LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 65

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PARISH, YOUTH, AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES 65

resources for parishes involved in this area of ministry. The
junior high ministry area continues to grow in effectiveness
and importance.

Our Synod has also been involved in an early adolescent
project along with other major denominations. Results and
materials from this study will be made available in 1984. A
national conference is also being planned under the general
theme of early adolescence. This study brought together junior
high people and parents to ascertain their needs in order to be
more helpful in developing programs and materials for them.

Synodical Schools

The BYS continues to service our synodical schools through
workshops and materials. An increasing number of youth
ministry courses are being offered through our schools, both
during the summer and through the regular school vear. For
this we are grateful.

Summer workshops are continuing to be offered at our
various schools, both for current students as well as for lay
leaders and professionals already serving in the field.

We alsocontinue to share resource materials, and it is hoped
that a college forum can be developed during the coming years
in order for us to be more effective in our equipping ministry
with our synodical school faculties and staff.

Civic Youth Agencies

Due to the elimination of one of LCUSA’s standing commit-
tees, the BYS has had to develop new avenues and strategies in
working with our various civic youth agencies. We continue to
be in touch with various groups, such as the Boy Scouts of
America, Girl Scouts, 4-H Organization, and Camp Fire, Inc. It
is hoped that wecan meet regularly with the executives of these
various groups and work together at developing helpful mater-
ials for children and youth as well as adult leaders. Many of our
synodical youth and adults are involved in various civic
agencies, and itis hoped that we can continue to be of help and
service to them both in giving direction and in using various
materials available.

Youth Ministry Special

The BYS provides every parish with at least one Youth
Ministry Special each year which shares specific helps and
worship and Bible studies. The feedback has been most
positive to this publication, and it is hopeful that we can
continue it in the years ahead.

Congregational Resources

Additional materials are developed and shared with our
parishes throughout the year. An annual mailing each fall
goes to each LCMS parish to share the latest available
materials from the BYS. The Reporter also regularly shares
ideas for parishes in the areas of youth ministry.

Minority Group Ministry

The BYS continues to be sensitive and concerned with all
members of Synod. It is hoped that additional workshops can
be sponsored for minority group youth ministry leaders. We
continue to work closely with the Black Ministry Youth
Ministry Committee and attempt to coordinate various gather-
ings and other events with them. The synodical youth gather-
ing in 1983 will give a special emphasis to the Hispanic
ministry within our church. It is hoped that these various
emphases can continue in the years ahead as we work together
with all members of the Synod.

Youth Ministry Research

During the past two years the BYS has continued to work
with the Synod’s Department of Research and Planning as
well as with other groups. Excellent materials were developed
for the 1983 youth gathering through Dr. Delphin Schulz and
Mr. John O’Hara. These results, as well as results from other
evaluation processes, continue to give the board and staff
direction for future youth ministry emphases.

Each year the planners of Resources for Youth Ministry
also do a survey to ascertain the various needs and interests of

youth and youth groups. Lutheran Youth Fellowship also does
a youth poll at each synodical youth gathering. An in-depth
study of LYF’s strengths and objectives was recently com-
pleted. All of these research approaches help immensely in
developing direction and action for future youth ministry
events.

New Materials from the BYS

During the past two years additional helpful resources have
been developed. For example, in cooperation with Concordia
Publishing House, a new Care Ministry Kit is now available,
which shares Bible studies, songs, dramas, and topics under
the theme of care ministry for youth and youth groups in
parishes. Another recent resource is our new Youth Ministry
Resource Kit, which was a joint project of the youth staffs of the
LCMS, ALC, and LCA church bodies. This kit shares the best
available youth ministry resources for parish use. It also
provides a helpful design to enable parishes to develop and find
adults who will become involved in youth ministry.

In the years ahead, it is hoped that a new drama resource
can be developed, as well as additional Bible study helps for
youth groups. The BYS continues to be very supportive and
coordinates the development of high school Bible study
curriculum with the Board for Parish Services.

Coordination with Other Departments

A major emphasis for the BYS staff has been to work hard
at developing relationships with other synodical departments.
It seems necessary and helpful for the Synod’s departments to
coordinate and work together. We have done this in the
following areas:

1. Development of youth’evangelism programs with the
Board for Evangelism Services
2. Coordinating the overseas volunteer youth ministry
program with Board for Mission Services
. Coordinating various communication pieces with the
Board for Communication Services
. Developing and coordinating various social ministry
concerns through the Board for Social Ministry Services
. Working jointly with the Stewardship Department in
developing grants and funding from various sources
6. Working closely with various commissions, such as
Organizations, Black Ministry, and Health and Healing,
in cooperative projects
7. Working closely with the Board for Parish Services in
coordinating conferences and materials for parish use
8. Working jointly with a number of departments in the
development of a volunteer kit for parishes
9. Working closely with the CTCR, Armed Forces Commis-
sion, and other departments in the development of peace
and justice materials

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or

These and other cooperative ventures continue to be a
strong priority for the BYS.

Requests for Services

Mail and telephone requests from parishes and Districts
continue to increase. Over 250 such requests come in monthly
to the BYS office, asking for materials, ideas, and other
resources. We are most happy with this response and hopefully
can continue to be of help in this area of ministry.

Youth-Related Issues

We continue to be open and aware of the need to speak to
various youth-related issues and contemporary times. Through
LYF Supports, and various other resources, the BYS wants to
continue to be effective in providing materials for young
people. Our plans call for continuing to work with the Commis-
sion on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to develop
issue-oriented materials, especially for young people, that
would help young people understand the theological nature of
such issues.

Leadership Training for Youth and Adults

The training of youth and adults in specific leadership
areas happens in many ways. The BYS continues to provide