LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1962, Page 138

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138 ' RESOLUTIONS — COMMITTEE 7.

church is helping every day to feed approximately twice
as many people as we have in our Missouri Synod and
to provide clothing, medicine, and special emergency
assistance of many kinds to additional hundreds of
thousands; and

Wuereas, It is also very significant, as many of our
missionaries in the field point out, that through this
ministry of love barriers are removed and a more favor-
able climate is established for our Gospel ministry; and

Wnreneas, It is heartening that so many of our con-
gregations and of their organizations and members have
responded generously in supporting this ministry of
love; and

Wuereas, It is hoped that more and more of our
congregations and members will assist in reaching out
to the hungry, homeless, forgotten, and helpless by
making the contributions on which this work of mercy
depends; therefore be it

Resolved, That we receive with thanks the report
of the Board of World Relief; and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks to our Lord for open-
ing these opportunities of mercy and for His blessing
on the work that has been done; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage one another and our
congregations to support this blessed ministry with their
earnest prayers and generous support; and be it finally

Resolved, That we commend the Board of World
Relief and its Executive Director for faithful execu-
tion of the responsibilities placed upon them.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

Observance of a Lutheran Welfare Sunday
RESOLUTION 7-02

Report 1111 and Memorial 1111, 2, pp. 385—390,
Reports and Memorials

Wnuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
has since its beginning encouraged and fostered the
exercise of Christian love in corporate works of mercy
as a fruit of faith and a testimony of the truth of the
Gospel; and

Wuereas, The agencies of mercy which have come
into existence in her midst, such as agencies for the
care and Christian nurture of homeless, abandoned,
physically handicapped, and mentally retarded children
and the agencies for the loving care of the sick, the
aging, and others in need of our love, have long labored
under great difficulties in the matter of securing ade-
quate financial support for their God-pleasing work;
and

Wuereas, The 44th regular convention of the Synod
resolved, “That a committee be appointed by the Presi-
dent of the Synod, in consultation with its Board of
Social Welfare, to consider this matter, with instruc-
tions to report to the next regular convention of The
Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod” (Proceedings,
1959, p. 294); therefore be it

Resolved, That in keeping with the planned parish

program, the Advent and Christmas season of each year,
during which time these agencies have traditionally
made their appeals for support to fellow Christians, be
recommended to all congregations as a suitable time
to permit such appeals to be made to all their members;
and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations be encouraged to
observe one Sunday in this festive season as the day
on which the needs and services of these agencies of
mercy may be presented to their membership.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

To Approve and Accredit Lutheran
Welfare Agencies
RESOLUTION 7-03

Report 1111 and Memorial 1111, 5, pp. 385—391,
Reports and Memorials

Wuereas, There are requests that the Synod adopt
some form of recognition or accreditation of welfare
agencies established by associations of individuals or
congregations within the Synod; and

Wuereas, It seems proper and wise to respond to
these requests, which are motivated by a sincere desire
to strengthen the work of such welfare agencies and
to assure supporting congregations that they are render-

.ing a truly Christ-centered service according to the

highest standards of performance; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Social Welfare be di-
rected to develop procedures for such recognition and
standards for accreditation of Welfare Agencies seeking
the support of the members of congregations affiliated
with the Synod, keeping in mind the functions of Dis-
trict Welfare Committees and the advisory character
of the Department of Social Welfare; and be it further

Resolved, That such procedures and standards be
approved by a majority of the welfare agencies within
the Synod and by the Board of Directors of the Synod
before they are put into operation.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

Church and Social Action, Church and
State Relations, and Other Issues
with Theological Implications
RESOLUTION 7-04
Report 1102 and Memorials 636, 1118, pp. 365, 366,
285, 395, Reports and Memorials

WHEREAS, Questions regarding proper relations be-
tween church and state, church and social action, and
other issues with theological implications are constantly
arising in new forms; and

Wuereas, A clear definition of principles is necessary
as well as considered judgments in the application of
such principles in the practical situations arising in
these complex areas; and

Whereas, Our Synod is in a position to furnish