LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 100

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RESOLUTIONS

1. MISSIONS

To Complete the Transfer of Deaf Work
to Districts
RESOLUTION 1-01
Report 1-01, Hf (CW, pp.2—3)

Wuereas, Our deaf brothers and sisters in Christ
have organized the International Lutheran Deaf Asso-
ciation (ILDA) to foster their greater involvement and
participation in Christ’s mission of The Lutheran Church
— Missouri Synod locally, nationally, and internation-
ally (ILDA Constitution, Article III, paragraph I); and

Wuereas, The Districts now administer all mission
programs and congregations in North America except
those for the deaf, resulting in an unavoidable separation
of deaf congregations from their sister churches; and

Wuereas, The Board of Directors upon recommenda-
tion of the Board for Missions has authorized and en-
couraged all Districts to assume the local administra-
tion of this ministry; and

Wuereas, This transfer of administration is in keep-
ing with the sound principles of decisions relating to
mission being made best at the point of involvement;
and

Wuereas, In recent years requests have been made
by deaf congregations and fields for District adminis-
t®ation so that local needs might be adequately met;
therefore be it

Resolved, That we commend and encourage the In-
ternational Lutheran Deaf Association in its active in-
volvement in the administration of the ministry to the
deaf; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage Districts to assume the
responsibility for administration of ministry to the deaf
in close liaison and planning with the International Lu-
theran Deaf Association and its regions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Missions during the
transitional period stand ready to offer financial sup-
port to the Districts on mutually agreeable terms; and
be it finally

Resolved, That we encourage all congregations of
the Synod to be alert to the ministry to the deaf in their
respective communities.

Action: Adopted (Session 2).

To Establish Missionary Medical Emergency
Reserve Fund

RESOLUTION 1-02
Overture 1-15 (CW, p. 27)

Wuereas, Overture 1-15 purposes to fill a real need
and reflects Christ-like love and concern for our mis-
sionary personnel; and

Wuereas, Overture 1-15 has the support of both the

101

Council for Christian Medical Work and the Board for
Missions which endorsed it in April 1973; therefore be it

Resolved, That Overture 1-15 be adopted.

Action: Adopted (7).

(Overture 1-15 proposed:

1. That the Synod authorize the establishment of a $75,000
Emergency Reserve Fund for unexpected major health
expenses of foreign missionary personnel.

2. That the administration of this fund be in the hands of
the Board for Missions (through its Personnel Section,
Office of Medical Secretary, and the Executive Secretary)
which shall include in its annual budget request whatever
amount is needed to bring the fund back to $75,000.

3. That the continuing need for the maintenance of such an
Emergency Reserve Fund be reevaluated if and when
Concordia Plans should expand medical coverage to in-
clude expatriate missionary personnel.)

To Expedite the Partial Decentralization
of Financial Responsibility for the Synod’s
Mission Program

RESOLUTION 1-03
Overture 1-04 (CW, p. 25)

Wuereas, A proposal for decentralization of financial
responsibility for the Synod’s mission program was sub-
mitted to the church in convention at Milwaukee (Over-
tures 1-21 and 1-22, pp. 27-28, Convention Workbook) ;
and

Wuereas, These overtures could not be dealt with
due to the press of time; and

Wuereas, There is always a need to explore new
methods of supporting our world mission program; and

Wuereas, The direct and personal approach to world
missions offers many advantages; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board for Missions and
Board of Stewardship be requested to explore methods
of further decentralization and personalizing interest in
and financial support for the Synod’s world mission pro-
gram (cf. New Orleans Convention Workbook, page 419,
item 1).

Action: Adopted (7).

To Respond to Specific Needs of Community
RESOLUTION 1-04
Overture 1-06A (CW, p. 25)

Wuereas, Each congregation lives in a specific kind
of neighborhood with specific needs and circumstances;
and

Wuereas, The Gospel, the power of Christ, must be
applied to all; and

Wuereas, District boards and agencies are to help
congregations in their mission and ministry and are to
work toward coordinating the work of individual con-
gregations and relating their work to that of others;
therefore be it