LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 41

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MISSIONS, EVANGELISM, AND SOCIAL MINISTRY 41

leaders throughout the world in an unparalleled campaign for
peace; and be it further

Resolved, That the Southeastern District, through its Pres-
ident, implore our nation’s leaders, particularly the President
of the United States, to consider as the highest human priority
the halting of and the reversal of the nuclear arms race, to
commit themselves to this priority and so to lead the nations of
the world in a common new endeavor for peace and life: and be
it further

Resolved, That the 26th Convention of the Southeastern
District also oppose the use of chemical and biological
weapons; and be it finally

Resolved, That this 26th Convention of the Southeastern
District reaffirm its trust in the Lord, confident that, in His
mercy, our nation and other nations will be led to a resolution
of this unprecedented global emergency.

Southeastern District
Richard Hinz, President

1-47

To Encourage Peacemaking

WHEREAS, The nations of the world are involved in a
massive buildup of armaments, both conventional and nuclear;
and

WHEREAS, The expenditure of more than $600 billion
annually worldwide for military purposes diverts resources
which could be used for human services and for the alleviation
of human suffering; and

WHEREAS, The arms buildup can be a destabilizing influence
in world affairs; and

WHEREAS, God's desire for the world is peace (cf. Micah 4:3);
and

WHEREAS, The role of the Christian is to be a peacemaker
and a reconciler of peoples (cf. Matt. 5:9); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod urge its congregations and their
members to study the issues of the arms race, the use of nuclear
weapons, and peacemaking; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod instruct the Board for Parish
Services to recommend appropriate study materials or to
develop new materials to assist congregations in this study;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod urge its congregations and their
members, after study, to communicate with responsible govern-
mental officials regarding policies which would enhance the
prospects of world peace.

Faculty

Concordia Teachers College
Seward, Nebr.

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

1-48A

To Implement Stand
with Persecuted Christians

WuHerEAS, Our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in conven-
tion in 1975 resolved that we should “stand with persecuted
Christians” (Res. 8-05); and

WHEREAS, The needs of captive nations and their people
continues to be critical; and

WHEREAS, “Captive Nations Week” has been proclaimed by the
United States Congress to be the third week of July (Public Law
86-90); therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention instruct the Board for Social
Ministry Services to designate the third Sunday in July as Captive
Nations Sunday and provide materials for Svnodwide distribution
on an annual basis: and be it further

Resolved, That in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of
Martin Luther's birthday, Nov. 10, 1983, the congregations of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be encouraged to receive a door
offering for fellow Lutherans of East Germany to be presented on
Nov. 10, 1983, to a recipient in East Germany designated by the
synodical Board for Social Ministry Services.

St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Louis H. Launhardt, Pastor
David Hahs, President

Identical or similar:

1-48B and 1-48C
Circuit Forum 9. Missouri District
Trinity. New Haven, Mo.

Adam Mueller
Orville Meyer

To Encourage Support
of Human Rights

WHEREAS, Christians are to speak out against all injustice,
whether it be racial prejudice as in apartheid in South Africa,
suppression of people's freedom as in Poland, the military
conquest of nations such as Afghanistan, and the like; and

WHEREAS, Itis right for the church to encourage its members
to protest injustice and to support human rights as long as such
action does not violate either their own conscience or the Holy
Scriptures: and

WHEREAS, Such an expression could be given in a written
communication to those in authonitative offices from a gath-
ered group of Chnistians such as the delegates to this con-
vention: and

WHEREAS, It is essentially important that the Church follow
the example of the Lord in refusing to use any power other than
the power of the Gospel—love, kindness. forgiveness (Matt.
5:38-48; 28:18-20; etc.\—and so the church must refuse to use
secular power such as economic boycott as well as military
might: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Secretary be instructed to write Presi-
dent Regan and the Congress, pledging our support for their
efforts toward human rights around the world; and be it further

Resolved. That we urge the congregations of our Synod to
regularly and specifically pray for all oppressed people, for an
end to all injustice and prejudice. and for the powerful effect of
the Gospel upon the hearts of all people.

California-Nevada-Hawaii Distnct
Sergei S. Koberg, Secretary

To Promote Action and Advocacy
in Support of Human Rights

WHEREAS, Our Creator lovingly preserves the world and
calls us into being in relationship to Himself and to all
members of the human family; and

WHEREAS, In our brokenness relationships are fractured,
human rights are violated. and the Creator’s call for perfect
justice is often ignored: and

WHEREAS, As members of the church. the body of Christ. we
are to witness in word and deed to the Gospel, which is the love
of God in Christ Jesus: and

WHEREAS, We share the responsibility to work towards the
alleviation of conditions of social. political, and economic
oppression and alienation within the local, national, and
global community: and

WHEREAS, We are becoming increasingly aware of oppres-