LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 203

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204 RESOLUTIONS

To Search for Funding for a Staff
Person for Ministerial Health

RESOLUTION 8-04
Report 8-02 (CW, p. 304)

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors of the Synod,
charged with budget responsibilities, was financially
unable to engage a full-time staff person in the area of
ministerial health, as resolved in Res. 8-03 of the 1979
convention; and

WHEREAS, Such assistance to many professional
church workers and their families continues to be a
demonstrated need; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Synod
continue to search for funding for a staff person to
provide ongoing leadership, training, and guidance in
relation to the health of professional church workers
and their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Ministerial
Health and the Board of Social Ministry and World
Relief pursue with the Board of Directors of the Synod
the possibility of implementing this position with a
shared staff person.

Action: Adopted (8).

(The convention defeated an amendment asking the Con-
cordia Health Plan to consider funding such a staff person.)

To Encourage Donation of Kidneys
and Other Organs

RESOLUTION 8-05
Overture 8-12 (CW, p. 306)

WHEREAS, We accept and believe that our Lord Jesus
came to give life and to give it abundantly (John 10:10);
and

WHEREAS, Through advances in medical science we
are aware that at the time of death some of our organs
can be transplanted to alleviate pain and suffering of
afflicted human beings (see Gal. 6:10); and

WHEREAS, Our heavenly Father has created us so
that we can adequately and safely live with one kidney
and can express our love and relieve the unnecessary
prolonged suffering of our relative; and

WHEREAS, We have an opportunity to help others out
of love for Christ, through the donation of organs;
therefore be it

Resolved, That our pastors, teachers, and DCE’s be
encouraged to inform the members of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod of the opportunity to sign a
Universal Donor Card (which is to authorize the use of
our needed organs at the time of death in order to relieve
the suffering of individuals requiring organ trans-
plants); and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage family members to
become living kidney donors; and be it further

Resolved, That the program committees of pastors
and teachers conferences be encouraged to include

“organ and tissue transplants” as a topic on their
agendas; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Social Ministry and
World Relief seek ways to implement this program so
that the entire Synod may join in this opportunity to
express Christian concern. ,

Action: Adopted (9).

To Work for Fair Housing
RESOLUTION 8-06
Overture 8-21 (CW, p. 308)

WHEREAS, Current overall housing patterns and
some real estate practices continue to perpetuate segre-
gated housing. patterns among Blacks, Hispanics,
native Americans, and others, even though such segre-
gation is against the law; and

WHEREAS, The trend toward separate societies of
Black and white tragically continues despite the warn-
ings and suggestions of the Kerner Report of the 1960s;
and

WHEREAS, Different racial and cultural groups are
“deprived” when they do not personally know one
another; and

WHEREAS, Legislative processes alone have not re-
sulted in fair housing for everyone; and 7

WHEREAS, The Lord requires of us that we “do
justice” (Micah 6:8) and our Savior calls Christians “the
salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13); therefore be it

Resolved, That all members, congregations, and
Districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be
encouraged to work for fair housing for all Americans
and aliens; and be it further

Resolved, That the synodical and District boards of
social ministry be urged to provide guidance to Lutheran ~
Christians in making fair housing a reality.

Action: Adopted (12).

(In presenting the resolution the committee added “and .
aliens” to the first resolved.)

To Oppose Racism and Violence
RESOLUTION 8-07
Report 8-01 (CW, pp. 301—303)

WHEREAS, The rending of human life through vio-.
lence, malice, or murder is of grave concern to members .
of our congregations; as Christians we value the life,
creation, dignity, and worth of each person; and

WHEREAS, We are greatly concerned for the safety of:
the children in the city of Atlanta, where 28 Black
children and young adults have had their lives violently
taken as of May 24, 1981; and

WHEREAS, Throughout our country there has been -
increased violence, a sickness that must be fully ad-
dressed; on March 30 a young man attempted to assas- :
sinate the President of the U.S.A., seriously injurins