LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 324

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322 SOCIAL MINISTRY

Synod to develop Project Compassion programs to fit the
special needs of their respective areas; and be it further

Resolved, That Synod, during the next biennium, provide
sufficient funds to employ a full-time staff Person to give the

Sustained guidance, supervision, and promotion that a pro-
gram of this importance needs. This person should serve

in developing, evaluating, and improving Project Compassion
Programs. In addition, he should assist the Board in carry-
ing out its responsibilities toward our institutional chaplaincy

rogr .
Programs Boarp oF Socta MINISTRY aND Wortp RELIEF

Leslie F, Weber, Executive Secretary
9-11

To Strengthen Chaplaincy Programs

We call upon The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to
creatively strengthen its chaplaincy programs, through its
Districts, to public nursing homes and mental hospitals: to
add its influence to responsible movements jn the public

Because life conditions in public nursing homes and men-
tal hospitals are abominable in many cases and only toler-
able in most.

Because there is generally a very low level of public
awareness as to the plight of those compelled, necessarily;
or otherwise, to inhabit these institutions,

Cuurcu or Sr. Jouy THE EVANGELIST
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Jesse Greenlow, Secretary

9-12
To Recruit, Train, and Utilize

Institutional Chaplains

Wuerras, The role of the institutional chaplain and his
ministry has changed in recent years and continues to
change in most church bodies in that:

1. Formerly it was seen as less important than the parish
ministry. .

2. Now being an institutional chaplain frequently in-
cludes being a member of a team of professionals concerned
about the health, welfare, and behavior of persons served by
the institution,

A. In addition to serving the patients and inmates, the
chaplain frequently serves as a consultant and educator to
staff and to significant segments of the community.

B. Chaplains often are in Position to help shape moral
decisions not only of individuals within the institution but
also of the total institution itself; and

Whereas, Clinical Pastoral Education has played a major
role in upgrading the role and quality of the institutional
chaplain, as have the higher standards and expectations of
the institutions employing staff chaplains; and

Wuereas, Our church has recognized the contributions
trained chaplains can make to the total life and mission of
the church by:

— calling them as seminary professors

—using them as resource Persons in the Marriage and
Family Life Seminars

— utilizing them on District ministerial health committees

—having them conduct workshops on mental health,
drug addiction, death and grief, counseling, etc.

—referring persons and families to them for special
counseling

— pastors and wives going personally to them for counsel-
ing; and

WHEREAS, Under the increasingly heavy tensions, con-
fusions, and pressures of a radically changing and sinful
society, the need for this specialized ministry is increasing;

and the need for chaplains to fill new positions as well as to
replace vacated positions exists: therefore be it

Resolved, That all Districts, through the office of the
President and the Board of Social Ministry, in consultation
with Synod’s Board of Social Ministry and World Relief

1. Create and support the Position of executive chaplain
who would supervise, consult with, and listen to all full-
and part-time chaplains within the District, and facilitate
where possible a more effective pastoral care program. He
shall also help the District:

A. To be alert to Opportunities and Openings for a
clinically trained chaplain in a comprehensive community
health center and federal, state, county, and municipal insti-
tutions, as well as in church-related hospitals, homes for the
aged, social service agencies, etc., and work toward placing
a chaplain there: and

B. To encourage capable young pastors to consider the
institutional chaplaincy as their calling from God.

2. Provide funds for Clinical Pastoral Education for quali-
fied persons.

3. Encourage large parishes or a combination of parishes
to secure a trained chaplain as a member of their pastoral
Staff for counseling as well as to sensitize and equip the con-
gregations to more “health-oriented”’ ministry to the deep
hurts and needs of the people and community in this age of
addiction, loneliness, and radical change.

Boarp or Soctan MINISTRY aND Wortp RELIEF
Leslie F. Weber, Executive Secretary

9-13
To Support Welfare Agencies

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran social service institutions and
agencies have been an integral part of the mission and min-
istry of our Synod throughout its history; and

WHEREAS, Many of these institutions have been develop-
ing and improving their programs to meet the diverse hu-
man needs of our pluralistic society: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention assembled give
thanks to almighty God for the works of these institutions
and agencies: and be it finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod,
its Districts and member congregations, be encouraged to
more strongly support these institutions and agencies by
their offerings, prayers, and active participation in their en-

deavors in the Lord’s name. Fartx LutHeran Cuurcn
Kansas City, Kans,
E. A. Whitmire, Chairman
A.B. Yancy, Secretary

9-14A

To Encourage Cooperative Welfare Services

Wuereas, It is in keeping with the mission of the church
to serve the whole man in the total society in which we live;
an

Wuereas, Experience both in the U.S. and in other fields
in which our church is at work have shown that it is often
necessary and often desirable to cooperate in programs of
social ministry with other Christians and especially with
Lutherans belonging to other church bodies; and

Wuereas, Cooperation and coordination of social ministry
services with other Lutheran groups, and at times other
Christian groups, can and is done in ways which are con-
sistent with the Sacred Scriptures and the Lutheran Con-
fessions; therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod commend those Lutheran social
ministry agencies which are carrying out their mission and
the mission of the church on a pan-Lutheran basis, while ob-
serving the guidance of the Sacred Scriptures and the Lu-
theran Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That Synod urge all Lutheran social ministry
programs to be alert for Opportunities for extending the in-
fluence of the Gospel and sharing the love of God through