LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 149

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HUMAN CARE

149

To Support Refugee/Immigrant/Asylee
Resettlement

(After brief discussion, the resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 910; No: 63].)

RESOLUTION 6-06

To Encourage Congregations to Establish
and/or Support Pregnancy Care Centers

Overture L6-11 (TB, p. 37)
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture directs Christians to show
love, care, hospitality, and assistance toward the strangers
and foreigners in our lands; and
WHEREAS, Millions of refugees are in desperate need of
our Christian charity and support; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
(LIRS) is the second largest agency currently providing for
the orderly admission of refugees to the United States (as
regulated by Congress); and
WHEREAS, The ministries of LIRS offer congregations opportunities to provide Christian charity and support; therefore be it
Resolved, That we encourage our congregations, Districts, synodical church officials, boards, and agencies to petition our federal and state governments and their agencies
to continue funding existing refugee or immigrant or asylee
resettlement programs and agencies; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage our congregations, individually or jointly, to contact LIRS, LCMS World Relief, and/or
local Lutheran social agencies or services for information
and assistance to resettle at least one refugee or immigrant
or asylee family as soon as possible and that this action be
taken to carry out the Great Commission.
Action: Adopted (4)
(After an early motion to close debate failed, an amendment
to add the words and asylee after the word refugee in the first resolve and the words or asylee after the word refugee in the final
resolve carried. As discussion continued, an amendment to
change asylee to asylum-seeker by common consent failed to receive unanimous support. A motion to further amend the
amended resolution by inserting the words or immigrant after
the word refugee in both cases where previous amendments had
been made, such change to be reflected also in the title of the resolution, carried. The resolution as amended was then adopted
[Yes: 1,078; No: 52].)

To Promote Health and Healing
Ministries
RESOLUTION 6-07
Overture 6-01 (CW, p. 245)
WHEREAS, Health and healing were an integral part of
the ministry of Jesus Christ and continue to be vital to the
church’s ministry today (Matt 10:5–8; Acts 3:1–10; Jas.
5:14–15; John 9:1–41; Matt. 9:18–33); and
WHEREAS, Health and healing ministries are exemplified
in national and congregational entities (e.g., LCMS Health
Ministries of LCMS World Relief, Lutheran Services in
America, Wheat Ridge Ministries, Bethesda Lutheran
Home, health committees, and parish nursing programs);
therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
promote these national health and healing ministries and
encourage congregations to support and establish health
committees and/or parish nursing programs.

RESOLUTION 6-08
Overture 6-08 (CW, p. 247)
WHEREAS, A strong pro-life position cares not only for babies whose lives are in danger but also for mothers whose
situations are difficult; and
WHEREAS, Many pregnancy care centers offer physical,
financial, emotional, and spiritual care for the mother; and
WHEREAS, Many pregnancy care centers offer abstinence
and post-abortion counseling for both males and females;
therefore be it
Resolved, That LCMS congregations be encouraged to
establish and/or support local pregnancy care centers that
reflect our strong pro-life position.
Action: Adopted (10)
(This resolution was adopted as presented without debate
[Yes: 983; No: 10].)

To Facilitate Ministry with and to People
with Disabilities
RESOLUTION 6-09
Overture 6-02 (CW, p. 245)
WHEREAS, Physical, mental, and emotional disabilities
may significantly limit participation in worship, fellowship,
education, service, and outreach activities; and
WHEREAS, People with these disabilities are able to make
positive contributions to the life of a parish; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS Board for Human Care Ministries address the following matters:
1. A mission statement for this ministry with and to people with disabilities;
2. A congregational self-assessment tool to assess the
needs of people with disabilities;
3. Plans and guidelines to address physical and attitudinal barriers in churches;
4. Suggestions whereby people with disabilities can be
involved in the life and ministry of a congregation; and
5. Congregational outreach to people with disabilities to
achieve participation in the life and ministry of the congregation.
Action: Adopted (10)
(After introduction by the committee, a request was made to
move the question unanimously. The convention instead closed
debate, and the resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 982;
No: 18].)

To Call Upon Board for Human Care
Ministries to Review Birth-Control
Products
RESOLUTION 6-10
Overture 3-102 (CW, p. 195)
WHEREAS, God is the Creator and Giver of All Life; and

Action: Adopted (10)
2004 Convention Proceedings