LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 145

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HUMAN CARE 145

and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.915 be amended as follows:
PRESENT /PROPOSED WORDING

3.915 Functions

ores
i. developing programs of ministerial growth and
well being through the Districts;

" e:n. seeking grants end-appreving-grent-requesta
outside sources for continuing education
fone and the Continuing Education Endowment
edieal resource:

p 0. encouraging Districts in-their-respensibility-te

provide-Christian and congregations to make full use of
available preventive and therapeutic endremedial care

for professional church workers and their families;
and be it further
Resolved, That the letter ordering of each section be ap-
propriately changed, and be it finally
Resolved, That these changes take effect at the conclu-
sion of the 1995 convention.

Action: Adopted (11).

To Support Efforts to Deal
with Child Abuse

RESOLUTION 6-12
Overture 6-29 (CW, p. 225)

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Task Force on Child Abuse has
served well in providing valuable resources for congrega-
tions; and

WHEREAS, The incidence of child abuse, within the con-
text of the escalation of violence in society and the decline
of spiritual motivation and moral behavior, continues to in-
crease; and

WHEREAS, The church has been entrusted by God with
the Word and the Sacraments both for revealing God’s
image and will for male and female, for families, and for
life in community, and for enabling persons to be rescued
from the power of sin and empowered for living in newness
of life; and

WHEREAS, Local congregations are the body of Christ in
their place for personally dealing with and ministering to
child abusers, the victims, and other involved family mem-
bers; therefore be it

Resolved, .That the Synod’s Board for Human Care Min-
istries, in coordination with the Board for Congregational
Services, continue to provide support, guidance, and re-
sources for congregations in behalf of this ministry.

Action: Adopted (11).

’ (The convention agreed to include Res. 6-13 and 6-14 in Res.

6-12, with each resolution retaining its own whereases and re-
solves.)

To Encourage Congregational
Concern for Those Affected
by Chemical Addictions

RESOLUTION 6-138
Overture 6-36 (CW, p. 227)

WHEREAS, Alcohol and substance abuse remains one of
the major health problems in our country; and

WHEREAS, Substance abuse also touches the life of the
church, directly and adversely affecting the lives of laypeo-
ple and the ministry of professional church workers; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms of an addiction to alcohol or other
drugs, unlike other health problems, are less likely to in-
voke an empathetic or caring response among family and
fellow members, causing this serious and potentially fatal
affliction to be both hidden and neglected; and

WHEREAS, Christ has given a mandate (John 13:34 and
Gal. 6:2) to His church to love and care for all people, .in-
cluding the addicted; and

WHEREAS, The prayers of God’s people, the effective use
of the tools of treatment, and a commitment to recovery
have demonstrated that the destructive tide of an addiction
can be halted and that an addicted person can be restored
to a healthy and productive life; therefore be it

Resolved, That all congregations of the Synod be en-
couraged to show compassion, Christian love, acceptance,
and support to individuals and families affected by an ad-
diction; and be it further

Resolved, That professional workers and laypeople of the
church be encouraged to obtain a better understanding of
the nature of addictions; and be it further

Resolved, That each congregation be encouraged to con-
sider establishing a team of trained volunteers as a “sup-
port team” to undertake a ministry of education within the
congregation concerning addictions and_ care for the ad-
dicted and their families and to provide an appropriate
ministry to individuals and family members affected by an
addiction; and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations of the Synod be encour-
aged to make use of the “Support Team Ministry” packet
prepared by Synod’s Task Force on Alcohol and Substance
Abuse and to call upon the task force for assistance as

needed.

Action: Adopted (11). .

To Care for Victims of Domestic
Violence and Abuse
RESOLUTION 6-14

Overture 6-30 (CW, p. 225-26)
WHEREAS, Domestic violence and abuse is an escalating
problem in our society; and

WHEREAS, Domestic violence and abuse degrades the
family, increases human suffering, prevents healthy growth

, and development, and perpetuates unchristian lifestyles;

and
WHEREAS, Ministry to those affected by domestic vio-
lence and abuse follows from the strong commitment of the