LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 98

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98 RESOLUTIONS

100-percent increase plus inflation in the mission bud-
get of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Stewardship, working
with the Board for Missions, sharing each other’s
expertise, see toit that this challenge for the 1980s is met
to the glory of God and the expansion of His kingdom.

Action: Adopted (11).

To Recommend Expansion
of the Synod’s Evangelism Staff

RESOLUTION 1-28
Report 1-02 (CW, p. 39); Overture 1-24 (CW, p. 51)

WHEREAS, Anaheim Res. 1-07 requested “the Board
of Directors to authorize the calling of an additional
staff person to the Board for Evangelism within the
next fiscal year,” but the third staff person has not been
authorized; and

WHEREAS, Dallas Res. 2-20 urged the Board of Direc-
tors to consider this a high-priority need and to author-
ize and fund the calling of another Associate Secretary
of Evangelism as soon as possible; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention again re-

quest the Board of Directors to expedite the expansion of
the Synod’s evangelism staff by adding a third member.

Action: Adopted (5).

To Clarify Relationships
with Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ
RESOLUTION 1-29 ,
Overture 1-31 (CW, p. 53)

WHEREAS, Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ, Inc.,
has been a blessing to many of our congregations and
other ministries of the Synod in sensitizing and training
young people in youth evangelism; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention urge OAFC
to coordinate its planning and programming with the
synodical and District Boards for Missions, Evangel-
ism, and Youth Ministry; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention ask the
Board of Directors of the Synod to arrange a meeting
with the Council of Administrators and the Board of
OAFC, so that future relationships between OAFC and
the Synod can be clarified.

Action: Adopted (5).

To Adopt “Statement
of Jewish Lutheran Concerns”’

RESOLUTION 1-30

Report 1-02 (CW, p. 44); Overtures 1-26—1-28
(CW, pp. 51—53)

WHEREAS, When the Board for Evangelism sought to
carry out Dallas Res. 2-27, “To Encourage Evangelism

Among the Jews,” strong objections were received from
various Jewish organizations and from some pastors
and some congregations; and

WHEREAS, The position of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod in its relationship to any group is one of
love and concern patterned after the example of our
Lord and is not based on personal opinions or preju-
dices; and

WHEREAS, The efforts to provide materials and work-
shops to understand the American Jew and to help find
ways to share the Gospel with him was received by some
Districts, pastors, and congregations with great inter-
est and enthusiasm; and

WHEREAS, The truth of Scripture remains unchanged
that there is no other way to salvation but through
Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is
committed to carrying out the Great Commission of
“making disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18-20); there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Evangelism and its
Committee on Witnessing to Jewish People continue to
carry out the various aspects of Dallas Res. 2-27; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Board for Evangelism refer offi-
cial requests for Jewish-Lutheran dialog to the Com-
mission on Theology and Church Relations; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Synod adopt the “Statement of
Jewish Lutheran Concerns,” which reads as follows:

I. We Desire to be Sensitive—

1. To the priority place of the Jews as chosen people
of God both in the past, wherein lie roots of our own
religious beliefs and practices, and in the present, where
God’s plans for both the Jews and Gentiles continue to
unfold.

2. To the unique history of the Jewish people, in which
they have suffered much injustice and cruelty at the
hands of the Christian church and non-Christian Gen-
tiles. We deplore and repudiate this most unfortunate
history and pray for a new understanding and spirit.

3. To the danger that witnessing to Jewish people
can result in misunderstanding and potential nurturing
of anti-Semitic attitudes.

II. We Plead for Understanding—

1. That we are not singling out the Jewish people as
a special target for our evangelistic endeavors. We are
committed to a parish approach in which the local
congregation is committed to share the Gospel with all
people in its community, Jew and Gentile alike. In
the past we have often bypassed some segments of the
community, such as the Jewish people.

2. That we are not mounting a campaign to convert
Jewish people with techniques of evangelism involving
manipulation, pressure, and disrespect of the indivi-
dual. Unfortunately, most of our people are not aware of
the past injustices.