LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 287

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

PARISH SERVICES 287

Minority Group Ministry

The BYM has attempted to continue to be sensitive to the
entire makeup of our church. Through our materials and
resources, the BYM tries to use photographs and approaches
that can be effective for all groups. Writers from various
cultures are also sought.

Meetings with the Black Ministry Commission, as well as
cooperation with Hispanic ministries, continue. We will work
together in a supportive role with the youth gathering being
planned by the Black Ministry Commission in August 1982.
Workshops are also being made available to special-interest
groups. There is a need to continue to develop leaders among
our different cultures while at the same time developing close
relationships among all members of the Synod—young and
old, rural and suburban, black and white.

Requests for Services

Mail and telephone requests from parishes and Districts for
BYM materials have doubled in the last two years. Almost 200
such requests come in monthly to the BYM office.

Youth Ministry —Forward in Remembrance

And so Youth Ministry moves forward into the 1980s,
remembering the blessings and lessons of the past, affirming
the presence of the Lord in the present, and hopefully anticipat-
ing His guidance for the future. Many great plans are under
way to respond to the needs of youth and adults involved in
youth ministry and to lead them on to bigger and greater
challenges.

1983 Youth Gatherings

The Synod’s next youth gathering is set for the summer of
1983, anticipating 8,000—10,000 participants. Plans are under
way for this endeavor.

Lutheran Youth Fellowship

_ _Itis our hope and prayer that all LCMS congregations will
join LYF in the coming years. LYF provides a voice and an
identity, as well as materials, for all of our parish youth groups.

Peer Ministry

A new concept being developed is Peer Ministry Training,
which will provide materials and training opportunities to
better enable youth to be in one-to-one ministry relationships
with their peers.

LSV Workcamps

New year (1982) is the year to begin Lutheran Service
Volunteer Camps for our young people. Through Districts and
synodical schools, it is hoped that young people will volunteer
their time and talents during the summer months to be in
specific ministry areas of need.

Year of Youth Ministry

The 1979 synodical convention voted that the 1983 synod-
ical convention have as its focus “youth ministry” and that
materials and programs be developed to emphasize this part of
ministry throughout the Synod. This will hopefully be re-
affirmed at this convention.

Youth at Future Conventions

It is also hoped that more young people, through LYF and
other District structures, will have the opportunity to be
present and have a voice in future synodical conventions.

Use of Witness/Reporter

The BYM continues to use the pages of the Lutheran
Witness and Reporter as much as possible to keep youth
ministry a vital and visible part of the Synod’s ministry and to
also share ideas and resources.

Development of Youth Materials

Plans call for working closely with the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to develop issue-
oriented materials especially for young people that would help
youth better understand the theological nature of such issues.

These materials would be geared to high school youth and
would give them helps and study guides to share and study
together.

Draft Registration

The BYM continues to work with other synodical depart-
ments on this issue. Materials have been developed in this
area, and others may also be forthcoming, as the need and
situation dictates.

Forward in Youth Ministry

The board and staff stand firmly and confidently on the
power and blessings of Almighty God as He reveals His love
and forgiveness to youth and adults alike. We continue to
boldly state that only through His Spirit’s power can anything
significant and meaningful happen with young people.

The new Board of Youth Ministry logo is indicative of the
emphasis of youth ministry in the Synod. The butterfly symbol
stresses the power of the Resurrection in our lives. The cross in
the middle of the butterfly points out the focal point of faith—
that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world and
redeemed us for eternal life. The images of people, youth and
adults, within the butterfly wings point out the fact that
ministry is a daily relationship with those around us. The
colors of the butterfly stress the celebration and joy we have as
God’s people, ready, through the power of the Spirit, to share
Christ with others!

Recommendations

The Board of Youth Ministry, therefore, boldly proposes the
following recommendations:

Year of Youth Ministry: In order for the Synod to fully
recognize and affirm the youth of the church, the board is
requesting that the Synod reaffirm 1979 Res. 7-12 which
designates youth ministry as the emphasis of the next synod-
ical convention:

WHEREAS, Youth ministry in the Synod is continuing to
grow and develop positively through the Spirit’s guidance; and

WHEREAS, Lutheran Youth Fellowship is becoming a strong
youth organization in the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Another synodical youth gathering is being
planned for 1983; therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod reaffirm 1979 Res. 7-12, which desig
nates youth ministry as the major emphasis at the next
synodical convention; and be it further

Resolved, That special materials be developed to involve
our parishes in youth ministry emphases during that year.

Parish Youth Ministry:

WHEREAS, An increasing number of young people are
becoming involved in the total ministry of their parish; and

WHEREAS, Young people are living out their lives as
members of the church now, as they proclaim and serve their
Lord; and

WHEREAS, Effective youth ministry needs to happen in the
parish on a day-to-day basis; therefore be it

Resolved, That all congregations be strongly encouraged to
join Lutheran Youth Fellowship; and be it further

Resolved, That all congregations be encouraged to develop
a youth ministry committee or board; and be it further

Resolved, That all congregations continue to train their
adult workers with youth by using materials available from
the Board of Youth Ministry office; and be it finally

Resolved, That all congregations thank the Lord for the
effective ministry that is happening as youth and adults work
together in the ministry of the congregation.

1983 Youth Gathering:

WHEREAS, The 1980 youth gathering was a highly successful
and blessed event; and

WHEREAS, There is a strong need to continue to provide a
synodical gathering for young people to come together in
praise and study; and

WHEREAS, Not everyone who wished to attend the 1980