# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S108
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

108 RESOLUTIONS

Wuereas, Minority representatives know better than
anyone the characteristics of their own culture; and

Wuereas, Very few decision-making boards cur-
rently have the advantage of minority representation
which could greatly improve the church’s ability to wit-
ness and serve; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod strive for minority repre-
sentation primarily on the Board of Directors, the
Boards for Missions, Parish Education, Higher Educa-
tion, and Social Ministry, not to the exclusion of other
boards, commissions, and committees; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod endeavor to do this both
on synodical and District levels; and be it finally

Resolved, That the synodical Handbook be amended
as follows:

2.143 (new c)
c. The committee shall strive to place in nomina-
tion candidates from various minorities represented

in the Synod.
(present c, d, and e to be renumbered accord-

ingly).
Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Plan and Implement Programs
for the Elimination of Racism in the Church
RESOLUTION 1-27
Report 1-01, Ill, 2, ¢ (CW, p.7)
Wuereas, Our Lord Jesus lived, worked, relaxed,
prayed, suffered, died, and rose again so that His fol-

lowers could be one as He and the Father are one (John
17:11); and

Wuereas, The New Testament is full of references to
the unity of the church (Eph. 2:19-22; Gal. 3:28; 1 Cor.
12:12-13, to mention just a few); and

Wuereas, The Lord Jesus told us to preach the Gos-
pel to every creature and bring all His sheep into the
sheepfold; and

Wuereas, White racism with its assumption of su-
periority over against minority groups is entrenched
in our society and also in the church, including The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod; and

Wuereas, Racism is very harmful to the life and work
of the church, contributing to her denial of her mission
mandate, hampering her outreach to minorities, and
virtually precluding any effective work in changing
neighborhood situations; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
has so often resolved to correct this situation but has
implemented little in that direction; therefore be it

Resolved, That the officials of The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod, on all levels, regularly advise all
congregations of the subtle and devastating effects of
racism on the mission outreach to minority peoples;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod place a high priority on
the task of eliminating racism from its life and work;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Social Ministry be in-
structed to authorize a staff member to devote the major
portion of his time and energy to the planning and im-
plementation of programs which will assist Districts
and congregations to combat racism wherever it appears.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.