# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S25
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MISSIONS 25

Wuereas, Not only the bodies but also the souls of the
people in all of Southeast Asia have been torn and seared
by the long and tragic ravages of war; and

Wuereas, Christ our Lord has died also for these people
and has commanded us to “lift up your eyes and see how
the fields are already white for harvest” (John 4:35); there-
fore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
instruct its Board for Missions to investigate the possibilities
which God may be opening to us for the establishment of
mission work in the Southeast Asian nations, including those
under communist rule if possible.

St. PauL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Bremen, Ind.
Raymond Mueller, Pastor

1-04

To Expedite the Partial Decentralization
of Financial Responsibility for Synod’s
Mission Program

Wuereas, It is becoming more and more apparent that
large numbers of Christians tend to sit back and “let George
do it,” even with respect to the crucial assignment of preach-
ing the Gospel to every creature; and

Wuereas, This tendency is especially strong when the
machinery for administrating mission work is centralized
in certain “hallowed halls far away” and thus seem to have
very little directly to do with what can and should happen
“back home” in the local congregation; and

Wuergas, There are also increasing numbers of examples
to prove that decentralizing the responsibility for the finan-
cial support of specific areas and needs of the total mission
program of our Synod would indeed stir up much greater
interest, prayer, and financial support for the entire mission
of the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention instruct its Board

of Directors to expedite action on Overture 1-22, page 27,
and Overture 1-21, page 27, of the 1971 Convention Work-
book. in order that decentralization of support and financial
responsibility for specific areas and needs of the Synod’s
worldwide mission program may take place as soon as pos-
sible and that the fruits of such decentralization may soon
become evident.

St. PauL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Bremen, Ind.

Raymond Mueller, Pastor

1-05

To Require Loyalty to Scriptures
and Confessions in Mission Fields

Wuereas, The Mission fields of the LCMS have been
begun and receive their continuing support because they are
in agreement with the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions:
and

Wuereas, There seems to be a tendency to allow a free-
dom and latitude in doctrine and practice in foreign fields
which cannot be allowed by the Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions; be it therefore

Resolved, (1) that missionaries sent out by the Synod’s
Board for Missions remain bound to their ordination vow
and to the upholding of the Constitution of the LCMS to
which they voluntarily bound themselves by vow and sig-
nature;

(2) that missionaries are bound to serve notice to the
respective mission, sister church, synod, or ministry, which
they serve, if they feel they can no longer continue to serve
in good conscience if they disagree with the Synod:

(3) that missions, sister churches, or synods, should they
permit departures from our commonly held Scriptural and
confessional norms, and the Constitution of the LCMS, be

reminded of their commitment to be loyal to the Lutheran

confessional standards. Curist LUTHERAN CHURCH

Troy, N.H.
Edwin G. Mattson, Chairman
Bradley Hongisto, Secretary

1-06A
To Respond to Specific Needs of Community

Wuereas, Many changes are taking place in our society
and in the life-styles of the people; and

Wuereas, Each congregation lives in a specific kind of
neighborhood with specific needs and circumstances; and

Wuereas, The Gospel, the power of Christ, must be ap-
plied to all; therefore be it

Resolved, That each congregation in The Lutheran Church
_- Missouri Synod be encouraged to study the specific needs
and circumstances of its community; and be it further

Resolved, That each congregation be encouraged to re-
spond to the particular needs it finds in the manner that
seems best to it; and be it finally

Resolved, That each congregation be encouraged to carry
on its Christian mission in its community in cooperation with
other Christian congregations and groups in that community,
respecting our Synod’s stance on fellowship.

Boarp OF DIRECTORS
NortTHWEsT DISTRICT
Emil Jaech, President
Similar:

1-06B

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Oakland, Calif., James
Johnson. President; Joseph Thompson Sr., Secretary.

1-06C

Beacon Lutheran Church, Seattle, Wash., Robert Lillie,
Chairman; Debra Jones, Secretary.

1-07
To Support Lutheran Bible Translators

Wuereas, There are many tribes and peoples in the world
who do not have the Word of God written in their own lan-
guage; and

Wuereas, One of the unique blessings of Pentecost, with
its worldwide impact, was the sharing of the Word of God
with the people of many countries and nationalities “in their
own language.” Acts 2:6, 11; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Bible Translators is an agency
engaged in the translation of the Holy Scriptures into the
languages of those people who do not have the Bible in a
written form: and

Wuereas. Christ, our Savior, urges us in these Scriptures
to reach out into all the world with every means at our
disposal: and

Wuereas. The Lutheran Bible Translators will be cele-
brating the 10th anniversary of its founding in 1974 with
over 100 workers in the field; therefore be it

Resolved. That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod,
assembled in convention in New Orleans, present to the
throne of grace its prayers of thanksgiving for the effort and
the dedication of all those connected with Lutheran Bible
Translators, as well as petitions for continued blessings upon
this organization: and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod encourage the Board for Mis-
sions and Lutheran Bible Translators to continue their co-
operation in accordance with the guidelines found in Ap-
pendix B, page 20, Workbook for the 49th regular conven-
tion held at Milwaukee. entitled: “Relations Between the
Board for Missions and the Lutheran Bible Translators.”

St. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH
San Diego, Calif.

James Stubbs, Secretary

G. C. Schramm, Pastor