# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S145 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) DISTRICT AND CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 145 Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and world”; and . Wuereas, In full support of the LCMS mission statement, the purpose statement for the National LCMS Youth Gatherings states that “Through the development of synodical youth gatherings, the LCMS Youth Ministry Office shall: (1) Provide opportunities for youth and adults to boldly come together in the name of Jesus Christ to proclaim, celebrate and witness their salvation through Him, rejoice in the fellowship of their church and be affirmed and nurtured in their lives as God’s people through Word and Sacra- ments; and (2) Provide an arena to raise the visibility of youth min- istry in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod”; and WHEREAS, 2007 marks the tenth National LCMS Youth Gather- ing and 30 years of God’s blessings on Gathering planning and; and WHEREAS, More than 200,000 people, representing nearly 10 percent of the current membership of LCMS congregations, have been blessed by God at National LCMS Youth Gatherings and im- pacted by these events, and thousands more have been touched through the stories and experiences that these participants have shared with their congregations “back home”; and WHEREAS, The National LCMS Youth Gathering is * The only national youth gathering that is supported by the LCMS; ¢ The only national youth gathering that fully and publicly supports the mission and vision of the LCMS; * The only national youth gathering that submits its publications and resources to doctrinal review; ¢ The only national youth gathering that submits its worship services and liturgies for review to the LCMS Commission on Worship; and ¢ The only national youth gathering event to submit its speaker list for review to the LCMS President’s Office, a process the Gather- ing initiated in 1982; and WHEREAS, The National LCMS Youth Gathering is fully self supporting and, in fact, provides for the financial viability of the entire youth ministry program in the LCMS (the LCMS contribu- tion only $25,000 from unrestricted funds to the support of youth ministry in fiscal year 2007); therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks to God for His blessings on the National LCMS Youth Gathering movement and for the lit- erally thousands of persons who have participated in these events and worked on behalf of these events; and be it further Resolved, That the LCMS express its continued support for these significant events in the lives of young people, their congre- gations, and in the Synod as a whole; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod affirm the National LCMS Youth Gathering Executive Team (Steering Committee) as the policy and decision-making authority for the Gathering dedicated to making responsible decisions for the Gathering in keeping with the doc- trine, practice, and policy of the LCMS; and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod designate a special fund into which any surplus revenues from a National LCMS Youth Gathering are deposited for the support only of youth ministry resources, pro- grams, and gatherings in the LCMS in the future. Trinity Wichita, KS 2-21 To Encourage Support of National Youth Gathering and Department of Youth Ministry WHEREAS, The National LCMS Youth Gathering is the only youth gathering that is recognized and endorsed by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and WHEREAS, The National LCMS Youth Gathering has pro- claimed the Good News of Christ in Word and Sacrament for decades; and WHEREAS, It is the only national youth gathering event that sub- mits all printed, program, and worship materials to LCMS doctrinal review and submits all worship materials for review through the LCMS Commission on Worship; and WHEREAS, It is the only national youth gathering event that pre- sents speaker lists for review and approval by the LCMS Presi- dent’s office; and Whereas, Department of Youth Ministry staff are members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and Whereas, Youth and adults of many congregations have been spiritually edified when they have attended previous national youth gathering events; and WHEREAS, The talents and skills of the staff of the LCMS De- partment of Youth Ministry should be recognized and appreciated; therefore be it Resolved, That we express our appreciation and support to the LCMS Board for District and Congregational Services—Youth Ministry Office and staff for their faithfulness in providing oppor- tunities for our youth through the National LCMS Youth Gather- ing; and be it further Resolved, That every effort be made to continue to offer the Na- tional LCMS Youth Gathering as a ministry of our church in the future; and be it finally Resolved, That we encourage all congregations to support the youth and adults who would like to participate in future National LCMS Youth Gatherings. Hope High Ridge, MO 2-22 To Fully Support Youth Ministry with Surplus Youth Gathering Funds WHEREAS, There is a great need for youth to have guidance, leadership, care, and nurture; and WHEREAS, The LCMS National Youth Gathering positively im- pacts the lives of teens in growing in faith in their Lord Jesus Christ, and the life-changing nature of the Gathering reinforces that faith and provides them the opportunity to celebrate their place in the family of Christ; and WHEREAS, The Youth Gathering generates funds for the next Youth Gathering and funds the salary for the gathering staff for the next event; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2007 LCMS convention thank the LCMS Board of Directors for designating surplus funds from any given Youth Gathering to be dedicated for youth ministry purposes fol- lowing the Gathering, including development of program and re- sources to build effective youth ministry efforts; and be it further Resolved, That we encourage such support to continue for the sake of the total youth ministry of the LCMS. : Board of Directors Southeastern District 2-23 To Train Preemptive Reconcilers in Congregations WHEREAS, In the congregations of the LCMS there have been significant numbers of congregations in conflict, both among mem- bers and involving pastors; and WHEREAS, Many of these conflicts are left unresolved and un- addressed because either the congregation fails to act soon enough or the resources to aide the congregation are either unavailable or unknown; and WHEREAS, Significant negative effects upon the members and/or pastors result in wounded hearts, impaired witness to the world, and distraction from effective ministry and mission, loss of mem-