LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1989, Page 94

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94 RESOLUTIONS

the direction mission activities ought to take in the next
decade and century. Reports to the church will be given
on an interim basis before the 1992 convention.

Therefore, as it considers the resolutions, this conven-
tion needs to recognize that we are right in the middle of
these two major projects—the statement of our mission
theology and the formation of our mission strategy. There-
fore, the 1992 convention of the Synod will be a pivotal
mission convention as we prepare for the next century.

In a paraphrase of Dr. Martin Luther, Dr. C. F. W.
Walther stated, “Our gracious God only allows Christians
to live on earth, so that they might bring others to the one
saving faith. Otherwise God would immediately take a
Christian to heaven as soon as he is reborn ... But God
says you must finish your earthly task of leading others
to eternal life.” In a pluralistic, multicultural, and mul-
tiethnic world rapidly expanding into urbanization, that
is our task today, in the decade of the 90s and in the 21st
century.

The Floor Committee on Witness and Outreach thanks
the convention for the privilege of serving and comes before
you now with this mindset from God’s word, “Boldly and
without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and
taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31).

Wilbert Sohns, Chairman

To Intensify and Prioritize Mission
RESOLUTION 1-01

Report R1-01 (CW, pp. 6-15); Overtures 1-10, 1-14, 1-
30 (CW, pp. 151—52, 154)

Wuenreas, The mission which our Lord presented to His
church is to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18-
20); and

Wuereas, Worldwide 67 percent of all people do not
know Jesus as their Savior; and

Wueneas, Our Lord is presenting His church with both
opportunities and challenges by bringing millions of people
from many nations, races, cultures, and religions into our
communities and neighborhoods; and

Wuereas, The fastest growing of these cultures in the
U.S.A. is the Hispanic; and

Wuereas, In the United States, about 100 million (42
percent) out of 240 million do not belong to a church and
about 69 million (29 percent) are church members with
very little commitment; and

Wuereas, A common mission statement by The Lu-
theran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) would help unify
and coordinate the church’s mission ministry; and

Wuereas, In order to continue to tell everyone what He
has done , a renewed and clear mission vision is essential;
and

Wuereas, Our gracious God allows Christians to live
on earth so that they might bring others to the one saving
faith; therefore be it

Resolved, That the message “that God was in Christ
reconciling the world to Himself” continue to be powerfully
and sweetly proclaimed so that all our members are united
in their conviction that telling everyone what He has done

is our highest priority and deserving of our ongoing com-
mitment and constant prayers; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of our congregations, both
individually and corporately, continue to be informed of
the ever-present challenge of world missions as the Lord
continues to open doors for our church; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations and Districts continue
to be sensitized to and challenged with the mandate pre-
sented to us by our Lord as He brings people from a mul-
titude of nations to our shores; and be it further

Resolved, That mission planting, both worldwide and
in the U.S.A., become the highest priority for the LCMS
at all levels; and be it further

Resolved, That the forthcoming comprehensive mission
plan for the ’90s (Mission Task Force) and the statement
of mission (Commission on Theology and Church Rela-
tions) be completed as soon as possible and be commended
to the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
instruct the Board of Directors to evaluate the structures
of our Synod in the light of God’s primary purpose for the
church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors recommend to the
1992 synodical convention a structure for mission and min-
istry which gives priority to God’s primary purpose for the
church; and be it further

Resolved, That each congregation and District and the
Synod itself be encouraged to set an increased mission bud-
get which represents a faith-filled commitment for the next
triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That we, the Synod, be recommited to the
mission and goal of telling as many people as possible what
He has done in Christ; and be it finally

Resolved, That this convention pray that the Holy Spirit
might fill us with His power to enable us to faithfully and
effectively carry out the Great Commission.

Action: Adopted as amended (4).

(The original resolution was amended by deleting a resolve
which stated, “Resolved, That amidst the necessary activities, pro-
grams, finances, structures, organization, planning, and admin-
istration of the Synod, that God’s purpose for the church be given
priority as we move into the 21st century, and that all such nec-
essary activities be evaluated in the light of the mission of making
disciples of every nation by bearing witness to Jesus Christ that
the lost be saved.” The sixth and seventh resolves above were
substituted for it. The words the highest were substituted for a
high in the fourth resolve and the words the Synod itself were
added in the eighth resolve by common consent.)

To Review and Reaffirm Mission Goals
RESOLUTION 1-02
Report R1-01 (CW, pp. 6-15)

Wuereas, The Synod in 1979, in the fear of God and
counting on His blessing, adopted a number of measurable
mission goals; and

Wuereas, In the 10 years since the adoption of those

goals in these areas we are compelled to tell everyone what
He has done: