the deaf congregations maintain regional
conferences and form an International Lutheran Deaf
Association;

16. That adequate educational and devotional mate-
rial expressly tailored to the needs of the deaf be pro-
duced;

17. That the deaf congregations, preaching stations,
and pastors serving the deaf recognize that they are the
concern of the Districts and have a responsibility to the
District President’s office.

Recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee
on the Administration of Work Among the Deaf
1, Administration of Work Among the Deaf

WHEREAS, The 1967 convention of The Lutheran
Church— Missouri Synod gave the assignment to the
ad hoc committee of the Board for Missions to continue
the study of the administration of deaf missions; and

WHEREAS, The ad hoc committee has completed a
careful and detailed study of this matter; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Missions conduct the
work among the deaf in North America as a part of its
North American mission program; and be it further

Resolved, That individual consideration be given to
congregations, Districts, and workers in the implemen-
tation of the above resolve; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Missions set general
policy for the administration of deaf mission, including
such areas as the administration of a field, field expan-
sion beyond District geographic boundaries, capital
programing, providing full-time workers, striving to
achieve necessary uniformity, guaranteeing resources
to the Districts for work among the deaf, etc.; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Board for Missions sponsor the
Ephphatha Conference for workers among the deaf and
that the Ephphatha Conference be an official pastoral
conference with required attendance; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board for Missions periodically
review the administration and structure of deaf missions.

2. Development of Lay Leadership in the Work Among the Deaf

WHEREAS, There is a need for the deaf laymen to have
a voice in the administration of work among the deaf; and

WHEREAS, Effective administration of the work among
the deaf depends on the involvement and leadership
of the deaf; and

WHEREAS, There is a need for Lutheran deaf to exert
a greater influence on the deaf society; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod and District boards seek the
counsel and active participation of the deaf in the ad-
ministration of the mission; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church-— Missouri
Synod provide for the development and involvement of
deaf lay leadership in Christ’s mission; and be it further

Resolved, That the synodical Board for Missions en-
able this lay-leadership development in the formation
of an International Lutheran Deaf Association, as well as
regional meetings of the association.

3. Recruitment and Training of Deaf Workers

WHEREAS, The requirements of public institutions and
agencies for the deaf make it increasingly necessary for
workers among the deaf to have specialized training; and

WHEREAS, It has been increasingly difficult to recruit
men for service in the deaf mission without providing
adequate training programs; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Missions develop ade-
quate policies for recruitment, pre-service, and in-ser-
vice training of workers among the deaf, including pro-
vision for sabbatical leaves to obtain formal training.

MARTIN KOSCHE, Chairman
GEORGE RING, Secretary

(1-02)

Report of Commission on Mission
and Ministry in the Church

Four years ago, in its general convention in Detroit.
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod adopted a se-
ries of resolutions under the title “Affirmations on
God’s Mission.”

In these resolutions we affirmed:

1. The Church Is God’s Mission

As the Father sent His Son to redeem the world and
as the Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit as the
great Missionary until our Lord’s return, so the Lord
gathers and sends His church on His mission. This “sent-
ness” of the church is not an optional activity in the
church but its very nature and function. The church’s
ministries of worship, witness, service, fellowship, and
nurture all have a missionary dimension and are caught
up in the manifold and dynamic mission of God. We
repent of our self-centered will and actions which make
our church an end in itself and give self-preservation
priority over God’s mission. We rejoice in God’s for-
giveness and place ourselves into His loving hand as
willing instruments of His great mission to the world.

2. The Church Is Christ’s Mission to the Whole World

Christians share a common humanity with all men.
We believe that God is active in the lives of all men
through His continued creative and providential con-
cern. He speaks to men through the Law written in
their hearts and reveals Himself in creation and nature.
Christians confess a common sinfulness and _ believe
in a universal redemption won for all in Jesus Christ.
Since God’s love embraces the entire world and Christ
has commissioned His church to make disciples of all
nations, we affirm that the church is Christ’s mission