LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 122

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122

RESOLUTIONS

session 10. The resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 754;
No: 209] after discussion.)

Ethnic and Urban Ministry
RESOLUTION 1-07
Overtures 1-06−12 (CW, pp. 134−136)
WHEREAS, Many congregations and workers of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are located in areas
that are richly diverse in cultures, races, ethnic groups, languages, and age groups; and
WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus commanded His disciples to
“go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18–20) and
to be His witnesses at home, close to home, and to the ends
of the earth (Acts 1:8); and
WHEREAS, Jesus also exhorted us to “open your eyes and
look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35);
and
WHEREAS, Each congregation has the God-given responsibility to use its spiritual gifts, talents, and resources to
reach the community it serves with the Gospel of Jesus
Christ; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran churches in the United States
remain the least ethnically diverse of all faith groups; and
WHEREAS, The predominant population growth in the
United States consists of immigrant groups which are not
Christian or affiliated with a Christian church and which
face physical, personal, social, and cultural challenges; and
WHEREAS, Inner-city churches and schools are often
abandoned by ministries leaving the inner-city; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the LCMS make evangelistic outreach
the first priority of our church body (Matt. 28:18–20) by
challenging our congregations to grow as the Lord intended
(Eph. 4:14–16, Acts 2:42–47) while providing them with
support that equips them (Eph. 4:11–13) to use the gifts
God has given them (1 Cor. 12:1–31, Rom. 12:4–8) to be the
Holy Spirit’s tools for bringing Christ to the nations and the
nations to Christ, winning souls for Christ and His Kingdom (1 Cor. 9:18–23); and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS encourages its congregations
in communities of all sizes to continually “look at the fields”
around them and seize the opportunities God provides to
share the Gospel; and be it further
Resolved, That all of our congregations be encouraged to
partner with other LCMS congregations to carry out this
mission close to home; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod, in convention, encourages
Districts, Circuits, and neighboring congregations to pro-

2004 Convention Proceedings

vide for spiritual, technical, and financial support of inner
city churches and schools in their Gospel proclamation,
thus allowing them to remain in the inner city; and be it
further
Resolved, That congregations, Circuits, and mission
partnerships be encouraged to identify their opportunities
for mission among people of other cultures, races, and generations and to seek strategies for appropriate missional
approaches with these groups, with support of the District
staff; and be it finally
Resolved, That Synod and District staff and boards be
encouraged to prepare resources and share strategies that
will guide and assist congregations, Circuits, and mission
partnerships in this work.
Action: Adopted (4)
(This resolution was adopted as presented by the committee
[Yes: 757; No: 386] after discussion.)

To Encourage Short-Term Missions
Participation
RESOLUTION 1-09
Overture 1-23 (CW, p. 139)
WHEREAS, Our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matt.
28:18–20) and to be His witnesses at home, close to home,
and to the ends of the earth; and
WHEREAS, Short-term mission participation within the
United States and abroad has spiritually edified those who
have participated and the people whom they have served; and
WHEREAS, Many congregations have been enriched by
sponsoring such short-term mission participation within
the United States and abroad; therefore be it
Resolved, That the members of LCMS congregations be
encouraged to consider short-term mission participation;
and be it further
Resolved, That congregations that have not sponsored
short-term mission participation be encouraged to meet for
prayer and networking with congregations that have done
so; and be it finally
Resolved, That congregations and their members be encouraged to work through LCMS World Mission, their respective Districts, mission agencies, and Recognized Service Organizations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod for such mission participation.
Action: Adopted (10)
(This resolution was adopted as presented by the committee
[Yes: 844; No: 116] after discussion.)