Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1975 · 51st Convention › Page 11
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 11

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

10 EVANGELISM

as a sister church. with the evangelism staffs sharing and
cooperating with each other:

6. That the overseas churches also have good evangelism
programs that can be shared with each other and the
church in the United States: and

WHEREAS, The overseas churches question the approach of

Resolution 1-09 of New Orleans, which envisions one man
serving as a resource to all the overseas churches: therefore be it

Resolved. That the evangelism concerns relating to overseas
churches be handled by the Board for Evangelism in consulta-
on with the Board for Missions: and be it further

Resolved. That the Board for Evangelism relate to the
overseas churches on a board-to-board, staff-to-staff basis: and
be it further

Resolved. That the synodical evangelism office offer to serve
as resource for evangelism programs and methods and seek to
facilitate cooperation and exchange among all the churches as
they request them: and be it finally

Resolved. That additional staff be made available to the

Evangelism Department in order to help carry out these services
‘see Recommendation 5).

PRESENT WORDING

8.41 Personnel and Election

The Board for Evangelism shall consist of two
pastors, two laymen, and one teacher to be elected
by the Synod,

8.43 Functions and Duties

The Board shall develop policies and provide
programs of evangelism for use by individuals, con-
gregations, circuits, and Districts,

8.45 Organization and Meeting

The board shall organize itself at the first regu-
lar meeting following the biennial convention of
the Synod. It shall elect from its membership a
chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. It shal]
meet in regular session at least quarterly.

8.47 District Boards for Evangelism
None

Recommendation 7—District and Congregational Objectives

WHEREAS, The objectives of the Board for Evangelism (as
listed in the report above) cover the same areas of evangelism
that concern each District and each congregation of the Synod:
therefore be it

Resolved. That the District and congregation boards of
evangelism study these objectives with a view to adopting them
or changing them to suit their needs and then adopting them for
their work: and be it further

Resolved. That the District and congregation boards seek to
establish goals and develop programs under each of the five
specific objectives to guide them in their work.

Recommendation 8 — Bylaw Change

WHEREAS, The present Handbook provisions for the Board
for Evangelism are very brief and do not give the board sufficient
detail as to its functions and duties and do not speak about the

Resolved. That the convention adopt the following Handbook
changes:

PROPOSED WORDING

8.41 Personnel and Election
The same

8.43 Functions and Duties

It is the privilege and responsibility of every
Christian to convey, by word and life, the message
that “in Christ God was reconciling the world to
Himself... . We are ambassadors for Christ” (2
Cor. 5:19-20). The board shall in every possible
manner assist individuals, congregations, circuits,
and Districts of the Synod as they seek to carry
out the commission of our Lord to be witnesses
unto Him (Matt. 4:19; 28: 19-20; Luke 24:45-49: Acts
1:8; 20:24), so that a growing number of God’s peo-
ple share the Good News of God’s forgiveness in
Jesus Christ by what they say and do, both in
Structured programs and in an increasing variety
of life situations.

In carrying out its functions the board shall —

a. advise the Synod, Districts, synodical schools,
and congregations concerning evangelism;

b. establish and supervise policies relating to
evangelism;

c. develop objectives, goals, and specific strate-
gies for evangelism;

d. arrange leadership training workshops and
conferences in evangelism;

e. produce and/or distribute evangelism mate-
rials;

f. initiate and coordinate evangelism efforts in
cooperation with other boards, commissions, and
agencies of the Synod;

8. design a suitable staff structure and call an
executive secretary and other staff members as are
needed and authorized;

h. conduct necessary research, evaluation, and
record keeping.

8.45 Organization and Meeting
The same

8.47 District Boards for Evangelism

Each District of Synod shall elect or in some
other way provide a board (or committee) for
evangelism on an administrative level with other