Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 52
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 52

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

52 MISSIONS

nicalities, or the usual proper procedures instead of in
repentant recognition of elementary consideration of
love for people who are not a part of the power struc-
ture and therefore require special consideration; help,
and encouragement to devise ways of continuing the
ministry, instead of being asked, for example, to join
other congregations in lieu of traveling for worship to
the outlying chapel; and

Wuereas, Unless a protest of the action here de-
plored is entered by the Synod, there is little hope that
any similar resolutions of the Synod will be taken
seriously, and we fall into danger of reviling the Holy
Spirit with empty whereases;

Therefore, We, the undersigned, plead with the Synod
to urge its membership to welcome the admonition of
this memorial and to dedicate itself in all seriousness
to the fundamental task of the church — to marshal its
resources, especially of gifts of the Spirit, to reclaim
mankind for God’s purposes and to value and support
those who desire to remain and work in localities that
are ripe for harvest but where the fruit is not gained
without great effort. We forgive the past but are not
desirous that Satan have a repeat performance.

St. Purrp’s LuTHERAN CHURCH
St. Louis, Mo.

Eart E. Cook, President
Rosert D, FRERKING, Pastor
ANpREW N, Joxunson, Secretary

(1-12)
To Transfer All Deaf Mission Work
to Districts

Wuereas, The administration of deaf missions is
presently under the synodical Board for Missions; and

Wuereas, An ad hoc committee established by the
synodical Board for Missions is presently in a study
program regarding the transfer of deaf missions to the
Districts; and

WuereEas, Under District administration there would
be encouragement for the deaf in the Flint field to grow
in Christian stewardship and evangelism; and

WueREAS, The members of the Flint field deaf
churches presently feel separated and apart from the
sister churches of the District; and

Wuereas, The Lord has richly blessed our work
among the deaf, particularly in the Flint area under the
ministry of Pastor Bremer; and

Wuereas, The work of the church among the deaf
has always been an important mission of the church
in the Michigan District; and

Wuereas, Placed under the administration of the
District, progress in the work among the deaf would
be greatly facilitated, particularly in arranging for
loans through the Church Extension Board; and

Wuereas, The ad hoc committee is to study and re-
port to the Synod in convention in 1969; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Michigan District at this conven-

tion accept the transfer of the Flint field of deaf mis-
sions into its mission operations in January 1969; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Michigan District encourage the
ad hoc committee to recommend the transfer of all deaf
missions to the District in its report to the Synod in
convention in 1969; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Michigan District memorialize the
synodical convention in 1969 to transfer all deaf mis-

sions to the Districts. Micuican District

EpwIn H. Roenurs, Secretary

(1-13)
To Incorporate Deaf Work
in District Structure

Wuereas, There has been some discussion as to a
District affiliation of some kind for our deaf work; and

WuereaS, Two possible directions have been consid-
ered, either a separate District made up of the congre-
gations for the deaf, or incorporation into present geo-
graphical Districts of these congregations; and

Wuereas, Incorporation of the deaf work into the
respective geographical Districts of Synod would seem
to bring the work closer to the Synod’s constituency:
and

Wuereas, The work being closer to the people, it
would appear to be likely that the work would be more
adequately understood and supported; and

Wuereas, The incorporation into the present geo-
graphical Districts of the deaf work and congregations
could receive adequate direction from the deaf mission
department of the Synod; and

Wuer eas, The special Ephphatha Conference for deaf
workers could still be held and that with great profit
for the workers; therefore be it

Resolved:

1. That we continue to praise God and His mercies
in this 75th-anniversary year of missions to the deaf
for the dedicated workers who have loyally and faith-
fully served this ministry;

2. That the 75th anniversary of missions to the deaf
be given prominent consideration at the Denver con-
vention;

3. That the Districts work closely with the mission
board of the Synod in the supervision and development
of deaf work in the respective Districts;

4. That plans for the annual Ephphatha Conference
for deaf workers be continued and that proper provision
for the same be made in the budget-planning and -set-
ting programs of the Synod;

5. That all deaf work be now incorporated into the
respective geographical Districts of the Synod;

6. That this changeover be effected by the next

synodical convention. Rev. GeRHARDT J. C. GERIKE

Des Moines, Iowa