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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 312

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

312

NATIONAL WITNESS

Whereas, The starting of new churches has been a foundational
method of Kingdom expansion for the LCMS throughout its history; and
Whereas, Starting new churches continues to be an effective way
to reach new people with the Gospel; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Texas District memorialize the LCMS to
encourage church planting throughout the Synod.
Texas District
1-11

To Encourage Mission Starts
in Local Neighborhoods
Whereas, We live during a time where our secular culture is
increasingly hostile to the church in its institutional form, yet yearns
for the concept of “community” which is increasingly being satisfied
by other groups and organizations; and
Whereas, The Book of Acts describes the church of its day as
preaching and sharing God’s Word “in the temple and from house to
house” (Acts 5:42; 20:20); and
Whereas, God’s Word gives witness to His disciples sharing the
Gospel in word and deed as they gathered in the temple and in house
communities; and
Whereas, God blessed the hearing of His Word, as the Scriptures
give witness to many people trusting in His Word and believing in
Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God; and
Whereas, There are great opportunities for the church to expand
its presence through the local church body as God’s people share their
life in Christ through word and deed in their own local neighborhoods
and in their homes “outside the walls” of the church building; and
Whereas, In the history of the Lutheran expression, there has
been a variety of responsible ways under the supervision of the pastor in which congregational Word and Sacrament ministry has been
administered that continue among LCMS altar and pulpit fellowship
churches; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention encourage our local
churches to establish new mission starts to provide a gathering place
and community where the Gospel can be shared, proclaimed, and
lived; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS affirm that there are a variety of ways in
which congregational Word and Sacrament ministry might be accomplished in new contexts such as home churches, missional groups,
and other venues; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS through its districts and educational
institutions support and encourage the work of the church in reaching out to local neighborhoods to provide hope, community, and life
in Christ Jesus.
Board of Directors, Southeastern District; Board of
Directors, Florida-Georgia District
1-12

To Adopt Synodwide North American
Evangelism Effort
Whereas, Our Synod’s constitution states that one of the Synod’s
objectives is to “strengthen congregations and their members in giving bold witness by word and deed to the love and work of God, the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend that Gospel witness into all
the world” (Art. III 2]; and
2016 Convention Workbook

Whereas, The Constitution further states that a further objective is to “aid congregations by providing a variety of resources and
opportunities for recognizing, promoting, expressing, conserving, and
defending their confessional unity in the true faith” [Art. III 6]; and
Whereas, One of the reasons for our Synod’s existence given by
our Synod’s Articles of Incorporation is “to spread the Gospel of Jesus
Christ by means of radio and television broadcasting” (Art. II e); and
Whereas, According to those same Articles of Incorporation, our
Synod is formed “to provide assistance and resources to the congregations, schools, Sunday schools, preaching stations, and agencies of the
Synod for the dissemination of the Christian Gospel” (Art. II f); and
Whereas, It would be desirable for a synodwide effort to reach
out to people in North America with a sound Law/Gospel presentation; and
Whereas, Having heard the Gospel, some contact between those
hearing the message and a congregation in their area is desirable so
that they could hear more about the Savior; and
Whereas, Our Synod is only as strong as its congregations; therefore be it
Resolved, That we memorialize the 2016 LCMS convention to
authorize synodwide offerings for the purpose of creating material
to be presented over the broadcast, cable, and Internet communication media existing in North America; and be it further
Resolved, That the funds gathered be used exclusively and solely
for developing material for broadcast on television channels and/or
cable at the seminaries of our Synod, securing broadcast time on television channels and/or cable, and developing and fabricating material
for Synod and congregational use on their respective websites and via
electronic media as part of this effort; and be it further
Resolved, That this gathering of funds and carrying out of the
above resolutions be under the direction of the Board for National
Mission; and be it finally
Resolved, That the attached memorandum be conveyed to the
Board for National Mission for their consideration in constructing
the manner in which this effort will be conducted.
English District
Farmington, MI

Memorandum about Synodwide Evangelism
Effort in North America
1.	Have two or more Law/Gospel Evangelism presentations made
for broadcast on television:
A. 15 minutes at max
B. Advertise Synod’s website in presentation
C.	Have available other material for further presentation placed
on Synod’s website
2.	Leave 5 to 10 minutes for local congregation’s Law/Gospel
presentation:
A. Presentation ties in with theme of point 1 above
B.	Presentation advertises local congregation
C.	Advertise congregation’s website in presentation
D.	Have available other material for further presentation on
congregation’s website
3.	Explore possibility of local radio broadcast by local congregation
A.	Devotion
B. 	Bible study
		 (1) Topic—based on Scripture lesson (e.g., parable)
		 (2) Topic—proof texts in context (e.g., marriage)
4.	Make DVDs based on (1) and (2) above
A.	Include extra material