Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1973 · 50th Convention › Page 322
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 322

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

CO SESSSIESSSSSZTSS SS EneeEnE

320 SOCIAL MINISTRY

United Nations and other international agencies.

D. New international credit reserves (in effect the crea-
tion of new money) and profits made from the mining of
ocean beds in international waters should be distributed
primarily to the poor nations — at the very least they should

each country’s Gross National Product also merits support
as a way of financing development in the Poor countries.

These things ought to be done not with the attitude of
superiors helping inferiors, but because we are all equally
members of God’s human family, called to share the same
earth.

10. Clearly a serious response by the church to world
hunger pushes us into the area of Christian citizenship.
Christians in this democracy bear a heavy responsibility for
what our nation does or does not do regarding world hunger.
The mood of retrenchment, of turning inward these past
several years makes this responsibility all the more urgent.
If we do not engage the issue in the arena of citizenship,
then we are casting our votes for more hunger. It is for
this reason that the commission offers and supports a resolu-

tion that each congregation constitute itself as a citizens’ |

action group for the hungry and assume an advocacy role
for them. Many things we can do corporately as congre-
gations to encourage responsible citizenship on this issue.
Other things we will have to leave to individual judgment —
but even then the church can articulate principles that should
guide its members. Above all it is imperative now that we
do not content ourselves with mouthing abstract platitudes
about citizenship, but take concrete steps to help one another
barticipate in it for the sake of Christ and for the sake of
is hungry brothers and sisters.

Proposed Resolutions

Wuereas, Effective action on the hunger crisis depends
greatly upon an informed constituency; therefore be it

Resolved. That the congregations, the leadership, and the
agencies of Synod, including Synod’s publications and edu-
cational institutions, use every available resource and he
encouraged to develop new resources in order to promote.
on a sustaining basis, an understanding of world hunger and
of Christ’s will for us in this regard.

Wuereas, Synod's Social Ministry and World Relief pro-
gram provides an excellent avenue for direct assistance to
hungry people; therefore be it

Resolved. That we urge the members and the congrega-
tions of Synod to give increasing support to Social Ministry
and World Relief both for emergency feeding operations and
for more comprehensive efforts aimed at longer-range alle-
Viation of hunger.

Wuereas, It is the finding of this commission, after three
years of study, that if the hungry are to feed themselves,
we must look beyond emergency relief efforts, toward chang-
ing the condition of acute poverty, which makes hunger
Inevitable, and therefore toward a more generous sharing
of this country’s wealth and economic leverage with the
poor countries; and

Wuerzas, This calls us all to a new sense of responsibility
in exercising Christian citizenship; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
ask each congregation within Synod to assume an advocacy
role for the hungry, and constitute itself as a citizens’ action
group for them: and be it further

Resolved, That Synod’s Board of Social Ministry and
World Relief assist and guide the congregations toward this
end, and that the Board be asked to submit budget require-

COMMISSION ON Wor.p Hencer
Martin Poch, Chairman

9-04

To Lobby for the Hungry

WHEREAS, The LCMS resolved both in 1969 and in 1971
to do all in its power to feed the hungry, estimated at over
one half of the world’s population; and

WHEREAS, Emergency relief efforts are laudable and ur-
gent, yet such emergency relief does not reduce the increas-
ing needs for better production and distribution of food
supplies: and

Wuereas, If hunger is to be reduced, comprehensive eco-
nomic developments and commitment of national resources
must be initiated through legislative Process; and

Wuereas, The Christian has the Opportunity to express
a concern for hungry people through actions aimed at bring-
ing about appropriate congressional legislation; therefore
be it

Resolved. That the English District ask each congrega-
tion within the District to constitute itself as a “citizens’
lobby” for the hungry; and that the District’s Committee
on Social Ministry be enabled to develop ways in which this
lobbying effort might be appropriately and effectively car-
ried out: and be it further

Resolved, That the English District memorialize The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod at its next convention to
ask the same of each congregation within the Synod, with
assistance provided by the Synod’s Board of Social Ministry.

ENcuisH District
Robert L. Landeck, Secretary

To Help the Poor

WHerEAS, We feel that the church has an increasing role
in meeting the needs of the impoverished of this country; and

Wuereas, Holy Scripture calls us to bear witness to our
faith by actions: and

Wuereas, We have been commissioned by our Lord to be
servants to the world; and

Wuereas, The lesson of the Good Samaritan is set as an
example for us to follow: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod:

(1) Rededicate itself to meeting the needs of the im-
poverished and imprisoned

(2) Actively pursue programs guaranteeing the dignity
of all people, regardless of economic position, racial heritage,

or social condition. LuTHERAN CHURCH OF THE COVENANT
Maple Heights, Ohio
Albert Zimmerman, President
Norman Lisy, Secretary
Omar Stuenkel, Pastor

9-06A

To Enlarge “Keys for Christ” Program

We call upon The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to
strengthen and enlarge its “Keys for Christ” housing pro-
gram, and to assist in whatever way possible efforts to cre+
ate responsible interest and rent subsidization programs in
the public sector.

Reasons:

1. The housing crisis, particularly for the poor, is becom-
ing more and more urgent.

2. Recent action on the part of the federal administration
has frozen almost all funds which would have provided in-

3. There is already much precedent in the Synod for the