# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S55 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNODICAL REPORTS 55 component. Youth then train over 5,000 teenagers annually in District/Circuit and congregational settings. e Support for recruitment of professional church workers with LCMS universities/seminaries and synodical efforts, including “What A Way” and ongoing support for university/seminary youth ministry classes. Goal: Servant Events—Youth and adults are provided oppor- tunities to make a difference in the lives of people in the name of Jesus Christ. e Districts, churches, camps, and institutions host 75-80 Servant Events annually across the nation. e Nearly 4,000 youth and adults participate in LCMS-networked Servant Events every year. ¢ Servant opportunities are planned for more than 12,000 partici- pants at the 2004 National Youth Gathering. Goal: Resources—Y outh workers are helped in identifying and having access to the best in youth ministry resources in print, media, and online. e “ThESource,” Funded by a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, provides access to resources for congregational youth ministry including Bible study, discussion resources, practical in- sights and ideas, etc., from authors across the church. “TheESource” is available free through the Web site, http://youthESource.com. e New youth ministry logo, based on the ancient symbol for the church, features three “cross-eyed” fish swimming in community and was introduced in 2003 to raise visibility of youth ministry in the Synod. e New Bible Study Servant Leadership materials are written each year to support Servant Events. ¢ Resources are developed for Youth Gathering participants to nur- ture spiritual growth, build congregational family groups, and provide information in preparing for the Gathering, in print and online, http://nyg.Jcms.org. Goal: National Youth Gathering—Youth and adults have the opportunity to gather in Christ’s name for worship, spiritual nur- ture, fellowship, recreation, and a great time. ¢ 33,000 youth and adults attended the 2001 National LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans. e 35,000 youth and adults anticipated for the 2004 National LCMS Youth Gathering in Orlando. ¢ Over 150 skilled and talented professional church workers and laypersons served as program planners. Goal: Youth Ministry Network—A network of District, profes- sional church workers, lay volunteers, teenagers, concerned adults, and advocates for teens is built to support and encourage youth ministry across the Synod in all kinds of settings. e Annual opportunity for networking among District persons pro- vided at youth ministry conference in January. ¢ Network of youth supported and encouraged through council of LYF representatives and its leadership training. e Youth representative program developed for 2004 LCMS con- vention. e Youth ministry network provides a link to all LCMS District youth ministry Web sites. Relationship to Synod Objectives: The above contribute to ob- jectives 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 (Handbook, pp. 6-7). Some Future Goals (Hoped for Outcomes) ¢ Maintain the viability and expand the mission of “ThESource” as a vibrant, extraordinary resource for solid, confessional Lutheran Christian youth ministry on the Web. e Provide more opportunities for international Servant Event op- portunities in addition to domestic sites. ¢ Continue effective leadership training for teenagers through the LYF Teen Leadership Initiative. ¢ Provide for the youth ministry’s financial viability through the LYF Youth Ministry Endowment/Joseph’s Coat. e Build the youth ministry network in the Synod, including strong links to District youth ministries, universities, and seminaries. ¢ Continue to provide a dynamic Youth Gathering experience for young people. VI. Looking Ahead Reflecting the primary themes of education, opportunities (ser- vice), Outreach, and resources in Art. III of the Constitution, the DCS Statements of Directions (priorities) and Desired Outcomes (goals) were updated early 2004. As a result, the unit strategic plan and ministry area operational plans are being updated. Statements of Direction and Desired Outcomes: 1. Proclaim the Saving Gospel of Jesus Christ: The forgiveness of sins found in Christ alone is proclaimed and distributed in Word and Sacrament. From this life-giving center congregations are reaching out to the diverse populations of their communities to make Christ known in word and deed. 2.Nurture Children, Youth, and Adults: District and congregational leaders are nurturing children, youth, and adults in faith and love in Christ so they show forth the hope within them as they live out their God-given callings. 3. Develop Leaders: District and congregational leaders are fully equipped to carry out the mission of Christ in their congrega- tions, communities, and the world. 4. Cultivate Stewards: God’s people in all places—congregations, schools, homes, workplaces—are freely living out their vocations, managing all of the Lord’s gifts entrusted to them for God’s purposes. DCS will continue to adjust staffing and services in response to District and congregation directions and available funding. The staff of District and Congregational Services remains committed to the concept that first emerged in 1992, to better meet the needs of Districts and congregations. DCS will continue to be an advocate for congregations and Districts, facilitate network systems, be a broker of services, provide services and resources via electronic media, and serve as a resource to Districts in serving congregations. Dr. David Held, Chairman Dr. LeRoy Wilke, Executive Director R2-02 Commission on Worship “God is surpassingly rich in His grace.” With this little sentence Luther begins his succinct description of the ways in which God delivers to us the Gospel of His forgiveness. What are those ways? “First, through the spoken word, by which the forgiveness of sin... is preached to the whole world; second, through Baptism; third, through the holy Sacrament of the Altar; fourth, through the power of the keys; and finally, through the mutual conversation and consolation of brethren (Smalcald Articles III, IV). It is the specific task of the Commission on Worship to assist the congregations of the Synod toward a faithful use of these means of grace, primarily in the context of corporate worship. To that end, the Commission promotes worship practices that are both faithful to Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions and also reflective of the rich heritage of God’s people. Consisting of seven members appointed by the President of the Synod, the Commission seeks to “develop and deepen an understanding and love for the Lutheran heritage in Christian worship” and to “recommend worship materi- als to the church” (Bylaw 3.928 a, c). Lutheran Hymnal Project In 1998 the Synod adopted Res. 2-12, which encouraged the Commission to proceed with the preparation of a new hymnal. At 2004 Convention Workbook