LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 45

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TASK FORCE

BOARD FOR CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES
(including present functions of the boards or
commissions of Parish Education, Church Litera-
ture, Worship, Youth, Lay Higher Education,
Evangelism, and Services to the Mentally
Retarded).

“Congregational services’ concerns itself with every-
thing the parish does in its local ministry. The services
provided by the Synod may be better coordinated by
grouping these concerns under one major board.

The agendas of the boards and commissions which
are proposed to be combined into the Board for Congre-
gational Services consist primarily of reports from staff
or special committees. Most of these meetings are the
equivalent of one-day meetings. An analysis of the
workload of the present boards and commissions indi-
cated that it is entirely reasonable that a combined
board, assisted by competent standing committees, could
properly handle this work in a two- or three-day meeting.

In the past the chairman of the present Division of
Parish Services has spent about 40 percent of his timein
his role as division chairman trying to coordinate the
staff of the various parish services units. Without actual
authority coordination at the unit level is difficult to
achieve.

BOARD FOR MISSIONS (including present functions
of the boards or commissions for Missions, World
Relief, Armed Forces, and Black Ministry)

All mission and ministry activities which the Synod
provides on behalf of the congregations are being com-
bined under a new Board for Missions.

The “Word and deed” ministry of missions and world
relief can be enhanced through careful coordination
within the new Board for Missions. Interchurch activi-
ties, both domestic and overseas, can also profit from
such coordination. Moreover, a cooperative approach to
programs and travel, domestic and overseas, will result
in substantial savings.

The concerns of the Armed Forces Commission, both
at home and abroad, as well as ministries to minorities,
are closely aligned with other mission and ministry
activities.

BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (includ-
ing present functions of the boards for Higher
Education, Colloquy, and Lay Ministers)

The responsibilities of the present Board for Higher
Education and its relationship to the synodical colleges
and seminaries will be assumed by the new Board for
Professional Education. In recent years the number of
pastors, teachers, and other church professionals that
have entered services through the auspices of the collo-
quy boards has dramatically increased. The preparation
also of these church professionals merits the coordina-
tion through a major synodical board, assisted by a
standing committee.

The work of the Colloquy Board for the Deaconess
Ministry also fits naturally under this category, as well
as the Board for Lay Ministers.

2. That the following appointed support services

boards be constituted as indicated:

BOARD FOR COMMUNICATIONS (including present
functions of the Board for Public Rela-
tions and the Editorial Commission for
Official Periodicals)

The Synod must speak with a common voice in
communicating and promoting its positions and pro-
grams. This can best be done by placing all communica-
tions functions under one board. This board can also
satisfy an indicated need for professional assistance to
other boards, Districts, and congregations in the areas of
promotional materials and communications equipment.

Provision is made for standing committees for Official
Periodicals and News Releases, Promotional Materials,
and Broadcast.

BOARD FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY SERVICES (includ-

ing present functions of the Board for
Social Ministry and World Relief, except
world relief)

Itis essential that the responsibilities of the Synodin
the area of social ministry services be properly dis-
charged through an appointed support services board.
In recent years a major portion of the Social Ministry
services has been the accreditation of agencies and
institutions, an extremely important responsibility. The
board will also continue the present important activity
with reference to accreditation for institutional chap-
laincies, special projects on behalf of congregations,
cooperative projects, and giving assistance to congrega-
tions in their concern for human care.

3. That the following deliberative and research
commissions be continued, in some instances with anew
name:

Commission on Adjudication

Commission on Appeals (formerly Board)

Commission on Constitutional Matters

Commission on Doctrinal Review (formerly
Board)

Commission on Health and Healing (formerly
Council for Christian Medical Work)

Commission on Ministerial Health

Commission on Theology and Church Relations
(including the present Commission on Organi-
zations)

4. That the following existing synodical entities be
continued with their boards appointed in various ways
as stipulated in the Bylaws:
Concordia Historical Institute
Concordia Publishing House
Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri
Synod
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Founda-
tion
Radio Station KFUO
Worker Benefit Plans
Where possible the Task Force proposes to retain
in the Handbook those Bylaws which are necessary
but to eliminate from the Handbook those sections
which can be more properly included in the bylaws of
these entities. Such bylaws and amendments thereto
must be approved, however, by the synodical Board
of Directors.

5. That positions on the various elected and
appointed boards listed in this section be filled in the
following manner:

a. The Board for Congregational Services—
Elected in 1981 for five years: two clergy, one
teacher, two laypersons
Elected in 1981 for two years: one clergy, one
teacher, two laypersons

b. The Board for Missions—
Elected in 1981 for five years: two clergy, one
teacher, two laypersons
Elected in 1981 for two years: two clergy, no
teacher, two laypersons

c. The Board for Professional Education—
Elected in 1981 for five years: one clergy, two
teachers, two laypersons
Elected in 1981 for two years: two clergy, one
teacher, one layperson

d. All appointments to fill expired terms be for
five years and all continuing terms on appointed
boards and commissions be continued until the end of
December 1983.

e. For those persons serving at present on continu-
ing commissions the current limited tenure rules
shall apply; for persons newly appointed and not
serving a previous term the new limited tenure rules
shall apply; any questionable instances shall be
referred for decision to the Commission on Constitu-
tional] Matters, which shall adhere as closely as