LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 21

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MISSIONS, EVANGELISM, AND SOCIAL MINISTRY 21

Louis. After sponsoring such retreats for five years, the board
referred them to Districts for sponsorship. In 1983 Districts
which sponsored such retreats were: South Wisconsin, South-
ern California, Iowa West, Minnesota South.
f. Other publications included:
—A six-lesson Bible study, ‘Winsome Witness,” by Rev.
Ken Zorn
—A three-lesson Bible study, ‘‘Tell One,” by Walther Klenke
—A rainbow “iron-on” with a rainbow Bible study
—A rainbow “‘stick-on” with a witness card
—A manual on how to conduct a Witness Workshop
—A folder on LLL Mail Follow-up
—A brochure, “When You Leave,” to give to young people
when they leave home for college, service, or work

12. An Evangelism Survey

The board conducted a ‘‘Quickie Survey" of congregations
on evangelism, asking every ninth active pastor on the roster
to fill out questions on a return card. Forty-three percent did.
The results indicate a great interest in evangelism and a lot of
activities, in fact more than have ever been reported in the
history of the Synod. Some of the statistics that indicate this
are:

65" of the congregations have an annual Evangelism

Festival

58", have tried Open House Services

50 have a tract distribution program

62". have surveved their community

34 have had a child evangelism activity

33% have had a youth evangelism activity

79", have an Evangelism Board or Committee

13. Conclusion

With the reorganization of the Synod in the 1981 con-
vention, the Board for Evangelism became a major program
board of the Synod with nine board members (previously it had
five members). It met regularly four times each year and sought
to carry out its responsibilities with the aid of its two staff
people, Dr. Erwin J. Kolb and Rev. W. Leroy Biesenthal.

During this biennium we have rejoiced in the evangelism
which is being done by the congregations of the Synod and in
the souls that are being won for eternity. At the same time we
have grieved over the losses and lack of interest in evangelism
in so much of the activity of the Synod. We plead with this
convention to take evangelism seriously. The hour is late, and
we must work while it is day.

If we are serious about the evangelism goals we have set for
ourselves in this decade, then we must take serious action. The
evangelism resolutions which we are submitting call for that
kind of action.

Oswald A. Waech. Chairman
Erwin J. Kolb, Executive Secretary

1-03

Report of
Board for Social Ministry Services

Him We Proclaim—Through Service

Nothing could be more appropriate than the theme of this
convention as an undergirding principle for social ministry in
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Indeed, it is the only
principle that serves as the dvnamic for the variety of functions
and programs that are the responsibilities of this division in
relation to the total work of the church.

We Serve—In District—Parish Liaison

While the past biennium has been one of both continuity
and of change, in many ways it serves as a prologue to that
which is to come. One notes the continuing concern for the
aging, given special attention under the program of Project
Compassion. District ’ parish liaison is part of that continuum.
But the aging are the concern of auxiliary agencies too. For the

filming and release of the film ‘Project Compassion,” the
Board for Social Ministry Services owes a special thanks to
“This Is the Life,” the TV ministry of the Lutheran Laymen’s
League, and to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League for an
enabling grant. Dr. Paul Volz, awarded an honorary doctorate
by Concordia College, St. Paul, Minn., in the spring of 1982, as
Secretary for District and Parish Services, deserves recogni-
tion for his work with Districts and parishes.

Assisting Agencies and Institutions

Continuity is also reflected in the major efforts of the 62
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod affiliated agencies and
institutions that respond to countless cries for help from those
in great need. A major portion of the Board for Social Ministry’s
services has been to these agencies—assisting them with their
objectives, their programs, their finances, their continuing
relationship with the church. We note the creation in several
Districts of new Lutheran social service agencies involving
cooperation with other Lutheran bodies, while maintaining
distinct local Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod involvement.
It is of greater importance than ever before that these agencies
reflect good management, integrity, and a clearly defined
relationship with the church. Negligence or lack of under-
standing on the part of agency boards and management could
make the church legally liable, a defendant in litigation in a
society ever more minded to go to court to solve its problems.
Virgil Fuchs’s guidance in agency matters needs recognition
and applause.

... Responsibly

Given the fiscal restraints imposed upon social ministry
during the past biennium, ours continues to be an effort
marked by increasing demands for services but a decrease in
resources available to provide such services. The economic
environment finds each year a more expensive one, even in
such basic needs as those for postage, travel, and printing. The
Board for Social Ministry Services and its staff are ever
mindful of their obligation to be good stewards of limited
resources. Still, we know that without the blessings of our Lord,
no efforts—large or small—will be fruitful.

Helping the Poor and Hungry

One of the bright spots in social ministry in recent vears has
been the growing response and the continuing generosity of
those who have supported our efforts in World Reliefs four
programs: World Relief, World Hunger, Disaster Aid, and
Native American Concerns. We note with great satisfaction
and with great joy that there are many unselfish givers among
our numbers. Some make regular, frequent contributions,
denying themselves that others might have some of life’s basic
necessities. In this past year the response to the great needs in

world hunger has raised total gifts to more than $2 million...

Rev. Melvin Witt, secretary for World Relief, and Rev. John
Schroeder have given time and talents for our ministry to those
in great need. While Rev. Witt has had some physical problems
these past two vears, his service has been given with dedication
and distinction.

Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees

A major area of our church's achievement during the past
two years has been the service rendered immigrants and
refugees. Among the main-line denominations in the United
States, the Lutherans have by far the best record in responding
to the needs of those newly resettled on our shores. And, among
the Lutherans, none has a better record than the Missouri
Synod. Rev. Eugene Gunther's service. though part-time, is one
for which the stranger to our land gives thanks to God. As the
LCMS staff member under Lutheran Immigration and Refugee
Service, he is responsible for the LCMS refugee program. His
sterling service demands special recognition.

Guided by Our Board

Among the major changes in the biennium was the turnover
of four members of the seven-person Board for Social Ministry
Services. Services of previous board members (Mrs. Marie