LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 122

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

122 RESOLUTIONS

effective outreach ministries for children through both
the evangelism and the education boards (or com-
mittees); and be it finally

Resolved, That we urge congregations to provide
training in witnessing for the teaching staff and
children of all educational agencies.

Action: Adopted (5).

To Serve Scattered Lutherans
RESOLUTION 2-25
Overture 2-07 (CW, p. 31)

WHEREAS, Throughout much of the United States
and the provinces of Canada there are large areas
where we have no Lutheran congregations; and

WHEREAS, The spiritual needs of the scattered
Lutherans living in such areas are often not being
adequately met; and

WHEREAS, Some Districts presently have circuit-
rider ministries in operation and would be willing to
share information concerning them with others;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Missions serve as a
coordinator in exchanging information regarding these
circuit-rider ministries; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the
Board for Missions to work with concerned Districts in
their efforts to meet the spiritual needs of scattered
Lutherans.

Action: Adopted (6).

To Understand Cults and Witness
to Their Adherents

RESOLUTION 2-26
Report 2-02, V, Rec. 7 (CW, p. 28)

WHEREAS, The apostle Paul warns us to be on the
alert against false gospels, saying, ‘““As we have said
before, so now I say again, If anyone is preaching to you
a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be
accursed” (Gal. 1:9 RSV); and

WHEREAS, There are approximately 5,000 cults in
America today; and

WHEREAS, Many of them are very aggressive and
are gaining large numbers of adherents, especially
among the young; and

WHEREAS, The Board for Evangelism has arranged
for publication of excellent new materials to aid in
understanding and witnessing to the cult adherents;
therefore be it

Resolved, That we adopt a 2-year goal of at least 75
percent of our congregations offering courses with the
new series of books on the cults, entitled “The Response
Series.”

Action: Adopted (5).

To Encourage Evangelism
Among the Jews

RESOLUTION 2-27

Report 2-02, Rec. 6 (CW, p. 27); Overtures 2-08A—
B, 10-18 (CW, pp. 31, 326)

WHEREAS, God has made from one man all people to
live on the earth as a loving family in harmony and
reverence before Him as the only true God (Gen. 1:26;
Acts 17:26-27); and

WHEREAS, This relationship was broken by the fall
of man into sin; and

WHEREAS, Jesus Christ is the Mediator between
God and all mankind and the Savior of the world (1
Tim. 2:3-6); and

WHEREAS, Jesus Christ has broken down the wall of
hostility between God and man, between man and his
fellowman, and thus also between Jews and Gentiles
(Eph. 2:14); and

WHEREAS, So many Christians have not been
sensitive to opportunities the Lord has given for
cultivating creative, positive relationships; and

WHEREAS, We of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod have too often not included the Jews in our
mission; therefore be it

Resolved, That we adopt a 2-year goal of persuading
50 percent of our congregations to prepare themselves
for effective witness to Jewish people by working
through the Bible study materials and witness
resources prepared by the Committee on Witnessing to
Jewish People; and be it further

Resolved, That we direct the Board for Evangelism
to give priority to materials and programs for witness
to Jewish people; and be it further

Resolved, That we adopt a 2-year goal of 10 District
workshops to stimulate interest and equip our members
in witnessing to Jewish people; and be it further

Resolved, That we direct the Board for Social
Ministry to include among its concerns the problem of
anti-Semitism; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge congregations to share with
the committee their reactions to the study materials
and witness resources prepared by the Committee on
Witnessing to Jewish People to aid in further study;
and be it finally

Resolved, That we encourage especially those
congregations located in or near Jewish communities to
reach out to the Jews and share our faith that Jesus of
Nazareth is the promised Messiah.

Action: Adopted (5).

To Recognize Contributions of All
Agencies, Auxiliary Organizations,
and Fraternal-Benevolent Agencies
RESOLUTION 2-28
Report 2-01, App. A, Rec. 6 (CW, p. 11)
WHEREAS, Valuable resources for carrying the