LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 37

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MISSIONS, EVANGELISM, AND SOCIAL MINISTRY 37

To Encourage
Volunteer LCMS Health Workers

WHEREAS, There are many faithful members of LCMS congre-
gations who carry out health and healing ministries on mission
frontiers as volunteer workers in various agencies, apart from the
formal program of the church; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate that we should both acknowledge
and encourage such dedicated efforts by our congregational
members, especially at a time when our capacity to carry on such
ministries is limited by financial and other restraints; therefore be it

Resolved,

1. That the Commission on Health and Healing be requested to
gather and to maintain as full a roster as possible of such “health
workers for Christ”

2. That we acknowledge and encourage the service of these
workers

—by maintaining personal contact with them through the
Commission on Health and Healing,
—by reporting on their work from time to time in the Cross and
Caduceus,
—by supporting them in their ministry through prayer
3. That the Commission on Health and Healing, in consul-
tation with appropriate synodical agencies, explore the possi-
bility of developing suitable rites which local congregations
may use to “send forth” such workers from their midst.

Commission on Health and Healing
Howard Mueller, Acting Chairman
Florence Montz, R.N., Staff Administrator

1-35

To Implement 1971 Res. 9-15,
“The Christian Church and World Hunger:
To Encourage Legislative Action”

WHEREAS, The Synod at the 1971 Milwaukee convention
passed Res. 9-15 (Proceedings, p. 194), which stated:
Resolved, That the Lutheran Witness Reporter and other news
media and agencies of the Synod and its auxiliaries regularly inform
their readers of pending legislative action concerning the poor and
the hungry, encouraging them to inform lawmakers of their desire
for swift and compassionate action on particular bills: and be it
finally
Resolved, That the Board of Social Ministry and World Relief
and appropriate congregational committees be alert to make sure
that existing legislation that deals with hunger is immediately and
effectively implemented:
and

WHEREAS, Res. 9-15 (1971) has not been effectively imple
mented; and

WHEREAS, Domestic and global hunger and poverty continue
to be serious and pressing issues; and

WHEREAS, Actions by local, state, and national govern-
mental institutions can contribute to the solution of domestic
and global hunger and poverty: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its commitment to Res.
9-15 (1971); and be it further .

Resolved, That the Synod direct the appropriate synodical
and congregational boards and committees as well as the
synodical news media, synodical agencies, and the auxiliaries
of the Synod to implement Res. 9-15 (1971).

Faculty

Concordia Teachers College
Seward, Nebr.

M. J. Stelmachowicz, President
William Billow. Secretary:

1-36
To Deal with Alcohol and Substance Abuse

WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus at the time of Judgment addresses
the nations at His right hand stating: “Inherit the kingdom
prepared for you... for... I was sick and you visited me....I
say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren,
you did it to Me” (Matt. 25:34, 36, 40 RSV); and

WHEREAS, Alcoholism and substance abuse are diseases of
epidemic proportion intimately affecting one out of every three
American families (Gallup Polling Services, November 1982);
and

WHEREAS, Treatment of these diseases requires recognition
by individuals alerted to the signs and symptoms of these
disorders and subsequent intervention and treatment by
trained professionals; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
through its synodical, District, and Circuit divisions make a
financial and spiritual commitment to battle these disorders
and minister to those members of the faith who are affected by
such; and to that end be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
be reorganized as a standing committee under the Board of
Social Ministry Services, to be called the Committee on Alcohol
and Substance Abuse; and be it finally

Resolved, That the goals of the committee be to educate the
members of the LCMS on all the aspects of alcohol and
substance abuse, specifically in the areas of prevention, inter-
vention, treatment, and referral. To such end the committee
would provide a resource center with literature, audiovisual
aids, and a bibliography of reputable resources as well as fill
the need for professionals to staff regionally funded and
coordinated workshops to train church professions as to the
proper methodology of diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and
substance abuse.

St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Winona, Minn.

Charles O. Johnson, President

Lillian Rott, Secretary

1-37

To Continue Refugee Sponsorship
and Resettlement

WHEREAS, There are still over 10 million refugees throughout the
world who have little hope of anything: and

WHEREAS, Caning for the outcasts and homeless of the worldis a
visible witness to the world of God’s love and value for human life:
and

WHEREAS, Lutheran congregations and agencies have been
active in sponsoring and resettling refugees in the past; and

WHEREAS, Refugees cannot legally come into this country
without a sponsor, and

WHEREAS, The Synod has published educational materials to be
used in sharing the message of God’s love with some ethnic groups;
and

WHEREAS, The sponsorship and resettlement of refugees can bea
very enriching and rewarding experience for the sponsor, therefore
be it

Resolved, That those congregations which have sponsored and
resettled refugees in the past be encouraged to do so again; and be it
further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and
District social ministry committees actively recruit new congrega-
tions to sponsor and resettle refugees: and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod and District social ministry commit-
tees make materials and guidelines concerning refugee sponsor-
ship, resettlement, and Christian education available to congrega-
tions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod continue to support and work with the