# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S178
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

178 RESOLUTIONS

7. PARISH SERVICES AND YOUTH

To Accept and Implement the Report
of the Commission for Services
to the Mentally Retarded

RESOLUTION 7-01
Report 7-03 (CW, pp. 366—368)

Wuereas, The labors of the Commission for Services
to the Mentally Retarded have been blessed with signal
success; and

Wuergas, This field of Service continues to present
new opportunities and challenges to the ministry of the
Gospel; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention accept with gratitude
the report of this commission as it appears in the Con-
vention Workbook, that it commend the commission for
its leadership, and that it encourage the commission to
continue its devotion to its increasing task; and be it
further

Resolved, That the convention gratefully acknow]-
edge the generous participation of God’s people in the
His Too Crusade and appeal for their continued support;
and be it further

Resolved, That the convention support the commis-
sion in its efforts to carry forward an informational
program on its work to the District and parish levels;
and be it further

Resolved, That the convention encourage the colleges
and seminaries of the church to offer curricular oppor-
tunities in the field of special education; and be it finally

Resolved, That the convention urge the Board of
Directors of the Synod to remain aware of developments
in the work of the commission and concerned about the
financial support of this ministry.

Action: Adopted (4 ).

To Accept the Report of the Board
of Youth Ministry

RESOLUTION 7-02
Report 7-02 (CW, pp. 363—366)

Resolved, That the convention accept the report of
the Board of Youth Ministry, commending the board
for the directions it has set for ministry, and encour-
aging it to facilitate the implementation of its outlined
priorities and to continue faithfully in the fulfillment
of its purposes as stated in the synodical Handbook
(7.61); and be it further

Resolved, That Districts and congregations of the
Synod also be encouraged to strengthen their efforts
in ministry with youth, and to cooperate with the Board
of Youth Ministry in a positive and dynamic response
in the power of Christ to the concerns that youth have
expressed,

Action: Adopted (14).

To Recognize and Encourage
Youth Representation at Conventions

RESOLUTION 7-03
Report 7-02 (CW, Pp. 663—666)

Wuerras, The representation and participation of
youth at conventions of The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod is growing; and

Wuereas, This participation is proving beneficial not
only to youth, but to the entire church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention express its apprecia-
tion for the calibre of young people who have come to
this convention and for the contribution they have made
to our gathering; and be it further

Resolved, That the convention express its gratitude
to the Districts and to the colleges and seminaries who
made it possible financially for youth representatives
to attend the convention as well as to participate in the
preconvention sessions; and be it finally

Resolved, That all Districts of Synod be encouraged
to make possible such full participation of youth rep-
resentatives at synodical conventions.

Action: Adopted (12 ).

To Urge Congregations to Extend Voting
Privileges to All Members Who Are
18 Years of Age

RESOLUTION 7-04
Report 7-02 (CW, p. 366)

Wuereas, The church is seeking to include youth in
the lifestream of the church at all levels of activity; and

Wuereas, The conditioning of youth to greater re-
sponsibility at an increasingly early age has led to the
decision to reduce the voting age in the United States
to 18 years; and

Wuereas, Some congregations have already lowered
the voting age to include more youthful members in
decision-making roles and have reported a grateful and
eager response on the part of youth; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention urge all congrega-
tions of the Synod that have not done so to lower the
voting age to 18 years if and to the extent possible under
applicable state law.

Action: Adopted (5).

To Adjust and Equalize Salary Base
for Teachers

RESOLUTION 7-05

Report 7-01, Recommendation 7; Overtures 7-10—7-15
(CW, pp. 350, 369—371)

Wuereas, All members of the teaching ministry are
gifts of God to the church and as such should receive
an appreciative response which includes appropriate
salaries; and