# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S184
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

184 RESOLUTIONS

Biblical studies for high school students and adults;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Parish Education seek
out persons who can prepare, or have prepared, such
materials in view of this God-given opportunity; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Board of Parish Education be
granted sufficient staff to produce these materials; and
be it finally
_ Resolved, That these materials be continually
revised and provided to local congregations at a
reasonable cost.

Action: Adopted (14).

To Extend Marriage Enrichment
Program 4 Years

RESOLUTION 7-12

Report 7-01, X, Rec. 10 (CW, p. 276); Overtures 7-
21A—B (CW, pp. 289—290)

WHEREAS, In response to appeals from pastors in
parishes for further training in marriage counseling,
the Synod at its 1969 convention resolved to conduct a
4-year program in Marriage Education and Counseling,
and its 1973 convention unanimously extended the
program for four more years to March 1, 1978; and

WHEREAS, This program deals with both personal
and professional needs of our pastors and other
professional church workers, helping them to grow and
equipping them to be more effective in their ministry to
their people; and

WHEREAS, This program, augmented with ad-
ditional counseling material, could further help equip
our professional ministry in their task; therefore be it

Resolved, That under the administration of the Field
Services Division of the Board of Parish Education this
project be extended for an additional 4 years to March
1, 1982, offering to each District either or both of the
seminars; and be it further

Resolved, That the program continue to be funded in
part by the participants and the sponsoring District(s)
and that the Synod aid in supporting the program; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Synod and its congregations
encourage pastors and other professional church
workers to participate in this seminar program and
that the congregations of the Synod be encouraged to
assist their professional church workers with the
financial costs of participation in the seminars; and be
it finally

Resolved, That we express our gratitude to the
professional people wo have given of their time and
skills to the successful conduct of each of the seminars
in the past.

Action: Adopted (14).

To Improve Services to Persons
with Handicaps

RESOLUTION 7-13
Reports 7-01, I, 12; 7-04 (CW, pp. 276, 282)

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
is recognized for its leadership role in its ministry with
handicapped people through the Board of Parish
Education, the Commission on Services to the Mentally
Retarded, and other agencies; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod, through the above-
mentioned agencies, renew its efforts and pledge its
resources to a more complete ministry with han-
dicapped people, providing them with the opportunity
to study God’s Word, to experience the fellowship of
believers and the stewardship of personal God-given
gifts and talents; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod continue to seek ways and
means to implement an evangelical outreach through
programs and materials to people who endure
blindness, deafness, developmental and learning dis-
abilities, and emotional problems; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod advise the Board of
Parish Education to continue to produce materials in
this area of handicapped persons and to provide staff to
carry out this assignment; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage District parish
education personnel to give wide publicity to the new
film, “Sunday Morning with Mrs. Meyer,” and
filmstrip, “A Sunday School for the Mentally Retard-
ed,” produced by the Commission on Services to the
Mentally Retarded and available through Concordia
Publishing House; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage congregations
to appoint parish advocates to highlight ministry and
services available to persons with these special needs;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage congregations
to become concerned with the possibility of developing
and supporting residential group homes or apartments
to provide shelter for mentally retarded people and to
help them adjust to normal community living and
church participation; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod encourage the con-
gregations to provide barrier-free access and handicap
parking.

Action: Adopted as amended (10).

(Amendment: the final resolve.)

To Designate Reporter
as an Official Periodical
RESOLUTION 7-14
Overture 7-46 (CW, p. 295)

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod has caused to be established
a new publication to serve the Synod; and