LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1989, Page 156

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156 RESOLUTIONS

To Respond to Continuing Plight
of Homelessness

RESOLUTION 7-06
Overtures 7-52-54 (CW, p. 267)

Wuereas, Growing numbers of individuals and families
are homeless or reside in substandard housing in the
United States; and

Wuereas, We are to care for those who are without
adequate shelter; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Task Force on Housing be encour-
aged to continue monitoring the needs for housing and to
assist local congregations to undertake ministries in hous-
ing; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force on Housing monitor fed-
eral legislation and funding programs that would affect
the plight of the homeless and provide that information to
Districts/congregations; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Task Force on Housing make avail-
able to Districts/congregations information on World Relief
domestic grants and other available resources which may
possibly be combined with public and private grants/funds
(e.g., The Nehemiah Plan) to address the needs of the
population.

Action: Adopted (10).

To Minister to Victims of AIDS

RESOLUTION 7-07
Overtures 7-36-39 (CW, p. 264)

Wuereas, The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) is infecting an increasing number of individuals
and affecting their families and communities in epidemic
and devastating proportions; and

Wuereas, Jesus set before us an example of uncondi-
tional love, care, and compassion in the treatment of the
afflicted; and

Wuereas, We Christians are called to give witness to
that grace by which all people are entitled to receive qual-
ity care and humane treatment; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Social Ministry Services
in conjunction with the Board for Parish Services make
available to all Districts doctrinally sound educational and
staff resources on the prevention and treatment of AIDS;
and be it further

Resolved, That congregations be urged to commit to
Christ-centered care for and ministry to those with AIDS;
and be it further

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to utilize
materials such as the LWML video, I Feel So Alone, as well
as other materials of similar nature provided by the aux-
iliaries of the LCMS in their ministry of compassion; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the congregations’ response to all those
affected by AIDS reflect our commitment to the ministry
of the Law and the Gospel.

Action: Adopted as amended (10).

(The third resolve and the words the law and in the final re-
solve were added by common consent as were the words doctrin-
ally sound in the first resolve. A proposal to state that the
materials regarding prevention be reviewed by the Board for So-
cial Ministry Services prior to distribution was not considered
after delegates were reminded that a doctrinal review process
exists.)

To Give Assistance in Dealing
with Chemical Dependency
and Substance Abuse

RESOLUTION 7-08
Overtures 7-41-44 (CW, pp. 264—65)

Wuereas, Chemical dependency, including alcoholism
and substance abuse, is a growing problem in our nation
and church leading to personal and family suffering and
affecting public safety and economic well being; and

Wuereas, Such dependency and substance abuse have
a destructive impact on the ministries of affected pastors,
teachers, and other church professionals who provide our
spiritual leadership and education; and

Wuereas, Christian love impels us to provide assis-
tance to those in need; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod request its Districts, through
their appropriate boards, to provide information and as-
sistance to professional church workers, congregations,
and schools with respect to identification, understanding,
treatment, and intervention in the area of chemical de-
pendency and substance abuse; and be it further

Resolved, That the Districts make provisions for the
treatment of affected professional church workers; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Synod request the seminaries and
colleges to provide instruction to the faculties and students
on chemical dependency prevention, intervention, and
treatment; and be it further

Resolved, That our Districts provide direction for Chris-
tian day schools and congregations to be actively involved
in education, prevention, and intervention programs; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the Board for Social Ministry Services
and the Task Force on Alcohol and Substance Abuse con-
tinue to monitor this pervasive spiritual and social illness
and continue to provide the Districts/congregations with
current information and direction.

Action: Adopted (15).

To Retain Name Board for Social
Ministry Services
RESOLUTION 7-09
Overtures 7-10-11 (CW, p. 259)
Wuereas, Social ministry is widely understood among
us as responding to God’s love in Christ by expressing and

demonstrating His love and compassion in meeting human
need by its services; therefore be it

Resolved, That we retain the name of Board for Social
Ministry Services; and be it further