# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S200 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 200 ADMINISTRATION synodical and District Church Extension Fund program: and be it finally Resolved. That we ask God's blessing and guidance on this endeavor. Board of Directors Southern District John Ellermann, President Identical or similar: 4-76B Redeemer, Warrington. Fla. Robt. Rupp To Assign “Advance”™ Editorial Commission to Division of Parish Services WHEREAS, The purposes of Advance magazine are “‘to trans- mit information concerning the Synod’s work and programs to the congregations, to assist congregational leaders in developing coordinated programs, and to enable congregations to share with one another successful methods of practical church work”: and WHEREAS, Both synodical program department staff persons and field persons are appointed to the Adrance Editorial Com- mission to develop policies for Advance magazine that will strengthen parish program planning in the ministries of educa- tion, youth, stewardship, evangelism, social ministry, and worship: therefore be it Resolved. That the Advance Editorial Commission be as- signed to the Division of Parish Services: and be it further Resolved. That the Advance Editorial Commission cultivate and maintain such channels of communication with all the program departments of the Synod that the pages of Advance will reflect their best thinking and planning for the building of the parishes of the Synod as units of nurture and outreach with Christ's Gospel. Advance Editorial Commission Victor Constien, Operations Director To Combat Racism WHEREAS, The church is in mission and ministry to man in his totality: and WHEREAS. Pastors are called into parishes to equip the church and its people through the Word for every work that is good; and WHEREAS. Racism is a sin, completely contrary to God’s Word; and WHEREAS. Our Lord challenges His people to love one another even as He has loved us: and WHEREAS. Many positive actions have been taken in the Synod, Districts, and local levels to sensitize our members to continuing racist attitudes and behavior: and WHEREAS, At New Orleans the Synod approved the pro- motion of an equal opportunity policy which was to be imple- mented by an affirmative action effort in its employment and business practices in all its departments, its Districts. and in all synodically controlled agencies and institutions: and WHEREAS. In spite of all our Christian resolves and attempts to combat racism the church has fallen short of its objectives: therefore be it Resolved. That we take to heart the reality of the situation and determine to make things happen in this area in the follow- ing manner: 1. That each pastor in the Synod search his heart and mind to determine his innate prejudices toward other races, especially since he may be unaware of his own racial attitudes: 2. That he confess this sin before God and seek His forgive- ness and that under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit in His sermonizing and by leadership predicated on the Word he equip His people to affirm the worth and value of people of all races; and 3. That he himself, together with the equipped people of his parish, construct and implement Christ-centered creative inter- personal programs for attitudinal changes in an effort to banish racism from the church and society: and be-it further _ Resolved. That to the current budget of the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief there be added the sum of $15,000 to provide materials, resources. and personnel for six regional workshops to equip pastors to effect attitudinal and programatic changes in their parishes and communities that might bring healing to the “brokenness” of a church and secular society caught up in the sinfulness of its racial prejudices: and be it finally Resolved. That a full-time administrative officer of the Synod be appointed to promote an equal opportunity policy that would be implemented by an affirmative action effort in its total employment and business practices throughout the Synod. the Districts, and all synodically controlled agencies and institutions. Board of Social Ministry and World Relief Leslie F. Weber, Executive Secretary 4-79 To Protect Congregation’'s Property Rights WHEREAS, The District and synodical structure is threatened by divisions; and WHEREAS, There is a possibility of severe injustice striking congregations whereby they might be deprived of their prop- erty, particularly where a District or the Synod holds property title: therefore be it Resolved, That congregations where a District or the Synod holds the deeds be given 1 year to pay the balance of indebted- ness, at which time they receive the property, and that during that time such property cannot be sold by said District or the Synod (except student university property). Mt. Hope Lutheran Church Boulder, Colo. Joseph Nicol, Secretary 4-80 To Study Synodical Structures WHEREAS, One of the purposes of the Synod is to provide congregations with the resources to enable them to carry out their ministry more adequately: and WHEREAS, The Synod is an association of congregations in order that together they may fulfill the ministry which the Lord has given to His church: and WHEREAS, The structures and organization of the Synod are to serve these purposes: and WHEREAS, The need for a review of the synodical structures should be undertaken periodically to determine whether they are serving the purposes for which the Synod was organized in the best and most efficient manner: and WHEREAS, The Districts of the Synod are the geographical divisions of the Synod that carry out the purposes of the Synod in their own geographic area: and WHEREAS, Developments within recent years have confused the areas of responsibility as far as the Synod, the Districts, and the local congregations are concerned, and WHEREAS, The financial problems of the Synod within the past decade have made it increasingly evident that a review of the synodical administration and structure needs to be under- taken in order that the Synod may serve the congregations’ needs: therefore be it