LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 97

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RESOLUTIONS 97

To Establish Mission
Committees/Boards in Congregations

RESOLUTION 1-25A

Report 1-01 (CW, p. 7)

WHEREAS, The need exists in the congregations of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for increased
communication and interpretation of the mission pro-
grams of the Synod and Districts carried on in behalf of
the congregations; and

WHEREAS, The establishment of mission committees/
boards on a local congregational level has proved to be
extremely helpful in informing, educating, and moti-
vating God’s people concerning the mission programs
of the church; and

WHEREAS, The establishment of mission committees/
boards in local congregations would assist in moving
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod forward in
missions in the ’80s; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod adopt the mission challenge for the 1980s that
1,500 congregations of the Synod establish functioning
mission committees/boards; and be it further

Resolved, That to meet this challenge the President
of the Synod, in consultation with the Executive Secre-
tary of the Board for Missions, and the Stewardship
Counselor, appoint by Aug. 15, 1979, a committee of five
to prepare for distribution to the congregations of the
Synod by Jan. 15, 1980, practical guidelines and mater-
ials for use by congregations for the establishment of
mission committees/boards in the local congregations;
and be it further

Resolved, That this challenge be implemented
through the existing channels of the Synod, its Dis-
tricts, and their Circuits; and be it finally

Resolved, That the establishment of a mission
committee/board in the local congregation be given
serious study and consideration by the governing body
of each congregation.

Action: Adopted (11).

To Encourage Identification
and Training of Lay Expatriates
for Effective Witness

RESOLUTION 1-26

Report 1-01, Rec. 3 (CW, p. 32); Overture 1-12
(CW, p. 49)

WHEREAS, Large numbers of Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod lay people serve as employees of various
firms and agencies established in many countries
around the world; and

WHEREAS, These people are provided with many
opportunities to witness for their Lord and Savior; and

WHEREAS, These people might witness more effec-
tively were they properly trained for this task; and

WHEREAS, The extension of God’s kingdom on earth

requires that all of the talent and resources that God has
so richly bestowed on His church be effectively har-
nessed for this great task; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod regard this as an opportunity, i.e., a great “open
door” provided by our heavenly Father; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Missions begin now to
develop a program whereby expatriate lay members
may be trained for effective witness; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Missions begin also to
identify and/or develop material required for this
training program; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Missions use the
expertise of partner churches, missionaries, seminaries
and colleges, other church bodies, and other Christian
mission agencies in developing this training program;
and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations, professional
church workers, and District personnel assist the Board
for Missions to begin to identify those lay members who
would willingly serve as self-supporting missionaries
overseas; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board for Missions study the
feasibility of a volunteer mission program as described
in Overture 1-12 and report findings and recommen-
dations to the 1981 synodical convention. One aspect of
this study shall be the identification of lay members
who will willingly become self-supporting missionaries.
Congregations are urged to help the board identify such
members as are professional workers at the congre-
gation and District level.

Action: Adopted as amended (11).

(Amendment: the final resolve.)

To Increase Mission Budget
RESOLUTION 1-27A
Report 1-01, VI (CW, p. 31)

WHEREAS, God’s Word declares that the spiritual
harvest of souls is ripe and large and exhorts His
redeemed to “pray to the Owner of the harvest that He
will send out workers to gather His harvest” (Matt.
9:38); and

WHEREAS, The mission work of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod for the 1980s has been out-
lined in the challenge statements; and

WHEREAS, We commit ourselves to the formula of
money and manpower following mission; and

WHEREAS, The Lord has richly blessed The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod with resources to meet the 29
mission challenges for the 1980s; and

WHEREAS, We are confident that the Lord will move
the hearts of His people as He did with the Children of
Israel; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod adopt the mission challenge for the 1980s of a