# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S203
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 203

Mrs. Thelma Mills, Bethlehem, New Orleans, conducts an opening
devotion

Resolved, That we ask the CTCR and the Com-
mission on Social Concerns to study the issues involved.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Encourage Cooperative Welfare Services
RESOLUTION 9-12
Overtures 9-14A, 9-14B (CW, pp. 322—323)

Wuereas, Cooperation and coordination of social
ministry services with other Lutheran groups, and at
times with other Christian groups can be done success-
fully and in ways which are consistent with the sacred
Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod urge that in all Lutheran
social ministry programs we be alert to opportunities
for extending the influence of the Gospel and sharing
the love of God through cooperative efforts; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage further study
and work toward developing models of Christian co-
operation in social ministry consistent with the Scrip-
tures and the Confessions; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod continue to work through
the Lutheran Council, U.S. A., in joint social ministry
planning, development, and consultation.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Work Toward Prisoner Rehabilitation
and Prison Reform

RESOLUTION 9-13
Overtures 9-15, 9-16 (CW, p. 323)
Wuereas, Christianity is an essential factor in the re-
habilitating process; and
Wuereas, The mandate to come to the side of those

in prison is clear from Jesus and from the Scriptures;
and

WuHereEAS, Many of the prisons in our country are
overcrowded, and in need of general reform; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Board of Social Ministry and
World Relief encourage and support Districts in their
prison chaplaincy programs; and be it further

Resolved, That this Board be encouraged to study
and implement programs of rehabilitation of persons
before and after their release from prison; and be it
further

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to urge
their members to participate in programs of prisoner
rehabilitation; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Social Ministry and
World Relief encourage our Districts and congregations
to promote an informed awareness of the injustices
wherever they have developed in our judicial and cor-
rectional systems, suggesting appropriate action in the
matters of prison reform, establishment of public de-
fender systems, and reform of our bail system.

Action: Adopted (16).

(The committee revised the third whereas which had
read, “. . . overcrowded, ill-managed, and grossly in need
of ...”)

To Decline Overtures Supporting
Capital Punishment
RESOLUTION 9-14

Overtures 9-17, 9-18 (CW, p. 323)

Wuereas, The recent Supreme Court decision pro-
vides for discretionary legislation on the part of each
state in the matter of capital punishment, which legis-
lation may vary from state to state; and

Whereas, This entire matter gives rise to complex
social and theological implications; therefore be it

Resolved, That individual Christians throughout the
Synod be guided by Christian knowledge and con-
science when making judgments regarding capital pun-
ishment; and be it further.

Resolved, That because of the many implications
surrounding this issue we ask the Commission on Social
Concerns to prepare and disseminate guidelines de-
signed to assist our membership in making these judg-
ments, and be it finally

Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overtures
9-17 and 9-18.

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

To Decline Overture on Additional
Participation in Rebuilding Vietnam

RESOLUTION 9-15
Overture 9-21 (CW, p. 324)

Wuereas, Government and private agencies, includ-
ing the church’s agencies of world relief, are already