LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 305

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304 SOCIAL MINISTRY

8-02

Report of Commission
on Ministerial Health

Since the 1979 synodical convention, the Commission on
Ministerial Health has met two times in an effort to carry out
1979 convention Res. 8-03 and continue the ministry invovled
in the commission’s responsibility.

The commission has kept in contact with the Council of
Presidents, the Concordia Plans Board of Managers, and the
Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. members who operate similar
plans for professional church-worker assistance. The Council
of Presidents has expressed increased concern for the care of:
the families of church workers. And the Concordia Plans
managers have increased the outpatient coverage consider-
ably.

The Board of Directors of the Synod, charged with budget
responsibilities, was financially unable to engage a full-time
staff person in the area of ministerial health, as resolved in
Res. 8-03. Other church-related health and welfare organiza-
tions were also approached in search of funding for a staff
person, again to no avail. Alternative plans for staffing needs
are being considered in an effort to carry out the convention
mandates to (1) provide resources for consultation and care of
professionals and their families; (2) to achieve the appoint-
ment, supervision, and training of ministerial health commis-
sions (committees) in all Districts; (3) to provide resources for
preventative as well as remedial health care regionally, supple-
mented by Lutheran Medical Center care in St. Louis; and (4) to
counsel and assist in vocational redirection where such a
transition is indicated. The commission has not yet been
successful in implementing any of the convention resolution
prescriptions.

Nevertheless the commission continues to support and
maintain the psychodiagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation
program through the Community Health Center of Lutheran
Medical Center, St. Louis, as well as through contacts with
regional health and care centers and people throughout the
country. The referrals continue at approximately one per
month, but the less severe cases are being cared for on a
regional basis, and only the more severe needs are being
referred to the St. Louis center.

The commission wishes to express its great appreciation to
Dr. Richard Purdy, who has been in charge of the St. Louis
program since its move there in 1978. Dr. Purdy has resigned
his position in St. Louis and has joined the faculty of Wright
State University, Fairborn, Ohio.

The commission recommends that the Synod continue to
search for funding for a full-time staff person to provide
ongoing leadership. training, and guidance in the total area of
professional church-worker (and families) health.

Frederick A. Niedner, Chairman
8-03

To Convene Conference on Social Need

WHEREAS, Rapid changes are occurring in society that
affect the physical, mental, spiritual, and social conditions of
our Christian people as well as our total population; and

WHEREAS, The church must give attention to its total
ministry in the changing conditions of our world; and
_ WHEREAs, the Scriptures remind us that we are to ‘seek
justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God”; and

WHEREAS, Planning for the various facets of ministry is
essential if our church is to make an appropriate and effective
witness of Christ’s concern and love; therefore be it

Resolved, That the staff of the Board of Social Ministry and
World Relief be directed to convene a national conference of top
LCMS policymakers (Board of Directors, administrators,
heads of departments, District social ministry staff and chair-
persons, and representatives of Synod’s schools) to study the
topic ‘The Church in Service to Society,” exploring the theo-
logical and practical concepts of Luther’s two kingdoms.

Board of Social Ministry and World Relief
Robert Mugge, Chairman
Leslie F. Weber, Executive Secretary

8-04

To Provide Aid
for the Physically Handicapped

WHEREAS, There are physically handicapped people within
our Synod in need of physical care; and

WHEREAS, These individuals cannot function on a physical
level unless they have help from another person; and

WHEREAS, For their physical functions these people have
desperate needs which cannot be ignored; and

WHEREAS, This group of God’s children has a weak voice
within the church; and

WHEREAS, The church has an arm to help those that are
deaf; and

WHEREAS, The church has an arm to help those that havea
combination of mental and physical handicaps; and

WHEREAS, The church has an arm to help the aged in their
infirmities; and

WHEREAS, Each of these agencies is limited and must
exclude other handicaps, though many of the facilities could
accommodate the purely physically handicapped; and

WHEREAS, These people need help while confined within the
body God has given them; and

WHEREAS, The Lord has stated, “Inasmuch as ye have done
it unto... the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto
Me” (Matt. 23:40); and

WHEREAS, Paul exhorted, ‘“‘As we have opportunity, let us do
good unto all men, and especially to those who are of the
household of faith” (Gal. 6:10); and

WHEREAS, The church does not have an arm to help the
purely physically handicapped; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod look into the possibility of
expanding the services of its charitable facilities to cover the
needs of the purely physically handicapped.

Zion Lutheran Church

Hinsdale, III.

George C. Mueller, President
James R. Brackensick, Secretary
Robert D. Koeppen, Pastor

8-05

To Establish Commissions
on Physically Disabled

WHEREAS, The Minnesota South District of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod, meeting in convention June 13—13.
1980, adopted Res. 5-01, “To Show Concern for the Physically
Disabled”; and

WHEREAS, The need to respond to the unique needs and gifts
of the physically disabled is not geographically limited but
reaches across every District of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
commit itself to explore the possibility of establishing at the
synodical level a commission whose mission would include:

1. Lobbying for the physically disabled;

2. Advising parishes in these ways:

a) updating changes in building codes and regulations;

b) furnishing accurate information about the physically
disabled;

c) suggesting ways in which parishes can minister to the
physically disabled;

d) suggesting ways in which parish can train and equip
these physically disabled to enable them to fulfill their
ministry.

Minnesota South District
Richard A. Krogen, Secretary