LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 127

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2. CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES

To Propose a Vision for the
Congregations of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod

RESOLUTION 2-01A

Report 2-01, 2-02, 2-04, 2-06, 4-01 (CW, pp. 39-65, 71-
73, 76-82, 137-144); Overture 2-16-19B, 2-20, 2-31, 2-
40, 2-50, 2-56, 2-58, 1-63A—B (CW, pp. 84-95 passim)

Resolved, That the following be adopted as the vision
for the congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod as we approach the year 2000.

Introduction

My local congregation is the basic unit for the ministry
of the Word of God in The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod. Members of my congregation help each other to be
ambassadors for Christ. God uses us to gather more and
more people to Himself, leading them to faith in Jesus
Christ and to life abundant and eternal. In my congre-
gation we worship the Triune God, witness to the saving
power of the Gospel of Christ, learn and teach the Gospel
as together we grow in the faith, serve others in all their
needs, and in Christian fellowship give our love and per-
sonal resources for the ministry of the Word.

This is my vision for the church as we approach the
year 2,000. I see my congregation . . .

1. continuing strong in Word and Sacrament
2. alive in Christ
—clear about its mission
—active in Bible study
—fervent in prayer
—hbold in its evangelistic witness and outreach
3. ministering effectively to families and households
—providing support systems for healthy families
—caring for hurting families
—developing programs for marriage enrichment
—equipping parents for their tasks
—supporting fathers as the spiritual head of the fam-
ily
—assisting single-parent families
4. equipping members for ministry
—enlisting volunteers
—training leaders
—assimilating new members
—identifying and using talents
5. welcoming minorities
—reaching out to those of different ethnic backgrounds
—respecting the cultural heritage of others
—viewing differences as opportunities
6. adopting and practicing Christian values

—resisting worldly values

—reinforcing Christian values

—striving to develop a Christian life-style
—speaking out against social evils
—passing on Christian values to its children

. Joyful in worship
—using a variety of forms
~—gathering around Word and Sacrament
—employing music and art forms

. supporting its educational agencies
—communicating effectively with its school
—encouraging teachers in their ministry
—developing positive staff relationships
—utilizing VBS, Sunday school, weekday schools, etc.

. equipping its professional workers

—providing opportunities for continuing education

—supplying resources for team ministry

integrating its members

—developing a wholistic youth ministry

—providing effective ministry with singles

—welcoming the contributions of older persons

—eliminating barriers to the handicapped

dealing positively with conflict

—cultivating a wholesome atmosphere

—developing group and team skills

—providing motivation for change

—cultivating theological consensus through the study

of God’s Word

interacting in district and the Synod

—utilizing the resources provided

—supporting the work at large

—working together for a more effective ministry

—reaching out to the world through missions and ser-

vice

10.

11.

12.

Action: Adopted as amended (10).

(During discussion, “equipping women for greater service—
training for specialized ministries—respecting their unique con-
tribution—providing opportunities for further service” was de-
leted. Delegates indicated no lack of appreciation for the
contribution of women but felt they should not be singled out. The
first vision was added by amendment in session 7, but a motion
to add “Integrating the youth into the church” was declined as an
addition to the tenth vision.)

To Focus the Synod’s Attention
on Ministry to the Family

RESOLUTION 2-02
Overture 2-31 (CW, p. 87)

Wuereas, God has created the family; and

Wuereas, Extensive research shared by and available
from Search Institute, Minneapolis, and the February
1985 report from the Department of Planning and Re-
search by Klaas and O’Hara show that there is a great
need to strengthen the family; and

Wuereas, Participants of the 1985 and 1986 Planning
Conferences of our Missouri Synod leaders identified the
need to strengthen the family as the highest priority of the
challenges facing congregations today, stating: “urgent
help is needed because of what is happening to the fabric

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