LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 122

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122 RESOLUTIONS

To Encourage Urban Ministry Planning
RESOLUTION 1-07
Overtures 1-34A-35D (CW, pp- 34-35)

Wuereas, The continued influx of people into our na-
tion’s large urban centers means that 50% of our citizens
will live in an urban setting by the year 2000; and

Wuereas, Millions of immigrants from countries
around the world are settling in our nation’s large cities;
and

Wuereas, There isa potential harvest of souls which
is rich in numbers and diversity in urban centers; and

WuereEas, There are hundreds of Missouri Synod con-
gregations actively engaged in a variety of cross-cultural,
evangelistic, transitional, ethnic, and educational minis-
tries in the urban setting, with little or no intercommun-
ication beyond narrow city or regional boundaries; and

Wuereas, Amidst the continuing stress produced by ur-
ban change these congregations are in need of energetic,
flexible leadership and other resources for effective min-
istry strategies; and

Wuereas, The Synod’s Board for Mission Services Ur-
ban Task Force and other urban ministry consortia have
been meeting to develop a demographic data base as well
as to strategize future directions for The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod congregational urban ministry
efforts; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board for Mission Services
Urban Task Force and other urban ministry consortia be
encouraged to intensify efforts to undergird and
strengthen the ministries of congregations in urban cen-
ters as they seek to meet the challenge of reaching this
burgeoning populace with the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and
be it further

Resolved, That a plan of action to coordinate a network
of urban parishes, their pastors and lay leaders, be un-
dertaken by the Urban Task Force and other urban min-
istry consortia for mutual support, encouragement, and
the development of resources and ideas; and be it finally

Resolved, That appropriate synodical and regional
agencies develop plans for urban-oriented vicar/pastoral
training, in-service growth, and lay leadership training to
bring together a cadre of dedicated and capable urban
workers.

Action: None.

To Thank God for the Nehemiah Plan
RESOLUTION 1-08
Overture 1-37 (CW, p- 35)

Wuereas, The Nehemiah Plan of the East Brooklyn
churches has brought about the rebuilding of inner-city
Brooklyn through new low-cost, single family, owner-oc-
cupied housing; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod con-
gregations in East Brooklyn (Risen Christ, St. Peter, St.

 ——————

Paul, and St. Mark) have taken a leadership role in de-
veloping the Nehemiah Plan as well as benefiting from its
successes; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s mil-
lion dollar interest-free loan commitment was instrumen-
tal in making the Nehemiah Plan a reality; and

Wuereas, The Nehemiah Plan has proceeded according
to Biblical principles of the Kingdom (Matthew 25; Luke
4; and Matthew 5-7), as well as springing from local con-
gregational energy as outlined in Paul’s epistles and af-
firmed in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s concept
of “congregational autonomy”; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
assembled in convention, give thanks to God for the Neh-
emiah Plan; and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks to God for the vision and
action of local and denominational leaders in bringing
about The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s partici-
pation in the Nehemiah Plan; and be it finally

Resolved, That we support with prayer and action all
efforts to ensure the continuation of the Nehemiah Plan
locally and nationally.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Establish a National LCMS
Student Organization

RESOLUTION 1-09
Overtures 1-26 —27B (CW, pp- 32-33)

Wuereas, An organization for college and university
students has not existed in the Synod since Gamma Delta
was disbanded in 1968; and

WueEreas, Four district conventions have officially ex-
pressed the need for students on various campuses to as-
sociate with fellow Lutheran students on the local level
and to be involved with those from other schools; and

Wuereas, Such an organization of students would as-
sist in fostering an appreciation for the mission and the-
ology of the Synod through a network of local, regional and
national student gatherings, providing additional oppor-
tunities for worship, fellowship, Bible study, leadership
training, and the development of more effective ways to be
involved in the church’s ministry; and

Wuereas, A Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod stu-
dent organization would also provide a vehicle for pro-
moting campus ministry, particularly in the more than 600
town-gown and contact campus congregations where a full-
time campus pastor is not presently available; therefore

it

Resolved, That the Synod direct the Board for Mission
Services, through its Office of Campus Ministry, to work
toward the establishment of a national Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod organization for college and university stu-
dents that reflects the evangelical, Biblical, and confes-
sional position of the Synod.

Action: Adopted ( 12).