LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 138

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138 RESOLUTIONS

To Affirm Sacredness of Human Life
RESOLUTION 3-30

Report 3-01 I, B, 1; App. 3-01 J, 2 (CW, pp. 38, 58);
Overtures 3-74A—B (CW, p. 91)

WHEREAS, Life is a gift from God and comes into
being by an act that shares in the creative powers of
God Himself; and

WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that suffering has a
purposes of God; and

WHEREAS, Life and death belong in the realm of
God’s providence; and

WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that suffering has a
positive purpose and value in God’s economy and is not
to be avoided at all costs (2 Cor. 1:5-7; 2 Cor. 4:7-11; Heb.
12:5-11; Rom. 8:16-18, 28, 35-39; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:24); and

WHEREAS, We sing of the positive purpose of
suffering in our worship (TLH, 523, 528, 533, et al.); and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and
Church Relations (CTCR) and its Social Concerns
Committee (SCC) currently have a study in progress
regarding the question of euthanasia; and

WHEREAS, The willful taking of the life of one
human being by another is contrary to the Word and
will of God (Ex. 20:13); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod affirm that human life is
sacred and finds meaning and purpose in seeking and
following God’s will, not in self-centered pleasure, a
concern for convenience, or a desire for comfort; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Synod affirm the positive
benefits of suffering, so that God’s children may be
comforted in Christ Jesus and have their sights focused
more firmly on eternal values; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod unequivocally declare
that the practice known as euthanasia, namely,
inducing death, is contrary to God’s Word and will and
cannot be condoned or justified; and be it finally

Resolved, That the CTCR and its SCC be urged to
complete their study as soon as possible.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Provide Assistance in Worship
and Music to Local Parishes

RESOLUTION 3-31
Overtures, 3-229. (CW, pp. 132-133)

WHEREAS, Individual congregations of the Synod
have benefited from professional and_ technical
assistance in the areas of church music and worship;
and

WHEREAS, Avenues of communication between the
synodical Commission on Worship and individual
congregations have been maintained; and

WHEREAS, Synodical District offices have rendered
valuable service in channeling information concerning
the needs of congregations and the resources of the
synodical Commission on Worship; and

WHEREAS, Synodical colleges and seminary
faculties have rendered valuable in-service assistance
to church musicians and congregational worship
leaders; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod continue to encourage
congregations, Districts, and parish worship leaders to
promote communication between one another in church
music and worship practices through workshops,
institutes, training sessions, and other channels of
communication.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Respectfully Decline
to Establish a Bible Science
Commission

RESOLUTION 3-32
Overtures 3-112A—C (CW, pp. 101-102)

WHEREAS, The needs expressed in Overtures 3-
112A—C, namely, to promote a better understanding of
the proper relationship between the Bible and science
and to promote the creation approach to origins, can be
properly handled by existing boards and agencies in
the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overtures 3-
112A—C.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Encourage Lay Involvement
in Public Worship

RESOLUTION 3-33
Overture 3-230 (CW, p. 133)

WHEREAS, Many congregations of the Synod have
used the laity in various functions in services of
worship; and

WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession XIV states:
“Qur churches teach that nobody should preach
publicly in the church or administer the Sacraments
unless he is regularly called”; therefore be it

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to
continue to involve the laity in worship and other
services of the church within the limitations establish-
ed by the Scriptures and the Confessions.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Be Informed
on Equal Rights Amendment

RESOLUTION 3-34
Report 3-01, I, A, 1 (CW, p. 37); Overture 3-87
(CW, p. 95); App. III (CW, p. 420)
WHEREAS, The 1973 convention of the Synod
adopted Res. 9-11 urging “all our people to inform

themselves concerning the Equal Rights Amendment
and that we work toward the goal of giving women