LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 185

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1983, November—Lutheran Church—Canada con-
vention gives approval in principle to the constitution
and bylaws for Proposed autonomous Lutheran
Church—Canada.

1983, November through 1985, April—Lutheran
Church—Canada conducts congregational presenta-
tions described above.

1985—Districts by simple majority vote in each of
the three geographic District conventions approve the
constitution and bylaws; each geographic District, by
simple majority vote, requests dissolution by the Synod.

1985, Fall—Lutheran Church—Canada in conven-
tion deals with any remaining questions in preparation
for congregational vote.

1986, prior to Jan. 31 —Individual congregations are
given opportunity to vote whether or not they wish to
join the autonomous Lutheran Church—Canada.

1986, July—If Preceding actions are favorable, The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention gives
final approval for the establishment of an autonomous
Lutheran Church—Canada as a partner church with
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and authorizes
representatives to develop and sign a protocol document.

1986, Fall—Lutheran Church—Canada holds consti-
tuting convention with broad, cross-Canada represen-
tation.

1987, Jan. 1—Lutheran Church—Canada becomes
operative as an autonomous partner church.

(The above timetable is to be employed as a guide,
with adjustments made as necessary); and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors and the Board
for Mission Services, in consultation with the Council of
Presidents, assist in the continuing development and
implementation of the procedures toward the formation
of the Lutheran Church—Canada; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod implore the blessings of
almighty God upon the Lutheran Church—Canada so
that as this new church comes into being it may be an
effective instrument for promoting the Gospel of J esus
Christ. “Him We Proclaim!”

Action: Adopted as amended (12).

Following the adoption of this historic resolution, the delegates
rose and joined in the singing of the Canadian national
anthem.)

To Intensify Ministry to Hispanics
RESOLUTION 5-15
Overture 5-90 (CW, pp. 237—238)
WHEREAS, The Synod recognizes the importance of

STRUCTURE AND CONSTITUTION 185

mission and ministry to all ethnic groups; and

WHEREAS, The challenge of ministry to Hispanics is
clearly one of enormous size, and our Synod is com-
mitted to carrying out this ministry; and

WHEREAS, There are few workers available for this
field, and bilingual Hispanic workers are rare; and

WHEREAS, The Texas District in convention has
vigorously encouraged alternative forms of ministry to
Hispanics, recognizing the Special, urgent need for
workers in this ministry; and

WHEREAS, Our present system of preparing our
church workers normally requires a long period of
formal study, usually in a distant state, and has resulted
in producing very few workers for this field, virtually all
of whom are Anglo-Americans; and

WHEREAS, Our desire to serve Hispanics is severely
impeded by a lack of qualified workers; and

WHEREAS, Texas has a large Hispanic population,
most of whom come from similar Mexican-American
cultures; and

WHEREAS, One of our colleges, Concordia Lutheran
College, Austin, which is vitally involved in preparing
men for ministry in our church, is already located in
Austin, Tex.; and

WHEREAS, It is desirable to explore a program of this
magnitude with a pilot program; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Professional Education
Services together with the Board of Regents of Con-
cordia College, Austin, Tex., in consultation with the
Board for Mission Services, jointly develop a program to
make possible greater service in the Word to Hispanics;
and be it further

Resolved, That these boards give Priority to a pilot
program which would include the preparation of dedi-
cated Hispanics in the basic truths of Scripture who

could give a clear Gospel witness to fellow Hispanics;

and be it further

Resolved, That while the pilot program is being
implemented, further development ofa more formal and
extensive preparation of these workers be designed by
the above boards and presented to the Board of Directors
and the Council of Presidents for their advice and
recommendation; and be it further

Resolved, Thata designation such as “Lay Evangel-
ist” be considered rather than “Called Lay Minister”:
and be it finally

Resolved, That a thorough evaluation of the entire
Program be considered by 1986 to establish the continu-
ing validity of this ministry.

Action: Tabled (14).

(The committee inserted “in consultation with the Board
for Mission Services” in the first resolve and changed
“Licensed Lay Evangelist” to “Lay Evangelist” in the second-
last resolve. After some discussion the convention resolved to
table the resolution.)