# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S150
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

150

LIFE TOGETHER

Whereas, Many parents do not feel equipped to teach their children to live in the Christian faith; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS recognize that the church has contributed to taking away the responsibility and support from parents, which
has contributed to the decline of young people in the church; and be
it further
Resolved, That the LCMS direct the youth, children, and family
ministries office to explore methods for the church body to partner
and support parents rather than replace parents as the primary faith
influencers in their children’s lives; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS designate funding for current research
in successful ministries worldwide that partner and support rather
than replace parents as primary faith influencers in their children’s
lives; and be it further
Resolved, That Concordia Publishing House create current
resources that integrate this partnership throughout the stages and
ages of children’s lives for congregations to access to enhance this
partnership; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS designate funding for curriculum and
resource development that exemplify the partnership between homes
and the church; and be it finally
Resolved, That a concentrated effort be made to offer training and
conferences adaptable to the different areas of the country in order
to equip congregations and families in supporting parents and raising children in the faith.
King of Glory
Williamsburg, VA
3-04

To Encourage Urban Ministry Awareness, Support,
and Involvement
Whereas, God wants all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4); and
Whereas, The Gospel—in the Word and Sacraments (Holy
Baptism and Holy Communion)—is God’s power unto salvation
(Rom. 1:16) and therefore has sway over men’s hearts in every place
and every time and every culture, according to the Holy Spirit’s bidding; and
Whereas, We as God’s people are called upon to believe in, serve
as messengers of, and be God’s display of the power of the saving
Gospel in our lives as it is also proclaimed and demonstrated through
God’s love and life within us in deeds of compassion and mercy; and
Whereas, The Holy Spirit attends the truthful proclamation of
the Word, the right administration of the Sacraments, and the demonstration of His (1 Cor. 6:19) and Christ’s (Gal. 2:20) indwelling
presence through our obedience to His Word, as seen in the forgiveness we offer one another and others in our “life together,” in deeds
of compassion and mercy, and in our witness; and
Whereas, The United States has many urban areas where the
Gospel needs to be lived, demonstrated, and proclaimed; and
Whereas, Congregations and districts of the LCMS have been
instrumental in starting urban ministry initiatives to meet these needs,
such as Michigan’s Acts 2 Enterprise, Ohio’s Building Hope in the
City, and Texas’ LINC Houston; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention encourage and direct its
officers and staff to continue to take seriously God’s mission in the
urban setting through special urban initiatives and especially through
continual, urgent, special, and focused prayer and planning; and be
it further
2013 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS join in these
prayers for God’s blessing upon urban ministry and, where possible,
join in the work that needs to be done in the urban setting through
that planning; and be it finally
Resolved, That the congregations of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod further support in whatever means or ways possible
these urban ministry efforts, or, as the Apostle Paul says in Galatians
6:10, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially
to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Michigan District
3-05

To Initiate Urban Mission Strategies
through Office of National Mission
Whereas, Growth in large cities across the United States includes
diverse populations who have not been exposed to or inculcated in
Means-of-Grace Lutheran community life together; and
Whereas, LCMS congregations in these large urban areas desire
to engage the world with the Gospel of hope; and
Whereas, The Office of National Mission is tasked with strategizing and coordinating with local congregations and district leadership
to enable and equip workers and congregations for the task of Gospel
mission with a variety of resources; therefore be it
Resolved, That the delegates to the 2013 LCMS convention task
the Office of National Mission with continuing to develop and undertake strategies specific to the urban context across the United States;
and be it further
Resolved, That select urban leaders in congregations and at the
district level be recruited to work with the Office of National Mission
in this regard; and be it finally
Resolved, That a report be received at the 2016 LCMS convention including not only the strategies but also the outcomes of efforts
to renew and revitalize urban mission and ministry in the LCMS.
St. Peters
Brooklyn, NY
3-06

To Provide Staff and Material Resources
in Support of Rural Ministry
Whereas, Many of the Synod’s congregations are located in rural
rather than metropolitan areas; and
Whereas, Rural ministry is distinctively different from suburban
and metropolitan ministry; and
Whereas, Recent ministry trends have focused on life in metropolitan areas, and resources for the rural environment have not been
as extensive; and
Whereas, Rural congregations often face financial and staffing
challenges not faced by metropolitan congregations; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention affirm the ministry being
accomplished by our rural congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS staff be directed to identify and promote resources for rural ministry, including helping clusters of rural
congregations explore ways of engaging in collaborative ministry for
their area and the establishment of a list of retired pastors, Synodwide, who would like to be included as those available to take a call
to a semi-retired position in these rural areas, thus making it possible