wfn.org | LCMS Delegates turn attention to three mission issues

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services
1333 S. Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO 63122-7295

61st Regular Convention St. Louis, Mo. July 14-20, 2001

July 17, 2001 #26

Contact: Bruce Kueck (314) 342-5715

Delegates turn attention to three mission issues

ST. LOUIS -- After discussion that covered parts of three days, delegates 
to the 61st Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod on 
Tuesday, July 17, adopted an amended resolution encouraging members to be 
"passionate for the Great Commission," Jesus directive to spread the Gospel 
throughout the world.

The action came as convention delegates met at the America s Center in 
downtown St. Louis. The convention continues through July 20.

Passage of the resolution was delayed as delegates debated wording on 
dissention within the church. The original terminology stated that the 
church body would not allow dissention "to become destructive of the unity 
that should characterize us as God s people." An amendment was made to 
replace that wording with the phrase, "That we seek to resolve the 
differences in doctrine and practice which cause dissention and division 
among us by honest and prayerful discussion, so that we are able to live in 
genuine and God-pleasing harmony as God s people."

After considerable debate, a modified amendment that retained the original 
wording, followed by its recommended replacement, was adopted with an 86 
percent affirmative vote.

Two other mission resolutions one dealing with mission effort and student 
ministry -- each passed by almost 98 percent margins after little discussion.

The adopted resolution to intensify the Synod s mission effort encourages 
the church body s members, organizations, districts and parishes to "give 
priority" to outreach and to annually increase financial contributions to 
LCMS World Missions and its partners.

The resolution urging support for international-student ministry emphasizes 
the outreach opportunities offered by such programs. LCMS congregations are 
encouraged to recognize, pray for, "develop, expand, involve themselves in 
and support" North American ministry programs to international students and 
their families, using resources available from the Synod s campus-ministry 
office and the International Student Ministry.

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