LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 140

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140 MISSIONS

Resolved, That within the guidelines of Synod doctrine, polity,
and practice, these pastors, congregations, and officials be encour-
aged by the District to “cooperate in externals” with other Chris-
tians in a way that furthers our faithful witness to the love of Christ
for us and for all people; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Missouri District request the 2004 conven-
tion of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to give strong en-
couragement to such efforts throughout the Synod.

Missouri District

1-26

To Work with Others to Proclaim Gospel

WHEREAS, The church exists in a world where the population is
expected to expand by 4 to 60 million people in the next 50 years;
and

WHEREAS, Eighty percent of all people will live in cities within
the next 10 years; and

WHEREAS, The church is to be the light of the world and the salt
of the earth (Matt. 5:13-16) in order to make disciples of all na-
tions (Matt. 28:18-20); and ‘

WHEREAS, There are many within Christendom who share our
commitment to tell the world what our Lord has done; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Pacific Southwest District memorialize the
Synod to boldly affirm its historic perspective that the Good News
of Jesus, the Savior, is the center and primary operative force
among us; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod do
everything within its means to coordinate and cooperate with other
evangelical Christian churches that share our passion for the lost
in developing innovative and effective means to proclaim the
Gospel to all who are perishing; and be it further

Resolved, That parishes be encouraged to pray, without ceas-
ing, petitions for the lost; and be it finally

Resolved, That we commit ourselves to resolving any tension
(real or perceived) that may exist between the preservation of true
doctrine and the proclamation of tlie Gospel.

Pacific Southwest District

1-27

To Work with Others to Make Good News
Primary Operative Force

WHEREAS, The church exists in a world where the population is
expected to expand by forty to sixty million people in the next fifty
years; and

WHEREAS, Eighty percent of the world’s population will live in
cities in ten years; and

WHEREAS, Secularism continues and grows in its appeal to peo-
ple of all nations and cultures; and

WHEREAS, The gap between rich and poor is accelerating faster
than ever; and

WHEREAS, A common indifference to Christ’s Word and work
continues worldwide; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod reclaim
the historical perspective of the Synod that the Good News of
Jesus, the Savior, is the central and primary operative force in our
church body; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be de-
termined to share the Good News of Jesus with all people, wher-
ever they may be, and that our church body
* Search out new and innovative methods such as new technolo-

gies,
* Put aside anything that hinders the proclaiming of the Gospel
message,

¢ Seek to cooperate and work with other Christians who share our
perspective,
¢ Pray daily that the power of the Word may work in the hearts and
lives of all people.
Trinity
Roselle, IL

1-28

To Encourage Cooperative and Joint Campus Ministry
with Other Lutheran Denominations

WHEREAS, In the past there was good cooperative and joint
campus ministry carried out with the LCA and ALC, which have
merged to become the ELCA; and

WHEREAS, For the sake of good pastoral care for and ministry
to, with, and by students and faculty on campuses, a united, coop-
erative, and joint Lutheran campus ministry would be good for both
people served and the campus ministers and staff who serve and
also better stewardship of financial resources and of facilities;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Southern District memorialize the 2004 con-
vention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to make provi-
sions needed for cooperative and joint campus ministry with will-
ing Lutheran denominations.

Southern District; Resurrection, Coronado, CA

1-29

To Return to Long-standing Practice
for Military Chaplains

Rationale

Members of the Armed Forces of our country benefit by the
blessings of God through the ministry of Lutheran chaplains. Be-
cause of frequent orders to locations anywhere in the world, mem-
bers of the LCMS serving in the military frequently benefit from the
ministry.of ELCA chaplains, just as ELCA members serving in the
military frequently benefit-from the ministry of LCMS chaplains.

In order to provide for continued education and professional
concems, there are annual Lutheran Chaplains Conferences for all
Lutheran chaplains serving all branches of the armed forces. It is a
wonderful time for Lutheran chaplains who serve the army, navy,
air force, and marines to encourage one another’s ministry and to
gather for worship and prayer. For many years at these conferences
the Lord’s Supper was celebrated so that all the Lutheran chaplains
could commune together. More recently and currently the leaders
of our denomination have insisted that there be separate LCMS and
ELCA celebrations of the Eucharist at these pan-Lutheran Chap-
lains Conferences. The strange result is that while LCMS policy
for LCMS military chaplains is to provide a ministry of Word and
Sacraments for all Lutherans, current LCMS practice is to make
provisions for separate celebrations of the Eucharist so that LCMS
chaplains themselves do not participate as celebrants or recipients
with ELCA chaplains. LCMS and ELCA chaplains at these con-
ferences study Scripture together, worship and pray together, take
turns in sharing leadership and resource personnel to lead these
conferences—they just don’t commune together as a matter of
LCMS policy. Many chaplains in both the LCMS and the ELCA
desire the opportunity to return to the earlier practice of com-
muning together to find encouragement and strength that comes
from the Lord of the church at His Holy Meal. Most active-duty
and retired military persons and their families who have benefited
and do benefit from the ministry of Lutheran chaplains desire that
they be allowed and encouraged to commune together so that they
receive the gift of God that they offer as servants of the church.

Resolved, That the Pacific Southwest District gathered in con-
vention express its thanks to our military chaplains for their dedi-
cated service to our Lord as they serve people in the armed forces;
and be it further