# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S311
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

NATIONAL WITNESS
• encouraging the continuation of current alternate routes of theological
education; and

1-08

To Assist Fellow Congregations in Utilizing
Practices of Excellence for Ministry

• networking multiple congregations to share resources (e.g., programs
and personnel).

Southern District
1-06

To Develop and Identify Resources
for Outreach to Muslim Neighbors
Whereas, The religion of Islam continues to gain adherents
throughout the United States and world; and
Whereas, The Lord Jesus has commissioned His Church to
“make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19) through the proclamation of the Gospel; therefore be it
Resolved, That the English District of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod memorialize the 2016 LCMS convention to adopt as
a priority the development and identification of resources (e.g., written and visual materials, convocations, expert human resources within
our Synod, and other such resources) which will assist districts and
congregations boldly and faithfully to reach out to Muslims with the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
English District
Farmington, MI
1-07

To Encourage Ethnic Ministry Outreach
Whereas, Holy Scripture tells us, “God desires all people to be
saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4); and
Whereas, According to a recent study by the Center for
Immigration Studies, the immigrant population of the State of
Missouri is 136,000 persons; and
Whereas, Refugees, immigrants, and people from many cultures
are in our schools and in our neighborhoods; and
Whereas, Many congregations need special assistance to reach
out to people in the changing communities around their churches;
therefore be it
Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to witness to others,
including other ethnic groups; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to make such outreach a high priority in all activities; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations serving ethnic or changing communities be encouraged to assimilate new members from these groups
into leadership positions to foster ownership in the congregation;
and be it further
Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to seek partnerships
with other congregations and utilize community resources which lend
support to Word and Sacrament ministry and Synod resources; and
be it finally
Resolved, That the Missouri District memorialize the LCMS
in convention to facilitate networking of congregations, agencies, and RSOs of the Synod in fostering improved ethnic ministry
opportunities.
Missouri District

311

Whereas, The Synod is composed of approximately 6,000 congregations and numerous organizations, all with unique settings, gifts,
talents, and experiences; and
Whereas, Each congregation and entity of the Synod desires,
through God’s leading, the grace and power to disciple followers
of Christ and share His love in the most effective way possible; and
Whereas, Each of these congregations and entities has, over time
and with the blessing of our heavenly Father, developed practices of
excellence in various areas of witness, mercy, and life together; and
Whereas, Sharing of these “practices of excellence” within the
Synod among congregations and entities is difficult; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod, within the next triennium, undertake
the creation of a “Practices of Excellence” electronic database and
inform the congregations of the Synod of its existence, which will
then allow congregations and entities within the Synod to efficiently
participate in an exchange of information; and be it further
Resolved, That this information consist of practices of excellence which individual congregations and other entities have shown
to accomplish the sharing of God’s Gospel and His love in a powerful way; and be it further
Resolved, That the Practices of Excellence database also contain
demographic, geographic, and other information which will allow
congregations and other entities to determine appropriate application
of these practices within the context into which our Lord has placed
them; and be it finally
Resolved, That through the exchange of these practices of excellence, our congregations and other entities will, by God’s grace,
power, and will, become more effective in the glorious task of reaching into this world with the love, grace, and glory of our Savior,
Jesus Christ.
Michigan District
1-09

To Focus Emphasis and Resources
on Vitality of Congregations
Whereas, God instituted congregations; and
Whereas, God entrusted the Keys of the Kingdom to congregations; and
Whereas, The Synod as an organization is of human origin; and
Whereas, An undue concentration on the bureaucracy and work
of the Synod can dilute the efforts of local congregations; therefore
be it
Resolved, That both district and Synod leadership focus their
emphasis and resources on the health and vitality of local congregations by identifying and promoting programs or ministries that grow
out of congregations.
Michigan District
1-10

To Encourage Church Planting
throughout the Synod
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod averaged one
new church plant every week for its first hundred years; and
2016 Convention Workbook