LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 135

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CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES 135

Wuereas, There are strong and growing trends in our
nation away from Christian morals and values, accom-
panied by a growing disrespect for God and the church;
and

Wuereas, God calls His people to repent of wickedness,
to come to Him for the healing of their nation (2 Chron.
7:14), and further calls His people to be the salt and light
of the world (Matt. 5:13-14); and

WuHEREAS, Christians in a democratic nation have op-
portunity to speak out for morality and righteousness by
being mindful of social and moral issues when voting for
candidates for public office; therefore be it

Resolved, That as a Synod we publicly recognize and
deplore the growing ungodliness in our nation, being mind-
ful of the need for continued prayer and repentance on
behalf of both our Synod and nation, that we may turn to
God and seek His help and blessing; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod urge all Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod congregations to remind eligible members
to register and to vote as a matter of good citizenship; and
be it further

Resolved, That all members of Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod congregations be encouraged to inform them-
selves concerning the moral views of each candidate for
public office, and to use their vote as a witness for Christian
morality and values where such opportunities exist; and
be it finally

Resolved, That members of Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod congregations be encouraged to participate
actively in local government, and qualified members be
urged to run for public office and public school boards to
ensure that a Christian voice is heard in government on
behalf of public morality.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Commend Concordia Historical
Institute and Observe Anniversaries

RESOLUTION 2-20A

Report 2-05 (CW, pp. 73-76); Overtures 2-28-30 (CW,
p. 87)

Wuereas, the Department of Archives and History,
Concordia Historical Institute, in its report to the conven-
tion has highlighted a number of significant anniversaries
throughout the next triennium; and

Wuereas, 1989 will mark the 150th anniversary of
three major events which have profoundly affected The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, namely, the arrival of
some 700 Saxon immigrants under Martin Stephan and
C. F. W. Walther in May 1839; the arrival of 1,000 Prussian
immigrants under J. A. A. Grabau and Heinrich von Rohr
in September 1839; and the founding of Concordia Semi-
nary, St. Louis, in December 1839; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Concordia Historical Institute be
supported in its work as described in its report to this
convention, especially for pointing out anniversaries sig-
nificant to the life of our church, and that it be encouraged

to continue its work and service in the future; and be it
further

Resolved, That the members of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod commemorate and celebrate these two
great immigrations of confessional Lutherans to America
with appropriate observance and celebration in 1989; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the members of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod commemorate and celebrate the founding
of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1989 and especially
on Sunday, Dec. 10, 1989, in appropriate anniversary re-
membrances, giving thanks for God’s rich blessings be-
stowed on and through Concordia Seminary.

Action: Adopted (15).

(A motion to add as a final resolve “Resolved, That the cost
not exceed $20,000” was declined.)

To Designate Monthly Emphases
RESOLUTION 2-21A
Overture 2-33 (CW, p. 88)

WHEREAS, Certain Sundays in the year have been des-
ignated throughout the Synod for special observances
other than those given in the liturgical church year; and

Wuereas, Congregations, districts, and other local ent-
ities also designate certain Sundays for special observ-
ances; and

Wuereas, This practice has deemphasized the themes
set forth in the Scripture readings and other propers ap-
pointed for the Sundays in the church year; and

Wuereas, There is nevertheless a genuine need to in-
form our congregations of the important special ministries
being carried out in the church and the world; and

Wuereas, The Synod in convention has designated cer-
tain Sundays for some particular emphases; therefore be
it

Resolved, That months will be designated beginning in
1988 for special emphases, which allows greater flexibility
for these concerns to be recognized; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations themselves decide
which Sunday in the designated months the particular em-
phasis will be made; and be it further

Resolved, That those planning a special Sunday em-
phasis coordinate the theme with the liturgical church
year; coordinate any Bible studies, sermon outlines, or
reading with the three-year pericope system; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That special Sundays previously approved by
convention be rescinded; and be it finally

Resolved, That the following monthly accents, agreed
upon by the Congregational Ministries Planning Unit, be
designated to assist congregations in their program plan-
ning:

August Parish Program Planning

September Christian Education

October Nature and Function of Christ’s Church
November Christian Stewardship