LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 155

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155

7. PARISH SERVICES

To Strengthen Sunday Schools
for Nurture and Evangelism

RESOLUTION 7-01

Report 7-01, Res. 2 (CW, p. 373)

Wuereas, The Sunday programs of Christian educa-
tion for all age levels continue to be primary agencies for
evangelism in our modern culture and for the continuing
Christian nurture of a large majority of our members as
well as many nonmembers; and

Wuereas, The sharply declining enrollments in the
Sunday programs of our Synod suggest that many con-
gregations may be losing interest in their Sunday schools
and that the Sunday programs are not as effective in
either evangelism or Christian nurture as they could be;
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod declare 1977 as a year for devoting major atten-
tion to the improvement of the quality of our Sunday
schools and to the cultivation of their potential for a
ministry of evangelism; and be it further

Resolved, That every congregation of the Synod be
urged to study its Sunday school and possible weekday
school and Bible study programs and take the necessary
steps to improve the quality of instruction and to involve
more participants in both the congregation and its com-
munity; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board of Parish Education
be instructed and funded to develop District and congre-
gational resources that will attain the above stated goals.

Action: Adopted as amended (3).

(Amendment: insertion of “and possible weekday school and
Bible study.”)

To Emphasize Christian Nurture
at the 1977 Synodical Convention

RESOLUTION 7-02
Report 7-01, Res. 4 (CW, p. 373)

Wuereas, The Great Commission of the Lord calls
His church to “go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe
all that I have commanded you”; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
has throughout its long tradition placed a high priority
on teaching and learning the Gospel of Christ in a
variety of settings; and

Wuereas, Conditions in the world today give increas-
ing evidence of the need for Christian education and
continuing nurture for persons of all ages; and

Wuereas, The very proper emphasis on evangelism in
this the 51st regular convention provides an appropriate
springboard to a subsequent emphasis on Christian nur-
ture; therefore be it

Resolved, That we encourage the President of the
Synod and others responsible for the planning of the
1977 synodical convention to select and implement a
theme and a convention program that emphasize Chris-
tian education and nurture.

Action: Adopted (3).

To Provide Resources for Parents
RESOLUTION 7-03
Overture 7-20 (CW, p. 390); N.O. Res. 7-03

WuereAs, Scripture gives to parents the blessed privi-
lege of helping their children live in a faithful relation-
ship with God and likewise tells children to receive
gladly such wisdom from their parents; and

Wuereas, Martin Luther emphasizes these Biblical
teachings in his explanation of the Fourth Command.
ment in the Large Catechism when he writes: “He (God)
has given and entrusted children to us with the com-
mand that we train and govern them according to His
will; otherwise God would have no need of father and
mother. Therefore let everybody know that it is his chief
duty, on pain of losing divine grace, to bring up his
children in the fear and knowledge of God”; and

Wuereas, Families who make religious education an
important part of home life share with one another God’s
love and forgiveness and open the doors to better inter-
personal understanding; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod encourage the Board of
Parish Education to develop further resources that will
help parents nurture their children in the Christian faith
in the family setting, with special attention to the
unique needs of families in minority communities.

Action: Adopted as amended (3).

(The resolved was amended by inserting “further” and by
adding the words “with special attention. . . .”)

To Help Young Adults in
the Church Find Meaning

RESOLUTION 7-04
Report 7-02, Rec. 5 (CW, p- 377)

Wuereas, There are many young adults in the mem-
bership of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(350,000 is a reasonable estimate) who are single; and

Wuereas, The patterns used in the church might
cause single persons to feel unneeded and even un-
wanted; and

Wuereas, Many of these young adults are attempting
to live out a Christian commitment in family, commu-
nity, or parish; therefore be it

Resolved, That the parishes of The Lutheran Church
-—Missouri Synod be encouraged to gather information
regarding the needs of single young adults in their