LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 80

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80 RESOLUTIONS

4. Evangelism on the part of the congregation will
utilize a variety of means, methods, and agencies for the
purpose of sharing the Gospel with one another, being
particularly aware that we are called to evangelize peo-
ple of all ethnic origins and cultural traditions.

5. Evangelism has as its goal the conversion of the
whole world to the confession that “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Thus, each Lutheran congregation will support the evan-
gelism efforts of District and the Synod. However, while
supporting global evangelism, every Lutheran will re-
member that evangelism begins with each baptized
Christian sharing the Gospel with the members of his
own family, and with the person next door, in the same
community, in the same place of occupation, in the same
dormitory, hospital, or wherever the Lord of the church
provides opportunity.

6. The motivation for all evangelism is the baptized
Christian’s Spirit-born compulsion to share the Gospel.
However, because our sinful human nature is inclined to
neglect witnessing or sharing the Gospel, the pastor
ought to remind himself and his people to “do the work of
an evangelist”; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Evangelism of the Synod
and of the Districts continue to study the Lutheran
understanding of evangelism, continue to evaluate the
evangelistic enterprises in society, notify pastors and

_ congregations of evangelism materials acceptable for

Lutheran use, and call attention to evangelistic materi-
als and methods which are unsuitable for Lutheran use.

Action: Adopted as amended (2).

(The committee replaced its tentative Res. 1-02 with Res. 1-
02A. The phrase “with the members of his own family” in Point
5 was added by amendment. The assembly also removed “Ameri-
can” as a modifier of “moralism” and “society” in the fourth
whereas and final resolved. Among several proposed amend-
ments which were voted down was one which would have added
to the second sentence of Point 5 the words “. . . and of any other
agency of Christ’s universal church which are carried out in
keeping with these principles.” A motion to refer the resolution
back to the committee failed).

To Recommend Renewal Retreats
RESOLUTION 1-03
Report 1-01, V, Rec. 1 (CW, pp. 8-9)

WueEREAS, The 51st convention of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod has been designated as an
evangelism convention to move the church boldly forward
in its mission in humble obedience to the Lord of the
church; and

Wuereas, The mission “to make disciples of all na-
tions” needs continual reaffirmation; and

Wuereas, To accomplish its mission the church de-
pends upon the Holy Spirit through the Gospel to edu-
cate, motivate, and equip its leadership; and

Wuereas, In the face of declining church member-
ship, backdoor losses of 52,618 in 1973, 40% of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod congregations in 1973
confirming or baptizing one adult or less, it becomes
increasingly important for pastors, other professional

church workers, and lay people to carry on enthusiasti-
cally the work of evangelism; and

WHEREAS, Evangelism is affected by the attitude of
the person who is to do the evangelizing; and

Wuereas, There is a need for better evangelism
training; therefore be it

Resolved, That for the next biennium the Synod adopt
as its major evangelism thrust Renewal Retreats for its
professional church workers and their spouses and for
congregational leaders and their spouses; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That the retreats be several days in length,
conducted in a retreat setting and using small-group
discussion techniques with sufficient time for sharing,
Bible study, reflection, and prayer; and be it further

Resolved, That each participant in the retreats be
asked to evaluate his own personal mission of sharing
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to set personal goals, and to
plan how he can help motivate and equip every member
to share the Gospel; and be it further

Resolved, That at the retreats the District, circuit,
and congregation each evaluate its evangelism activities
and plan an aggressive program of outreach; and be it
further

Resolved, That the goal be that all the professional
church workers and congregational leaders, together
with their spouses, experience a Renewal! Retreat; and be
it further

Resolved, That the following be the pattern of the
retreats:

1. Regional Renewal Retreats (RRR)—six retreats
for synodical officers and District leaders, conducted by
the Board for Evangelism;

2. District Renewal Retreats (DRR) for District exec-
utives and circuit counselors, conducted by the District
leaders who attended an RRR;

3. Circuit Renewal Retreats (CRR) for pastors and
congregational lay leaders of each circuit, conducted by
those who attended a DRR;

4. Parish Renewal Retreats (PRR), at least one for
each congregation, conducted by those who attended a
CRR; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors allocate $65,000
for the Regional Retreats and materials for subsequent
retreats; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Districts be asked to fund the
District Renewal Retreats and that congregations be
asked to fund the Circuit and the Parish Renewal Re-
treats.

Action: Adopted (4).
To Establish Evangelism Objectives at
the District and Congregational Level
RESOLUTION 1-04

Report 1-01, HI; V, Rec. 7 (CW, pp. 4-5, 10)

Wuereas, The objectives of the Board for Evangelism