LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 153

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RE. SCHR et Panik als Sat FA;

GOALS AND RESOURCES 153

To Review District
and National Programs

RESOLUTION 4-03
Report 4-01 (CW, pp. 139-41)

Wuereas, The 1983 convention Res. 4-01A requested
that “the Planning Council review all national and district
programs on the basis of the objectives of the Synod as
stated in Article III of the Constitution and recommend to
each national convention which programs or parts thereof
can best be done by the national boards and departments,
which by districts, and which by both”; and

WuHeEreEAs, The Coordinating Committee of the Planning
Council has addressed this assignment by first determin-
ing a list of functions under each objective and assigning
primary responsibility (CW, pp. 139-41); therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention approve the listing in
principle and refer it to the 1987 meeting of the Planning
Council; and be it further

Resolved, That the Planning Council be requested to
complete the program review requested by the 1983 con-
vention and report its recommendation to the 1989 con-
vention.

Action: Adopted (8).
To Implement Planning Council Report
RESOLUTION 4-04
Reports 4-01, 5-05 IX (CW, pp. 137-44, 178)

Wuereas, The Planning Council of the Synod has re-
ported to the convention, pointing to the need for and value
of planning (CW, pp. 137-44); and

Wuereas, The planning process has great potential for
giving direction to the mission and ministry of the con-
gregation; and

WHEREAS, Present decisions will have an impact on the
future life of the church; and

WuerEas, The congregation is on the front line of mis-
sion and ministry, and the Synod exists on the national
and district levels to support that ministry; and

Wuereas, The congregation exists to carry out the God-
given functions of worship, outreach, service, nurture, fel-
lowship, and stewardship; and

WuereaS, The pastors and laity are in a creative part-
nership; therefore be it

Resolved, That we commend the report of the Planning
Council and encourage its further implementation in the
congregation; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage every congregation and
the Synod on the national and district levels to develop a
“mission and ministry” statement and at least annually
evaluate its implementation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod on the national and district
levels be encouraged to model an effective planning pro-
cess; and be it further

Resolved, That continuing visits be made by district per-
sonnel to assist congregations to develop and carry out a
planning process; and be it further

Resolved, That these Every Congregation Visits include
as their purpose to assist congregations in gaining a
greater awareness that the mission of the Synod on the
national and district levels is an extension of the local con-
gregation’s mission; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregation be an important source
of input for the direction, programs, and services provided
by the Synod on the national and district levels (e.g., ed-
ucational materials); and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod on the national and district
levels provide training events and/or consultants for pas-
tors and church leaders in the area of planning.

Action: Adopted (8).

To Promote “Walking Together”
in Stewardship

RESOLUTION 4-05
Overtures 4-07, 4-43—4-44 (CW, pp. 154, 162)

WHEREAS, We rejoice and praise God for the outpouring
of love, prayers, and material support from His people
through both their individual gifts and those of their con-
gregations for the mission and ministry accomplished in
their name beyond the congregation; and

WHEREAS, We express gratitude and appreciation to our
faithful people and their congregations for this outpouring;
and

WueEREAS, The very nature of the Synod means that we
walk together in mission and ministry for our gracious
God; and

Wuereas, In this walking together the national and
international work program is covenanted by the Synod
through its delegates in convention; and

WHEREAS, The Lord continues to place many challenges
before His church to reach the three out of four people in
the world who do not yet know Christ Jesus as their Savior
and Lord; and

Wuereas, To accomplish this requires that each con-
gregation allot a responsible percentage portion of its in-
come from God’s people to support the Synod work program
at national and district levels; and

Wuereas, To accomplish this requires that each district
allot a responsible percentage portion of the remittance
from congregations to support the common work accom-
plished at the national and international levels; and

WuereEas, Reductions in the percentage level of support
by either congregation or district cause difficult adjust-
ments in this covenant of walking together; and

Wuereas, The Department of Stewardship and Finan-
cial Support develops plans and resources to assist con-
gregations and districts in their implementation of the
concept of proportionate, first-fruit giving; therefore be it

Resolved, That we laud and praise God for the level of
support congregations and districts have given synodical
programs of mission and ministry over the years, often in
times of hardship; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations and districts be encour-
aged to practice proportionate first-fruit giving and an-