LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 137

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CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 137

tension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we
take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor.
10:5); and

WHEREAS, The Atlantic District of the LCMS resolved in its
1997 District convention to establish an institute of apologetics to
provide resources and a forum for its schools, churches, and cam-
pus ministries to more boldly and persuasively advance the claims
of Jesus Christ as Lord; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod encour-
age its members to affirm and support efforts of the Atlantic Dis-
trict to establish an Institute for Apologetics; and be it further

Resolved, That this effort be commended for imitation and/or
extension through other parts of the Synod.

Board of Directors
Atlantic District

2-37

To Encourage Doctrinal and Practical Continuity
of LCMS Congregations in Response to Zero Growth

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod experienced
a growth explosion in membership in the 1950s and early ’60s; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS has since the late ’60s to the present wit-
nessed a dramatic zero-growth plateau for the most part in its mem-
bership; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS from the national office down to its Dis-
tricts has in recent years expressed alarm over the phenomenon
known as “back-door losses” which level out the gains in LCMS
membership; and

WHEREAS, The post-war era through the early ’60s exemplified
continuity in doctrine and practice and worship in LCMS congre-
gations from Maine to California, Florida to Washington; and

WHEREAS, LCMS congregations from the late ’60s to the pres-
ent have exercised great “liberty” in practice and worship (e.g.
early confirmations, women exercising the pastoral role in the
“means of grace,” loose Communion policies, briefer adult in-
struction classes, communing those with little or no instruction,
etc.), many such cases that go beyond simple adiaphora; and

WHEREAS, Many laity whether veteran members or new to the
LCMS are confused by such diverse “quality” within LCMS
church practice producing a lack of loyalty once rich in the LCMS;
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its
1998 convention establish a task force that would develop a guide
for its congregations encouraging them in such a way that they may
catch the vision of the great strength found through consistency not
only in doctrine but also in practice and worship that can be exhib-
ited to the world needing the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be
it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its
1998 convention make this a number | priority for the new millen-
nium and set as a target date for this “consistency guide” to be
ready for unveiling at the LCMS’s next convention in 2001.

Immanuel
Clovis, NM

2-38

To Track and Serve Transfers In and Out

WHEREAS, “Backdoor losses” (those released from membership
and those released to other Lutheran bodies) in the congregations of
the Synod range from 55,000 to 70,000 souls annually; and

WHEREAS, 50 percent of those who move do not request transfer
of membership; and

WHEREAS, 50 percent of those released from membership in-
volve people who have moved at least 40 miles from their previous
residence; and

WHEREAS, God’s people are encouraged to follow the Savior,
who commended the shepherd who left the 99 and searched for the
lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7); therefore be it

Resolved, That all congregations develop an intentional process
that contacts, welcomes, orients, instructs, and serves all transfers
in and move-ins; and be it further

Resolved, That all congregations assist their members who
move by informing them of synodical congregations in their new
community, by explaining and encouraging a speedy transfer of
membership, and by encouraging the potential receiving congrega-
tions to seek and to serve them; and be it finally

Resolved, That all congregations strengthen their internal life
and relationships so that people are attracted to and kept in the fel-
lowship of believers.

Board for Congregational Services

2-39

To Commend Mount Calvary Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Kannapolis, NC

WHEREAS, Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church located
in Kannapolis, NC, will celebrate 100 years of blessings in 1998;
and

WHEREAS, Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church has
sustained an important ministry of Word and Sacrament among
Afro-American people in the city of Kannapolis, NC, and the sur-
rounding area; and

Wuereas, Mount Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church gives
honor and praise to our gracious God for the blessing of 100 years
of blessings in the Kannapolis, NC, area and extends thanks for the
assistance and encouragement given our ministry by the South-
eastern District; therefore be it

Resolved, That Mount Calvary Lutheran Church be commended
in convention for its mission contributions to the Lutheran church
in Kannapolis, NC; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, meet-
ing in convention in 1998, rejoice in this work accomplished
among our Afro-American brothers and sisters which continues to
the glory and through the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.

Mount Calvary
Kannapolis, NC

2-40

To Support Annual Urban Institute

WHEREAS, The apostle Paul’s first mission strategy was very
much an urban strategy of planting and strengthening churches in
the cities of the Roman Empire (Rom. 15:22-24); and

WHEREAS, The United States continues the trend of becoming
a more and more urban nation; and

Wuereas, Urban ministry is a unique challenge and opportu-
nity because of the many cultures that are found in urban areas; and

WHEREAS, Many of our urban congregations find themselves ill-
equipped to meet and serve the changing populations of their
neighborhoods; and ,

Wuereas, Our whole Synod and all Districts are challenged to
identify, train, and encourage urban church workers; therefore be it

Resolved, That the congregations and District and national staffs
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be encouraged to sup-
port the development of an annual Urban Institute conducted to
train and support present and emerging urban workers; and be it
further

Resolved, That the congregations and District and national staffs
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod seek to begin new min-
istry in at least one urban area in each District. This new ministry