# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S140 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 140 MISSIONS Resolved, That within the guidelines of Synod doctrine, polity, and practice, these pastors, congregations, and officials be encour- aged by the District to “cooperate in externals” with other Chris- tians in a way that furthers our faithful witness to the love of Christ for us and for all people; and be it finally Resolved, That the Missouri District request the 2004 conven- tion of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to give strong en- couragement to such efforts throughout the Synod. Missouri District 1-26 To Work with Others to Proclaim Gospel WHEREAS, The church exists in a world where the population is expected to expand by 4 to 60 million people in the next 50 years; and WHEREAS, Eighty percent of all people will live in cities within the next 10 years; and WHEREAS, The church is to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13-16) in order to make disciples of all na- tions (Matt. 28:18-20); and ‘ WHEREAS, There are many within Christendom who share our commitment to tell the world what our Lord has done; therefore be it Resolved, That the Pacific Southwest District memorialize the Synod to boldly affirm its historic perspective that the Good News of Jesus, the Savior, is the center and primary operative force among us; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod do everything within its means to coordinate and cooperate with other evangelical Christian churches that share our passion for the lost in developing innovative and effective means to proclaim the Gospel to all who are perishing; and be it further Resolved, That parishes be encouraged to pray, without ceas- ing, petitions for the lost; and be it finally Resolved, That we commit ourselves to resolving any tension (real or perceived) that may exist between the preservation of true doctrine and the proclamation of tlie Gospel. Pacific Southwest District 1-27 To Work with Others to Make Good News Primary Operative Force WHEREAS, The church exists in a world where the population is expected to expand by forty to sixty million people in the next fifty years; and WHEREAS, Eighty percent of the world’s population will live in cities in ten years; and WHEREAS, Secularism continues and grows in its appeal to peo- ple of all nations and cultures; and WHEREAS, The gap between rich and poor is accelerating faster than ever; and WHEREAS, A common indifference to Christ’s Word and work continues worldwide; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod reclaim the historical perspective of the Synod that the Good News of Jesus, the Savior, is the central and primary operative force in our church body; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be de- termined to share the Good News of Jesus with all people, wher- ever they may be, and that our church body * Search out new and innovative methods such as new technolo- gies, * Put aside anything that hinders the proclaiming of the Gospel message, ¢ Seek to cooperate and work with other Christians who share our perspective, ¢ Pray daily that the power of the Word may work in the hearts and lives of all people. Trinity Roselle, IL 1-28 To Encourage Cooperative and Joint Campus Ministry with Other Lutheran Denominations WHEREAS, In the past there was good cooperative and joint campus ministry carried out with the LCA and ALC, which have merged to become the ELCA; and WHEREAS, For the sake of good pastoral care for and ministry to, with, and by students and faculty on campuses, a united, coop- erative, and joint Lutheran campus ministry would be good for both people served and the campus ministers and staff who serve and also better stewardship of financial resources and of facilities; therefore be it Resolved, That the Southern District memorialize the 2004 con- vention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to make provi- sions needed for cooperative and joint campus ministry with will- ing Lutheran denominations. Southern District; Resurrection, Coronado, CA 1-29 To Return to Long-standing Practice for Military Chaplains Rationale Members of the Armed Forces of our country benefit by the blessings of God through the ministry of Lutheran chaplains. Be- cause of frequent orders to locations anywhere in the world, mem- bers of the LCMS serving in the military frequently benefit from the ministry.of ELCA chaplains, just as ELCA members serving in the military frequently benefit-from the ministry of LCMS chaplains. In order to provide for continued education and professional concems, there are annual Lutheran Chaplains Conferences for all Lutheran chaplains serving all branches of the armed forces. It is a wonderful time for Lutheran chaplains who serve the army, navy, air force, and marines to encourage one another’s ministry and to gather for worship and prayer. For many years at these conferences the Lord’s Supper was celebrated so that all the Lutheran chaplains could commune together. More recently and currently the leaders of our denomination have insisted that there be separate LCMS and ELCA celebrations of the Eucharist at these pan-Lutheran Chap- lains Conferences. The strange result is that while LCMS policy for LCMS military chaplains is to provide a ministry of Word and Sacraments for all Lutherans, current LCMS practice is to make provisions for separate celebrations of the Eucharist so that LCMS chaplains themselves do not participate as celebrants or recipients with ELCA chaplains. LCMS and ELCA chaplains at these con- ferences study Scripture together, worship and pray together, take turns in sharing leadership and resource personnel to lead these conferences—they just don’t commune together as a matter of LCMS policy. Many chaplains in both the LCMS and the ELCA desire the opportunity to return to the earlier practice of com- muning together to find encouragement and strength that comes from the Lord of the church at His Holy Meal. Most active-duty and retired military persons and their families who have benefited and do benefit from the ministry of Lutheran chaplains desire that they be allowed and encouraged to commune together so that they receive the gift of God that they offer as servants of the church. Resolved, That the Pacific Southwest District gathered in con- vention express its thanks to our military chaplains for their dedi- cated service to our Lord as they serve people in the armed forces; and be it further