LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 138

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138 RESOLUTIONS

To State Youth Ministry Affirmations
and Concerns
RESOLUTION 8-11

Report 8-01 (CW, pp. 368—374)

Having sensed the strong, Spirit-moved direction of
‘the report of the Board for Young People’s Work, espe-

cially Part IV, “Present and Future Challenges,” and
in addition having listened to the personal testimony
of many youth and concerned adults in the matter of
the church’s ministry with young people, we present
the following concerns:

1. We believe and affirm that youth are positively
interested in their roles as the church in the world and
all which that implies. They are not seeking an “out”
from the institutional church but rather an honest and
meaningful role in the church which their Baptism has
already given them;

And therefore ask: Can the church capitalize on
that interest in this generation, and through Word and
sacrament can the church remain open to the possible
renewing changes which such commitment may entail?

2. We believe and affirm that God’s people need to
seek their role as one of action and as servants of the
world, speaking the Gospel of Jesus Christ both indi-
vidually and corporately and applying it to the current
issues of life;

And therefore ask: How can the church, using the
energies of young people, immerse itself in the issues
of our time and retain both its distinctive character and
peculiar mission?

3. We believe and affirm that God’s people must
become aware of their oneness as the family of believ-
ers of all ages. The families of God must see them-
selves as the family of God.

And therefore ask: How can the church become
aware of its oneness and express its unity to the world?

4. We believe and affirm that the church must im-
prove its vision and practice of Christian education,
with special concern for communication as the key
word in the ministry between and education of adults
and young people;

Some of our refreshing youth reps

And therefore ask: How can education serve to
overcome the generation gap, which is primarily a com-
munication gap between youth and adults?

5. We believe and affirm that the church needs to
see that it is free to celebrate and proclaim the Gospel
of Jesus Christ in a variety of ways. It is free to risk,
to fail, to forgive, and to rejoice as it ministers;

And therefore ask: Is the church free to change and
to take these risks with courage?

6. We believe and affirm that the gathered church
must see that it is a means and not an end in itself. The
church, whether gathered or scattered in worship or
service, must give more than its best. It must, as did
its Lord, give itself;

And therefore ask: How can the church give itself
as a servant in this world wearing the garb of servant-
hood for this world?

7. We believe and affirm that the church needs to
see civic and community projects as cooperative efforts
rather than competitors. Youth want and need more
involvement in the church and community. Such in-
volvement must be with adults;

And therefore ask: How can the church contribute
distinctly to community life in all of its aspects and
express its unity as the body of Christ through joint
efforts of adults and youth?

8. We believe and affirm that our Board for Young
People’s Work will give counsel and guidance to protect
our youth against manipulation by politically sophis-
ticated individuals, so that the witness of our young
people as Christians and citizens may be the truth
founded upon accurate information.

Wuereas, The above statements of affirmations are
at the heart of our ministry in all the complexities of
our changing age; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod endorse the above affirma-
tions and direct the Board for Young People’s Work
in its Gospel outreach of proclamation and service to
give top priority to their effective implementation on
all levels of youth ministry.

Action: Adopted as amended (16).

(Statement 8 was added by amendment. By common con-
sent the last sentence of Point 3, para.1, was dropped: “The
ecumenical movement is an attempt to affirm this oneness of
the body of Christ.” A motion to strike Point 3 failed to
carry, as well as a motion to recommit the entire resolution.
The terminology of “aware of its oneness” was accepted
during the discussion of Point 3.)

(In the closing moments of the convention it was decided
that this resolution should receive broad distribution among
the young people of the Synod.)

To Carry Out Intent of Resolution 8-01
RESOLUTION 8-12

Overture 8-08U (URO, p. 72)

Wuereas, The Synod has passed Resolution 8-01
giving membership on the Board of Youth Ministry to
five young people; and

Wuereas, Election of the five young people this late