LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1989, Page 97

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WITNESS AND OUTREACH 97

tries in urban settings, with little or no intercommunica-
tion beyond narrow city or regional boundaries; therefore
be it

Resolved, That a plan of action to coordinate a network
of Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod urban parishes,
their pastors, and lay leaders, be undertaken by the Urban
Task Force for the purpose of mutual support, encourage-
ment, and the development and exchange of resources and
ideas; and be it further

Resolved, That synodical seminaries and colleges be en-
couraged to participate in such a consortium by providing
vicars, pastors, teachers-in-training, and other profession-
als to assist in the multiplication of urban ministry.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Encourage Rural Ministry Outreach
RESOLUTION 1-07
Report R1-01 (CW, p. 11)

WHEREAS, There has been a steady decline of population
in rural areas; and

Wuereas, Forty-eight percent of the population that
resides in rural areas is unchurched and is in need of the
Gospel; and

WHEREAS, Those who are laboring in this ripe field are
in need of support, encouragement, and additional help so
that the Gospel be taught and preached effectively; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That we encourage the continued and inten-
sified efforts being done by the Rural Ministry Task Force
especially in the areas of training vicars/pastors, in-service
growth, and lay leadership training in bringing together
dedicated and capable workers; and be it further

Resolved, That the Rural Ministry Task Force continue
to develop plans of action and to coordinate a network of
rural parishes so that pastors and lay leaders of those
areas come together for mutual support, encouragement,
and the exchange and development of resources and ideas;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board for Mission Services
Rural Ministry Task Force be encouraged to intensify ef-
forts to undergird and strengthen the outreach efforts of
congregations as they seek to meet the challenge of reach-
ing these people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Increase Distribution
of Lutheran Witness

RESOLUTION 1-08
Report R1-07 (CW, pp. 21-24)

WHEREAS, There are 850,000 households in The Lu-
theran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), with less than
400,000 households currently receiving Lutheran Witness;
and ©

Wuereas, Lutheran Witness is an excellent educational

and motivational tool that brings us together as a body;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Communication Services
(BCS) be instructed to investigate methods to place Lu-
theran Witness into every household of the LCMS; and be
it further

Resolved, That the BCS in consultation with the Board
of Directors and Concordia Publishing House explore and
test funding methods to accomplish this goal.

Action: Adopted (12).

Subject: To Create a Comprehensive
Marketing/Communications Plan

RESOLUTION 1-09
Report: R1-07 (CW, p. 23)

Wuereas, The boards and commissions of The Lu-
theran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) produce a variety
of resources as listed in the Congregational Resource Cat-
alog; and

WHEREAS, Many of our congregations, schools, and or-
ganizations are still unaware of, or do not fully utilize,
these resources available to them; and

Wuereas, The Board for Communication Services
(BCS) has continued to seek methods to improve the qual-
ity of communication materials that interpret the mission
and ministry of the people and the congregations of the
LCMS; therefore be it

Resolved, That the BCS develop a comprehensive mar-
keting/communications plan to better inform LCMS con-
gregations, schools, and organizations of the resources and
materials available to them.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Encourage Participation
in “Together in Mission”

RESOLUTION 1-10
Report R1-01 (CW, pp. 14—15)

Wuereas, The 1981 convention authorized a person-
alized missionary support program which is now known
as Together in Mission (TIM); and

Wuereas, A growing number of congregations through-
out the Synod (400+ at present) have experienced a re-
newed mission vision through direct contact with
missionaries; and

Wuereas, Since in the beginning of TIM, nearly $4 mil-
lion has been given by congregations in addition to their
mission budget support of our church’s mission program;
and

WuEREAS, Congregations gain a growing sense of own-
ership in the missionary enterprise through their. part-
nership with missionaries; and

Wuenreas, Missionaries are encouraged and supported
through the prayers of God’s people and their letters of
encouragement; and

Wuereas, In a growing number of cases, congregations