# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S82 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) se cnn en eg eee ONE LESLIE LEY. NEE NE OO I EE OEE NE AS OIE EE NEE ANNI IISA OS INN PTE SIE LEE ING ALINE ANN FA react ative: tatnhreamatsn aaa 1 ava LAH nh RARE wee See nett ei nal edad 8 ete dettinadiNematete mane Rm NN RASS HF Sk inl eh nth werens anti tset RESOLUTIONS 83 professional ministry of the church have not been trained for effective personal evangelism; and Wuereas, Many of these professional ministers have not been trained to equip their people for effective Chris- tian witness; and Wurereas, St. Paul in Ephesians 4:1-16 clearly states that the gifts of ministry are to be used to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ”; therefore be it Resolved, That the synodical colleges and seminaries that have implemented the teaching of the concept and practice of evangelism in their curricula continue their development, and that the other schools incorporate the concept and practice of evangelism in their curricula as soon as possible; and be it further Resolved, That these professional ministers develop an ongoing ministry to instruct and train children, youth, and adults in their congregations and schools freely to express their faith in Christ to other people; and be it finally Resolved. That the Synod in convention affirm that personal evangelism is not an optional activity for its members, and that faithfulness to our Lord leads us to train for witness so that we can respond to the opportuni- ties God gives us to share “so great a salvation.” Action: Adopted (12). To Reach People with Special Needs RESOLUTION 1-10 Report 1-01, IV (CW, p. 7) Wuereas, Our Lord Jesus Christ compared the king- dom of God to a great feast to which many were invited but all declined, and to which He then invited the beggars, crippled, lame, and blind from the streets and alleys, the country lanes and from behind hedges (Luke 14:16-24); and Wuereas, Our Lord enjoins us to visit the sick and those in prison (Matt. 25:36); and Wurreas, We are servants being sent to a vast and neglected segment of society residing in hospitals, nurs- ing homes, jails, rehabilitation centers, migrant camps, ghettos, drug clinics, and halfway houses with an invita- tion to dine with the Lord Jesus; therefore be it Resolved, That this convention affirm that our Lord has given each of us a responsibility commensurate with our individual talents, to make these invitations to those with special needs wherever they are to be found; and be it further Resolved, That all members of the Synod seek to participate in parish and community volunteer organiza- tions which will offer opportunities to extend our Lord’s invitation to a sick and desperate society; and be it finally Resolved, That the Board for Evangelism of the Syn- od, of each District and circuit, and of all congregations prepare a summary of voluntary agencies which provide opportunities for Christian service and evangelism in accordance with Christ’s mission to the whole man. Action: Adopted (12). To Intensify Publication of Evangelism Materials RESOLUTION 1-11 Report 1-01, IV, 12 (CW, p. 7) Wuereas, The printed page is still an effective evan- gelism tool; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod ask the Board for Evangel- ism to intensify its efforts to produce, adapt, and develop materials for evangelism that are attractive, functional, and fully in accord with sound Lutheran doctrine; and be it further Resolved, That we encourage Concordia Publishing House to print and publish these materials which will assist the church in its evangelism efforts in the last quarter of the 20th century. Action: Adopted (12). To Develop Specialized Evangelism Literature and Techniques RESOLUTION 1-12 Report 1-01, IV; Overture 1-06 (CW, pp. 7, 11-12) Wuereas, The evangelization of persons who belong to anti-Christian sects and cults presents peculiar prob- lems; and Wuereas,Christians need special training to witness to them; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod encourage the Board for Evangelism to continue to develop specialized literature and techniques for evangelizing persons who belong to these groups. Action: Adopted (12). To Follow Up Contacts RESOLUTION 1-13 Report 1-01, IV, 10 (CW, p. 7) Wuereas, The Board for Evangelism has worked with Lutheran television to help make the television ministry a part of the evangelism outreach; and Wuereas, There are plans to continue expanding this approach and to develop materials for the local parish to facilitate visiting those who write in response to the programs; therefore be it Resolved, That congregations and pastors be encour- aged to follow up all contacts from T.V., the Lutheran Hour, and other contacts. under the supervision and direction of the Board for Evangelism. , Action: Adopted (12). (The Lutheran Hour was added by common consent.)