LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 72

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72 PRESIDENT’S REPORT

encourage more students to attend the Synod’s
colleges and enter full-time church work careers? (A
shortage of synodically trained teachers is noted.)

7. What should be the relationship between the Synod
and our parochial schools? Should they be accred-
ited by the Synod similar to a “Listed Service
Organization”?

8. With the percentage of children baptized in our
churches and later confirmed having dropped to
55.68% in 1981, what can be done to stay in closer
contact with the families of baptized children?

9. Are Lutheran Youth Fellowship and the Resources
for Youth Ministry meeting the needs of our people?

10. In view of the rapidly changing age pyramid, do
any national or District programs or priorities need
to be changed?

11. How can Circuit Forums assist our parishes in their
ministries? What can national and District pro-
grams do to strengthen our parishes?

12. To what degree should new communications tech-
nology, such as computers, video equipment, and
cable TV, be used by the national offices, Districts,
and congregations? Can we do more to coordinate
these efforts?

13. Would it be desirable to develop an “Annual Report”
that could be sent to all homes in the Synod?

14. Should a blanket subscription to the Lutheran
Witness be provided every home in the Synod as one
of the benefits of membership?

15. Who “owns” the Lutheran Witness mailing list?
Subscribers, Districts, or all of the Synod?

16. A number of program reductions were made on a
priority basis in recent budget reductions. How do
we minimize the impact of such reductions?

17. Are inter-Lutheran developments affecting our
work in parish, youth, and communication services?

Specific Suggestions and Recommendations

1. Approve the new Agenda and commend its wide-
spread use.
Refer school accreditation matters to BPS and staff.
Encourage efforts to recruit more male teachers.
4. Encourage congregations to call synodically trained
teachers.
5. Strengthen and support Sunday school programs
more vigorously.
6. Encourage strong pro-life and family educational
efforts by synodical boards and congregations.
7. Continue strong programs for the developmentally
disabled.
8. Support LYF and current directions in youth
ministry.
9. Decline to change current doctrinal review pro-
cesses; they are functioning well.
10. Encourage and develop ways to provide the Luther-
an Witness to all synodical homes.
11. Support improved communication services for
pastors and congregational leaders.
12. Encourage the rapid development of synodical use
of new communications technology.

won

Related Planning Assumptions from ECC Report (page
169)

1.

3.

13.

Questions for Consideration and Reflection

1.

10.

11.

12.

13.

. Some Lutherans in North America will have as

. Assuming the present study of LCUSA results in.

. What guidance can we provide our pastors, teacher

. How can more timely resources be provided to he

III. Theology ad Church Relations

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod will con-
tinue to be a confessional church.

The Synod has a real opportunity to provide world
leadership in confessional Lutheranism. It has
something to offer to the world.

high priority items merger and ecumenism. Others
will have to put additional emphasis on North
American mission and ministry for Lutheranism to
grow this next 10 years.

While continuing to emphasize the separation of the
two kingdoms of church and state, the Synod needs
to provide added resources to help its constituency
reach informed decisions.

Many good things are happening in Theology and
Church Relations and through the Commission on:
Organizations. What can be done to help our people
know more about them?

Please consider the report of each commission and
determine agreement with the direction it is taking.
How strong is the Synod’s commitment to work
with other Lutherans wherever possible as long as it
does not compromise our theological position?
Should we continue or expand our theological dis-
cussions with other Lutherans? with other church
bodies? If so, how?
Should we work toward a new inter-Lutheran:
cooperative organization to replace LCUSA as
presently structured? What about other inter-
Lutheran agencies?

program adjustments acceptable to the administra-
tion for the interim period until the new Lutheran
church body is formed, should we commit ourselves:
to specific programs of LCUSA for the interim’
period? Which programs should have the high
priority?

and laity on fellowship, worship, and Communio
practice? How can we encourage widespread parti
pation in the churchwide study of such issues?

Should the LCMS provide world leadership to co
fessional Lutheranism? If so, how? Should this be
higher priority item in the budget?

our people reach informed decisions on soci
issues? ;
Our Synod has taken a strong pro-life positio
What can be done to strengthen our involvement
its implementation?

Are more theological resources needed by pa:
pastors to help them in their ministry? If so, wh
Is the present doctrinal review process functionin
effectively?

What can be done to strengthen our pastol