# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S39 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNODICAL REPORTS 39 — 20 Black Ministry units in the 35 Districts of the Synod. Fifteen units have been organized and involved in ministry. ~ Preserve and maintain archival resources for students in Black Ministry for congregations and for the LCMS historical record at Concordia Historical Institute. This goal has been set in motion and is progressing, although slowly. — Complete the delivery of the African American Lutheran hym- nal, under the title This Far by Faith. — Affirm our heritage as Black Christians with an abundant future in the LCMS. ~ Advance from subsidy mindset to abundance mindset with a “can do spirit.” — Continued support for Concordia College Selma and Lutheran schools. — Continued link with leaders in Black Ministry. Specify recommendations regarding general categories of overtures submitted: Non-Geographical Black Ministry District The support of the convention of Synod is needed for the im- plementation of these recommendations. Ethnic Doctrinal Review Panel The doctrinal review process for the African American hymnal highlighted the need for an Ethnic Doctrinal Review panel for cul- tural consideration in the review process. Blue Ribbon Committee Report The 1997 Atlanta convocation adopted Res. 1-02, the “Blue Ribbon” committee recommendation: Resolved, that the 1997 Black Ministry Family Convocation nomi- nate 9 people for presentation of the Nominations Committee of Synod for the election of 3 members to the Board for Black Ministry Services by the 1998 convention; and be it further Resolved, that the term of office be 3 years, with a maximum of 9 years; and be it further Resolved, that the 1998 convocation elect 18 people for presenta- tion to the President of the Synod for appointment to be Board for Black Ministry Services; and be it finally Resolved, that the 1997 convocation declare selection by the Con- vocation as the criteria for nominations for election to the Board for Black Ministry Services, and that the 9 names include 3 pastors, 3 lay persons and 3 teachers. Three Brief Lists African Americans 32 million in the United States 53,642 in the LCMS 24,506 White members in congregations in Black Ministry 16,262 students in Lutheran schools 300 congregations in Black Ministry 300 congregations served by 100 White pastors and 100 Black pas- tors $1 million contributed to work of God through District and Synod annually. Convocations 1996 New Orleans 2,000 opening worship service 80 pastoral delegates 1,200 registered participants 515 adult participants 250 youth participants 121 voting lay delegates 80 pastoral delegates 10 advisory members 1997 Atlanta 1,500 opening worship service 55 pastoral delegates 946 registered participants 450 adult participants 340 youth participants 61 voting lay delegates 55 pastoral delegates 39 advisory members Students 20 students in Concordia seminaries and Fort Wayne Extension at Concordia Selma Most Significant Accomplishments * Partnership with 60 congregations through cutting-edge projects, resulting in grants totaling $146,000 * 36 new congregations toward the 150th anniversary goal of 50 ¢ 20 students at Concordia seminaries and extension at Concordia Selma * Convocation registered attendance at the 1,000 mark * 3,642 new Lutherans gained in one year! * African American hymnal manuscript developed! * The nongeographical Black Ministry District question addressed by congregations * 15 Black Ministry units organized in Districts * Black Ministry connected to African Immigrant Ministry * $80,000 raised for burned churches with Board for Human Care Services Most Significant Resources: Communique Communities Dare to Dream African Americans and the Local Church Reaching African Americans Bryant E. Clancy Jr., Executive Director Appendix R2-04A Exhibits Feasibility Study Survey Results John P. O’Hara Department of Planning and Research December 1997 Summary Part 1—District Data on Contributions and Subsidies 1. The attached Table | reports the total 1996/97 fiscal year con- tributions from congregations in Black Ministry (“Distr Contr,” column 2) and the total District subsidies (“Dist Subs,” column 5) as well as the number (n) of congregations for which each District had data, and the median amounts of contributions and subsidy, respectively. The median divides a population in half. 2. The total amounts of contributions and subsidies are approximately equal, though not distributed equally. Most congregations give relatively small contributions to Districts, while a smaller number of congregations receive sizable subsidies. Which congregations join a new, non-geographical District would make a difference in the financial resources available to fund programs. 3. Given the data reported here, a separate non-geographical District would have to raise $1.7—2.0 million, assuming all the listed congregations joined. Part Il—Clergy Responses to the Feasibility Study Report 1. Respondents included clergy from 58 congregations, 35 served by White pastors, 19 served by Black pastors, and 4 for which race was reported as mixed or not indicated. 2. Table 2 reports the distribution of responding pastors according to their attitudes toward a nongeographic District by race. White pastors are more likely to indicate opposition to a non- geographic District than Black pastors, who are split on this issue. Verbatim comments indicate that those opposed to a non-geographic District (both Black and White) cite fears of segregation/separatism and financial concerns. 3. Table 3 presents the results of clergy responses to a series of