# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S314
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

314

NATIONAL WITNESS

1-15

1-16

To Provide Missionaries and Outreach Techniques
to Local Congregations

To Assist Congregations in Their Privilege
to Welcome All People Regardless of What Sexual
Identity They Profess

Whereas, The West-Southwest Region is geographically the largest and one of the most populous if not the most populous region in
the LCMS; and
Whereas, We are experiencing a major decline in church participation, particularly from the younger generation and a natural
reduction of older generation membership. Some of this decline is
the result of a number of factors many of which are unique to the
West-Southwest Region. This decline, if not addressed quickly and
aggressively, will result in the closure and/or consolidation of many
shrinking congregations; and
Whereas, Many individual congregations do not have the
resources or training to research practical, effective local outreach techniques to a variety of younger individuals and families.
Furthermore, the aging of the membership in most congregations
limits the outreach that these congregations are able to do without
outside help; and
Whereas, Secular progressive attitudes and practices provide significant roadblocks to typical local outreach both at college campuses
and in our communities. Added to that, the fact that so many people
in this region have never been associated with a Christian church and
are from other countries makes it very difficult to reach them with the
Gospel message; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod take on the task of researching and
providing practical outreach techniques to this region that are simple enough for the small local congregations to use most effectively;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod train and prepare a large quantity of
missionaries to work in the West-Southwest Region to assist congregations and to do mission outreach within the region; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod provide the resulting techniques free of
charge to all congregations in the region.
Emanuel
Santa Barbara, CA

2016 Convention Workbook

Whereas, Our Lord tells us in Matthew 9 that He has come not
for the righteous but sinners; and
Whereas, James 2:10 reminds us, “Whoever keeps the whole
law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it”; and
Whereas, Pastors and laity struggle to relate as Christians to their
families and communities and also to welcome people in the public
assembly of the church whom they perceive to be in open, manifest,
and unrepentant sin of a sexual nature; and
Whereas, All people are always invited and welcome to hear
the proclamation of Law and Gospel in the public assembly of the
church; therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations of the Montana District be urged
to study God’s Word and consider how they might share the grace
and truth of God’s Word with all who pass through their doors; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Montana District memorialize the 2016 LCMS
convention to direct the Office of the President to give guidance to
congregations that they might remain steadfast in speaking the truth
in love by preaching the Gospel to all, and that God’s people might
be protected from giving the appearance of condoning the public sins
of those they desire to serve.
Montana District