LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 204

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204 RESOLUTIONS

North American Indians has been established by the
synodical Board for Missions; and
WHEREAS, In the past the Districts of the Synod in
which reservations and American Indian population
are found have not been able to meet the needs for such
ministry for lack of financial and other resources; and
WHEREAS, The Center for Indian Ministries and
Studies at Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebr.,
was established by three Districts of the Synod
(Montana, Wyoming, and Nebraska) as a means to
assist in the entire area of Indian ministry; and
WHEREAS, CIMS (Center for Indian Ministry and
Studies) has served as a valuable resource to these
Districts and could for the entire Synod; and
WHEREAS, There is a need for trained Indian and
non-Indian personnel for work among the native
American people of our country; therefore be it

Resolved, That the synodical Task Force for
Ministry to the American Indians receive the full
support of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Missions support and
assist those Districts presently involved in a ministry
of Word and Sacrament to the American Indian, with
financial assistance for such ministry; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod recognize CIMS as a
valuable resource for ministry to the American Indian
people and that the Board for Missions together with
the Board for Higher Education seriously consider
CIMS as a synodical program to be supported finan-
cially by the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod establish on one of the
college campuses a program for training workers,
Indian and non-Indian, for evangelism work among
American Indians.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Make Every Effort
to Eliminate Racism

RESOLUTION 10-18A
Overture 10-04 (CW, pp. 322—323)

WHEREAS, In our church body today clear evidence
of racist practices continues to plague us, ie., 40
Districts and no Blacks on the staff, no Blacks on the
staff of our terminal institutions, and Black pastors are
not called to white congregations; and

WHEREAS, The church is in mission and ministry to
man in his totality; and

WHEREAS, Pastors are called into parishes to equip
the church and its people through the Word for every
work that is good; and

WHEREAS, Racism is a sin, completely contrary to
God’s Word; and

WHEREAS, Our Lord challenges His people to love
one another even as He has loved us; and

WHEREAS, Many positive actions have been taken in
the Synod and Districts and on local levels to sensitize

our members to continuing racist attitudes and
behavior; and

WHEREAS, At New Orleans the Synod approved the
promotion of an equal-opportunity policy which was to
be implemented by an affirmative action effort in its
employment and business practices in all its
departments, its Districts, and all synodically controlled
agencies and institutions; and

WHEREAS, In spite of all our Christian resolves and
attempts to combat racism the church has fallen short
of its objectives; therefore be it

Resolved, That we take to heart the reality of the
situation and determine to make things happen in this
area in the following manner:

1. That each pastor, teacher, and layman in the
Synod search his heart and mind to determine his
innate prejudices toward other races, especially since
he may be unaware of his own racial attitudes;

2. That he confess this sin before God and seek His
forgiveness and that under the guidance of God’s Holy
Spirit in his sermonizing and by leadership predicated
on the Word he equip his people to affirm the worth and
value of people of all races; and

3. That he himself, together with the equipped
people of his parish, construct and implement Christ-
centered creative interpersonal programs for at-
titudinal changes in an effort to banish racism from the
church and society; and be it further

Resolved, That to the current budget of the Board of
Social Ministry and World Relief there be added the
sum of $15,000 to provide materials, resources, and
personnel for six regional workshops to equip pastors to
effect attitudinal and programmatic changes in their
parishes and communities that might bring healing to
the “brokeness” of a church and secular society caught
up in the sinfulness of its racial prejudice; and be it
finally

Resolved, That we direct the Synod through its
Office of Personnel to promote an equal-opportunity
policy that would be implemented by an affirmative
action effort in its total employment and business
practices throughout the Synod, the Districts, and all
synodically controlled agencies and institutions.

Action: Adopted as amended (15).
(Amendment: to change title from “To Eliminate Racism.’’)

To Continue Black Lutheran
Centennial Committee
RESOLUTION 10-19A

Report 10-02 (CW, pp. 318—319)

WHEREAS, The Black Lutheran Centennial Com-
mittee has planned an elaborate and extensive syn-
odical celebration to thank God for the centennial of the
Black Mission Program of our beloved Syond; and

WHEREAS, The committee under the direction of

Resolution 9-01A of the Anaheim convention has
planned and is promoting a proposed thankoffering in

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