LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 142

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142 CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

2-54

To Revise Bylaw 3.803

WHEREAS, The 1995 convention of the Synod in its extensive
Bylaw revisions did not retain the historical and widely respected
statement, “Assist congregations in arranging and carrying out a
comprehensive and effective program of Christian education, es-
pecially counseling that the most effective agencies available to the
church for equipping children and youth for ministry are the full-
time Lutheran elementary and secondary schools, so that the
Gospel of Jesus Christ may become even more effective in the life
of the individual Christian and of the congregation’’; and

WHEREAS, Many congregations of the Synod continue to vali-
date this through increased interest in opening and supporting
Lutheran elementary and secondary schools; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.803 be revised by restoring the follow-
ing as function 8:

“8. Assistance to congregations in arranging and carrying
out a comprehensive and effective program of Christian educa-
tion, especially counseling that the most effective education
agencies available to the church for equipping children and
youth for ministry are the full-time Lutheran elementary and
secondary schools, so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ may be-
come even more effective in the life of the individual Christian
and of the congregation.”

Teachers Conference, Northwest District; Lutheran
Teachers Conference, Nebraska District; Education
Conference, Minnesota South District; Board for
Congregational Services; Fall Education Conference, Ohio
District; Zion, Mayer, MN; Board of Directors, Minnesota
South District

2-55

To Recognize Home Schooling as Honorable Option

WuereEaS, God has commanded parents to be the primary
teacher and nurturer in impressing His truths to their children when
they sit at home, when they walk along the road, when they lie
down, and when they get up (Duet. 6:7); and

WHEREAS, The home-schooling movement, which is a parental
right, includes families within The Lutheran Church—Missoun
Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod ac-
knowledge home schooling as an honorable option in the educa-
tion of children and continue to offer support to home-schooling
parents through encouragement, networking, and curriculum infor-
mation in their choice of education.

St. Martin
Birch Run, MI

2-56

To Declare Year 2001 Year of the Child

WHEREAS, Nearly 50 percent of baptized children in The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod do not reenter congregational
life in childhood; and

WuerEAS, Children in our congregations and communities face
increasing, critical issues that place them at risk spiritually, which
is manifested emotionally, physically, socially, and academically;
and

WHEREAS, Our relationship with children is established by
Christ; and

WHEREAS, The community of the Gospel is an inclusive bap-
tismal community—‘Christ died for all”—and discipleship is max-
imized in a community in which the gifts of all are celebrated and
utilized; and

WHEREAS, A passion for reaching others with the Gospel has no
“special group” restrictions and is extended specifically also to
children; and

WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the faith community to min-
ister to children and to support their families as primary faith nur-
turers; therefore be it

Resolved, That the congregations of Synod, the District and na-
tional offices, colleges and seminaries, and others collectively and
collaboratively focus on the critical needs of children, address the
importance of faithful ministry with children, and provide the train-
ing, resources, and support needed to affect children’s lives with
the love of Jesus so that all children may know and experience His
grace; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations of the Synod intentionally act to
make ministry with children a priority; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod intentionally include children from their birth in con-
gregational celebrations and congregational life; and be it finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention dedicate the year 2001 as “The Year of the Child,” making
ministry with children a priority.

Board for Congregational Services

2-57

To Strengthen Family Ministry

WHEREAS, Our nation continues to experience a breakdown of
family life and an erosion of those family values that are based on
the Scriptures; and

WHEREAS, The families of our Synod need the affirmation, sup-
port, and encouragement of congregations who are building a com-
prehensive ministry to all people in all families; and

WuereaS, Our Synod has made some important steps forward
in promoting family ministry, for which we thank God, such as
1. the inclusion of more marriage and family-life courses and con-

cerns at our colleges, universities, and seminaries;

2. the creation and staffing of a Department of Family Ministry in the
Board for Congregational Services;

3. the new partnership of the Lutheran Family Association (in its
ministry to individuals and family-friendly congregations) with
Congregational Services (in its ministry to the Districts and all
congregations) that shows great promise;

4. the emergence of more congregations that develop activities and
provide staffs for family ministry;

5. the variety and number of resources available from Concordia
Publishing House are increasing among us; therefore be it

Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod seek to build a
comprehensive ministry to people in families that

1. serves as an advocate for children in a day when many have be-
come children at risk physically, emotionally, and spiritually;

2. recognizes the many types of families and people at different
stages of the life cycle in the family;

3. teaches and models biblical teaching and values;

4. sees the congregation as a caring and supportive community that
helps families place and keep Christ as the center of the home;

5. models family-friendly policies for its own workers;

6. ministers to spiritually mixed families (where one or more mem-
bers are inactive, unchurched, other-churched, or non-Christian);
7. offers its help to the families of the community; and be it further
Resolved, That Synod’s District and national offices, colleges
and seminaries, Lutheran Family Association, and others provide
the training, resources, and support needed by the congregations of
the Synod.

Board for Congregational Services