# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S92 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 92 . SYNODICAL REPORTS ~ Branch, Inc., the U.S. arm of an international network of agen- cies providing social services primarily to migrating children and families. Lutheran Services in America (LSA), founded in 1997, is an al- liance of the LCMS. the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amer- ica, and their 280 social ministry organizations. LSA enhances partnerships, leadership, and services among these agencies, pro- viding services to 2 million people annually in 3,000 communi- ties. Inter-Lutheran Coordinating Committee on Ministerial Health and Wellness (ILCCMHW), an alliance to strengthen the health and wellness of professional church workers, their spouses, and their families. The ILCCMHW developed a long-term strategic plan for health initiatives, including the development of a theo- logical foundations of worker health paper, research, resource development, communications/networking, health promotion, and remedial care. Inter-Lutheran Coordinating Committee on Specialized Pastoral Care and Clinical Education is an alliance of chaplains, pastoral counselors, and other spiritual nurturers. More than 100 SPCCE leaders attended the first national SPCCE training conference in November. Long-range goals include to increase the presence of Lutheranism in ministries in specialized settings and to interpret those ministries to the church as a mainstream mission endeavor. VII. Operation and Financial Management Oversees fiscal management of all Human Care programs and special accounts. Human Care Ministries administrative programs continue to grow and stay within budget in spite of limited income. Operation and Financial Management works with program directors to gain the best possible use for allocated funds and is committed to en- suring a fair and improving cost for outcomes achieved. Human Care Ministries continues to partner with the LCMS Foundation to promote giving opportunities in support of Human Care Ministries. Among Operation and Financial Management's major accom- plishments were helping to provide affordable housing for low to moderate-income families by negotiating Nehemiah Trust docu- ments and participation agreement and assisting social ministry or- ganizations with changes required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Conclusion As Human Care Ministries helps the church grow more people- sensitive and people-centered, this holistic ministry is intensifying efforts to reach ‘“‘to the ends of the earth” to people in need with God’s love. Looking ahead, Human Care Ministries strives for expected out- comes in the next triennium that include the following: ¢ Districts and congregations growing in awareness of welfare re- form and responding more to struggling low-income families as the government provides less. Increased emphasis on ministries that strengthen families and reach out to the needs of people of ethnic and cross-cultural backgrounds. Districts and congregations sensitized to the increasing need for ministry to, with, and for the growing older adult population. Districts and congregations sensitive to and providing for the health and wellness needs of professional church workers, their spouses, and their families. * Social ministry organizations equipped for increased service and witness to God’s people and strengthened through the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) alliance. * More pastors and deaconesses in specialized settings, including chaplains and pastoral counselors, in response to a critical short- age. * Achurch that responds to hunger, poverty, and other human suf- fering in the United States and abroad as witness to God’s love. Human Care Resources Human Care Ministries provides a variety of resources: Newsletters ¢ Sharing, information on LCMS World Relief programs, projects and resources; bimonthly; free; circulation: 180,000 donors, con- gregations, and church-related groups. * Human Care News, Human Care Ministries information, model ministries, updates on major human care programs, District and congregational efforts; three issues annually; free; circulation: 11,000, including a human care ministry contact in every con- gregation. « Speak Up, government and human care issues and encourage- ment for Christian citizens to voice opinions; bimonthly; free; circulation: 3,250. Advocate, Lutheran Services in America news, networking, and resources of interest to social ministry organizations; quarterly; free. Housing Information for Ministry, housing ministry news, op- portunities, and resources; quarterly; free; circulation: 1,800. ¢ Building the Network, older adult ministry news and resources, quarterly; free; circulation: 300. ¢ Specialized Pastoral Care and Clinical Education Newsletter, information, networking and resources; free; circulation: 450 caregivers and District SPCCE leaders. ¢ Parish Nurse Newsletter, information, resources and network- ing about this growing ministry; free; circulation: 1,110. ¢ Gesundheit, ministerial health issues and resources to connect District ministerial health leaders; bimonthly; circulation: 300. Cross and Caduceus, now in its 44th year, with news and re- sources on holistic health issues; circulation: 12,000. ¢ Alert, news, networking, and resources for readers interested in congregational outreach to people with AIDS/HIV; circulation about 200. * Good News for the World, children’s newsletter showing how children can use their offerings to help others around the world. Other Print Resources ¢« LCMS World Relief and Board for Human Care Ministries Resource Packet, catalog of resources to assist variety of min- istries, including newsletters, videos, and children’s resources; updated annually. ¢ Taking Steps (alcohol abuse) Reporter insert, information and resources for people struggling with alcoholism, free. ¢ Taking Steps (domestic violence and child abuse) Reporter in- sert, information and resources for families struggling with abuse; free. ¢ Healthy Leaders/Healthy Church workshop manual to help Districts and congregations launch health and wellness initia- tives. * Sexual Ethics for Congregations, a leader’s guide to conduct- ing workshops for church professionals and congregational lay leaders. Brochures ¢ Domestic Violence and Abuse Is Everyone’s Concern, infor- mation on how to identify and respond to abuse and get re- sources; free. ¢ Lutheran Support Team Ministry Materials, resource for con- gregations starting a support team ministry to families affected by alcohol and substance abuse; free. * LCMS World Relief Domestic Grants for LCMS Congrega- tions and Agencies, information on how to apply for funds to support social ministry activities.