Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1981 · 54th Convention › Page 170
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 170

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

170 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

July 6—13, 1979, convention in St. Louis, Mo., resolved (Res.
3-02A) to encourage its members to ‘‘warn publicly and
privately against the sin of abortion”; and

WHEREAS, The practices of abortion, infanticide, and
euthanasia continue to grow in our country: and

WHEREAS, Efforts to witness to the sanctity of human life
are most effective when people are aware of the Biblical truths
as set forth in Scripture; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod provide educational materials
relating to the life issues for use in the churches, schools, and
homes of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and be it
further

Resolved, That the accredited and recognized auxiliaries of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod also provide programs
and materials to assist their members in giving witness to the
value of all human life.

Martin Luther Chapel
Pennsauken, N.J.
Jane K. Dernbecker, Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-32B
Board of Social Ministry

and World Relief Robert Mugge

3-33A

To Implement 1979 Res. 3-02A,
Pro-Life Statement

WHEREAS, The slaughter of the unborn through abortion
and aborticide continues to be legally practiced in the United
States, killing more than one million unborn human beings
each year; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention (July 1979, Res. 3-02A) has taken the honorable and
Christian position against abortion; and

WHEREAS, The parts of the second resolve of that resolution
did more than state an ethical position, in that it called for
action; and

WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the Social Ministry
board to implement those activities that would seek to rectify
the tragic slaughter of the unborn; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Social Ministry and World
Reliefimmediately take positive steps as directed in Res. 3-02A,
namely:

1. To warn publicly and privately (Prov. 31:8-9) against the sin of
abortion;

2. To instruct the community of God that abortion is not in the
realm of Christian liberty, private choice, persona] opinion, or
political preference:

3. To nurture a deep reverence and gratitude for God's gracious
gift of human life:

4. To oppose in a responsible way attitudes and policies in
congregations, schools, hospitals, Lutheran social service agencies,
and other institutions within their sphere of influence and work
which suggest that abortion is a matter of personal choice:

5. To support the efforts of responsible pro-life groups in their
communities, e.g., “Lutherans for Life’ (CTCR report, CW’ p. 75);

6. To promote clear instruction of Christian morality in homes,
schools, and churches of the Synod, showing the blessings and
safeguards inherent in God’s will for sexual chastity before marriage
and faithfulness in marriage;

7. To teach within our Lutheran schools and churches the
biological, social, and parental functions of childbearing: and

8. To support the efforts to secure the human life amendment to
the United Staes Constitution.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
St. Paul, Minn.

Orrin Nystrom, Chairman
Lorraine Zelle, Secretary

J. David Wende, Pastor

Identical or similar:

3-33B
Redeemer, Langdon, N. Dak. James Gruber

3-34

To Commend Synod’s Stand on Abortion
Taken in Res. 3-02A of 1979 Convention

WHEREAS, Overtures were presented at the 1979 St. Louis
convention pertaining to the matter of abortion, such as 3-22
from the Concordia Theological Seminary and 3-23 from St.
Paul Congregation; and

_ Wuereas, The LCMS responded in convention assembled
with a Biblical-based resolution (3-02A) which clearly stated a
forthright position against abortion: and

WHEREAS, The world at large and our nation in particular
needs such a Bible-based witness; therefore be it

Resolved, That we commend the LCMS for this clear
witness; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of Res. 3-02A be printed in the 1981
Convention Proceedings for our delegates to review; and be it
finally
Resolved, That we ask our congregations, pastors, teachers,
and laity to support this resolution when and where there is
opportunity to do so.
St. Thomas Lutheran Church
Rocky River, Ohio
Donald Reiss, President
James Kretzschmar, Secretary
Phillip B. Giessler, Pastor

3-35A

To Present Synod’s Position on Abortion
to Canadian Government

WHEREAS, “Life is a gift of God, and unborn (nascent) life is
of special value before God, and life and death belong to the
province of God: Ps. 139:13-16; Jer. 1:5; Is. 49:5; Gal. 1:15” (Res.
3-08C, 1977 Proceedings, p. 130); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has
faithfully proclaimed its Scriptural position on abortion to
various governmental institutions in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The Canadian government allows for the practice
of abortion, which is against the will of God; and

WHEREAS, Abortions are increasing in number throughout
Canada; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
present its Scriptural position on abortion to the Canadian
government in care of the Prime Minister of Canada.

Grace Lutheran Church

Brandon, Man.

J. E. Rodenbush, Secretary

Galen McDougall, Acting Chairman

Identical or similar:

3-35B
Zion, Plumas, Man. Alfred Schmidt

3-36

To Study the Question of Communing
Alcoholics with Grape Juice
WHEREAS, Alcoholics have a special problem with alcohol;
and

WHEREAS, The current and long-standing practice of the
Lord’s Supper for the alcoholic in the majority of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod congregations is the use of wine as
the earthly element for the precious blood of Christ; and

WHEREAS, A certain pastoral practice has come to light