LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 38

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38 MISSIONS, EVANGELISM, AND SOCIAL MINISTRY

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service for the sponsorship and
resettlement of refugees; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage the government of the

United States to continue involvement in the resettlement of the

world’s outcasts and homeless.

Redeemer Lutheran Church

Salem, Oregon

Robert Wright, Director

Dell B. Schomburg, Pastor

1-38
To Strive to Resettle Refugees

WHEREAS, The Lord God has made known in His Holy Word His
special care and concern for people in deep hurt and need, and our
Lord Jesus Himself was a refugee early in His earthly life among us;
and

WHEREAS, We have been bought at a great price—a price paid by
the Lord Jesus for all, and we cannot refuse to love and show special
concern to those most helpless and hurting, for whom Christ
Himself shows special care and concern and compassion; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has taken
part with other Christians in the resettlement of refugees; and

WHEREAS, The number of worldwide refugees is huge, those
willing to help are comparatively few, and this is a special
opportunity to express our Lord’s love by living the Gospel in word
and deed; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention give honest thanks to God
specifically for allowing us to be a part of reaching out with His love
in the resettlement of refugees; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention encourage and strongly urge our
congregations and members to become not only informed and
aware of this great need, but also sensitive and compassionate,
reflecting the love of Jesus and to translate love into action by
assuring and providing housing, employment, and assistance for
immediate needs to refugees through the programs of Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Service.

St. John's Lutheran Church
Durand, Wis.

Immanuel's Lutheran Church
Plum City, Wis.

Thomas Hoelter, Pastor

To Renew Congregational Support
for Refugee Resettlement

WHEREAS, The Lutheran churches of our Synod in the United
States and in Canada have in the past carried out effective
programs for the resettlement of refugees from various countries
through the Department of Immigration and Refugee Services of
LCUSA and Canadian World Relief; and

WHEREAS, About a half million Indochinese refugees have come
to our shores since Apmil 1975, of which Lutherans nationwide have
resettled approximately 15%; and

WHEREAS, The number of refugees who really are in need of safe
havens from torture, terror, and starvation is still enormous; and

WHEREAS, The economic conditions of our country and the
distractions of other ministry needs have turned many away from
continuing to help these refugee peoples; therefore be it

Resolved, That our Synod in convention in 1983 commend the
people and their congregations who have so gallantly participated
these past years for their support of this resettlement work; and be it
further

Resolved, That we encourage, with confidence in our Lord’s
support, all congregations to become involved and renewed in their
efforts to be sponsors of these refugee persons and families through
the programs presently in effect in our Synod whereby we may

assure refugees of housing, employment, and assistance in their
daily needs over a limited period of time; and be it finally

Resolved, That our synodical Board for Social Ministry Services
devote time and energy to this encouragement through its work
with the Districts and District Refugee Coordinators.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Peonia, II.

Ray G. Barnes, President
Loralyn D. Mayyou, Secretary
Charles C. Gillet, Pastor

1-40

To Support Refugee Efforts

Wuereas, Our Lord Jesus Christ commands that we befriend
those among us who are hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, or sick
(Matt. 25:35); and

WHEREAS, We as Christians are ever mindful of the desperate
plight and suffering of the millions of refugee families fleeing from
repressive government, oppressive war, senseless brutality, and
abject poverty that now engulfs their homeland; and

WHEREAS, Our church was founded by Christian refugees over
47 years ago who also were fleeing and searching for both spiritual
and secular freedom; and

WHEREAS, We today reap the fruits of our predecessors’ endeavors
and continue to be blessed with the abundance of God's grace and
bounty; and

WHEREAS, It is our Christian obligation as the children of God to
carry the true light of God’s message, ministry, and service to those
in need; and

WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ pronounced, “As you did it to
one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me” (Matt. 25:40);
therefore be it

Resolved, That the congregation of True Light Lutheran Church,
located in Chinatown, New York City do hereby support the
efforts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and the
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to meet the needs
of refugees around the world and join in proclaiming Sunday.
April 17, 1983, as “Refugee Concerns Sunday.”

True Light Lutheran Church
New York, N.Y.

Donald Eng, President
Philip Yang, Pastor

1-41

To Take Stand Against Entanglement
in Secular Affairs

WHEREAS, Various church denominations and church
councils have taken various corporate positions which have
actually favored social and economic theories on which Chris-
tians have honest differences; and

WHEREAS, There are abundant statistics available to
indicate that various forms of humanism are growing faster
than orthodox Christianity in the world; and

WHEREAS, Orthodox Christians in other church denomina-
tions have witnessed much erosion of membership, evangel-
ism, and mission in their churches due to a focus not clearly
established in the Word; and

WHEREAS, The Great Commission gave clear priorities to
His church; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
withdraw all positions taken on economic, social, and political
matters unless such positions are clearly established and
undergirded by Biblical and confessional principles; and be it
further

Resolved, That the LCMS express itself against joining,
establishing. or maintaining fellowship or joint operations
with (while not cutting off dialog with) any other body.