LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1962, Sheet 139

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SOCIAL WELFARE AND WORLD RELIEF 139

needed leadership in the areas both of principle and
of practical application; therefore be it

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, in con-
sultation with the Division of Social Action and Wel-
fare, be authorized to establish a Commission on Social
Action whose responsibility it would be to initiate nec-
essary studies and to secure “position papers” on sub-
jects of critical interest in these complex areas from
those agencies of the Synod directly involved; and
be it further

Resolved, That the findings and recommendations of
the Commission on Social Action be forwarded to the
President of the Synod, at whose direction they would
be referred to the Department of Public Relations for
dissemination; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Commission on Social Action be
placed within the Division of Social Action and Welfare.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

Commendation of Districts and
Congregations for Social Welfare Activity
RESOLUTION 7-05

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

Wuereas, Thirty-one synodical Districts, in accord-
ance with resolutions of previous synodical conventions,
have established Welfare Committees to give guidance
to the concern of the church for those who are in need;
and

Wuereas, A considerable number of Districts have
extended this ministry of mercy into the circuits by the
appointment of capable welfare representatives to the
Circuit Counselor’s Cabinet; and

Wuereas, Hundreds of congregations have already
actively engaged in this service of love by establishing
welfare committees within the congregation; therefore
be it

Resolved, That we commend those who by their
deeds of mercy have given Christian witness through
their loving service to the afflicted; and be it further

Resolved, ‘That we encourage all Districts, circuits,
and congregations to enlarge their witness of Christ
through their organized service of love to people in
need.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

Commendation of Social Welfare Board
and Staff
RESOLUTION 7-06
Report 1111, pp. 385—390, Reports and Memorials

Wuereas, The members of the Board of Social Wel-
fare and its staff have served the Synod faithfully in
the past triennium; therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank our heavenly Father for
granting us such faithful servants; and be it further

Resolved, That we express our appreciation to the
Board and staff for work well done; and be it finally
Resolved, That we implore the Lord of the church
to grant our prayers that the vacancies in this depart-
ment may soon be filled with qualified personnel.
Action: This resolution was adopted.

To Call Attention to and to Emphasize
the Synod’s Resolution on Race Relations
RESOLUTION 7-07
Memorial 1117, pp. 394, 395, Reports and Memorials

Wuereas, We have not always addressed ourselves
in our Christian witness against the open discrimina-
tion and vicious brutality often practiced toward
Christ’s brothers, our Negro members, and other minor-
ity groups; therefore be it

Resolved, That we bring with vigor and a sense of
urgency to the attention of our people the race rela-
tions resolutions adopted at our synodical conventions
in 1956 and 1959 with special emphasis on that section
which applies to this matter:

That since Christians are constrained to do justice and
love mercy, we acknowledge our responsibility as a church
to provide guidance for our members to work in the ca-
pacity of Christian citizens for the elimination of dis-
crimination wherever it may exist in community, city,
state, nation, and world.
and be it further
Resolved, That we enjoin upon all those who are in
authority in the church and upon all Christians to work
with zeal for the implementation of these resolutions in
the lives of all members of the church as well as in the
life of the individual congregations; and be it finally
Resolved, That we now as never before witness
through the Christ who will on the Last Day say to them
on His right hand: “Truly I say to you, If you did it
to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it
to Me.”

Action: This resolution was adopted.

To Declare Objections to Close-Embrace
Dancing, etc.
RESOLUTION 7-08
Memorial 1120, p. 396, Reports and Memorials

Action: On June 28 this resolution was recommitted
and on June 29 the substitute resolution was withdrawn
at the request of the petitioner.

The Christian Responsibility
in Social Action
RESOLUTION 7-09
Unprinted Memorial 1130 A

Wuereas, The Head of the church has commanded
His church to make disciples of all nations and to teach
them to observe all that He has commanded them; and