# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S220
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

220 PROGRAM AND FINANCE

WHEREAS, The elimination of racial segregation and discrimi-
nation in the LCMS ran parallel to the Civil Rights Movement in
the nation, presenting the image of a cause and effect relationship;
and :

WHEREAS, Efforts to eliminate racial segregation and discrimi-
nation in the LCMS have been a great help in enhancing the image
of the church body, especially in its outreach to non-white nations
of the world; and

WHEREAS, The fact that LCMS World Missions is at work in
approximately 70 nations of the world, with about half of them
being racially non-white, demonstrates how important a good
image is, and also how beneficial the Civil Rights Movement has
been to the world mission of the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, The name of Dr. Martin Luther King is so inextrica-
bly intertwined with the Civil Rights Movement that one cannot
think of one without thinking of the other; and

Whereas, Dr. Martin Luther King was committed and devoted
to this cause—in fact, it is the cause to which he gave “the last full
measure of devotion”; therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank and praise God for a leader like Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., who was committed to a determined but
nonviolent struggle for justice and Christian brotherhood; and be
it further

Resolved, That we continue to challenge the Church and nation
to work toward making manifest that truth which Christ Jesus so
clearly taught—that all people are equal before God—and that the
foundation documents of the United States declare all people are
equal under the law; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS join in the na-
tional movement to build a monument on the Mall in Washington,
DC, not only as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but specif-
ically as a reminder to future generations of how God, in His wis-
dom, corrected our errors, forgave us, and is now using us as a

church body to bring His message of love and forgiveness to the
world; and be it finally

Resolved, That the convocation request the Board of Directors of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to authorize the participation
of Black Ministry, with the LCMS Foundation, to raise $250,000 by
September 1, 2003, as a contribution for building the Martin Luther
King Monument on the Capitol Mall, Washington, D. C.

Black Ministry Convocation

4-43

To Provide for Disclosure of Campaign Expenditures

WHEREAS, The political nature of synodical elections provides
an avenue for supporters of candidates to use less than just means
to gain election; and

WHEREAS, Those candidates with the resources to provide wide-
spread name recognition have the advantage; and

WHEREAS, Large sums of money have been expended by spe-
cial interest groups supporting them; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be instructed to pro-
vide the Synod with guidelines for appropriate behavior of candi-
dates and disclosure of their campaign expenditures, and that these
guidelines be submitted to the 2007 Synod convention for ap-
proval; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Communication Services of the
Synod be charged with the responsibility to publish the expendi-
tures (that are a matter of public record) in The Lutheran Witness
prior to the synodical elections of the not-for-profit organizations
that endorse a particular candidate; and be it finally ‘

Resolved, That the Secretary of the District submit this resolu-
tion as an overture to the 2004 convention.

Montana District