LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1967, Page 151

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SOCIAL ACTION AND WELFARE 151

be increased by special Synodwide offerings, gifts, be-
quests, and devises. These funds may be used currently.

2. These funds shall be administered by the Board of
Social Ministry in keeping with the Synod’s fiscal poli-
cies.

3. The board shall establish policies, procedures, and
priorities for the making of grants, gifts, and loans.

4, The board may provide financial assistance to ex-
isting ministries of the church and to approved non-
church agencies except that the board shall not take title
to or manage real estate.

B. Responsibilities of the Board re Open Housing

1. The board shall alert the members of the Synod to
the housing concerns of minority groups and individuals.
In cooperation with other synodical boards the Board of
Social Ministry shall encourage individuals, congrega-
tions, groups of congregations in the same area, and Dis-
tricts of the Synod to carry on open-housing functions in
their own localities and shall prepare guidelines for this
purpose.

2. The Board of Social Ministry of each District of
the Synod shall implement similar programs. District
boards shall assist and advise local congregations with
regard to open-housing matters. The District boards
shall also administer the District’s open-housing pro-
grams in conformity with policies established by the
Synod’s Board of Social Ministry and in accordance with
District regulations.

C. Staffing and Reporting

1. The Board of Social Ministry shall provide an an-
nual report and a financial statement of its activities to
the Synod, based on regular reviews of its programs.

2. The Board of Social Ministry shall be empowered
+o delegate the administration of this program to a spe-
cial committee selected by the Board.

3. The Board of Social Ministry shall provide for
staff services to be purchased and paid for from ear-
marked funds contributed to this program in order to
preclude interference with other staff duties of the
Board of Social Ministry.

Action: Adopted.

(Note: In the editing the new name “Board of Social
Ministry” was substituted for “Board of Social Welfare.”)

To Encourage Inter-Lutheran
Welfare Agencies
RESOLUTION 9-11
Overture 9-18 (CW, p. 278)
- Wuereas, Overture 9-18 has merit; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board of Social Ministry
implement Overture 9-18, consistent with the statement
of The Liitheran Church — Missouri Synod: “Theology
of Fellowship.”

Action: Adopted.

To Encourage Fairness in Business
and Employment
RESOLUTION 9-12
Overtures 9-06, 9-07 (CW, pp. 274—275)
Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
decries discrimination wherever it occurs; and
Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
needs to speak out against injustice and unfairness and
needs, conversely, to support its commitment to justice

and equality in business and employment practices;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod commend its officials and
express confidence in them for conducting its business
affairs in keeping with these principles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage those with
whom the Synod does business to do the same; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Synod direct the Board of Social
Ministry and District social ministry boards to evaluate
existing projects and agencies in the field of fair em-
ployment that have programs of education and action
and on the basis of their findings offer specific recom-
mendations to the Synod’s boards, institutions, agencies,
congregations, and their membership.

Action: Adopted as amended.

(Amended by insertion of “boards, institutions, agencies”
in final Resolved.)

To Commend and Support Those Engaged
in Programs Related to Removal of Poverty
RESOLUTION 9-13

Overture 9-11 (CW, p. 276)

Wuereas, Individuals within The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod, such as those who have joined the
Prince of Peace Volunteers, serve God and country by
their efforts in programs that support equality and im-
prove the spiritual and economic station of the under-
privileged; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod commend these individuals
for their efforts and support them.

Action: Adopted.

To Express Concern for War
and International Crisis
RESOLUTION 9-14
Overtures 9-05 (CW, p.275), 9-21U to 9-23U (URO,
pp. 59—60)

Wurreas, This convention is meeting at a time of ex-
traordinary international crises in Vietnam, the Middle
East, and elsewhere; and

Wuereas, It is evident that there is a desire in the
church for leadership and guidance on the moral issues
raised by these crises; therefore be it

Resolved, That we commend to the congregations of
the Synod this message from the convention: