# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S197
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 197

To Work with Job Resource Referral
Programs

RESOLUTION 9-26
Overture 9-31 (CW, p. 396)

Wuereas, Opportunities for employment of the un-
employed and underemployed should be the concern
of the local congregation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the local congregation be alert to the
activities of unions and community, state, and federal
agencies, which are presently functioning as Job Re-
source Referral Centers, and be encouraged to cooper-
ate and actively work with these agencies in behalf
of unemployed and underemployed people.

Action: Adopted (13).

To Introduce Programs Leading to Bachelor
of Arts Degree in Social Work Program

RESOLUTION 9-27
Overture 9-33 (CW, p. 396)

Wuereas, The church has always maintained pro-
grams to prepare young people to serve as pastors, as
teachers, and in other specialized ministries, and more
recently has recognized social work as a church pro-
fession by approving tuition consideration for students
at the junior college level; and

Wuereas, The current academic programs of some
of our 4-year colleges seem to suggest that a possible
concentration of social work courses leading to a bache-
lor’s degree could be developed with a minimum of
difficulty; and

Wuergas, Studies are now being conducted by the
Board of Social Ministry and World Relief and the
Board for Higher Education to explore the practicabil-
ity, the feasibility, and the use that could be made from
such a program that will lead to a B.A. in social work,
thereby qualifying the graduates either to go on to
secure an M.S. W. in an accredited graduate program
or to serve our church at that point through its agencies
and programs as a witness of our ministry to the whole
man; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education in
consultation with the Board of Social Ministry and
World Relief further study the need for future social
workers with a B.A. degree; and be it also

Resolved, That if the findings of this study substan-
tiate the need for such social workers, the Board for
Higher Education be empowered to implement such
a program.

Action: Declined (13 ).

To Support Project Equality
RESOLUTION 9-28
Overtures 9-15—9-18 (CW, pp. 391—392)

Wuereas, Our Synod, assembled in convention at
Denver, has spoken in support of the goals of Project
Equality (Res. 9-07, CW, p. 141); and

Wuereas, A number of Districts have already offi-
cially endorsed the program; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its Denver action;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Social Ministry and
World Relief continue to encourage full participation
in Project Equality on the part of the Synod and its
Districts, as well as by individuals; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to sup-
port this program or, if no Project Equality staff is
functioning in its area, to pursue the goals of Project
Equality.

Action: Adopted (16).

(An amendment to substitute Overture 9-39 {[Workbook,
p. 398] of Hope Congregation, San Leandro, Calif., failed to
carry.)

To Give Attention to the Draft Law
RESOLUTION 9-29

Overture 9-23 (CW, p. 394)

Wuereas, There is at present no draft law in effect
in our country; and

WuerREAs, The Synod has spoken on the issue of
conscientious objection in its Denver convention (Res.
2-28, CW, pp. 91—92) ; and

Wuereas, The issues addressed in Overture 9-23 are
covered there; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm the principles
adopted at Denver; and be it also

Resolved, That the members of the Synod be en-
couraged to transmit their convictions on the matter
of conscientious objection to their congressmen at once,

Action: Adopted (18).

To Express Concern for Prisoners
in Indochina
RESOLUTION 9-30
Overture 9-24 (CW, p. 394)

Wuereas, Many servicemen and civilians are being
held prisoners in Indochina; and

Wuereas, Many of them are suffering cruel and in-
human treatment in that Specific provisions of the
Geneva Convention calling for letter-writing privileges,
proper medical care, and identification of captives to
their government appear to have been violated in some
instances; and