LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1962, Sheet 93

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MISSIONS we

To Commend Brazil District; to Authorize
Initiation of “Sister-Church Status’;
to Permit Mission Work in Portugal;
to Refer Salary Matters of North American
Workers to Brazil District

RESOLUTION 2-07

Report 201, II, C-2, B, and Memorial 617, pp. 111, 277,
Reporis and Memorials
Unprinted Memorials 217, 218, pp. 52, 53,
Today’s Business

Wuereas, The church in Brazil is responding to its
challenge, developing splendid leadership on the official,
pastoral, and lay levels, displaying strong support of
home missions and church extension, and improving its
education program; therefore be it

Resolved, That the members and leaders of the Bra-
zil District be warmly commended by this convention
and receive the pledge of assistance towards future
spiritual growth; and be it further

Resolved, That the request of the District to be au-
thorized to take the initial steps toward “sister-church
status” be granted, with the understanding that the
definite request, accompanied by a statement as to its
long-range objectives and plans, be brought before
a future convention of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod grant the Brazil District the permission to regard
mission work in Portugal as its project; and be it finally

Resolved, That the question of salaries of North
American workers in Brazil be left to the discretion of
the Brazil District.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

Christian Responsibility to Minister
to the Inner City
RESOLUTION 2-08

Report 201, I, and Memorial 215, pp. 194, 105, 138,
Reports and Memorials
Unprinted Memorial 215-A, p.50, Today’s Business

Wuereas, The removal of many of our city churches
to suburban areas has left a veritable spiritual waste-
land in the heart of many large metropolitan areas; and

Wuereas, The Scriptural position of serving the
community without regard to racial origin or social
status, steadily affirmed by the Synod, is not reflected
in the practice of all congregations; and

Wuereas, God is sending to our doorstep many
people whom our churches are not reaching because of
racial, language, or cultural barriers; and

Wuereas, The inner North American city is the
frontier of Christianity on our continent and a growing
challenge to our Synod; and

Wuereas, Churches and pastors in the inner city
have experienced a feeling of loneliness in serving an
area that is properly the responsibility of the entire
church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the members of the congregations of
the Synod, with their pastors and teachers, help one
another to become aware of the urgency of this problem.
alert one another to God’s judgment upon all loveless-
ness and apathy toward human beings, and through
the Word and sacrament of Christ’s atoning work stir
one another to repentance and responsibility; and be
it further

Resolved, That full attention be given to the unusual
and baffling problems confronting our workers in chang-
ing communities and that we endeavor to provide them
with adequate staffs, including whatever specialized and
multiple ministries (education, youth, music, social
work, medical aid, etc.) are necessary to discharge our
responsibility; and be it further

Resolved, That lists of qualified and concerned men
and women who are prepared to render service in the
inner city be accumulated and made available to the
boards and congregations who must meet the challenge;
and be it further

Resolved, That special training be afforded to pas-
tors, teachers, and lay leaders working in such areas
or interested in such work; and be it further

Resolved, That a portion of the vicars who are avail-
able each year be placed in service with inner-city
churches — at synodical expense if necessary; and be
it further

Resolved, That special study commissions and pilot
projects be initiated for the purpose of research and
demonstration and that the benefits accruing be shared
with all churches and agencies serving in inner-city
operations; and be it further

Resolved, That financial aid for capital-investment
and operating expenses be provided through Districts
for the support of our work in the inner city and that
the distribution of such grants be determined by the
extent of the opportunities at hand evaluated in terms
of unchurched population and the willingness of the
congregations involved to undertake the task of an all-
inclusive ministry and to engage in an energetic out-
reach in the communities in which they are located;
and be it further

Resolved, That all of our churches in the major ur-
ban centers be alerted to anticipate sociological changes
well in advance, so that preventive measures can be
instituted to avoid unnecessary deterioration or col-
lapse; and be it further

Resolved, That full consideration be given to the
possibility of undertaking new ministries and witnessing
centers where huge vacuums exist and where human
needs are immense; and be it further

Resolved, That the possibilities be explored and the
potential benefits be evaluated in using Lutheran schools
as important instruments for advancing Christian educa-