LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 187

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RESOLUTIONS 187

Good News can, in turn, bring to others a rebirth and
the change which not only gives life a purpose but also
opens the way to the purposeful life which has no end.
Changed people are empowered, by God, to change
people. This we believe.

V. When I proclaim, by word and deed, His recon-
ciling intention for all men, I am in mission.

How shall we as Christians have a final and mean-
ingful effect on this world with all its ills? We are
having just such an effect when we are in mission.
That means we are acting as God’s agents, doing God’s
work among His people of every nation. Being “in
mission” is the primary purpose of our lives. As we
put this purpose into practice, we remember that the
mission is not of our making. It is His. He has set the
boundaries, the direction, and the scope of Christian
activity. From the first He has placed witness-bearing
at the forefront of Christian activity. This witness-
bearing is the public profession that we kneel in obedi-
ence before Him, accepting the corapleteness of what
He has done for us. He called us into being through
creation. He opened the way for a new way through
redemption. He gives us the new life, with all it means
in terms of faith and the practice of our faith, through
sanctification.

Without question this witness-bearing is that which
He has equipped us to do best. The practice of witness-
bearing lies within the realm of possibility for every
Christian, regardless of age, intellectual capability, sex,
or racial characteristic. Witnessing that brings God-
given change into the lives of others is the first step in
ultimately correcting the ills of any society, changing
the course of human existence, and opening the door to
a sense of brotherhood and equality which give hope
for our world’s tomorrow. I may not have a social
sensitivity up to the demands of this day; I may fight
bitter internal battles stifling racism; I may be blinded
to some of the overwhelming inequities of life; but I live
with hope that the same God who has by the Spirit
turned me in faith to Him can through the same Spirit
use me to turn others in faith. I believe that the same
God who has opened my eyes will let me lead my
brother, and help me be led by my brother, so that any
personal inabilities do not finally cripple the body of
Christ but rather are subverted to the strengths of
others. The ability He gives to all His children is the
ability to be His agent for change through Spirit-led
witness-bearing. Changing people in this way is that
which Christians do best. Changed people, in turn,
change our world. This we believe.

Therefore: I commit myself to this, His purpose for
me, and pledge my life to this end.

Every member of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod, every worker in this body of God’s people,
everyone who claims Christ as Redeemer and King is
herewith called to face again the pressure of our mo-
ment with the strength of the purpose and the power

He has given. Let children speak the love of Christ;
let parents speak the love of Christ; let pastors speak
the love of Christ; let teachers, teen-agers, officials,
servants of the church, and all others speak the love of
Christ. Let us determine to rededicate ourselves to
God’s intention for us. Let us be daily witnesses of
His love and care, and seek to become even better
bearers of the Good News in Christ.

The disciples at Ascension were reminded by Christ
that witness-bearing stood center stage in their lives.
It has not changed in the ensuing years. It still stands
as the focal activity of our lives in Christ. We ought
to commit our lives to this purpose. Let it be said of
us that we did.

To Recommend Key 73
RESOLUTION 8-02
Report 1-01, VI; Overture 8-03 (CW, pp. 18, 377)

Wuereas, More than 80 Christian denominations and
organizations in the United States and Canada have
considered and approved participation in an evangelism
effort known as Key 73; and

Wuereas, The Denver convention of the Synod re-
solved that there should be a Synodwide evangelism
effort in 1973 to coincide with the nationwide evangelism
emphasis by other Christian denominations; and

Wuereas, Our Synod has been invited to share in
this evangelism effort and has had representation on
committees planning Key 73; and

Wuereas, There are certain areas of concern which
develop as we consider participation in this important
project; therefore be it

Resolved, That we commend the initiators of Key 73
for their careful planning and for establishing safe-
guarding principles to protect the theological integrity
of all participants; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod participate in Key 73 to the extent that our
fellowship principles permit; and be it further

Resolved, That we request the Commission on The-
ology and Church Relations to study Key 73 and pub-
lish guidelines for our involvement in this cooperative
venture; and be it further

Resolved, That we recommend our congregations in-
volve themselves in Key 73 in every way which doe:
not violate our doctrinal positions; and be it finally

Resolved, That we request the Board of Directors to
appropriate up to $10,000 per year, through 1973, as our
responsible share of this effort to confront our nations
with a lively witness to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Action: Adopted (2).

(An amendment to strike the third resolved failed to
carry.)