LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1989, Page 155

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HUMAN CARE 155

greatly increased the population of older persons; and

Wuereas, Ageism, i.e., discrimination against older
persons in the workplace, the community, and the church
is a reality; and

Wuereas, The church is becoming more aware of the
gifts, talents, wisdom, but also the problems of older per-
sons; and

Wuereas, Many congregations, through individual and
cooperative efforts, are demonstrating concern for the
needs of older persons; and

Wuereas, The families of frail older persons need sup-
port and encouragement in their role as caregivers; and

Wuereas, Institutionalized and homebound older per-
sons are often neglected and forgotten; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
encourage an intensified ministry with, by, and for older
persons by

1. encouraging congregations to utilize the skills and ex-
perience of older persons in mission and ministry;

2. using available resources and developing new resources
to instruct and sensitize church members to the needs
of older persons and their caregivers;

3. developing curriculum for professional church workers
to sensitize them to these needs.

Action: Adopted as amended (6).

(The resolution was amended by deleting the following from
the resolve: 4. urging the filling of the synodical staff position of
Counselor, Aging, to encourage and give direction to this vital
ministry.)

To Assist Professional Church Workers
and Congregations

RESOLUTION 7-04
Overtures 7-13, 7-50 (CW, pp. 259, 266)

WuerEAs, The stress experienced by professional
church workers continues to be a significant factor in the
function of ministry and in the well-being of those who
minister and their families; and

Wuereas, Conflict affects congregations and profes-
sional church workers so that their effectiveness in witness
and mission is diminished and personal energy is drained
by painful circumstances; and

Wuereas, The whole church has a significant commit-
ment to support emotionally and spiritually through caring
ministry those workers who have been trained and placed
and to develop healing relationships within congregations;
and .

WHEREAS, Pastoral care of professional church workers
and their families is an ongoing need which should not
exclude those who are not currently engaged in active min-
istry; and

Wuereas, Some Districts of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS) have already implemented pro-
grams of professional support for their workers; therefore
be it

Resolved, That each District be urged to implement
plans for developing and maintaining sensitivity to the
needs of workers and their families and the relationships
between workers and congregations, for helping in critical
situations and for preventing problematic confrontations
whenever possible; and be it further

Resolved, That the Districts of the LCMS be encouraged
to identify qualified professional care and make it available
to church workers and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That such professional assistance be available
for conflict management and crisis intervention to congre-
gations and workers to resolve difficult and painful situ-
ations; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Districts communicate the availa-
bility of such resources to workers and congregations,
share the information of their programs with other Dis-
tricts, and involve synodical resources in directly coping
with conflict wherever that is appropriate.

Action: Adopted (6).

To Encourage and Strengthen Support
for Recognized Social Ministry
Organizations

RESOLUTION 7-05

Report R7-01 (CW, pp. 130-36); Overture 7-49 (CW,
p. 266)

WHEREAS, Jesus responded in love to human suffering
(Luke 7:1-10) and St. Paul exhorts us to “. . . be imitators
of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ
loved us and gave Himself up for us” (Eph. 5:1-2); and

WHEREAS, “The mission of the church in social ministry
is responding to God’s love in Christ by expressing and
demonstrating His love and compassion in meeting human
needs” (Social Ministry Mission Statement, R7-01); and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS), through the Board for Social Ministry Services
(BSMS), formally recognizes 84 Lutheran social ministry
organizations which currently meet the criteria adopted
by the Board of Directors of the LCMS; and

Wuereas, These social ministry organizations have
been organized to extend more effectively the ministry of
congregations to those in need; and

WHEREAS, These organizations can be strengthened by
the new procedures for evaluation and review afforded by
this recognition; therefore be it

Resolved, That Districts and congregations be aware of
and use the resources and review procedures of the BSMS
to strengthen their relationships with these organizations;
and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention give thanks to
God for these organizations and encourage its Districts and
congregations to extend the church’s ministry through
these recognized social ministry organizations by cooper-
ating with them and financially supporting their work.

Action: Adopted (10).