# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S195
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

195

9. SPECIAL AND SUNDRY MATTERS

To Establish Themes for 1979
and 1981 Synodical Conventions

RESOLUTION 9-01A

Overture 9-11U (TB, p. 19); Report 13-03, 1 (CW,
p. 390)

WHEREAS, God in His grace continues to open doors
for us in mission; and

WHEREAS, Continued growth in the awareness of
mission opportunities and challenges is an ever present
need of the church; and

WHEREAS, The need exists to inform, inspire, and
motivate our people to even greater interest, zeal,
involvement, and support of missions; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
continues to be a church body very much involved in
missions; and

WHEREAS, All our mission and ministry together as
individuals, congregations, Districts, and the Synod
are dependent on the Lord’s blessing on our
stewardship; therefore be it

Resolved, That we encourage the President of the
Synod and others responsible for the planning of the
1979 synodical convention to select and implement a
mission theme for that convention; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage the President of the
Synod and others responsible for the planning of the
1981 synodical convention to select and implement a
stewardship theme for that convention.

Action: Adopted (6).

To Revise Bylaw 15.25, ‘‘Military and
Veterans Administration Chaplains”

RESOLUTION 9-02
Report 9-01 (CW, p. 307)

WHEREAS, Financial support for military chaplains
being separated from active duty is now provided
through government auspices and therefore has not
been required from our Synod; and

WHEREAS, Counsel and assistance in other areas
from the Armed Forces Commission of our Synod are
still required; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 15.25 be revised as follows:
PRESENT WORDING

15.25 Military and Veterans Administration
Chaplains

h. provide financial support for a reasonable
length of time for chaplains who have been
honorably discharged from the Armed Forces.

PROPOSED WORDING

15.25 Military and Veterans Administration
Chaplains

h. provide counsel and assistance for chaplains
retired, discharged, or released from extended active
duty in the Armed Forces.

Action: Adopted (6).

To Support Ministry
of Armed Forces Commission

RESOLUTION 9-03
Overture 9-04 (CW, p. 312)

WHEREAS, The mission of the Armed Forces Com-
mission is to support the ministry to military members
wherever they are assigned; and

WHEREAS, The continuing need exists to serve the
civilian members of our church serving the government
and/or industry overseas; and

WHEREAS, The church is dependent largely on the
home congregation to make the names and locations of
these people known; and

WHEREAS, The Armed Forces Commission forwards
the names and addresses of civilian personnel to sister
or partner churches of our Synod in order for them to
minister to their needs; and

WHEREAS, The Armed Forces Commission is largely
dependent for funds from its annual Mother’s Day
offering appeal, and less than 25% of our congregations
have participated in this effort; therefore be it

Resolved,

1. That the church reaffirm its ministry to its
members serving in the military and to overseas
civilians;

2. That District Presidents encourage pastors and
congregations to become aware of the services offered
by the Armed Forces Commission and of the con-
gregation’s responsibility toward these members;

3. That pastors and congregations be encouraged to
promptly notify the Armed Forces Commission of all
members serving in the military wherever they are
stationed, as well as those civilians overseas, and keep
the commission informed of any change in status or
location;

4. That all names and addresses be reported
promptly to the Armed Forces Commission, Box 8934,
Jefferson Memorial Station, St. Louis, MO 63102

5. That all congregations be strongly encouraged to
participate in the annual Mother’s Day offering in
support of this vital ministry of the Armed Forces
Commission.

Action: Adopted (6).