LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 327

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SOCIAL MINISTRY 325

9-23

To Refrain from Passing Resolutions
on Amnesty

Wuereas, The citizens of the United States of America
are embroiled in frustrating discussions relative to the ques-
tion of amnesty for deserters and draft evaders during the
Viet Nam engagement; and

Wuereas, Continued divergent opinions tend to disrupt
tranquillity and cause hostility among citizens of our country;
and

WuereEas, The subject of amnesty is primarily a matter of
civil disobedience and punishment; therefore be it

Resolved, That the matter of amnesty be considered a
function of the United States Government and that citizens
be urged to inform their respective members of the Congress
of their personal opinions; and be it further

Resolved, That organizations of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod refrain from issuing confusing and con-
flicting resolutions in this area inasmuch as no unanimity of

inion i rent.
opinion is apparent Triniry LUTHERAN CHURCH

Cliffside Park, N. J.
Alfred Olsen, President
Elizabeth Eichhorn, Secretary

9-24

To Withdraw Social Ministry Affirmations

Wuereas, The LCMS adopted the Social Ministry Affirma-
tions; and

Wuereas, These affirmations declare in part: “We call on
the church, as a corporate entity, to use in responsible ways
those channels that are open to it to influence other struc-
tures and institutions such as government, business, and
labor, to sensitize them to the task of improving the quality
of life at every level (Mark 2:8-9; Acts 6)”; and

Wuereas, These affirmations are not in accord with the
Scriptural and Lutheran teaching of the separation of church
and state; therefore be it

Resolved, That we ask the LCMS to withdraw the Social

Minist 7 ions.
inistry Affirmations Trinity LUTHERAN CHURCH

New Haven, Mo.
Larry Scheer, Secretary

9-25

To Withdraw Corporate Positions
in Secular Affairs

Wuereas, Our congregation had been approached in Sep-
tember 1972 to give aid and assistance in the implementation
of Project Equality; and

Wuereas, The approach was made by an LCMS sister
congregation in this area and part of the stated basis for
the approach was the 1969 convention endorsement and the
1971 convention affirmation of Project Equality: and

Wuereas, Much evidence has been amassed that indicates
that pursuit of such programs by the corporate church leads
to reduction of attendance, membership, and stewardship:
causes diminution of evangelism; and results in substituting
“social gospel” for the prime mission of the church which
is to promulgate the saving Gospel to all nations; and

Wuereas, The documentation of these negative results is
not limited to those having views against such secular cor-
porate action by the church but has also been duly acknowl-
edged by such ecumenical, social activists as Rev. Dean
Kelley, a long-time executive of the NCC; and

Wuereas, This acknowledgement of the negative results
on church statistics of such corporate secular activity is now
so general that it is common to have stories and cartoons
in the secular press depict this phenomenon; and

Wuereas, On Oct. 7, 1972, in the Cincinnati Enquirer, the
cartoonist, L. D. Warren, dramatized this phenomenon by

a picture of a pastor facing row upon row of empty pews
and announcing his sermon topic as “My Sermon Today Is
What's Wrong with America, Economically, Politically, and
Socially” (the cartoon is attached); and

Wuereas, Our church council has responded to the en-
treaty made by the sister congregation to the effect that
“we have established a consensus on Project Equality; .. .
we feel such programs as Project Equality lead into what
is recognized as ‘social gospel’ and detract from preaching
the Saving Gospel; ... we regret that Synod ‘endorsed’ this
program in 1969 but we are grateful it did not make par-
ticipation in any way obligatory; and we will likely recom-
mend to our Voters’ Assembly that we present an overture
to Synod that they withdraw their endorsement of Project
Equality and similar programs which tend to invite church
organizations to lobby for social, economic, and political
programs” (the letter in response to the invitation to join
in Project Equality is attached); and

Wuereas, Council has presented their recommendations to
Voters’ Assembly and received concurrence on submitting
this overture to the 1973 convention and to make this over-
ture available, herewith, to the Lutheran community; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the Synod withdraw its corporate posi-
tions in areas of open housing, civil disobedience, fair busi-
ness and employment practices, and Project Equality; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Synod withdraw and amend various
paragraphs in the Social Affirmations Resolution (9-07)
adopted in 1971; such as those inviting corporate church
pronouncements in civil matters; and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod refrain from maintaining or
establishing corporate positions on similar secular issues
past, present, or future: and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod express itself against joining,
establishing fellowship, or maintaining fellowship or joint
operations with (while not cutting off dialog with) any
other body, denomination, council. or group which has a
different doctrinal basis or which is expressly associated
with and promotes corporate positions on secular matters;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod affirm its long-held conviction
that its individual members —and the fellowship of all
Christians — be urged to individually take an active and
ethical part in the social, economic, and political issues of
our day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod proclaim anew that its primary
task is to win,souls for Christ and that it should avoid en-
tanglements in and of the world which detract from the
primary mission; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod affirm its confident belief that
more won Christians, armed with the knowledge of the Law
and the promise of the Gospel, will surely, with the help
of God, influence the secular world in unfathomable, sig-
nificant, and beneficial ways.

St, PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Cincinnati, Ohio 45227
Walter H. Roschke, Pastor
Joseph Lewin, Secretary

9-26

To Support Community and Economic
Development Programs

Wuereas, Central city communities suffer serious eco-
nomic handicaps because of low income levels and the
constant drain of that little money out of the community
through businesses owned by people living outside of the
community; and

Wuereas, The economic drain on the central city is not
an accident of history but results from decisions and inde-
cision on the part of the citizens, including Christians from
the larger community; and

Wuereas, Christians are called to minister to the total
needs of the total man; therefore be it