LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 144

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

144 RESOLUTIONS

‘To Encourage Congregations
to Minister to Persons with Alzheimer’s
and Their Caregivers
RESOLUTION 6-08
Report R6-01 (CW, pp. 88-93)

' Rationale:

The increasing frequency of Alzheimer’s disease in soci-
ety is reflected also among the members of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri ‘Synod and their immediate and ex-
tended families. Consequently there is a need among us for
deeper and more compassionate understanding for the spe-
cial burdens which Alzheimer’s imposes on those who suffer
from it as well as their families.

Resolved, That the Board for Human Care Ministries
provide direction and encouragement to the congregations
of the LCMS to recognize and respond to the unique needs
of'those who suffer from Alzheimer’s, as well as the needs
and concerns of their families and caregivers.

Action: Adopted (1).

To Expand Housing Ministries
RESOLUTION 6-09
Overture 6-37 (CW, p. 228)

WHEREAS, Concern for the well-being of our neighbor is
part of God’s command to His people; and

WueEreas, Many in our communities live in substandard
housing, others are in danger of losing their homes, and
some are homeless; and

WuereEas, The Board for Human Care Ministries contin-

ues to encourage and support local housing projects which

involve congregations in mission and ministry; therefore be
it

‘ Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
Districts, and congregations continue to

J. raise awareness of church members to the short- and
long-term plight of the homeless, low-income families, and
older adults living on very limited incomes;

2. utilize church and other resources to provide tempo-
rary and permanent housing;

3. involve congregations in mission and ministry activi-
ties which reach out to unchurched residents of low-income
housing to include them in the body of Christ; .

4. inform congregations of government legislation and
regulations which will affect the supply of affordable hous-
ing for those most in need, so that an appropriate response
can be made; and

5. through the Board for Human Care Ministries iden-
tify, support, and publicize strategies and programs which
meet the housing needs of the poor and the homeless.

Action: Adopted (11). -
To Emphasize Importance
of Prison Ministry
RESOLUTION 6-10
Overtures 6-31-32 (CW, p. 226)
WHEREAS, Tens of thousands of men and women behind

prison walls are looking for hope, and their families are

looking for strength and sustenance; and

WHEREAS, Both victims and criminals need Jesus Christ
as the ultimate Healer in whom they can be made eternally
whole again; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pro-
claims that the Gospel of Jesus Christ alone offers forgive-
ness and the power to change (Rom. 1:16); therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
through its Board for Human Care Ministries and other en-
tities, deliberately and intentionally make its Law and
Gospel ministry to inmates, victims, and their families a
critical priority; and be it further

Resolved, That we commit ourselves to support our cor-
rectional workers, including our chaplains, clergy, and lay
volunteers, with our prayers and financial support, as fea-
sible; and be it finally

Resolved, That each District be encouraged to sponsor
conferences, seminars, and/or retreats for the purpose of
training and equipping chaplains, clergy, and lay volun-
teers in ministry with prisoners, ex-prisoners, families of
prisoners, and victims of crime.

Action: Adopted (11).

To Revise Bylaws of Commission
on Ministerial Growth and Support

RESOLUTION 6-11
Overture 6-38 (CW, p. 228)

Rationale:

Changes in the organization of Congregational Services
suggest a change in the composition of the commission;
evolvement in the expansion of commission activities sug-
gests changes in its functions. Those changes in functions
include the recognition that there is not a “synodical defin-
ition in measurable terms of effective ministry,” that well-
being issues figure prominently in the commission’s. work,
that the commission does not actually carry responsibility
for remedial care (rather, Worker Benefit Plans does), that
encouragements need to be placed at District and congre-
gational levels regarding professional growth and well-
being, and that funding mandates need to be broadened.

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.913 be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

3.913 Membership

The Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support
shall consist of nine members, who shall be appointed
by and responsible to the President of the Synod: three
ordained ministers, two commissioned ministers, one
layperson, one college representative, and one repre-
sentative from each of the two seminaries. At least two
of the above shall be parish pastors, one of the above a
District President or executive, and one of the above
shall have professional expertise in clinical psychology
and/or pastoral counseling. The executive director of the
Board for Higher Education (or his designee), the exec-
utive director of the Beard-for-Paxish-Serviees Confer-
ence of Congregational Services (or his designee), the
President of the Synod (or his designee), the director of
Human Resources of the Synod, and Director of Minis-
terial Health/Health and Healing Ministries shall be
advisory members.