# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S111 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) YEAR OF THE CHILD QUESTIONS During the past two conventions delegates were asked to use their keypads to respond to questions about our Synod’s history. Because the 1998 convention declared 2001 to be the “Year of the Child,” the delegates to the 2001 convention were asked the following series of multiple choice questions regarding our Synod’s ministry to children. 6. How many children were enrolled in grades K–8 in our LCMS schools during the 2000–01 school year? a. 155,244 b. 149,070 c. 135,023 d. 129,775 1. How many LCMS congregations are involved in operating one or more of the following Lutheran schools: early childhood, elementary, high school? a. 3,527 (59%) b. 2,214 (37%) c. 1,305 (22%) d. 1,071 (18%) The correct answer is a. Over 150,000 children hear the Gospel and learn about Jesus in our elementary schools. 7. How many children were enrolled in pre-kindergarten in our LCMS schools during the 2000–01 school year? a. 69,703 b. 85,531 c. 90,008 d. 91,660 The correct answer is a. 3,527 churches. That is, close to two-thirds of our Synod’s congregations—59 percent, to be precise—are involved in operating some sort of Lutheran school. It’s the second-largest parochial school system in the United States! The correct answer is d. 91,660. Remember, the answer to the last question, on the kindergarten through eighth grade enrollment, was about 155,000. There’s a bunch more coming. 2. How many LCMS high schools were in operation during the last school year? a. 90 b. 80 c. 70 d. 60 8. How many children were baptized in LCMS congregations in 2000? a. 29,195 b. 36,929 c. 44,195 d. 49,993 The correct answer is b. Congregations of our Synod were involved in some 80 Lutheran high schools during the 2000–01 academic year. The correct answer is c. 44,195. And concerning each of these recently baptized children, the next question is, Now what?—as asked in a video that was sent earlier this year to every congregation in the Synod. 3. What percentage of the teachers (full and part-time) in LCMS elementary schools are on the roster? a. 90% b. 72% c. 65% d. 54% 9. Of every 10 pupils enrolled in an LCMS elementary school, how many are either members of an LCMS congregation or have parents who are members? a. 2 b. 4 c. 6 d. 8 The correct answer is d. Just over half of the teachers in our elementary schools are synodically trained, rostered members of the Synod. 4. According to the 1998 Lutheran Youth Fellowship Youth Poll, what percent of LCMS youth are pro-life? a. 52.7% b. 59.6% c. 68.6% d. 77.4% The correct answer is c. Somewhat more than twothirds of the youth responding to this poll were pro-life. 5. According to the 1998 Lutheran Youth Fellowship Youth Poll, what percentage of LCMS youth can recite the common doxology from memory? a. 48.7% b. 62.7% c. 76.2% d. 89.4% The correct answer is a. 48.7 percent. Not even half. The correct answer is c. 6. More precisely: 58%. So the typical Lutheran elementary school in our Synod has significant numbers of both member and nonmember children. Nurture and outreach at the same time! 10. What is the percentage of LCMS congregations that practice some form of early first communion? a. 9% b. 16% c. 21% d. 32% The correct answer is c. 21 percent, according to the 1998 Study of Youth Confirmation and First Communion in the LCMS. 111 200l Convention Proceedings