# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S16 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 16 • OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS Completed context modules for witnessing to people after an abortion, witnessing to the “nones,” witnessing to people influenced by critical theory, and witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Plans for the Next Triennium • Create six to nine additional context modules. develop resources that assist congregations in rural areas and small towns with developing partnerships with other congregations and, when advantageous, merging congregations. Accomplishments over the Past Triennium • Helped create resources for congregations considering mergers and/or partnerships. Plans for the Next Triennium C.3.b. Black and African Immigrant Ministry The LCMS has conducted and supported Black Ministry for over 140 years. The current focus of Black Ministry is the establishment and support of Rosa Young Academies. Accomplishments over the Past Triennium • Participation in and support of the Black Clergy Caucus. • Participation in and support of the Black Ministry Family Convocation. Plans for the Next Triennium • Promote Rosa Young Academies. • Promote and support the planting of African immigrant churches. C.3.c. Hispanic Ministry Hispanic people make up the largest and fastest-growing ethnic demographic in North America. As such, they also make up one of the largest mission fields in our context. The role of the Director of Hispanic Ministry is to work with districts, RSOs, and other LCMS entities to enhance our outreach to Hispanic people and support Hispanic congregations. Accomplishments over the Past Triennium • Established a full-time position in the ONM for the Director of Hispanic Ministry. • C.4. Making Disciples for Life The 2019 Res. 4-03A commended Making Disciples for Life (MDFL) as the mission and ministry emphasis for the 2019–22 triennium. The resolution identified five areas of emphasis: 1. Evangelize and disciple the lost. 2. Retain the faithful. 3. Strengthen congregations and schools. 4. Plant new congregations and schools wherever possible, especially in urban and multicultural communities. 5. Engage in international mission in partnership with the OIM. The ONM is focused on the first four of these emphases and the corresponding mission and ministry priorities of the LCMS. Accomplishments over the Past Triennium • Developed the MDFL Resource Center (currently in its second version). • Partnered with Concordia Publishing House to create a resource for equipping students and parents for responding to issues related to Contemporary Critical Thought (Prepared with a Reason). • Identified and purchased a conference platform that supports virtual and hybrid conferencing (Cvent Event Management and Attendee Hub). • Planned and conducted virtual and hybrid conferences in January 2021, January 2022, and October 2022. Plans for the Next Triennium • Design and implement a strategic plan to promote and support Hispanic ministry. C.3.d. All Nations Ministry The population of North America continues to become more diverse. People from all nations, tribes, and languages have become our neighbors. However, the LCMS continues to be a largely homogenous church body. The role of the director of All Nations Ministry is to enhance outreach to ethnic and immigrant peoples and support ethnic, immigrant, and multiethnic congregations in support of 2019 Res. 1-05A. Accomplishments over the Past Triennium • Established a full-time position in the ONM for the Director, All Nations Ministry. Plans for the Next Triennium • Design and implement a strategic plan for engaging congregations, districts, and other LCMS entities to promote and support ethnic and immigrant ministry. C.3.e. Rural and Small Town Mission Rural and Small Town Mission (RSTM) is focused on providing guidance and resources for congregations in communities of fewer than 15,000 residents. The decline of congregations over the past 40 years has disproportionately impacted these small communities. In cooperation with several districts, RSTM has been working to 2023 Convention Workbook Continue development of resources for congregations in rural areas and small towns, including assessment tools for guidance in making use of existing merger, partnership, and revitalization resources. Plans for the Next Triennium • Complete and publish Prepared with a Reason. • Maintain and enhance the MDFL Resource Center. • Expand the use of Cvent Event Management and Attendee Hub to support virtual and hybrid conferences. D. Worship Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Col. 3:16) LCMS Worship supports and encourages the Synod’s congregations, pastors, and musicians with faithful resources, through teaching efforts, and by fostering opportunities for connection and growth among our church workers. We echo St. Paul’s exhortation, to the end that all Lutheran services may be faithful, honest, excellent, and devoted to the saving work of Christ crucified. The Rev. Sean Daenzer was installed as director in January