LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 121

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WITNESS AND OUTREACH 121

sequence in the title to“... Outreach and Membership Conser-
vation.” By amendment, the first resolve above was substituted
for one which stated, “Resolved, That the Synod in convention
adopt the following three directives from the ‘Forward in Growth
Report’ (1-01A) and recommend that each individual congregation
also adopt these directives:

I. We will make growth a top priority for the next six years.
IL. We commit ourselves to carrying out the Great Commis-
sion.
III. We will do everything necessary, so that by God’s grace
we may grow.”

By amendment to the amendment and common consent the
limitation of “the next six years” was deleted and the words “in-
formed and inspired by the Holy Spirit” were added. The delegates
declined an additional resolve stating, “Resolved, That the Board
of Directors of the Synod provide the necessary resources in fi-
nances and personnel necessary to carry out this resolution.”)

To Increase Multicultural Awareness and
Ministry
RESOLUTION 1-04
Overture 1-22 (CW, p. 32)

Wuereas, The Synod recognizes that one of the largest
and most important world mission fields is right here in
this country; and

Wuenreas, Our present population of 230 million Ameri-
cans includes 29 million Blacks, 23 million Hispanics, and
10 million Asians; and

Wuereas, It is estimated that by the year 2,000, today’s
“minorities” will actually become the majority of the
American people; therefore be it

Resolved, That all congregations, departments, schools,
and agencies of the Synod recognize the growing multi-
cultural needs and challenges affecting our church; and be
it further

Resolved, That all congregations strive for multicultural
inclusiveness; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod devote to the multicultural
challenge a proportionate share of its mission time and
resources; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod provide training and educa-
tion at every level for effective multicultural awareness
and ministry.

Action: Adopted as amended (8).
(The second resolve was added by amendment.)

To Encourage the Commission on Black
Ministry to Continue to Work Within
the Present Structure of the Synod

RESOLUTION 1-05
Report 1-03 (CW, p. 24)

Wuereas, There continues to be discussion regarding
the formation of a nongeographical Black Mission and Min-
istry District within The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod; and

Wuereas, There is a greater sensitivity throughout the
Synod for the concerns of the Black Ministry Commission
for more involvement of black people in the decision mak-

ing process of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and

Wuereas, The President of the Synod in his report rec-
ommends “that the Synod be encouraged to elect women
and representatives of minority groups to all program
boards, and, if this does not occur, that the Board of Di-
rectors be authorized to include such persons among its
appointments to those boards; and

Wuereas, The sainted Dr. Joseph G. Lavalais served
as vice-president of the Synod, a black pastor is currently
first vice-president of the Southern District, a black pastor
serves as executive for Congregational Services of the
Southeastern District, a black pastor serves as the exec-
utive of the Black Ministry Commission, and a black pastor
serves on the mission staff of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the commission be encouraged to make
the best use of the present structure of the Synod for ef-
fecting black mission and ministry within the Synod,
rather than pursuing the feasibility of a nongeographical
Black Mission and Ministry District; and be it further

Resolved, That the structure of the Synod be encouraged
to assist the Commission on Black Ministry in carrying out
its task for effective ministry.

Action: Adopted as amended (14).

(In the fourth whereas the committee deleted the words, “a
black pastor serves as assistant to the executive secretary for
Board for Youth Services,” since this information was in error. It
was also noted that the second last resolve would not prevent the
Commission on Black Ministry from carrying out a study with
regard to the possibility of a black district. The final resolve was
added by common consent to an amendment from the floor. A
request to include the word “qualified” before “women” in the third
whereas was declared out of order.)

To Strengthen the Effectiveness
of the Commission on Black Ministry
to Represent the Concerns of All Blacks

RESOLUTION 1-06
Report 1-03 (CW, pp. 24-26)

Wuereas, The Synod has charged the Commission on
Black Ministry to represent the concerns of black ministry,
and it is important to determine that the commission is
doing so as effectively as possible; and

Wuenreas, There is a need for reliable and objective data
on the effectiveness of the commission’s mandated respon-
sibilities to represent the concerns of black ministry “be-
fore the boards, commissions, committees, and judicatories
of the Synod”; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Black Ministry, in
association with the Department of Planning and Research
of the Synod, develop an objective survey instrument
within one year following the 1986 convention to determine
from the black members of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod what could be done to strengthen the com-
mission’s efforts to represent all blacks; and it be further

Resolved, That the results of this survey be reported to
and reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Synod.

Action: Withdrawn by committee.