# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S168 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 168 ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION terials to complement the use of Lutheran Worshipand has instructed the worship leaders in local congregations in ways toimprove the preaching of God's Word, enhance the celebration of the sacraments, and strengthen personal participation in meaningful Lutheran worship expriences. Witness Goals 1. By 1994 the congregations of the Synod have increased their membership by 25" over what the membership was in 1983, increasing the total number of adults gained by baptism or confirmation 10": each year. . By 1994, 75": of the congregations of the Synod have at least five evangelism callers who have been intensively trained to be evangelists. . By 1994 the Synod has fashioned a ministry of member- ship cultivation so that its congregations can reduce their backdoor losses by 50. . By 1994 the Synod has evaluated and improved its system of membership referrals and transfers, enabling at least 80": of the congregations to strengthen the ministry by which they retain and equip their members for service to Christ. Teaching and Learning Goals 1. By 1994 the congregations of the Synod annually have involved at least 28": of their confirmed members in at least one weekly Bible class series. . By 1994 the Synod has involved at least 50": of its couples and families in parish marriage or family life enrichment experiences. . By 1994 the Synod has published sufficient resources to enable congregations to recruit and train at least two volunteer teachers for each class in its Sunday, weekday. and vacation Bible schools. . By 1994 the Synod has increased enrollments in Lutheran preschools, elementary schools, and high schools to 250,000. . By 1994 the congregations of the Synod have developed for themselves a five-year plan to evaluate and strengthen the theological content and educational methods used in their curricular materials, at the same time developing a pro- gram to increase participation by people of all age groups in their educational agencies. Service Goals 1. 2. By 1994 the Synod has involved at least 25". of its membership, age 14 and over, for at least one hour each month in personal service beyond the local parish through church community agencies. By 1994, 75% of the congregations of the Synod have assessed the social, physical, and economic, as well as the spiritual, needs of people in their congregation and com- munity and have developed an annual strategy to help meet those needs. Stewardship Goals 1. 2. 3. 4. By 1994 the congregations of the Synod have enlisted at least 50% of their confirmed members to invest at least one hour per week of their time and talents in congregational service, witness, and fellowship projects in addition to the time spent in worship, teaching, and learning. By 1994 the Synod has enlisted the members of its congre- gations ina program of spiritual nurture and proportionate giving so that they respond to God's blessings by returning to Him at a level which more closely approaches 10% of their income. By 1994 the Synod has prepared and implemented a program of leadership training for board members in at least 75% of the congregations of the Synod. By 1994 the Synod has created and implemented a strategy by which all new and renovated buildings owned by the Synod, its Districts, and congregations make efficient use of energy resources for light, heating, and cooling, and which encourages Christian families to do the same in their homes. Youth Ministry Goals 1. By 1994 the Synod has developed District and parish programs that enable at least 50": of the parishes to more effectively minister with junior high people 12—14 vears of age, integrating them into the life and mission of the parish. . By 1994 the Synod has developed District and parish programs that enable at least 60". of the parishes to more effectively minister with high school youth. 14—17 vears of age, integrating them into the life and mission of the parish. 3. By 1994 the Synod has developed District and parish programs that enable at least 50": of the parishes to more effectively minister with young adults, 18—25 vears of age. integrating them into the life and mission of the parish. 4. By 1994 at least 85". of the parishes of the Synod have enrolled their youth groups in Lutheran Youth Fellowship. . By 1994 the Synod has developed resources and imple- mented workshops to train at least two adult workers with youth in at least 75’: of the parishes in order to be more effective leaders and enablers of the parish's youth minis- try. 6. By 1994 the Synod has developed at least one elective youth ministry course or seminar at each of the synodical schools to help train and equip future professional church workers in youth ministry. By 1994 the Synod has developed District workshops and conferences to train professional vouth workers that will enable at least 25", of the professionals to become better equipped in youth ministry. 8. By 1994 the Synod has provided avenues such as gather- ings, leadership conferences, and workshops, as well as resource materials, to enable at least 50" of the young people to be active and involved in the life and mission of the Church. NS ur Communication Planning Unit Planning Assumptions In determining the functions of the Synod's Board for Communication Services, several assumptions were noted and used in planning a future course for synodical communi- cations. 1. There is need for attention to be given to the public perceptions of the LCMS. 2. There is a lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of LCMS members about what the Synod is and does. 3. Communication efforts of synodical departments, agen- cies, and institutions are seen as fragmented, often duplica- tive and inconsistent, and occasionally inferior in quality. 4. There is need for communications training throughout the Synod with special emphasis on the utilization of the new technologies. 5. There is need for liaison to be established and maintained with all those involved in communication efforts within the Synod. Goals 1. By the end of 1993 a plan is developed and implemented for a coordinated synodical communications system with synodical officials, boards, schools, and Districts. Such a plan, if effective, will assist the various entities of the Synod in the attainment of their goals. 2. By the end of 1988 readership surveys will show that 75" of members’ homes receive and read the Lutheran Witness; by 1993, 90%. 3. By the end of 1988 the Synod has developed a training program to equip leaders in at least 30% of its congregations to utilize new technologies for communicating the Gospel of Christ to their members and to people in their com- munity; by 1993, 65").