LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 170

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170 . RESOLUTIONS

mission-oriented housing and shelter ministries by con-
gregations, Districts, agencies, and entities.

Action: Adopted (6).

To Expand Older Adult Ministries
RESOLUTION 7-06
Report R7-01 (CW, p.138) |

Wuereas, Projections indicate the number of older
adults in America will double in the next 35 years; and

. WHeEREas, The church has become more sensitive to the
gifts, talents, wisdom, and needs of older persons; and

Wuereas, The Board for Human Care Ministries of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has responded to this
growing area of service opportunities through the estab-
lishment ofa Task Force on Older Adult Ministries; and

Wuereas, Most Districts have initiated or expanded

programs which utilize the gifts of older adults as well as

responding to their needs; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Human Care Ministries
expand its ministry by, with, and for older adults by

"1. encouraging congregations to intentionally address

older-adult ministries within their congregations and com-
munities;

2.:trairiing volunteer consultants in all Districts with
the goal of working among congregations which desire to
develop or improve their older-adult ministries.

Action: Adopted (6).

To Encourage Education of and
Involvement in Ethical, Moral,
Social, and Political Issues

RESOLUTION 7-07A
Overture 7-31 (CW, p. 290)

Wuereas, We Christians greatly appreciate and thank
God for the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this country;
and -

Wuereas, There is great confusion and misinformation
on the rights, limits, and involvement of individual Chris-
tians, pastors, and congregations in ethical, moral, social,
and political issues of the day; and

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations plans to issue a study document on the relation-
ship between church and state; therefore be it

Resolved, That individual Christians, pastors, and con-
gregations study this document; and be it further

Resolved, That basic ethical training be encouraged for
pastors, teachers, and lay persons; and be it further

Resolved, That we, likewise, thank God for the work of
the synodical Washington Office of Government Infor-
mation in conveying vital information on church-state and
moral issues to our public officials, churches, and others;
and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage the development of con-
gregational public affairs committees (such as exemplified
by St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Mich.):

a. to assist individual members in becoming informed
about issues and candidates;

b. to better equip members to fulfill their responsibili-
ties as Christian citizens; :

c. to impact ethical, moral, social, and political issues
when possible;

and be it finally

Resolved, That individual Christians, pastors, and con-
gregations support and pray for those entrusted with
elected and appointed responsibility at all levels and in all
branches of government.

Action: Adopted as amended (14).
(A new third resolve was added to this resolution.)

To Train and Identify Lutheran
Counselors :

RESOLUTION 7-08
Overture 7-15 (CW, pp. 286-87)

Whereas, There are more than 90 Lutheran social min-
istry organizations recognized by The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod which are involved in human care min-
istries on behalf of our congregations and Districts; and

Wuereas, Many Lutheran’ social. ministry organiza-
tions have difficulty locating and hiring Lutheran coun-
selors since, in part, there is no structured way to identify
them; and '

Wuereas, There are minimal opportunities for training
which meet necessary accreditation standards at our syn-
odica! schools, especially at the graduate level; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board for Human Care Min-
istries and/or Board for Higher Education encourage and
financially support its educational system in making social
work and counseling programs, including work with the
mentally ill, especially at the graduate level, a higher
priority; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board for Human Care Min-
istries develop a method of identifying and making avail-
able_a list of Lutheran counselors to assist the Lutheran
social ministry organizations in their hiring process; and
be it finally

Resolved, That we continue to encourage support in our
“partnership in ministry’ with the Lutheran social min-
istry organizations recognized by The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod.

Action: Adopted as amended (8).

(The words “including work with the mentally ill” were added
to the first resolve after the words “socia] work and counseling
programs.” An amendment calling for an additional resolve was
dectined. It would have stated, “Resolved, That these counselors
be trained in biblical Law and Gospel approaches to counseling
rather than secular-humanistic or new age philosophies.”) ©