LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 83

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RESOLUTIONS 83

professional ministry of the church have not been
trained for effective personal evangelism; and

Wuereas, Many of these professional ministers have
not been trained to equip their people for effective Chris-
tian witness; and

Wurereas, St. Paul in Ephesians 4:1-16 clearly states
that the gifts of ministry are to be used to “equip the
saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the
body of Christ”; therefore be it

Resolved, That the synodical colleges and seminaries
that have implemented the teaching of the concept and
practice of evangelism in their curricula continue their
development, and that the other schools incorporate the
concept and practice of evangelism in their curricula as
soon as possible; and be it further

Resolved, That these professional ministers develop
an ongoing ministry to instruct and train children,
youth, and adults in their congregations and schools
freely to express their faith in Christ to other people; and
be it finally

Resolved. That the Synod in convention affirm that
personal evangelism is not an optional activity for its
members, and that faithfulness to our Lord leads us to
train for witness so that we can respond to the opportuni-
ties God gives us to share “so great a salvation.”

Action: Adopted (12).

To Reach People with Special Needs
RESOLUTION 1-10

Report 1-01, IV (CW, p. 7)

Wuereas, Our Lord Jesus Christ compared the king-
dom of God to a great feast to which many were invited
but all declined, and to which He then invited the
beggars, crippled, lame, and blind from the streets and
alleys, the country lanes and from behind hedges (Luke
14:16-24); and

Wuereas, Our Lord enjoins us to visit the sick and
those in prison (Matt. 25:36); and

Wurreas, We are servants being sent to a vast and
neglected segment of society residing in hospitals, nurs-
ing homes, jails, rehabilitation centers, migrant camps,
ghettos, drug clinics, and halfway houses with an invita-
tion to dine with the Lord Jesus; therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention affirm that our Lord
has given each of us a responsibility commensurate with
our individual talents, to make these invitations to those
with special needs wherever they are to be found; and be
it further

Resolved, That all members of the Synod seek to
participate in parish and community volunteer organiza-
tions which will offer opportunities to extend our Lord’s
invitation to a sick and desperate society; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Board for Evangelism of the Syn-
od, of each District and circuit, and of all congregations
prepare a summary of voluntary agencies which provide

opportunities for Christian service and evangelism in
accordance with Christ’s mission to the whole man.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Intensify Publication of
Evangelism Materials
RESOLUTION 1-11

Report 1-01, IV, 12 (CW, p. 7)

Wuereas, The printed page is still an effective evan-
gelism tool; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod ask the Board for Evangel-
ism to intensify its efforts to produce, adapt, and develop

materials for evangelism that are attractive, functional,
and fully in accord with sound Lutheran doctrine; and be
it further

Resolved, That we encourage Concordia Publishing
House to print and publish these materials which will
assist the church in its evangelism efforts in the last
quarter of the 20th century.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Develop Specialized Evangelism
Literature and Techniques
RESOLUTION 1-12

Report 1-01, IV; Overture 1-06 (CW, pp. 7, 11-12)

Wuereas, The evangelization of persons who belong
to anti-Christian sects and cults presents peculiar prob-
lems; and

Wuereas,Christians need special training to witness
to them; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod encourage the Board for
Evangelism to continue to develop specialized literature
and techniques for evangelizing persons who belong to
these groups.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Follow Up Contacts
RESOLUTION 1-13
Report 1-01, IV, 10 (CW, p. 7)

Wuereas, The Board for Evangelism has worked with
Lutheran television to help make the television ministry
a part of the evangelism outreach; and

Wuereas, There are plans to continue expanding this
approach and to develop materials for the local parish to
facilitate visiting those who write in response to the
programs; therefore be it

Resolved, That congregations and pastors be encour-
aged to follow up all contacts from T.V., the Lutheran
Hour, and other contacts. under the supervision and
direction of the Board for Evangelism. ,

Action: Adopted (12).

(The Lutheran Hour was added by common consent.)