# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S34 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 34 MISSIONS 2-16 To Expand Mission Work in the World WHEREAS. We live in a world that is increasing in its popula- tion, not decreasing: and WHEREAS. We as Christians are daily faced with vet a larger number of people who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord: and WHEREAS. Our Board for Missions too frequently speaks of decrease in its mission work. or of “retrenchment” or “con- solidation” of mission work, rather than of expansion or co- operation in new areas: and WHEREAS. It seems apparent that entirely new mission groups and organizations apart from our church body have been able to begin and thrive in the world. thus indicating that the fields are ripe to harvest: and WHEREAS. Too frequently the membership of the Synod is reminded of the mission of the Synod rather than of the mission of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. thus limiting our vision and outreach for the kingdom of Christ: therefore be it Resolred. That we ask our Board for Missions to be bold in expanding existing mission fields with a particular eve towards cooperation with other Lutherans and Christians. thus widening our outreach for Christ: and be it further Resolved, That new areas of mission outreach be carefully studied and opened, likewise with an equal examination of cooperation possibilities: and be it finally Resolred. That the entire membership of the Synod fervently support such moves by the Board for Missions with not only their fervent prayers but most especially their renewed and strengthened financial support. with the assurance that such work is being done for our Lord and Redeemer, not just simply for a church body. Peace Lutheran Church New Berlin, Wis. Donald Schwerin, President Jan Blanchard. Secretary Martin W. Bangert. Pastor 2-17A To Encourage Greater Promotion of Mission Work WHEREAS. The Great Commission of our Lord is to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and by teaching: and WHEREAS. One of the reasons for the forming of our Synod was to promote this discipleship by spreading the Gospel to all men: and WHEREAS. The history of the Synod has been one of strong mission activity: and WHEREAS. Only in very recent times has our Synod lessened its efforts in the area of missions. because of internal strife and doctrinal division: and WHEREAS. The world is erving out in need for the saving Gospel message: therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod redirect its efforts to the primary goal of mission work. both at home and abroad: and be it further Resolved. That the Synod in all due haste take every measure at its disposal to settle the doctrinal issues that divide us: and be it further Resolved. That our people be made more fully aware of this critical need for missions, that they may assist in every way possible. by encouraging young men to enter the ministry, by financial assistance. and by prayer: and be it finally Resolved. That we give unending thanks to our God for His yoodness to our church and so respond by making Jesus Christ known to all. St. Paul Lutheran Church Cincinnati, Ohio Joseph Lewin. Secretary Identical or similar: 2-17B to 2-17D Zion, New Orleans. La. St. John’s, Roselle, Il. Mount Calvary, New Orleans, La. S. Ponseti R. P. Wiegert M. H. Lehnhardt 2-18A To Open New Foreign Mission Fields WHEREAS. The world population has grown from about 1 billion in 1830 to 4 billion at the present: and WHEREAS. Three billion in the world do not confess Jesus Christ as their Savior: and WHEREAS. Our co-workers in various parts of the world are continuing to expand within the present fields and desire to increase their evangelistic efforts: and WHEREAS. It has been 14 years since our Synod has opened anew mission field: and WHEREAS. Eighty percent of the non-Christian people can be reached only by cross-cultural evangelism ‘foreign missions): and WHEREAS. The Board for Missions has taken leadership in encouraging an aggressive evangelistic thrust in concurrence with the leadership of our sister churches: and WHEREAS. We are already invited to the whole world by our Lord Jesus Christ: therefore be it Resolved. That our co-workers around the world be com- mended for their desire to increase their evangelistic outreach and that the Synod do all possible to encourage them: and be it further Resolved, That the Synod repent for not opening new fields in a world of 3 billion unreached peoples: and be it finally Resolved. That the Synod follow the leadership of the Board for Missions and earnestly seek to open new fields of mission activity in order to make disciples of all peoples. Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Milwaukee. Wis. Ervin R. Lemke. Pastor Identical or similar: 2-18B Faculty, Concordia Theol. Sem., Springfield, IIL. R. Preus 2-19 To Begin Mission Work in Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique WHEREAS, There is great need of implementing mission con- ditions in Portugal beyond the possibilities of the Brazil District of the LCMS: and WHEREAS, It is time to start mission work among Portuguese- speaking nations in Africa: therefore be it Resolved. That: at The LCMS sponsor 50% of the total budget of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Church of Portugal: b) The LCMS start mission work in Angola and Mozambique in the near future: c) Missionaries from Brazil be sent to Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique on request and sponsorship of the LCMS: d) These missionaries be given the opportunity to participate in special courses which the LCMS provides for other mis- sionaries before sending them: e) The LCMS study with the Brazil District the possibility of turning over to the synodical Board for Missions the whole administration and supervision of mission work in Portugal: and