# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S27 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNODICAL REPORTS 27 7. Develop a combined resource catalog with CPH, listing youth education and youth ministry resources 8. Visit Concordia campuses with DCE training programs annually 9. Collaborate with Search Institute in developing Asset Development resources for children and youth XII. Rural/Small Town Ministry This special ministry emphasis cuts across all department lines. It is concerned about the 2,100 congregations (653,000 members) of the Synod dwelling in rural or small town (2,500 population or less) settings. Ralph Geisler has served as the staff liaison to the Rural/Small Town Ministry Committee, which is composed of Paul Biegner, chairman; Bill Geis, Reuben Garber, David Dubbelde, August Mennicke, and Eldor Meyer. Each of the 2,100 congregations has a unique cultural makeup different from larger town or suburban settings. This recent attempt to listen to their needs and to provide services and resources has been appreciated by them. Significant accomplishments * Conducted “Twelve Keys to Effective Church Planning” work- shops designed to equip representatives in eleven Districts to as- sist planning in rural/small town congregations * Developed a lending library at the Link Library in cooperation with the Institute of Rural Ministry on the Concordia College, Seward, Nebr., campus Provided a 20-session Bible study, “A Time to Plant a Time to Grow,” designed to communicate the Gospel to members in a rural/small town setting Completed a 30-minute video and study guide, Country Cross- roads, using four rural/small town congregational settings to help congregations build on their existing strengths and to bring the Gospel to the people in the community Conducted “New Worker and Pastors Leadership Training” workshops in three locations with 13 Districts sending their new pastoral candidates who serve rural/small town congregations Taught courses on rural ministry each quarter at Concordia The- ological Seminary Conducted an extensive session at the Great Commission Con- vocation called “Bringing Hope to Rural/Small Town Congrega- tions” for 120 congregations ¢ Supported and participated in the Great Lakes Great Commis- sion Initiative Conference and planned other rural/small town District conferences Significant Resources * Preserving and Growing Rural Congregations, with study guide, Eldor Meyer, CPH, $3.50. * Country Crossroads video/study guide, CPH, $16.95. Helps rural/small town congregations recognize their strengths and op- portunities for mission to others in their community. _* New Worker Leadership Training Modules, available to District leaders for training new workers and pastoral candidates serving rural/small town congregations. ° A Time to Plant a Time to Grow, 20-session Bible studies with reproducible lessons for participants, CPH, $19.95. * Borrow a Book, Institute for Rural Ministry, Link Library, Con- cordia College, Seward, Nebr., (402) 643-3651. Significant Goals * Explore a wide range of resources and church literature providing examples of rural/small town congregations with vitality * Focus on the dynamics, techniques, and strategies of leading a rural /small town congregation through change * Connect Districts and rural/small congregations to opportunities available from various groups that can provide a purposeful fu- ture XIII. Urban/Multiethnic Ministry Jerry Kosberg is also serving in this special emphasis area that has not always received the attention it deserves. Much needs to be done, as 50 percent of America’s population resides in 48 cities, and our Synod’s presence has diminished in most urban centers and changing communities. We look forward to the day when a full- time director can come aboard. Significant Accomplishments 1. Several departments of Congregational Services, with others, have provided urban and multiethnic activities and resources in the last triennium: * Cross-Cultural Gathering before the Youth Gathering * “Children at Risk/Children of Promise” symposium in At- lanta, with Human Care Ministries and the Wheat Ridge Foundation * “Making New Friends” kit for outreach to different ethnic groups, developed with North America Missions Training videos close-captioned for the hearing impaired Youth Servant Events Multiethnic catalog of resources Isolated Urban School Administrator Network Conference, plus an annual Urban School Consultation Training for African Immigrant Evangelism Annual Black History Month piece sent to all schools Four Districts guided in a learning process for urban congre- gations in transitional neighborhoods 2. Cross-Cultural representation on the Conference of Congrega- tional Services and the presentations by those ministries on the unique opportunities and challenges they face. 3. Forming stronger partnerships with the Board for Black Min- istry and North American Ministries in urban and multicultural ministries. 4. Supported the Multi-Ethnic Congress on Urban Ministry. Significant Resources 1. Hispanic stewardship resources 2. Korean evangelism tracts, Hispanic versions of evangelism tracts and training materials 3. Jewish resources on Jewish feasts and the story of a Jewish person and his conversion to faith in Jesus as the Messiah 4. Working with CPH to produce a “Churches in Transition” resource that tells the story of four urban congregations and their journey of trying todo ministry in the changing neighbor- hoods of their church Significant Goals 1. To relate to the ministry conferences of the various mission fields of our Synod. A plan is in place to have at least four members of the Congregational Services staff relate directly with each of the ministry conferences of the ethnic minority mission fields of our church body. This process will allow us to become aware of the unique challenges and opportunities of each mission field and for that mission field to see how Congregational Services can support and encourage them. 2. To work with various synodical entities to develop and support an urban institute to identify, train, and equip present and emerging urban workers. The goal is to have an urban institute to which Districts can send workers. 3. To foster the growing network of Downtown LCMS Congrega- tions. XIV. Other Developments 1. The relationship with the Commission on Worship has been a helpful one, with Paul Grime often attending staff and conference meetings and also offering suggestions for preparing worship-related materials. 2. The LCMS Foundation is now including Congregational