# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1995_S110 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) - To Establish Composition of Board for and Conference of Congregational Services RESOLUTION 2-04A Report 2-01 (CW, pp. 41-43); Overtures 2-08-09, 2- 11-13 (CW, pp. 137-40) Rationale: The Synod has traditionally recognized various func- tions of the church. In the past, these have often been cate- gorized as witness, worship, nurture, service, stewardship, and fellowship. Congregations, Districts and the national offices have worked together in support of these functions. Research in recent years involving hundreds of congrega- tions and District and national leaders has shown that Dis- trict and national programs are perceived to be used by all congregations rather than reflecting the uniqueness of each congregation. In the midst of a diverse church body with unique characteristics in each congregation, the challenge remains to bring usable, relevant service and support to the local level. Recognizing the desire to meet better the needs of con- gregations, the 1992 synodical convention adopted Res. 4- 02A by a 72% vote, which established the Mission and Min- istry Council and Conference of Congregational Services. Res. 4-02A also authorized combining the Board for Evan- gelism Services, Board for Parish Services, Board for Youth Services, Council on Stewardship, and Commission on Wor- ship into a single congregational services board effective with the 1995 synodical convention. The essential purpose of this action was to integrate, coordinate, and expand the Synod’s method for mission and ministry planning and im- plementation. The Conference of Congregational Services (CCS), which includes a representative from each District, from various ethnic ministries, four District staff and related national ministries representatives is to 1. provide future-oriented, shared program vision in the Congregational Services service areas; 2. provide input to the Mission and Ministry Council to- ward the-development of a shared synodwide vision and its implications for congregational services; 3. help integrate the operations of the Congregational Services service areas to meet the expressed needs of the congregation, helping to keep the national Synod in touch with local ministries; 4. receive communications from the Districts regarding their needs and those of their congregations. Communicate synodical needs and plans with Districts and congregations. What Has Transpired: ‘The CCS has met five times during the current trien- nium. In addition to the items listed above, the CCS has called a full-time executive director for Congregational Ser- vices, identified service areas under the Board for Congre- gational Services, proposed a recommendation to the 1994 District conventions regarding common congregational ser- vices alignments, provided budget and staffing directions, and participated in the National/District Staff Functions Project. CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 111 Continuous Improvement: The Board for and Conference of Congregational Ser- vices will continually assess their respective responsibili- ties and structures in order to better respond to the chang- ing needs of Districts and congregations. © Resolved, That the following Bylaws be adopted for im- mediate implementation of the plan for the Board for and Conference of Congregational Services: PRESENT /PROPOSED WORDING I. Board for Congregational Services Membership The board for Congregational Services shall consist of 11 members to be elected by the Synod in convention [3 pastors, 3 commissioned ministers, 3 laypersons, and 2 at large). Functions The board shall organize itself to enable vision and outcome development, to prepare and revise policies re- sponsive to both current and anticipated situations, and to initiate action in order to meet the changing needs of Districts and congregations. Service areas will be evalu- ated and changed as appropriate, prior to each conven- tion of the Synod. The board will focus its energies on helping Districts help congregations in building up dis- ciples for service in the church and to all people in today’s world. The Board for Congregational Services, through its staff and in partnership with Districts, supports and serves congregations of the Synod in their varied range of diverse and unique ministries with 1. future-oriented, shared program vision for the Congregational Services service areas; 2. meaningful, objective research and active listen- ing; 3. identification and communication of a diversity of models and resources (networking), supplementing such resources as necessary; 4. support of ministry to a multicultural society; 5. consulting services, visitations, workshops, and leadership training; 6. an integrated, long-range plan (shared with the Council on Mission and Ministry) with operating goals for congregational services, striking a balance between a listening and responding role in developing a common synodwide vision; 7. appropriate staffing in accordance with estab- lished personnel policies. Responsibilities will be consis- tent with identified vision. 2. Conference of Congregational Services Membership 35 a representative from a congregational services related board in each District selected by the District Board of Directors following the District convention (an alternate representative should also be selected) 4 youth of the Synod elected by their peers at-a LutheranYouth Fellowship Delegate Assembly, who shall not be younger than 15 years of age nor older than 18 years of age at the time of their election ; 4 District staff persons, chosen by their peers through their representative groups, one each from the Council of Presidents (COP), Confer- ence of District Education Executives (CON- FEDEX), and conferences for District Steward- ship Executives and District Evangelism Executives