Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1981 · 54th Convention › Page 39
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 39

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

MISSIONS 39

People assist the World Mission Institute in any way possible
in the establishment of such a Jewish Missions Department.

Board for Evangelism
William R. Wright, Chairman
Erwin J. Kolb, Executive Secretary

To Establish Synodical Goals
in Evangelism

WHEREAS, Goals in evangelism can serve a useful purpose in
planning strategies, in helping to evaluate the programs that
are used, and in praying for the concerns of the church; and

WHEREAS, Setting goals in evangelism can be done under
the conviction that only the Holy Spirit motivates people and
brings results; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod establish the following evangel-
ism goals:

1. That in the next biennium 40 percent of the congrega-
tions of the Synod provide opportunities for the professional
workers of their congregations to attend an evangelism train-
ing event.

2. That in the next biennium 60 percent of the congrega-
tions of the Synod have an ongoing training program for
evangelism callers, using the program developed and recom-
mended by the Evangelism Department, Dialog Evangelism.

3. That in the next biennium 75 percent of the congrega-
tions of the Synod provide training for their members in
personal witnessing, using Witness Workshops and the Bible-
study course, Willing Witnesses.

4. That in each of the next five years we reduce the number
of defections by 10 percent each year and ask Districts and
congregations to adopt the same annual percentage as their
goals.

5. That in each of the next five years we increase the
number of adults gained by Baptism or confirmation by 10
percent each year, and that we ask Districts and congregations
to adopt the same annual percentage as their goal.

6. That in the next biennium 50 percent of the congrega-
tions include in their Lenten activities a special outreach to the
unchurched in their community, seeking to bring them to their
worship, fellowship, and Bible-study activities (see memorial
on Lenten outreach).

7, That in the next biennium 50 percent of our congrega-
tions provide a training experience for the youth of the
congregation, using material provided by the Evangelism and
Youth Departments of the Synod, District programs, and the
Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ.

8. That in the next biennium the congregations of the
Synod develop a strategy for the soul-accounting of the children
of the parish and for reaching the unchurched children of the
community through the educational agencies of the church,
fellowship activities, and worship services; and be it further

Resolved, That Districts use these patterns to set District
goals forevangelism and to suggest goals in evangelism for the
congregations of their District.

Board for Evangelism
William R. Wright, Chairman
Erwin J. Kolb, Executive Secretary

1-36
To Encourage Outreach During Lent

WHEREAS, Lent is atime when the attention of the church is
focused on the suffering. death, and resurrection of Jesus

Christ; and

WHEREAS, Lent is traditionally a time for repentance and
spiritual renewal for Christians; and

WHEREAS, A wholesome emphasis in Lent is not merely to
“‘giveup’’ something for Lent but to ‘do something” for Lentin
the mission and ministry of the crucified and resurrected Lord;
and

WHEREAS, Most congregations conduct special worship
services during the Lenten and Easter season, as well as other
special activities such as Bible studies, prayer meetings, etc.;
and

WHEREAS, The public, because of the generous amount of
publicity, is conscious of Lent as being a special time for
Christians; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod encourage the congregations of
the Synod to recognize the opportunity for outreach to the
unchurched during the Lenten season and to implement
special programs to make the best use of that opportunity; and
be it further

Resolved, That the congregations be urged to involve as
many members as possible, both in special Lenten activities
and in the Sunday school, the youth, the choirs, and the other
organizations within the congregation; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations involve as many members
as possible in inviting neighbors, friends, and relatives to the
special Lenten and Easter worship services, Bible studies,
prayer meetings, etc.; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations be urged to assign the names
in their prospective member file to their members to pray for
them, visit them, and seek to bring them to the Lenten and
Easter activities; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board for Evangelism prepare special
materials that the congregations can use for their Lenten
outreach activities.

Board for Evangelism
William R. Wright, Chairman
Erwin J. Kolb, Executive Secretary:

1-37

To Limit LCEF Loans
to LCMS Supportive Congregations

WHEREAS, Some congregations function under divided
loyalties—affiliated with the LCMS but also supportive of
other religious organizations such as the Association for
Evangelical Lutheran Churches, the Evangelical] Lutherans in
Mission, etc.; and

WHEREAS, Monies contributed to the LCEF are meant to be
supportive of the mission work of the LCMS; therefore be it

Resolved, That LCEF monies be used only for the support of
those mission endeavors that are in support of the doctrinal
and mission stances of the LCMS.

St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church
Lusk, Wyo.

W. T. Bredthauer, Chairman
Eugene Kupke, Secretary