LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 212

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212 RESOLUTIONS

tions be urged to take an active, supportive role contacting leg-
islators and authorities on divesting,” the chairman ruled this
was not a substitute motion. The chair was not sustained. The
delegates, however, declined to consider the substitute motion.)

To Urge Support for Oppressed
RESOLUTION 7-08A
Overtures 7-18, 7-20, 7-22 (CW, pp. 359-60)

WHEREAS, Christ commands His disciples to love every-
one (Mark 12:31, Matt. 5:44); and

Wuereas, Racial discrimination occurs throughout the
world; and

Wuereas, This discrimination is particularly fostered
by the system of apartheid in the Republic of South Africa;
and

Wuereas, We abhor racial discrimination wherever it
occurs; and

WHEREAS, Christians have a moral responsibility to ad-
vocate for victims of racial discrimination; therefore be it

Resolved, That all Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
members be encouraged to undertake a self-examination
with respect to their attitude toward all people; and be it
further

Resolved, That congregations through worship, prayer,
and Bible study groups assist in sensitizing members to
evils of racial discrimination so that they may through the
love of Christ respond to the needs of the oppressed; and
be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
declare publicly that it denounces apartheid as well as
other forms of racial discrimination; and be it finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
continue to develop ways and means to share the love of
Jesus Christ in all parts of the world and to bear witness
to the reconciliation that is possible in Christ.

Action: Adopted (14).

(In session 13 an amendment was introduced to delete the
third whereas and to substitute “all” for the words “apartheid as
well as other” in the third resolve. It was declined when dicussion
was resumed in session 14. In that session an amendment was
introduced to add at the end of the third resolve the words, “as
contrary to the command of Christ to love your neighbor as your-
self. This does not mean, however, that we countenance the use
of any violence against those who support apartheid in South
Africa.” It too was declined.)

To Support Lutherans for Life
RESOLUTION 7-09A

Overture 7-08 (CW, p. 357)

Wuereas, Human life before and after birth is the gift
of God; and

Wuereas, The legalized murder of unborn children con-
tinues as an American abomination without equal in the
sordid history of man; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has
consistently expressed an uncompromising, Scriptural po-
sition on the sanctity of life; and

Wuereas, Lutherans for Life exists to promote the

sanctity of life through a clear Scriptural witness and to
terminate the abortion holocaust of our own time; and

WHEREAS, The effectiveness of Lutherans for Life would
be intensified with increased congregational support;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod thank and praise God for
those volunteers who have given so freely of their time and
talents for Lutherans for Life; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
encourage its congregations to provide increased support
which will allow Lutherans for Life to become more effec-
tive.

Action: Adopted (14).

To Support Synodical Efforts to Alleviate
World Hunger

RESOLUTION 7-10A
Overtures 7-58A—B (CW, p. 368)

Wuereas, Our Lord said that the worship He chooses
is for us to share our food with the hungry (Is. 58:7); and

Wuereas, The Board for Social Ministry Services and
Lutheran World Relief in their World Relief—World Hun-
ger programs have been faithful in attempting to alleviate
world hunger; and

Wuereas, There continues to be great need to provide
relief for the many poor in the world; and

WuHEREAS, It has been the practice of the Board of Di-
rectors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to des-
ignate the last Sunday of November as World Relief—
World Hunger Sunday; therefore be it

Resolved, That we commend the Board for Social Min-
istry Services for its past World Relief—World Hunger ef-
forts and encourage it to continue its positive efforts; and
be it further

Resolved, That we urge support of our districts, con-
gregations, and individuals for continued aid; and be it
finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
in convention urge the Board of Directors to continue to
designate the last Sunday in November as World Relief—
World Hunger Sunday.

Action: Adopted as amended (6).
(The first whereas was amended by common consent.)
To Uphold Sanctity of Human Life
RESOLUTION 7-11A

Overtures 7-10A-—7-11, 7-13A—-B (CW, p. 358)

Wuereas, Scripture admonishes us to “speak up for peo-
ple who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of
all who are helpless. Speak for them and be a righteous
judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy” (Prov. 31:8-
9 TEV); and

Wuereas, The 1983 convention of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod in Res. 3-04B resolved “that the

Board for Social Ministry Services be directed to develop
proposals by which congregations might help expectant