# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S26 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNODICAL REPORTS 25 * Provided over | ,000 congregations information to operate quality, Christ-centered early childhood/childcare centers. * More than 200 congregations (not operating elementary schools) started early childhood centers. Goal: Leaders are affirmed, connected, and equipped to engage in effective ministry with children. * Child Ministry Net is connecting, equipping, and supporting over 1,000 leaders. ¢ Developed Windows Ministry Initiative in response to District and congregation requests to support families from pregnancy to their children’s third birthday. * 240 leaders in ministry with children, birth through fifth grade, have grown in knowledge and developed connections with other leaders through the Children’s Ministry Leadership Conferences. ¢ Current societal trends that significantly impact children were identified and projected into the next twenty years; shared this in- formation with District and national leadership. * Celebrating the important place of children in the mission and ministry of the church in the Year of the Child 2001. Relationship to Synod Objectives: The above contribute to syn- odical objectives 2, 6, and 7 (Handbook, pp. 9-10). Important Trends * Continued significant growth of early childhood centers (current total is 1,301). ¢ Diversity of children’s ministry programming. * Continued decline of children attending Sunday school. ¢ Continued significant “back door” losses of children from Bap- tism to age four. Some Future Goals (Hoped-for Outcomes) ¢ Recognize and involve children as members of the body of Christ in District and congregation celebrative events. * Nurture children as lifelong disciples of Christ. « Encourage leaders to create an atmosphere where children au- thentically share the Gospel. Evangelism Ministry serves as an advocate for sharing the Gospel with the unchurched and partners with Districts to provide encouragement, resources, and networking for congregations as they reach out to the unchurched in their communities. Significant Accomplishments * Involved in all aspects of the Synod’s “Tell the Good News about Jesus” emphasis in partnership with the President’s office. * Conducted multiple projects in partnership with North American Missions, Human Care Ministry, and Board for Black Ministry Services in support of multicultural evangelism, including work with congregations in urban, rural, and transitioning communities. ¢ Developed, promoted, and distributed multiple resources in sup- port of lifestyle evangelism. Relationship to Synod Objectives: The above contribute to syn- odical objectives 2, 4, and 6 (Handbook, pp. 9-10). Future Direction The primary focus for the next triennium will be to serve Dis- tricts and ethnic ministry leaders as they help congregations be- come “encouraging places for those Telling the Good News about Jesus and welcoming places for those who hear it.” Family Ministry serves District and congregational leaders via personal consultation, practical training, appropriate referrals, com- munication networks, and the brokering of relevant materials, so that effective partnerships between congregations and homes might be established on Jesus Christ for the salvation of all. Some Significant Accomplishments Goal: Establish an effective communication network with 35 District offices. ¢ Launched the Family Ministry Web site, offering free articles, re- sources, speakers, ideas, and a variety of interactive databases (2,000 hits per day on average.) ¢ The Family Ministry newsletter, Under One Roof, sent to District offices, and archived on the family Web site. * Conducted 81 personal, on-site District visitations, resulting in increased levels of family ministry activities evidenced by Dis- trict training opportunities, celebrative events, and regular re- sourcing opportunities for churches. Goal: Provide relevant and practical training to church profes- sionals. * Certified 463 pastors in 26 Districts and all graduating seminari- ans in Prepare-Enrich, touching the lives of 4,630 couples, iden- tifying 3,982 potential divorces, and counseling 2,315 conflicted marriages during the triennium. ¢ Established a national network of trained marriage enrichment leaders. Goal: Broker resources and materials to synodical constituency. ¢ Produced Frequently Asked Questions booklet, a compendium of family ministry issues and resources. Goal: Collaborate and coordinate with other family ministry or- ganizations and entities. * Completed a National/District Approaches to Family Ministry study, resulting in better coordination among family ministry en- tities and sharing of family ministry models that work. ¢ A strong partnership established with Lutheran Family Associa- tion resulting in collaboration on Synod-wide training and re- source production. ¢ 22 Districts offered new family ministry conferences and events in collaboration with Congregational Services. « Established a Family Ministry Support Team to provide reality- based planning and objective critique of all synodical family min- istry directions and strategic plans. Goal: Encourage the formation of District family ministry teams and increase levels of activity. * 8 Districts formed new family ministry committees or action teams as a result of visitations to Districts. ¢ |! Districts, per survey, have increased their levels of family min- istry activities. Relationship to Synod Objectives: The above contribute to syn- odical objectives 2, 3, 4, 5. and 6 (Handbook, pp. 9-10) Some Future Goals (Hoped-for Outcomes) * Encourage Districts to demonstrate concern over negative trends impacting our families. ¢ Assist/support Districts in developing Christ-centered family min- istry strategies. ¢ Touch families with the Good News of Jesus, no matter their va- riety of familial need. ¢ Encourage District leaders to share models, resources, and ideas for ministering to the home in the name of Christ. School Ministry assists, equips, and uplifts Lutheran educators, District staff, especially education executives, and congregation leaders so that through them children may be equipped as disciples of Jesus Christ. Some Significant Accomplishments Goal: Identify, equip, and nurture potential administrative lead- ers for Lutheran elementary schools. Results: 2001 Convention Workbook