LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 245

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6. HUMAN CARE

6-01

To Promote Health and Healing Ministries

WHEREAS, Two-thirds of the miracles of Jesus Christ had to do
with what we today call health and healing. This is not a ministry
foreign to the work of the church, but rather an integral part of our
ministry (Matt. 10:5~8; Acts 3:1-10; James 5:14—15) and mission
outreach (John 9:1-41; Matt. 9:18~33; 5:14-16) to a world that
knows nothing of Jesus and His love; and

Wuereas, Ministries of health and healing are not foreign to
our church’s history, but an integral part of our historic ministry;
and

WHEREAS, An expression of health and healing ministries is
found in parish nursing, a ministry of Christian service shaped by
Christ’s concern for the whole person, and is a visible expression of
Christ’s healing love; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a forerun-
ner in parish nurse ministry by being the only denomination to rec-
ognize the parish nurse as a called church worker when proper
training is completed; and

WHEREAS, The Northern Illinois District, Lutheran Church
Charities, and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League have pro-
vided funding and support for parish nurses in the Northern Illinois
District; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2003 convention of the Northern Illinois
District affirm health and healing ministries as a vital part of min-
istry in congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That the 2003 convention of the Northern Illinois
District commend national and local agencies that express “whole
person” health and healing ministries such as Wheat Ridge Min-
istries, Bethesda Lutheran Home, Lutheran Child and Family Ser-
vices, and local congregational health and healing ministries; and
be it further

Resolved, That the 2003 convention of the Northern Illinois
District urge congregations to bring to bear a focused intentionality
to issues of health and healing by establishing health committees
in each parish to assist members in living healthier lives as a way to
present the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to more people; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the 2003 Northern Illinois District convention
petition the 2004 LCMS convention to affirm the same.

Northern Illinois District; Trinity, Roselle, IL; Circuit 6,
Northern Illinois District

6-02

To Facilitate Inclusive Ministry
with and to People with Disabilities

Wuereas, Our Lord ministered to the needs of all people and
asks His followers to emulate His example; and

WHEREAS, “All people” includes individuals with physical and
mental disabilities that significantly limit major life activities (cur-
rently between 15 and 20 percent of the total population); and

WueErEAS, People with disabilities are often faced with physi-
cal and attitudinal barriers to full participation in worship, fellow-
ship, and outreach activities; and

WHEREAS, The removal of such barriers significantly enhances
the spiritual, emotional, and psychological life of people with dis-
abilities and is a sign of welcome to all; and

WHEREAS, Many nondisabled people will experience the reality
of disabilities as a result of illness, accident, or aging; and

WHEREAS, People with disabilities are able to make positive
contributions to the life of a parish; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church~Missouri Synod in the area
of disabilities currently officially serves only the needs of people
who are hearing- or sight-impaired as evidenced by executive and
governing board personnel; and

245

Wuereas, No program or mission statement on inclusiveness
currently exists in the church body to facilitate inclusiveness of all
people with disabilities in the mission and ministry of the church
body and its individual congregations; and

WuerEAS, A board of the Synod, the Board for Human Care
Ministries, already exists and might include this activity in its pro-
gram; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Northwest District, in convention assembled,
memorialize The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to include
mission and ministry with and to people with all types of disabili-
ties in the activity of the aforementioned Board; and be it further

Resolved, That this responsibility be specifically assigned to an
individual on the Board for Human Services or its executive; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the following matters be addressed (and others
as they see fit):

1. A Mission Statement for this ministry of inclusiveness

2. A congregational self-assessment tool to assess the needs of
people with disabilities

3. Plans and guidelines to address physical and attitudinal bar-
riers in churches

4. Suggestions whereby people with disabilities can be involved
in the life and ministry of a congregation

5. Congregational outreach to people with disabilities to achieve
inclusiveness in the life and ministry of the congregation

Northwest District; St. Paul, Saratoga Springs, NY

6-03

To Make Proper Compensation of Church Workers
Highest Priority

Whereas, Congregations, Districts, educational institutions,
and the corporate Synod have the responsibility to care for their
workers, their spouses, and families by providing adequate salary
and benefits; and

Whereas, Retention of competent, joyful, and enthusiastic
workers of the church is reinforced by providing just and appropri-
ate compensation; and

WHEREAS, Many of our congregations, Districts, agencies, edu-
cational institutions, and the corporate. Synod are struggling finan-
cially; and

WHEREAS, There may be a temptation in times of financial
struggle to reduce the wages and benefits of the workers of the
church; and

Wuereas, Worker Benefit Plans has offered “choice” as to a
number of different levels of plans with decreasing benefits and
also has permitted employers to require workers to share the pre-
mium costs and not to cover their families; therefore be it

Resolved, That congregations, Districts, agencies, educational
institutions, and the corporate Synod be expected to make it the
highest priority to provide just and appropriate compensation to the
workers of the church; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations, Districts, agencies, educational
institutions, and the corporate Synod be strongly encouraged to
continue to fully provide the highest level of coverage offered by
Worker Benefit Plans for the worker and his/her spouse and family;
and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations, Districts, agencies, educational
institutions, and the corporate Synod be strongly encouraged to
offer salaries that are competitive within their communities for peo-
ple of equivalent education, training, and experience.

Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support