LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 285

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PARISH SERVICES 285

occur. There is a danger in losing this emphasis and positive
direction by changing the synodical structure at this time.

The Mission Statement of the Board of Youth Ministry

In the name of God the Father, the Creator; the Son, the
Redeemer; the Spirit, the Sanctifier.

The mission of the Board of Youth Ministry is to equip
youth to be—

believing, forgiving, witnessing, sharing, caring, and cele-
brating persons with—

children, youth, and adults in—
families, congregations, communities, and the world.

To accomplish this task, we will provide a variety of setting,
resources, and training so that young people and the adults
with whom they relate may “grow in grace and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be
glory both now and forever.”

Remembering the Past

The board and the staff of the Board of Youth Ministry
rejoice in the Lord for the many blessings that have happened
during the last two years. We say along with St. Paulin Rom.
1:16-17 that we “have complete confidence in the Gospel; it is
God’s power to save all who believe. ... For the Gospel reveals
how God puts people right with Himself: it is through faith
from beginning to end” (TEV). Great strides have been made
through God’s power and blessings to develop youth ministry
as a strong Word-and-Sacrament ministry, dedicated to
sharing Jesus Christ with young people as we all grow in the
Spirit’s power. And we Say to all youth and adults involved in
youth ministry, ‘We always thank God for you all and always
mention you in our prayers. For we remember before our God
and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love
made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ is firm” (1 Thess. 1:2-3 TEV).

Only through God’s power has youth ministry developed
and prospered. It is amazing how God takes inadequate people,
youth and adults, mixes them together, and allows for ministry
to happen in Jesus’ name. Just like Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah,
David, and even St. Paul, God empowers His people of today to
become bold in proclaiming Jesus Christ to the youth and
adults around them. Thanks be to God for the power of the
Resurrection in our lives today!

The past two years have been mountaintop years for the
Board of Youth Ministry. New staff personnel, new approaches
to youth ministry, new settings, and the same solid Word of
God blended together for exciting things to happen.

Staff Changes

Richard Bimler accepted the position of executive secretary
in April 1979. He had served as assistant executive secretary
for two years under Dr. Ben Eggers, former executive secretary.
In June 1979 Rev. Terry Dittmer of Farley, Mo., joined the staff
as assistant executive secretary, Lutheran Youth Fellowship
and Special Ministries. In May 1979 Miss Marcia Wilkening
accepted the position of editorial assistant. This position was
developed in order to allow other staff members to plan the
1980 youth gathering. On Dec. 1 Les Stroh, DCE from Omaha,
Nebr., began his work as the new assistant executive secretary,
Leadership Services. These three joined Rev. Leo Symmank,
assistant executive secretary of Parish Services since May
1974, and Bimler to complete the Board of Youth Ministry staff.

Board Personnel

The 1979 convention elected a number of new board
members. Currently serving as the Board of Youth Ministry
are Kurt Brauer, Springfield, I]].; Jan Hoyer, Kearney, Nebr.;
Bill Karpenko, Seward, Nebr.; Benjamin Marxhausen, St.
Paul, Minn.; LeAnne Wiseman, Wood River, Nebr.; Rich
Krueger, Amherst, Colo.; Jack Baumgarn, St. Francis, Minn.,
Lynn Gergens, Kitchener, Ont., Canada; Mark Schoepp, Port-
land, Oreg.; Keren Hofman, Delta, Colo., and Cliff Dailey, St.
Louis, as black ministry representative. The BYM is the only
board of the Synod that has young people serving as elected
members.

Lutheran Youth Fellowship

Under God’s guidance LYF has grown tremendously in the
last two years. In the first year of existence, more then 40
percent of the Synod’s parishes joined LYF, which includes
more than 70,000 young people. Now in its second year, LYF
continues to provide helpful resources, Bible studies, organiza-
tional guidelines, and other helps for parish youth groups. The
purpose of LYF, as developed by the board and staff is:

a) to proclaim among youth the presence, love, and power
of God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, whose life,
death, and resurrection has redeemed all people;

b) to equip youth for faithful service to God and His world
by a ministry of the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament;

c) to assist and train adults in building helpful Christian
relationships with youth in contemporary culture;

d) to enable youth and adults to share their unique gifts in
ministry to one another in the Christian community and in
ministry to the world as the witnessing people of God;

e) to provide settings for Christian youth to demonstrate
the mission of the church in world and life and for unclaimed
youth to be exposed to the call of God in the Gospel.

A quarterly “Supports” mailing, the LYF magazine, and an
annual theme continue to provide excellent materials for youth
groups in our parishes. The 1981 LYF theme is “Walking and
Leaping and Praising God.” The emphasis is on Christian
discipleship and on witnessing one’s faith. The first Council of
District Chairpersons of LYF in April brought together high
school youth serving as LYF leaders in their Districts. A
$75,000 mission project through the Board of Missions is also
being supported.

1980 Youth Gathering

One of the biggest accomplishments and blessings from
God was the Aug. 1980 youth gathering at Colorado State
University, Fort Collins. Nearly 5,000 youth and adults came
together to ‘Rejoice in His Presence.” This first synodical
youth gathering since 1968 developed into a most exciting and
powerful event for those who attended as well as for those who
did not. A postgathering book was developed and sent to all
LCMS parishes. The book shared some of the Bible studies,
worships, original songs, and stories from the gathering.

Remembering the Present

Present youth-ministry directions and priorities continue to
involve youth and adults together. The staff developed five
general priorities for the coming years:

. Proclamation of the Gospel of Christ Jesus

. People working with youth

. Youth advocacy

Youth involvement in mission and ministry of the
church

. Relations with Districts

Pope

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Youth Evangelism

All materials and efforts by the Board of Youth Ministry are
committed to the proclamation of Jesus Christ. This Good
News comes through in materials, workshops, and presenta-
tions. Youth evangelism materials such as “Share Life,” a
junior high resource, and “Gospel According to You” materials,
for high school students and adults, are two such examples. In
addition, the board and staff continue to coordinate youth
evangelism with the Board for Evangelism through such
endeavors as the Great Commission Convocation, workshops,
and materials. The BYM also keeps in contact with the
Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ and other such movements
and organizations.

Resources for Youth Ministry

Another helpful resource from the BYM is Resources for
Youth Ministry. This excellent piece has served adult workers
with youth for many years, providing Bible studies, topics,
dramas, ideas, music, and other helps. Edited by Pastor Leo
Symmank, it currently has a circulation of more than 9,000. A
number of Districts have ordred R YM bulk, which is then sent
to each of their parishes. ‘‘With Shoes on Your Feet” is the 1981