# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S26 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 26 MISSIONS, EVANGELISM, AND SOCIAL MINISTRY Financial Aid Rev. Simon Bodley, Chairman Mr. Sylvester Watson Rev. George Campbell Dr. Richard Dickinson Structure Rev. John Poole, Chairman Ms. Elloree Erwin Mr. Paul Leacraft Rev. William Parson Ms. Druscilla Watkins Ms. Betty Martin Mr. Matthew Richmond Archives Rev. Kermit Ratcliffe, Chairman Dr. Joseph Lavalais Dr. Peter Hunt Dr. Willis Wright Dr. August Suelflow Dr. DeWitt Robinson Structured to Maximize Involvement at the District Level Early in its planning, the Structure Committee of the Commission on Black Ministry accepted the challenge for effectiveness at the grass roots. The common refrain was heard, at this level also, that the people who made the decisions for Black ministry at the local level were not the peoplein Black ministry, were out of tune with reality, and were not genuinely concerned about this work. In order to counter this accusation, valid or invalid though it may be, and above all in order to achieve the involvement which we are seeking, each District in the Synod which has a great challenge for ministry to Blacks would create a coordinating unit composed of persons in Black ministry. This should produce greater involvement, create renewed interest and inspiration, and result in increased effectiveness for that District in its Black ministry program. The following Districts have created and activated Black ministry coordinating units, and they are a valuable asset to the persons assigned to Black ministry in the District. Southeastern District NAME OF UNIT: Task Force and Black Coalition Ruth Johnson, Chairperson, Winston Salem, N.C.; Mrs. Barbara Dorsey, Washington, D.C.: Mr. Robert Scruggs. Washington, D.C.; Ms. Kathleen Brooks: Nikki Rochester, Baltimore, Md.; Mrs. Willia M. Fennel, Washington, D.C.; Rev. William Parson, Winston-Salem, N.C. Indiana District NAME OF UNIT: Commission Mr. Thomas Goodwin, Chairman. Gary. Ind.: Mr. James Hewitt, Vice-chr., Louisville. Ky; Mr. James Yerger: Dr. Philip Campbell. Indianapolis, Ind.; Mr. Eli Newell. Gary, Ind.; Mrs. Jayne Carter, Garv, Ind.; Mrs. Juanita Briggs, Fort Wayne. Ind.; Mrs. Susan McCants, Gary, Ind.: Mr. S. T. Williams, Gary, Ind.: Mr. John McCants. Gary, Ind. Ifthis report were to continue in this. it would list more than 100 persons already appointed to District coordinating units, and there are many more Districts preparing to organize, which will involve many more. The following additional Districts have already organized: Atlantic, Eastern, Ohio, Northern Illinois, South Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas. The Southern District is in the process of organizing at this time. The following Districts have a great challenge for Black ministry in their area, but they have not established a coordi- nating unit at this time. It is our goal to have all of these units established and activated by the time of the next Black Ministry Convocation, which is scheduled for St. Louis, Mo., in July of 1984. St. Louis, Mo. St. Philip Chicago, Ill. St. Philip Chicago, III. Emmaus St. Louis, Mo. Synodical Staff St. Louis, Mo. Greensboro, N.C. Resurrection Richmond, Va. Prince of Peace Charlotte, N.C. Grace Greensboro, N.C. St. Mark Winston-Salem, N.C. St. Mark Winston-Salem. N.C. Grace Greensboro, N.C. Grace Greensboro. N.C. Nationwide St. Paul Dallas, Tex. St. Philip Philadelphia, Pa. Trinity Selma, Ala. Trinity Selma, Ala. Concordia Seminary St. Louis, Mo. Calvary Memphis, Tenn. Mid-South Michigan Kansas New Jersey California-Nevada-Hawaii Florida-Georgia Southern California New England In addition to the Commmission on Black Ministry and its support structure, the integration of Blacks into the decision- making processes of the Synod is proceeding at arapid rate. On the level of the Synod, we have the following: Vice-President, Dr. J. G. Lavalais; Board for Parish Services, Mr. John McCants: Board for Mission Services, Rev. Dr. P.R. Hunt. Dr. Benjamin Dennis: Board for Social Ministry Services, Rev. Simon Bodley: Board for Youth Services, Mr. S. T. Williams. There is one Black staff person at the International Center. The involvement of Blacks at the decision-making levels in the Districts varies from District to District. The Southern District, the last District to accept Black work into the fellow- ship, has made more progress in this area than any other District in the Synod. In the Southern District there is at least one Black person on each board and standing committee of the District. The District’s First Vice-President is Black. The District Treasurer is Black. The only place where Black presence is conspicuously absent is at the level of professional staff, but one cannot reasonably expect to achieve everything overnight. In Black ministry we are involved. or at least we know that we can be involved. We thank God for the renewed commitment of the Synod to minority ministry. We believe that the strategy to maximize the involvement of minorities in the decision- making processes of the Synod, especially that segment which is directed towards their specific ethnic or racial identification, will result in increased motivation, a higher degree of commit- ment, and a more joyful and rewarding participation of these minorities in the work of the Lord which is done by the Synod. Black Ministry Is Swiftly and Constantly Expanding _ In 1976, when the first survey was conducted for the Black Mission Models Task Force to determine the extent of Black ministry in the Synod, there were 193 congregations in Black ministry, totaling approximately 50,000 communicants. We lost 12 of these congregations to the AELC. Today there are approximately 230 such congregations, and the number is constantly increasing each year. The table at the top of the next page isa statistical report on Black ministry in theSynod. It is taken from the 1981 Statistical Report. If space would permit and comparative data could be shown, a picture of constant growth would emerge. We thank God for His abundant blessings. We know that we only plant and water the seed of the Word. It is God who is constantly working in and through that Word and producing an abundant increase. To Him all praise and glory! . The parochial school has been the strongest arm for mission outreach to Black people since Black ministry was begun over