Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 389
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 389

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

SOCIAL ACTION AND WELFARE 389

have placed from one to four World Relief envelopes
into their contribution envelope sets. Most congrega-
tions seem to have marked the Day of Thanksgiving for
special World Relief emphasis and offerings.

In addition, many contributions from interested in-
dividuals, societies, and similar groups have reached us.
Parish schools and Sunday schools have contributed in
large number. Students at our Lutheran high schools,
colleges, universities, and seminaries have fasted for
a day and added a note of special genuineness to the
offerings which resulted.

In 1968 total receipts came to $628,362, approximately
$144,401 more than in 1967. This is due largely to the
special Nigeria/Biafra emergency appeal. We are grati-
fied at this response, though it is eclipsed by the magnif-
icent response of the people of the American Lutheran
Church to the identical appeal — approximately three
times more. It is likely that we will narrow the gap
this year. Our help in Nigeria/Biafra will be needed
for a long time.

In 1967 we received no help from the synodical
budget. Upon the insistence of the New York conven-
tion an allocation of $50,000 was given to us in 1968.
This, of course, covered only a very modest portion of
our budgeted needs ($615,336), but it helped toward
basic administrative costs and indicated warm approval.
The goodwill continues, but a disturbing notice from
the Board of Directors informs us that circumstances
will not allow even a token allocation in 1969.

An increasingly heavy burden in the Synod’s min-
istry of compassion again rests entirely upon us. We
look prayerfully to the congregations of the Synod
to share it with us by generous voluntary offerings.

In Closing

There can be no question that the Christian church
would be a mighty power in the world far beyond what
it is now if there were more people within it who with
a ripened faith in the Savior and with a ripened love
for their fellowmen would by their lives expose the
full beauty of their faith. World Relief provides one
such channel, and we are grateful that the number of
those who have a heart for the poor, the hungry, the
homeless, the suffering, the persecuted is multiplying
from year to year.

The proclamation of the Gospel must ever remain
central in the church’s outreach. Its effectiveness, how-
ever, is vitiated and its beauty marred when we fail to
grace the profession of our Christian faith with a life
of love and compassion. Without it faith, no matter how
firmly professed, remains a dud.

Compassion is a gentle word, but in it largely lies
the secret of the church’s power. Without it our preach-
ing is “as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.” In all
its history the church has never been so strong and
effectual as when it supplemented its message of the
precious Gospel with a demonstration of the love that
lives in its heart.

Werner Kuntz, Executive Secretary

(9-05)

Report of Commission on Ministerial Health

The Synod in its 47th regular convention, New York,
1967, provided the authority to appoint a Commission
on Ministerial Health at both the synodical and the Dis-
trict level. This action was taken in response to the
increasing concern for ministerial health and well-being
as it relates to the effective professional performance of
church workers. This concern encompasses also the area
of disability resulting from physical, emotional, and
spiritual problems of church workers that have a direct
bearing on their competence and the efficient perform-
ance of their assigned responsibilities.

The synodical Commission on Ministerial Health was
appointed by the President of the Synod in the fall of
1967. This commission held its first organizational meet-
ing on Nov. 21, 1967. A survey of typical problem areas
was undertaken through the cooperation of the District
Presidents. It soon became apparent that the concerns
which brought the commission into being could readily
be divided into two thrusts. The first has to do with
the promotion of positive concern for the health and
well-being of church workers through training and
workshops at District and circuit levels. This phase
would be designed to provide information regarding
professional resources available to those requiring as-
sistance and at the same time provide sensitivity train-
ing in this area of concern. The other thrust has to do
with providing administrative relief in cases of minis-
teral incapacity.

In a document released on Sept. 5, 1968, the District
Presidents were provided with a preliminary and ten-
tative statement of objectives, policies and procedural
steps designed to assist in carrying out the synodical
resolution at District levels. It was requested that Dis-
trict commissions share their experiences and insights
with the synodical commission so that standards might
be developed, as well as funding procedures be estab-
lished. The following tentative statement of objectives
and policies was furnished the District Presidents:

Objectives

To promote active concern for the health and well-
being of professional church workers.

To assist individual professional church workers with
problems.

To provide the framework for policies and procedures
to deal with individual problem cases.

Policies

To operate evangelically and effectively.

To respect the confidence of individuals wrestling
with problems and to maintain the dignity of the in-
dividual.

To seek the reclamation and rehabilitation of the
individual confronted with a disability.

To guard the welfare of the family unit.

To assist the individuals with problems through the
synodical agencies available.