# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S9 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) TS CS 8 EVANGELISM The book was first published in 1979 with a $30.000 grant from the Aid Association for Lutherans and mailed free to all pastors of the Synod and given each year to seminary graduates. In the reprint some individual pages were updated. In 1974 two sec- tions were completely revised and reprinted as separate book- lets that could be used as replacements of the entire section: Section X, “Assimilation,” and Section XI, “Conservation,” In 1975 the board plans to revise Section VII. “Child Evange- lism": Section IX. “The Elderly"; and Section XIV, “Social Action.” The Resource Book is now a sale item, costing $4.70. but is still given free by the board to the graduates of the seminaries and those taking evangelism courses at the seminaries and the terminal schcols. 16. Private Evangelism Movements Within the Church The number of Private movements related to evangelism continues to grow, The board Studied the following movements. offers its advice. and cooperates with their Programs where possible. a. Ongoing Ambassadors Jor Christ. a Program for training young people to witness, headed by Rev. Fred Darkow, Browns- dale. MN. The work has spread to 20 Districts and has trained 159 directors and 2,935 young people. b. Lutheran Evangelism Association. an_ independent Organization chartered in Arizona under the leadership of Rey. B. Rasmussen for the Purpose of assisting the church to train people to witness and develop evangelism techniques and pro- grams. One Program now Operating is the “Prayer Family International.” seeking to encourage prayer and establish Prayer circles and chains in local congregations, c. Lutheran Discipleship Ministry. a program that seeks to help “disciple” lay people for Christian living and witness, under the leadership of Bob and Linda Skulte, New Brighton. MN. In addition to these movements within the Missouri Synod the all-Lutheran youth groups continue to be active among the youth, Lutheran Youth Encounter (Minneapolis! and Lutheran Youth Alive (Los Angeles). These function through large Lu- theran youth congresses. chapters on college campuses, and teams that visit Parishes in order to help equip people to live their faith and share it. 17. Bylaw Changes When the Board for Evangelism was established in 197] by the convention at Milwaukee, only very brief Paragraphs were inserted in the Ha ndbook to describe the work and function of the board. The board has studied its function and is presenting to the 1975 convention in Recommendation 7 an expanded Statement as to its “Functions and Duties” (8.43; and separate Paragraphs on “District Boards for Evangelism" (8.47) and “Congregational Evangelism Board" (8.49), 18. Witness Word Cards Of the various types of material Produced by the Board the most popular in thé past biennium has been the Witness Word Card series, The five “Witness Words" — Jesus, Love. Peace. WHAT DO you SEE? Ss The above word can change your life! THE BIBLE SAYS There is one God and there is one who brings God and men together the man Christ JESUS 14 Timothy 2 5) THE BIBLE SAYS If you confess with your lips JESUS is Lord and believe 'N yCur heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be for we believe in Our hearts and are put right with God ‘Romans 10 9-10) JESUS SAID Come to me at: of yOU WhO are tired from Carrying your neavy 'oads and | will GIv€ you rest ' (Matthew 114 28) SF 2 ER CODY Of tre New Testament 30 to yOur "earest Lutheran cmuren r write to tre Boara tor Evangetism Tne Lutheran Crurch—Misso ur Synod if o 500 N Broaqway St ~ou'S Mo 63102 Printedinu S a EV-6121295 Life. Joy—are printed in reverse computer type lettering, which makes the word difficult to read and thus creates an interest that begins a conversation. The words as illustrated here are printed on cards with matching pins. cloth Patches, church Stationery and have been used for banners, in display advertising, and many other ways by individual churches and church workers. A Spanish edition of the Jesus card, putting the Bible verses on the back in Spanish, has been produced for use in Venezuela, Provided by a gift from the Iowa West District LWML. V. Launching into the Future Jesus Christ is stil] Lord of His church. He has said, “I will build My church.” and we are still His instruments to build it, or as He said in the Great Commission, to “disciple all nations.” What do we need to stir the church to the great challenge of sharing the Gospel in our day? The board continues to search for the answer and welcomes any Suggestions the church has to offer. It pledges itself to a continued implementation of the activities described in this report and will explore other pos- sibilities such as: the development of Follow-up materials, the involvement of the retired in evangelism, new emphasis on the theology and Practice of evangelism, ete. In addition, the board preser,ts the following specific recom. mendations for convention action: Recommendation 1—Renewal Retreats WHEREAS. The SIst convention of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod has been designated as an “evangelism con- vention” and seeks to move the church boldly forward. in its mission in humble obedience to the Lord of the church: and WHEREAS. The mission “to make disciples of all Nations” needs continual reaffirmation: and WHEREAS, To accomplish its mission, the church must have a motivated and equipped leadership: and side the church it becomes increasingly difficult for Pastors, other professional workers, and lay people to carry on the work of evangelism enthusiastically: and WHEREAS, Evangelism is affected by the attitude of the Person who is to do the evangelizing: and WHEREAS. There is often resistance to the church directing its pastors and professional leadership to all do one specific Program or method of evangelism, which has been developed by others: therefore be it Resolved. That for the next biennium the Synod adopt as its major evangelism thrust renewal retreats for its professional workers of the church and their wives and for congregational leaders and their wives: and be it further