LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 113

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4. "+ RESOLUTIONS =)

(By common consent the word approved was first inserted be-
fore Lutheran hymnal in the resolve, However, by vote of the del-
egates it was deleted. An amendment to state is in agreement
with the.Holy Scriptures as properly expressed in Luther’s Cate-
chisms and other confessional ivritings following the word that in
the resolve and deleting the rest of the resolve as proposed was
declined.)

To Avoid Overemphasis on Numbers
and Encourage Thorough Instruction
of New Members

RESOLUTION 2-10A
Overture 2-60 (CW, p. 151)

Wuereas, Increase in numbers is regarded as a mark of
success in temporal businesses; and -

Wuereas, Some have equated growth in numbers with
spiritual success in evangelism and church work; and

WHEREAS, Every congregation and every Christian has

the obligation both to keep the message straight and to get

the message out; and

WHEREAS, Scripture indicates that God wishes His
church to grow but points quite clearly to the fact that this
growth must come through the working of the Holy Spirit
in Word and Sacrament; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod, its Districts and congrega-
tions, be reminded that the gaining of converts must be ac-
complished by the Holy Spirit, who works through Word
and Sacrament rather than through a variety of human
techniques; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod, its Districts and congrega-
tions, be reminded of the importance of thorough instruc-
tion in the Word before individuals are accepted into church
membership.

Action: Adopted as amended (11).

(The resolution was amended by inserting the words the
Synod, its Districts and before the word congregations in both re-
solves and deleting the words and individuals from the first re-
solve.)

To Address National/District
Youth Gatherings

_ RESOLUTION 2-11B
Overture 2-31 (CW, p. 145)

‘WHEREAS, The Gospel is the power of God unto salva-
tion, of which we are not ashamed; and

WHEREAS, National and District youth gatherings are
tremendous opportunities to promote the development of
the Christian faith of young people as they boldly confess
Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; and

WHEREAS, Such development is founded upon Scripture
and the Lutheran Confessions; and ,

WHEREAS, Such gatherings are to promote unity of the
Spirit through the proper use of Word and Sacrament; and

WHEREAS, Such gatherings are to promote Christian ser-
vice and leadership for youth; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to
God for the many blessings these significant events have
been in the lives of young people; and be it further

Resolved, That sound biblical and doctrinal theology and
practice in harmony with The Lutheran Church—-Missouri
Synod be evident in plenary sessions, worship, workshops,
and other planned activities; and be it further

Resolved, That all plenary and workshop speakers,
preachers, and officiants be approved by the synodical/Dis-
trict. President; and be it finally

Resolved, That the synodical Commission on Worship/
corresponding District worship equivalent approve all ser-
vice materials and procedures.

Action: Adopted (9).

(An amendment calling for the addition of the words other
than those whose names are on the official roster of the Synod
after the word officiants in the third resolve and for deleting the
word approve in the final resolve and substituting the words re-
view and give advice regarding was declined. A motion to recon-
sider adoption of the resolution was lost.)

To Support Rural Church Ministry
RESOLUTION 2-12A
Overture 2-57 (CW, p. 151)

_ WHEREAS, Our Lord has provided faithful and caring
people in rural congregations who seek to reach out to peo-

_ ple who are not in their current membership; and

WHEREAS, According to demographics, 10 Districts have
50 percent or more of their congregations located geo-
graphically in rural settings; and ;

WHEREAS, 2,200 LCMS congregations (35 percent) are lo-
cated in open-country settings up to 2,500 people, making
their living in retirement or recreation, agribusiness, man-
ufacturing, timbering, and fishing communities; and

WHEREAS, Our Gospel message does not change, but the
situation in which we share it does; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Congregational] Services
and the District staffs be encouraged to work together to
assist rural congregations at their request; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That the Board for Congregational Services
through a recently formed Rural Ministry Task Force (1)
network with the Districts the related resources in rural
ministry; (2) establish leadership training for rural min-
istry leaders on understanding rural culture, rural commu-
nity change, staffing and planning for growth, conflict
management, and congregational relationships in the com-
munity; and (3) work with our colleges and seminaries to
provide opportunities to train pastors and ministers of reli-
gion—commissioned assigned to rural congregations, espe-
cially complementing the Rural Ministry Program, Concor-
dia College, Seward; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Directors be encouraged to
provide funding to the Board for Congregational Services
to support ministry in rural congregations through the Dis-
tricts.

Action: No action.

(A motion was proposed from the floor stating the following:

Wuereas, Rural churches have provided time, money, and peo-
ple to churches ‘and missions throughout the United States and the
world; and