LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 120

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REMARKS OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY, LUTHERAN COUNCIL IN THE USS.A. 121

which He who created everything has kept hidden from
the creation until now.”

In this short passage from Ephesians 3 Paul sends a
call to the church of all ages to be involved in the
mission of making Christ known by word and deed to all
people. The Christian church in the world today faces
unprecedented challenges to communicate the Gospel,
the good news of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, to a
world seemingly torn by unremitting crises.

As a part of that worldwide Christian church,
Lutherans in the United States face some powerful
challenges of their own. By taking them on together, we
are able to make a larger impact in responding to the
spiritual and material needs set before us. After all, this
is the basic reason for our cooperation.

In those areas where we have pooled our efforts and
resources, we have a good record of accomplishment.
Resettlement ministry through Lutheran Immigration
and Refugee Services is an outstanding example. Wher-
ever I go, in government or ecumenical circles, I find our
reputation in this area is the highest; tremendous regard
is expressed over the care demonstrated by all of our
people in carrying out this crucial ministry.

Our chaplains serving in the military tell us they feel
a closer bond, a better mutual rapport between them-
selves and their national staff, than they see within
other Protestant denominations. I recently attended a
professional development seminar retreat in Germany.
That 42 out of a possible 47 chaplains in the area
attended is an indication of the level of professional
interest. LCMS pastor Larry Meyer, who is himself a
reserve chaplain, did an excellent job as retreat leader.
In private conversations, to a person, the chaplains
expressed gratitude for the fine relationships fostered
by our Division of Service to Military Personnel.

Through the regional planning consultation process,
regional Lutheran leaders shared plans for church
extension work and social, campus, and ethnic min-
istries at 21 semiannual consultations staffed by the
Division of Mission and Ministry. Issues which have
emerged during the year from this planning process
include ministry with specific minority populations
such as the influx of Cubans and Haitians into Florida;
methods for providing a Lutheran witness and church
body presence in slow-growth areas, such as in
Arkansas, where a one-person Lutheran Social Service
office was established last year; coordination of church
development and parish life interests; dealing with
conflict situations; site acquisition and alternatives to
the high cost of building and purchasing land. Our near
100 percent record of successful cooperative planning
for new ministries augurs well for the Missouri Synod
goal of 1,800 new ministry starts during this decade of
the ’80s.

The Division of Theological Studies, in addition to
convening interconfessional and interreligious dialogs,
conducts studies of subjects of concern in contemporary
Christendom. One area of present concern is biomedical
ethics. Plans are under way to develop a method by
which Lutherans can approach a particular issue related
to this concern, with in-vitro fertilization (test tube
babies) the topic to be dealt with, in developing the
method. The study process will involve experts in law,
medicine, and theology. We hope to be ahead of this
issue and have significant work done before it breaks in
the U.S.

There are many challenges about which we could
speak, but let me just cite two where our particular
theological concepts are being called on for renewed
emphasis.

I am sure you are aware of a new legalism afoot in
our land. Even a superficial analysis affirms that the
core of its theology is works-righteousness. We who
follow in the tradition of Martin Luther know that he
rediscovered in the 16th century what Paul was fighting
for in the first century: that we are saved by grace and
not by works of the Law. LCMS Mid-South District
president Wil Griesse, in a number of meetings, has
articulated clearly our need to heighten the Lutheran
witness in response to this challenge of the 20th century.

Related to this is a second issue. LCMS pastor and
editor Richard John Neuhaus, in an address titled
“From Sacred to Profane America—and Back Again,”
suggests that the “Religious New Right” is “a long-term
phenomenon in America” but hopes and expects that “it
will not become the new elite in giving moral definition
to America.” He adds, however, that “all Americans
have a deep stake in cultivating the awareness that the
great threat to our common life comes not from
aggressive religion but from ideologies that deny the
transcendent and thus invoke the totalitarian impulse
of the modern state, whether that totalitarianism be of
the left or of the right.”

“Who, then,” he asks, “will take the lead in recon-
structing the public philosophy of post-secular
America?” He concludes that the task requires all of us,
of all faiths.

I suggest that as Lutherans we have a theological
background that enables us to contribute significantly
to that multifaceted, interfaith task. We can conceptu-
alize and implement ways of rebuilding our nation’s
moral backbone. We have a heritage of ethical discipline
and spiritual freedom. On such issues, I propose, we can
and should move together. The task requires all of us—
even all of us Lutherans!

John R. Houck

5. Statement Prior to Introduction of Resolution 3-01

Mr. President, Delegates, Friends, Fellow Servants in
Our Lord’s Kingdom:

Itis our assignment to present to you one of the most
important and critical issues to confront this conven-