# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S37 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNODICAL REPORTS 37 That the Board for Black Ministry Services develop partnership with selected geographical Districts and explore ways to deal with the issues raised in the.report; and be it finally resolved That the Board for Black Ministry Services begin the dialog with the 26 geographical Districts about alternative ways to deal with issues raised in the Non-Geographical Black Ministry District Study Report. The Study Committee highlighted these issues for consider- ation by the Board for Black Ministry Services: 1. Separation/segregation reality based issues versus ideological hope 2. The need to keep pushing, keep educating, and keep encourag- ing at all levels . Financial viability of supporting churches in community . Control issues/shaping our destiny . Clergy supply/alternate route . Relate to District and District relates to congregations and to Black Ministry units in Districts 7. Facilitate. help design, focus through Districts on congre- gations 8. Focus on key Districts—Mid-South, Northern Illinois, South- astern, Southern 9. Revealed anti-worker-priest expressions, “I do not favor worker-priest’”—Study Committee members felt this has not been a bad thing 10. White/Black pastors statement in the study (common ground is needed for the sake of the ministry) 11. Black Ministry Non-Geographical District will divide church—speak on this from the lack of unity point of view 12. Work at helping Districts provide services needed to serve African American congregations and involve District Black Ministry units in the process 13. North American Missions has task forces which function like Black Ministry units, and the BBMS is learning from that arrangement and our experience is instructive of it On Dec. 31, 1997, the report of the Study Committee was pre- sented to Dr. A. L. Barry, President of The Lutheran Church-Mis- souri Synod. On Jan. 13, 1998, the Board for Black Ministry Ser- vices adopted the recommendations of the Study Committee. A copy of the report will be filed with each congregation in Black Ministry. Summarize the goals set by the unit and assignment given to it in recent or previous conventions or by the President. The board has translated the work assigned to it into a mission statement and action plan for the 1995-98 triennium: Being empowered by God, called to carry out the Great Commis- sion, undergirded by the Black Ministry Convocation, the mission of the Board for Black Ministry Services is to Garner attention, resources, energy, knowledge, and the diverse gifts God has given His people to advocate change, nourish, affirm, encourage members in the faith, and reach new peoples with the Gospel all over the world. RMnhw Critical Target 1: Link with Black Leaders Goal: Support the unity of all ministries among African Americans. Critical Target 2: Worldwide Relationships Goal: Establish and maintain a strong relationship with our brgthers and sisters worldwide. Critical Target 3: Congregations and Convocations Goal: Congregations are affirming and developing varied styles of ministry and worship to reach within and beyond them- selves with the Gospel in the African American experience. Critical Target 4: New Mission Fields and New People Goal: A significant number of new mission fields are utilizing greater lay involvement, new and different forms of worship, wit- ness, and service to gain new people for Christ. Critical Target 5: Networking Goal: Leaders are creating and maintaining networks which reach across geographic, cultural, and denominational boundaries to garner and share information in support of effective Black Ministry. Critical Target 6: Lay and Professional Leaders Goal: Individuals are identified and equipped within a nurtur- ing supportive environment to give bold, dynamic, prophetic, and visionary leadership to Black Ministry. Critical Target 7: Concordia Selma Goal: Concordia Selma is appreciated for its historical con- tributions to the church and world and recognized for its potential to develop leaders for the 21st century within the context of the Black experience. Critical Target 8: Elementary and Secondary Education Goal: Lutheran schools are providing Christian role modets from a variety of cultures who nurture, educate, and care for the children of their communities. Based on the current assessment of the church and its envi- ronment provided in the President’s report, as well as the de- scription of the needed services, analyze and report the unit’s performance during the past triennium. Black Ministry in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is growing in congregations: ¢ 1,851 adults gained ¢ 1,791 children baptized * 3,642 new Lutherans, in one year, increasing the 50,000 to 53,642! Black Ministry in the LCMS is growing in congregations: —30 new missions are being developed in all sections of the na- tion; (SO new starts is the goal) — 22 potential sites have been targeted for development in six Dis- tricts ~ 35 congregations have goals of becoming congregations that av- erage 300 in worship on Sunday moming Black Ministry in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is growing in the ability and capacity to reach and do ministry with African immigrants (AIM): — The board identifies with their 25 new starts — Participated in their conference of 50 leaders — African immigrant and Black Ministry working on Church Plant- ing Manual — Through resolution, the board calls for planting African immi- grant in the African American soil Black Ministry in the LCMS is growing in leadership devel- opment: * 24 leaders serving on presidium and boards of the Synod * 29 leaders elected by District conventions (including 5 vice- presidents) ¢ 37 leaders leading District Black Ministry units ¢ 20 students at the seminaries and Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne Extension, at Concordia Selma It was awesome to see 70-plus leaders standing before the Black Ministry Family Convocation. The goal of 100 African American pastors in the Synod has been reached. Now we have 100 White pastors, too. Black Ministry in the LCMS is growing in convocation par- ticipation: convocation statistics— 1996 New Orleans 2,000 opening worship service 80 pastoral delegates 121 voting lay delegates 10 advisory member 250 youth participants 515 adult participants 1,200 registered participants! 1997 Atlanta 1,500 opening worship service 55 pastoral delegates 61 voting lay delegates 39 advisory members 340 youth participants 450 adult participants 945 registered participants!