# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S157
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

158 DISTRICT AND CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

2-50

To Commend Thrivent for Music Disc

WuerEAS, Loyal Lutherans promote the use of good music;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2004 LCMS convention commend Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans (AAL-LB) for sending the compact disc
set “Celebrating the Musical Heritage of the Lutheran Church” to
Lutheran congregations, pastors, and educational institutions all
over America.

Trinity
New Haven, MO

2-51

To Celebrate 125th Anniversary of Black Ministry

WHEREAS, By the grace of God, Black Lutheran Ministry cele-
brates its 125th anniversary this year; and

WHEREAS, Black Lutherans have had to weather the storms of
adversity (segregation, discrimination, racism, and the like) on
many occasions in the quest for autonomy and inclusivity, yet they
still press onward; and

Wuereas, One can find in the 125-year history of Black
Lutheranism many memorable events and achievements worth cel-
ebrating (e.g., the pioneer work of Dr. Rosa Jinsey Young in south
Alabama; the year 1961, when the Districts of the LCMS took over
full responsibility for Black work from the Evangelical Lutheran
Synodical Conference of North America; the election of Dr. Joseph
Lavalais as the first Black to serve the Praesidium of Synod; the
birth of the Black Ministry Commission [now the Board for Black
Ministry Services]; and the Black Centennial celebration of 1977);
and

WHEREAS, Many significant contributions, largely unnoticed
and unchronicled, have been made over these years by countless
unknown men and women in establishing missions, in recruiting
church workers, and in the pastoral and teaching fields; and

WHEREAS, There are over 350 congregations involved in Black
Ministry today, having a cumulative membership of over 65,000
souls; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper to give thanks to Almighty
God for all the blessings He has showered upon Black Ministry
over these 125 years; therefore be it

Resolved, That there be a special celebration of the 125th an-
niversary of Black Ministry in conjunction with the 2003 Black
Ministry Family Convocation; and be it further

Resolved, That, as a feature of this celebration, a parade of con-
gregations take place on the opening day of the 2003 Black Min-
istry Family Convocation; and be it finally

Resolved, That every effort be made to contact all congregations
involved in Black Ministry in order to make this event a memo-
rable one.

Biack Ministry Convocation

2-52

To Include Additional Data in The Lutheran Annual

Wuereas, The Lutheran Annual is a resource for personnel en-
gaged in various ministries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod; and

WHEREAS, The 2003 and 2004 editions of The Lutheran Annual
deleted important information that had been included in previous
editions; and

WHEREAS, The inclusion of such data provides assistance in the
ministries of many church workers; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Secretary of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod and Concordia Publishing House be directed to include
the names of the faculties of the seminaries, universities, colleges,
high schools, elementary schools, and preschools in forthcoming
editions of The Lutheran Annual, and be it further

Resolved, That the called staffs of congregations including
DCEs, Deaconesses, DCOs, and Lay Ministers in addition to pas-
tors be named in the roster of congregations of The Lutheran An-
nual; and be it further

Resolved, That forthcoming editions of The Lutheran Annual
identify the graduate degrees of all workers of the Synod, naming
the specific degree earned or awarded; and be it finally

Resolved, That the personnel responsible for The Lutheran An-
nual be commended for implementing such changes.

Faculty
Concordia University
Seward, NE