# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S123 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS support mission organizations in prayer, with needed funds, and in selfless volunteer service. With great joy, 90 percent of LWML’s mission goal now goes to fund mission grants. This increase of 20 percent was approved by the LWML board of directors in 2019. We trust our Father to continue to provide for the work accomplished in His name. LWML holds to these core values: • We are Christian women who live as redeemed children of the triune God. • We are in God’s Word and live in joyful response to the promises found in the Holy Scriptures. • We are mission-focused, and we answer God’s call to share His Gospel at home and abroad. • We are sisters in Christ who value and benefit from each other. • We are servant leaders, called and equipped by God to serve others. LWML has developed a vast selection of doctrinally reviewed resources and programs to support our women and our church workers as they serve the Lord. Most resources are free to download and can be found on the LWML website at lwml.org. The 39th biennial LWML convention was held in Lexington, Kentucky, in June 2021, with all COVID-19 precautions in place. The 40th biennial LWML convention will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in June 2023. Both were/are expected to be well attended. The business of our organization and the inspiration of Bible studies and mission speakers are always interspersed with fellowship and service projects. The LWML has led sessions at the LCMS “Making Disciples for Life” conferences and continues to participate in programs that encourage and equip our members to boldly serve God. Lutheran Women in Mission serve, give, pray, and meet together in response to His mercy and grace. The message of the cross, referenced in 1 Corinthians 1:18, is the power of God in His children. We give—we love—because He first loved us. LWML will, by God’s grace, continue to focus on our Savior and proclaim His love, support His mission, and equip His children to serve joyfully. Debbie K. Larson, President R58 2019 Res. 1-02 Report: Stories of New Mission Plants (ONM, Districts) The fifth resolved of LCMS 2019 Convention Resolution 1-02 called for “the ONM [Office of National Mission], in partnership with the districts, [to] issue a report telling the stories of new mission plants prior to the 2022 Synod convention.” As part of a larger Church Planting Initiative launched in 2022, the ONM has been conducting research into the history of church planting in the LCMS from the early 1900s until the present. This research has provided a great deal of information on church planting practices and church planting results during the past 100+ years. In addition to researching church planting through data provided by LCMS Rosters and Statistics and the Concordia Historical 123 Society, the ONM conducted interviews with a number of district presidents, mission executives, and church planters to gather insights into the challenges, successes, and failures of contemporary church planting. A synopsis of the data collected through this research and the findings resulting from the research will be published by the ONM in summer 2023 prior to the Synod convention in the first of a series of monographs on church planting history and practice. One of the planned monographs will pay special attention to church planting activities since 2000. The monographs will also feature the stories of new mission starts presented as case studies. These case studies will serve as examples of best practices in church planting and also provide lessons learned from church plants that were unsuccessful. Mark A. Wood, Managing Director R59 2019 Res. 1-03 Report: Shared Ministry Strategies for Small Congregations (ONM, COP) The third and fourth resolves of LCMS 2019 Convention Resolution 1-03 directed “the Office of National Mission (ONM), in collaboration with the Council of Presidents (COP), to study the critical issues that threaten the sustainability of small congregations” and called for “ONM, in collaboration with the COP, [to] prepare a report to the 2022 convention that includes recommendations to assist small congregations in developing strategies related to shared ministry.” The study of the critical issues that threatened the sustainability of congregations is an ongoing work of ONM, especially through its Revitalization Initiative and Rural and Small Town Mission (RSTM) program unit. A. Revitalization Resources Resources developed by ONM that address issues of revitalization are available to LCMS congregations at no cost. These resources, which form the suite of resources with the title re:Vitality, include a self-assessment tool called CADDS (Congregational Assessment of Development/Decline Status). CADDS provides a benchmark for congregations in terms of their current development/decline status and guidance for addressing factors that are having a negative impact on vitality and viability. Training modules that aim to equip congregation leaders and members to address the factors identified by the CADDS assessment include the following: • Connect to Disciple: Engaging the Nonchurched People in Our Community (Outreach) • Serving in God’s Mission: Strategic Planning for Congregations • Shepherding Our Strays: Actively Serving Our Inactive Members • Members of One Body: Prospering in the Body of Christ (Assimilation and Incorporation) • Beyond the Classroom: Outreach through Lutheran Schools 2023 Convention Workbook