LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 146

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146 CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

¢ Art work may not be displayed in schools if it depicts some-
thing religious even if that artwork is considered a historical
classic (Washegesic v Bloomingdale Public Schools, 1993).

¢ It is unconstitutional for a nativity scene to be displayed on
public property unless surrounded by sufficient secular dis-
plays to prevent it from appearing religious (County of Al-
legheny v. ACLU 1989).

WHEREAS, Jesus and His disciples advocated both private and
public prayer, Matt. 6:6 “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into
thy closet. And when thou. hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father
which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward
thee openly.”

¢ Stephen prayed before a public crowd (Acts 7:59).

¢ Peter prayed on an open, exposed city roof (Acts 10:9).

¢ Paul and Silas prayed aloud in front of onlookers (Acts
16:25).

¢ Paul prayed on a public beach with a large crowd (Acts 21:5).
¢ Paul prayed with a crew on a ship (Acts 27:29, 35).
¢ Paul prayed with a group on a public road (Acts 28:15); and

WHEREAS, Our church has historically recognized the indis-
pensability of Christian education in supporting Christian primary
and secondary schools, colleges, and universities, which serve the
needs of many of our members but begs the question for the 90 per-
cent of the children of America who attend public schools; and

WHEREAS, Prohibiting the recognition of God in the public
schools of America is a de facto establishment of the religion of
secularism to the disadvantage of all students in America which
point was articulated by Justice Potter Stewart in 1963 in the case
of Abington v. Schempp:

“For a compulsory state educational system so structures a
child’s life that if religious exercises are held to be an impermissi-
ble activity in schools, religion is placed at an artificial and state-
created disadvantage. Viewed in this light, permission of such ex-
ercises for those who want them is necessary if the schools are truly
to be neutral in the matter of religion. And a refusal to permit reli-
gious exercises thus is seen, not as the realization of state neutrality,
but rather as the establishment of a religion of secularism”; and

WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution 78 has been introduced into
the House of Representatives and has 151 co-sponsors and provides
as follows:

“To secure the people’s right to acknowledge God according to
the dictates of conscience: Neither the United States nor any state
shall establish any official religion, but the people’s right to pray
and to recognize their religious beliefs or heritage on public prop-
erty, including schools, shall not be infringed. Neither the United
States nor any State shall require any person to join in prayer or
other religious activity, prescribe school prayers, discriminate
against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of re-
ligion”; and

WHEREAS, A growing list of organizations have endorsed HJ
Res. 78, which includes American Conference of Jews and Blacks,
American Family Association, Americans for Voluntary School
Prayer, American Muslim Council, Christian Action Network,
Christian Coalition, Christian Voice, Citizens for Excellence in Ed-
ucation, Concerned Women for America, Family Research Coun-
cil, Focus on the Family, Free Congress Foundation, General Coun-
cil of the Assemblies of God, International Pentecostal Church of
Christ, National Clergy Council, National Association of Evangel-
icals, Southern Baptist Convention, Christian Life Commission,
Toward Tradition, Traditional Values Coalition, U.S. Family Net-
work, Wallbuilders, William Murray Report; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS does hereby endorse HJ Res. 78 and
urge the Congress of the United States to approve it and the states
of the Union to ratify it as an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Our Savior
Fullerton, CA

2-69

To Encourage Appropriate Recognition
of National Day of Prayer

WHEREAS, The National Day of Prayer is celebrated the first
Thursday in May, giving us the opportunity to come before our
heavenly Father, both individually and corporately, in repentance
and submission to our Lord on behalf of our nation; and

WHEREAS, Scripture has shown us that righteous men can pre-
serve a nation when the Lord said to Abraham, “For the sake of ten
righteous (men) I will not destroy it” (Gen. 18:33); and

WHEREAS, Righteousness exalts a nation (Prov. 14:34) and in
2 Chron. 7:14 God says, “If My People, who are called by My
name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn
from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will for-
give their sin and will heal their land”; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod appro-
priately recognize the National Day of Prayer; and be it further

Resolved, That our pastors and lay leaders encourage their
members to remember every day in prayer those in authority, being
mindful of Scripture, which urges requests, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgiving be made for everyone, “for kings and all those
who are in authority” (1 Tim. 2:1—2a); and be it finally

Resolved, That we encourage our pastors, lay leaders, and mem-
bers to come to daily repentance before our Lord and Savior and
to seek the face of God and be a witness of the salvation which we
have through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

St. Martin, Birch Run, MI; Board of Directors, Michigan
District; St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth, MI

2-70

To Financially Support Expanding Work
of Board for Congregational Services

Preamble

Over the years congregations and individuals have supported
special projects of entities such as world missions, human care, and
higher education. Such “over and above” gifts have provided great
blessings for those ministries. New work has been started and nec-
essary services have been provided.

In 1995 the Synod in convention approved the establishment of
the Board for Congregational Services. This board, which brings
together the Departments of Adult, Child, Evangelism, Family,
Leadership, Schools, Stewardship, and Youth Ministries, is pro-
viding high quality resources and services for congregations. Rural,
urban, and multicultural ministries are also part of the responsibil-
ities of Congregational Services. In addition, this board sponsors
special activities like Great Commission Convocations, Volunteer
Teachers Conferences, National Youth Gatherings, and other cele-
brative events.

WHEREAS, Congregations have increasingly asked for more ser-
vices and resources to assist them with their ministries, for exam-
ple, training workshops, specialty conferences, on-site consulting,
specialized Bible studies, video and print resources, leadership
training, and the like; and

WHEREAS, National Synod budget restraints have made it diffi-
cult, if not impossible, to expand the amount of resources and ser-
vices currently being offered; and ‘

WHEREAS, The synodical Board of Directors has given its ap-
proval for the Board for Congregational Services to seek direct fi-
nancial support; and

WHEREAS, District gift-planning counselors now have brochures
which describe the work of this unit as well as a listing of projects
which could be undertaken if there were sufficient financial sup-
port; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage individuals
and congregations to become more aware of the large variety of re-