# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2010_S45 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNOD REPORTS worship leaders who actively engage in the creation, administration, and implementation of worship at the local congregational level. 2. LSB: Hymnal Companion—This comprehensive edition will provide essays, vast historic documentation, textual detail, music discussion, and creative practical suggestions on how to understand and integrate the rich hymnic resources made available in Lutheran Service Book. 3. LSB: Liturgy Desk Edition—This resource will explain the background of each liturgical component in the divine services and daily offices in Lutheran Service Book, providing careful historic background as well as rubrics regarding liturgical presiding and service leadership. 4. LSB: Hymn of the Day Bible Study Series—This resource will explore the biblical foundation for select hymns in Lutheran Service Book. The initial goal is to provide online or printed resources as needed for congregations and/or individuals engaged in studying hymn texts as they are related to Scripture and integrated into various worship settings. 5. DVD Contemporary Hymn Accompaniments—A resource that represents the culmination of research, consultation, and development of fresh accompaniments and video components for congregational song. This is an intentional endeavor to begin moderating, encouraging, and providing a fresh palette of sounds to support the singing of hymnody in contemporary idioms. Institutional Connections 1. Seminaries—Personnel from the Commission on Worship have provided encouragement for and engaged in forum discussions with the faculties of LCMS seminaries to ascertain assistance in resolving theological, missional, and practical issues regarding worship practices in the Synod. 2. Concordia Universities—The Commission on Worship has provided advice for and engaged in collaborative efforts with several Synod colleges and universities in support of the development of responsible certification programs to assist future musicians and pastors to navigate through the complexities of hymnal and nonhymnal worship. In response to its mandates, the Commission on Worship is purposely engaged at a very critical juncture in the Synod’s history. The commission stands in the middle of an intersection that is filled with individuals and groups that have singular preferences and passions related to worship. This ongoing situation may confuse and challenge our ability to present a clear unwavering Gospel proclamation of One Mission, One Message, One People. In the meantime, within the mosaic of worship practices that characterize the national Synod, the commission continues to encourage faithful yet diverse members, gifted musicians, and pastoral leaders to worship the Triune God, in spirit and in truth, as individuals and as congregations of the Synod. Gregory Wismar, Chairman David Johnson, Executive Director R2-03 Concordia Publishing House Since its founding in 1869, Concordia Publishing House has had one purpose: to be the publishing arm of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod. It is committed to the reality that quality performance is what we are called to give in service to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, together, as one people—forgiven. The LCMS can be proud that its publishing company is well respected across the country and around 45 the world. In spite of a challenging period of economic downturn, Concordia Publishing House has remained strong and viable, thanks to the support of its loyal customers and, most important, because of God’s grace and blessing. Mission Statement Concordia Publishing House is the publishing arm of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. It exists for the purposes of strengthening and aiding member congregations in their proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and working in partnership with the agencies and congregations of the Synod to provide publishing services. On their behalf, Concordia Publishing House will develop, produce, market, and distribute products and services that are faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and which will effectively serve such proclamation to people throughout the world. All to the glory of God. Vision Statement CPH strives to be the premier publisher and provider of choice for products and services that are faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. CPH Serves Churches, Schools, and Homes through a Commitment to Continuous Improvement Concordia Publishing House is committed to continuous improvement in all aspects of its work in order to serve its customers as best as it can. Customer service is a passion throughout the organization. CPH engages in an ongoing interactive dialogue through its Web site, customer service initiatives, Church Resource Consultants, and conference representatives. Deployed Church Resource Consultants make personal visits to hundreds of congregations and schools every year. CPH staff is present throughout the Missouri Synod at hundreds of Synod events, involving most professional church workers and many thousands of laypersons. CPH’s strongest measure of performance is customer loyalty. Scientific surveys taken of its customers by the Center for Client Retention in the past three years show that 95 percent of all customers reported being “delighted” and “very satisfied” with their CPH experience. The year 2009 broke records for customer loyalty, with nearly 99 percent of CPH’s customers reporting that they would recommend CPH to others—and many have done so. In May 2009, CPH was awarded certification as a Center of Excellence by BenchmarkPortal, in collaboration with the national Center for Customer-Driven Quality at Purdue University. In October 2009, Concordia Publishing House was awarded a Missouri Quality Award by the Excellence in Missouri Foundation, which works to promote quality principles in business, education, government, and health care. The Foundation’s recognition of a Christian nonprofit publishing company solidifies the genuine relationship between business excellence and the “firstfruits service” of Concordia Publishing House. The Excellence in Missouri Foundation is one of nation’s strongest and most active state-level quality-award programs, working in partnership with the United States government’s Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program, established by the United States Congress in 1987 to recognize U.S. organizations for achievements in quality and performance. Further evidence of CPH’s commitment to performance excellence in service to the LCMS came when it was awarded a 2009 Best 2010 Convention Workbook 2010 Convention.indb 45 4/15/10 2:38 PM