# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S370 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 370 YOUNG PEOPLE’S WORK uate the mission of the church and to join with young people in the common task of giving powerful witness. Such a witness requires that both adults and young people recognize that the Holy Spirit may deal with each generation in a unique manner as He calls all to responsibility and to wisdom in the Lord. The Board for Young People’s Work attempts to assist adults in understanding and appreciating the con- tributions which the gifts of young people can make to the life of the church. Materials, program guides, and publications of the Board for Young People’s Work ac- cent the unique gift of young people and the way in which these gifts can be utilized on District and parish levels. Materials are not simply designed for adults and for youth but for youth and adults in a particular setting. The Board for Young People’s Work strongly feels that such mutual discussion is the only way in which the contributions of both adults and youth can be shared and utilized. More steps will be taken to involve both youth and adults in the same programs (Visit, Encounter, service projects, etc.) and to empha- size the need for a context of equipping in which adults and youth both share. E. To Provide Settings Thus, if the Board for Young People’s Work is “to provide settings for Christian youth to demonstrate the mission of the church in word and life and for un- claimed youth to be exposed to the call of God in the Gospel” (7.61 e), then adults must play a key rele in providing such settings and in assisting in the process of interpreting “word and life.” Young people need adults. Adults need young peo- ple. These two axioms undergird the activities and ministry of the Board for Young People’s Work. It is not possible or desirable to isolate youth from adults and from the ongoing life of the church. Adults must involve young people, and young people must become involved in such a way that the integrity and gifts of vouth are affirmed. The Board for Young People’s Work believes that young people have the capacity and talent to serve in many ways and in many settings. Young people can plan special service projects. Young people can imple- ment evangelism programs. Young people can evaluate church programs, worship services, and other activities. Young people can also serve in many volunteer ca- pacities that adults either cannot or will not carry out. Many young people volunteer for hospital work. Young people can work with children in educational settings. Young people can and must evangelize the high school. The church must learn to capitalize on young peo- ple’s willingness to serve and on their capacity for ma- ture judgment. We must all learn to begin where young people are already serving and to sensitize them to their Christian vocation in those settings. Youth ministry may begin to take new shape once we have recognized that young people are already ministering. Young peo- ple are in the world. God has called them to the world to serve Him. How can adults assist young people in fulfilling that call? II. The Past and the Present The previous understandings of the goals of youth ministry have guided both the immediate past activities and the present role of the Board for Young People’s Work. The transition in youth ministry, whereby the Synod has assumed full responsibility for youth ministry and whereby the Walther League, an auxiliary of the Synod, has become a youth-led movement, is now complete. The Board for Young People’s Work has retained the services of a full-time executive secretary of youth ministry. The board is also building a staff which can take on the responsibilities now entrusted to the board by the Synod. This staff will work in the areas of parish services (Rev. Martin Steyer), District services (Mr. Dean Dammann), adult worker training, and youth- young adult training. The Walther League, convened at Purdue University, Aug. 19—23, 1968, ratified a new constitution which rad- ically redefined the direction and administration of this auxiliary. Committed to expressing the objectives of the Synod and to enabling interested young people to express their life in Christ in meaningful ways, the Walther League will focus on such issues as world hunger, poverty, international development, and racism. Membership in the Walther League is open to so- cieties affiliated with The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and any interested youth of high school age or older who supports the purpose of the league. Administered by a council of 12 young people (six elected in biennial conventions and six appointed) and counseled by six adult trustees secured from the Wheat Ridge Foundation Board of Directors, the Walther League is presently engaged in “Hikes for the Hungry,” support of volunteers in Venezuela, and various ‘“Free- dom from Hunger Campaign” projects. Many locally sponsored projects and services are also being carried out. Provisions have been made both by the Board for Young People’s Work and the Walther League for staff liaison and interboard dialog (cf. organizational chart). The Board for Young People’s Work will remain in- formed of the planning of the league, and the league can be apprized of the plans of the Board for Young People’s Work in the larger youth ministry of the Synod. While the Walther League has already initiated some programs and projects and enlisted the participation of many young people, the Board for Young People’s Work presently faces the task of redefining and imple- menting a total youth ministry in our Synod. This re- defining and implementing has been assisted by past programs, consultation with District youth committees, and the needs and requests of parishes. The Board for Young People’s Work is now on the threshold of as- sisting the youth ministry of the Synod.