LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 125

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DISTRICT AND CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES
Action: Adopted (9)
(During discussion an amendment was offered to replace the
words initiate a process leading toward the development of diverse
worship resources for use in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
in the final resolve with the words be commended for its encouragements toward uniformity in church practice. When the chair ruled
that this change would make the resolution a substitute resolution,
the assembly voted not to consider it [Yes: 484; No: 676]. After an
amendment to strike the entire final resolve failed, the resolution was
adopted without amendment [Yes: 765; No: 431].)

To Celebrate 125th Anniversary
of Black Ministry
RESOLUTION 2-06
Overture 2-51 (CW, p. 158)
WHEREAS, By the grace of God, Black Ministry in The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Black Lutherans have had to weather the
storms of adversity (segregation, discrimination, racism,
and the like) on many occasions in the quest for autonomy
and inclusivity, yet they still press onward; and
WHEREAS, One can find in the 125-year-plus history of
Black Lutheranism many memorable events and achievements worth celebrating (e.g., the pioneer work of Dr. Rosa
Jinsey Young in south Alabama; the year 1961, when the
Districts of the LCMS took over full responsibility for Black
work from the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference
of North America; the election of Dr. Joseph Lavalais as the
first Black to serve on the Praesidium of Synod; the birth of
the Black Ministry Commission [now the Board for Black
Ministry Services]; and the Black Centennial celebration of
1977); and
WHEREAS, Many significant contributions, largely unnoticed and unchronicled, have been made over these years
by countless unknown men and women in establishing missions and congregations, in recruiting church workers, and
in the pastoral and teaching vocations; and
WHEREAS, There are over 350 congregations involved in
Black ministry today, having a cumulative membership of
over 70,000; therefore be it
Resolved, That it is fitting and proper to give thanks to
Almighty God for all the blessings He has showered upon
Black ministry over these 125-plus years; and be it further
Resolved, That the Board for Black Ministry Services
begin preparation for celebrating the 130th anniversary of
Black ministry in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Action: Adopted (9)
(After brief debate, the resolution was adopted as presented
[Yes: 1,125; No: 20].)

To Reaffirm Lutheran Educators
and Schools
RESOLUTION 2-07
Reports 1-8-02, 2-01 (CW, pp. 22–25, 52–55)
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod states
in its Bylaws that “the most effective education agencies
available to the church for equipping children and youth for
ministry are the Lutheran early childhood centers and full-

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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” (Bylaw 3.823); and
WHEREAS, Some 4,700 of the 6,000 congregations of the
Synod participate in the operation of a Lutheran early
childhood (preschool), elementary, or high school; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 17,000 full-time and part-time
teachers serve in 91 Lutheran high schools, 1,085 elementary schools, and 1,600 freestanding preschools/early childhood centers, ministering in the name of the Master
Teacher to some 240,000 students; and
WHEREAS, Gifted men and women offer themselves to God
through service in the teaching ministry of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod, in convention, reaffirm its
support of the ministry of Lutheran schools; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod, in convention, reaffirm its
support of Lutheran educators and the vital role they serve
in our One Mission of telling the Good News about Jesus.
Action: Adopted (9)
(After brief discussion, the resolution as presented by the committee was adopted [Yes: 1,118; No: 18].)

To Commend Preaching
and Teaching Creation
RESOLUTION 2-08A
Overtures 2-24-25, 5-43-45 (CW, pp. 151–152, 237)
WHEREAS, The Scriptures teach that God is the creator of
all that exists and is therefore the Author and Giver of Life;
and
WHEREAS, The hypotheses of macro, organic, and Darwinian evolution, including theistic evolution or any other
model denying special, immediate, and miraculous creation, undercut this support for the honoring of life as a gift
of God; and
WHEREAS, Any teaching that advocates the transition
from one species to another, as opposed to maintaining the
distinction of species “according to their kinds” (Genesis,
Chapter 1), rejects the clear teaching of Scripture; and
WHEREAS, It is the church’s duty to produce followers of
Christ who not only know the fundamentals of the Christian faith, but also are “prepared to give an answer . . . for
the hope that you have” (1 Pet. 3:15); therefore be it
Resolved, That all educational agencies and institutions
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod including early
childhood programs, elementary schools, high schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries continue to teach creation from the biblical perspective; and be it further
Resolved, That no educational agency or institution of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod tolerate any teaching that contradicts the special, immediate, and miraculous
creation by God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as an explanation for the origin of the universe; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod’s educational agencies and institutions properly distinguish between micro and macro
evolution and affirm the scriptural revelation that God has
2004 Convention Proceedings