79-3 RESOLUTION ON CHRISTIAN GROWTH AND WITNESS

Background

               The purpose of LSM-USA as stated in the Constitution is “to inform and empower a faithful witness to the good news of Jesus Christ in the academic community; to enable and facilitate that witness and service to which God calls local communities of faith in the world of higher education.”  In recent years our resolutions have emphasized the service aspect of our witness above the spiritual aspect.

               In 1980 we will be celebrating the 450^th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, which makes this an appropriate time to study the creeds and confessions of the church.

               Finally, the major Lutheran church bodies have called congregations and individuals to a renewed emphasis on personal Bible study and witnessing through such programs as the new Word and Witness materials that have recently been published.

Resolved

               1)  That programs in Christian growth through study of the Bible, catechism, and other confessions particular to the Lutheran faith be encouraged by LSM-USA.

               2)  That LSM-USA encourages the establishment of evangelistic outreach programs and the greater utilization of those programs already in existence.  The Word and Witness program and local study groups on the Augsburg Confession are examples of such programs.

               3)  That LSM-USA encourages each local group to develop its own programs.

               4)  The University of Virginia will serve to publish sources through the LSM national newsletter, such as:   

a) suggested studies, 

b) articles,

c) outlines for program implementation.

Sponsored By

               Carol Keiser

               University of Virginia LSM

               100 Alderman Road

               Charlottesville, VA 22903