# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1981_S45 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) TASK FORCE BOARD FOR CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES (including present functions of the boards or commissions of Parish Education, Church Litera- ture, Worship, Youth, Lay Higher Education, Evangelism, and Services to the Mentally Retarded). “Congregational services’ concerns itself with every- thing the parish does in its local ministry. The services provided by the Synod may be better coordinated by grouping these concerns under one major board. The agendas of the boards and commissions which are proposed to be combined into the Board for Congre- gational Services consist primarily of reports from staff or special committees. Most of these meetings are the equivalent of one-day meetings. An analysis of the workload of the present boards and commissions indi- cated that it is entirely reasonable that a combined board, assisted by competent standing committees, could properly handle this work in a two- or three-day meeting. In the past the chairman of the present Division of Parish Services has spent about 40 percent of his timein his role as division chairman trying to coordinate the staff of the various parish services units. Without actual authority coordination at the unit level is difficult to achieve. BOARD FOR MISSIONS (including present functions of the boards or commissions for Missions, World Relief, Armed Forces, and Black Ministry) All mission and ministry activities which the Synod provides on behalf of the congregations are being com- bined under a new Board for Missions. The “Word and deed” ministry of missions and world relief can be enhanced through careful coordination within the new Board for Missions. Interchurch activi- ties, both domestic and overseas, can also profit from such coordination. Moreover, a cooperative approach to programs and travel, domestic and overseas, will result in substantial savings. The concerns of the Armed Forces Commission, both at home and abroad, as well as ministries to minorities, are closely aligned with other mission and ministry activities. BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (includ- ing present functions of the boards for Higher Education, Colloquy, and Lay Ministers) The responsibilities of the present Board for Higher Education and its relationship to the synodical colleges and seminaries will be assumed by the new Board for Professional Education. In recent years the number of pastors, teachers, and other church professionals that have entered services through the auspices of the collo- quy boards has dramatically increased. The preparation also of these church professionals merits the coordina- tion through a major synodical board, assisted by a standing committee. The work of the Colloquy Board for the Deaconess Ministry also fits naturally under this category, as well as the Board for Lay Ministers. 2. That the following appointed support services boards be constituted as indicated: BOARD FOR COMMUNICATIONS (including present functions of the Board for Public Rela- tions and the Editorial Commission for Official Periodicals) The Synod must speak with a common voice in communicating and promoting its positions and pro- grams. This can best be done by placing all communica- tions functions under one board. This board can also satisfy an indicated need for professional assistance to other boards, Districts, and congregations in the areas of promotional materials and communications equipment. Provision is made for standing committees for Official Periodicals and News Releases, Promotional Materials, and Broadcast. BOARD FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY SERVICES (includ- ing present functions of the Board for Social Ministry and World Relief, except world relief) Itis essential that the responsibilities of the Synodin the area of social ministry services be properly dis- charged through an appointed support services board. In recent years a major portion of the Social Ministry services has been the accreditation of agencies and institutions, an extremely important responsibility. The board will also continue the present important activity with reference to accreditation for institutional chap- laincies, special projects on behalf of congregations, cooperative projects, and giving assistance to congrega- tions in their concern for human care. 3. That the following deliberative and research commissions be continued, in some instances with anew name: Commission on Adjudication Commission on Appeals (formerly Board) Commission on Constitutional Matters Commission on Doctrinal Review (formerly Board) Commission on Health and Healing (formerly Council for Christian Medical Work) Commission on Ministerial Health Commission on Theology and Church Relations (including the present Commission on Organi- zations) 4. That the following existing synodical entities be continued with their boards appointed in various ways as stipulated in the Bylaws: Concordia Historical Institute Concordia Publishing House Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Founda- tion Radio Station KFUO Worker Benefit Plans Where possible the Task Force proposes to retain in the Handbook those Bylaws which are necessary but to eliminate from the Handbook those sections which can be more properly included in the bylaws of these entities. Such bylaws and amendments thereto must be approved, however, by the synodical Board of Directors. 5. That positions on the various elected and appointed boards listed in this section be filled in the following manner: a. The Board for Congregational Services— Elected in 1981 for five years: two clergy, one teacher, two laypersons Elected in 1981 for two years: one clergy, one teacher, two laypersons b. The Board for Missions— Elected in 1981 for five years: two clergy, one teacher, two laypersons Elected in 1981 for two years: two clergy, no teacher, two laypersons c. The Board for Professional Education— Elected in 1981 for five years: one clergy, two teachers, two laypersons Elected in 1981 for two years: two clergy, one teacher, one layperson d. All appointments to fill expired terms be for five years and all continuing terms on appointed boards and commissions be continued until the end of December 1983. e. For those persons serving at present on continu- ing commissions the current limited tenure rules shall apply; for persons newly appointed and not serving a previous term the new limited tenure rules shall apply; any questionable instances shall be referred for decision to the Commission on Constitu- tional] Matters, which shall adhere as closely as