LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 168

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168

ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

terials to complement the use of Lutheran Worshipand has
instructed the worship leaders in local congregations in
ways toimprove the preaching of God's Word, enhance the
celebration of the sacraments, and strengthen personal
participation in meaningful Lutheran worship expriences.

Witness Goals

1.

By 1994 the congregations of the Synod have increased
their membership by 25" over what the membership was in
1983, increasing the total number of adults gained by
baptism or confirmation 10": each year.

. By 1994, 75": of the congregations of the Synod have at

least five evangelism callers who have been intensively
trained to be evangelists.

. By 1994 the Synod has fashioned a ministry of member-

ship cultivation so that its congregations can reduce their
backdoor losses by 50.

. By 1994 the Synod has evaluated and improved its system

of membership referrals and transfers, enabling at least
80": of the congregations to strengthen the ministry by
which they retain and equip their members for service to
Christ.

Teaching and Learning Goals

1.

By 1994 the congregations of the Synod annually have
involved at least 28": of their confirmed members in at least
one weekly Bible class series.

. By 1994 the Synod has involved at least 50": of its couples

and families in parish marriage or family life enrichment
experiences.

. By 1994 the Synod has published sufficient resources to

enable congregations to recruit and train at least two
volunteer teachers for each class in its Sunday, weekday.
and vacation Bible schools.

. By 1994 the Synod has increased enrollments in Lutheran

preschools, elementary schools, and high schools to
250,000.

. By 1994 the congregations of the Synod have developed for

themselves a five-year plan to evaluate and strengthen the
theological content and educational methods used in their
curricular materials, at the same time developing a pro-
gram to increase participation by people of all age groups
in their educational agencies.

Service Goals

1.

2.

By 1994 the Synod has involved at least 25". of its
membership, age 14 and over, for at least one hour each
month in personal service beyond the local parish through
church community agencies.

By 1994, 75% of the congregations of the Synod have
assessed the social, physical, and economic, as well as the
spiritual, needs of people in their congregation and com-
munity and have developed an annual strategy to help
meet those needs.

Stewardship Goals

1.

2.

3.

4.

By 1994 the congregations of the Synod have enlisted at
least 50% of their confirmed members to invest at least one
hour per week of their time and talents in congregational
service, witness, and fellowship projects in addition to the
time spent in worship, teaching, and learning.

By 1994 the Synod has enlisted the members of its congre-
gations ina program of spiritual nurture and proportionate
giving so that they respond to God's blessings by returning
to Him at a level which more closely approaches 10% of
their income.

By 1994 the Synod has prepared and implemented a
program of leadership training for board members in at
least 75% of the congregations of the Synod.

By 1994 the Synod has created and implemented a strategy
by which all new and renovated buildings owned by the
Synod, its Districts, and congregations make efficient use
of energy resources for light, heating, and cooling, and

which encourages Christian families to do the same in
their homes.

Youth Ministry Goals

1. By 1994 the Synod has developed District and parish
programs that enable at least 50": of the parishes to more
effectively minister with junior high people 12—14 vears of
age, integrating them into the life and mission of the
parish.

. By 1994 the Synod has developed District and parish
programs that enable at least 60". of the parishes to more
effectively minister with high school youth. 14—17 vears of
age, integrating them into the life and mission of the
parish.

3. By 1994 the Synod has developed District and parish
programs that enable at least 50": of the parishes to more
effectively minister with young adults, 18—25 vears of age.
integrating them into the life and mission of the parish.

4. By 1994 at least 85". of the parishes of the Synod have
enrolled their youth groups in Lutheran Youth Fellowship.

. By 1994 the Synod has developed resources and imple-
mented workshops to train at least two adult workers with
youth in at least 75’: of the parishes in order to be more
effective leaders and enablers of the parish's youth minis-
try.

6. By 1994 the Synod has developed at least one elective youth

ministry course or seminar at each of the synodical schools

to help train and equip future professional church workers
in youth ministry.

By 1994 the Synod has developed District workshops and

conferences to train professional vouth workers that will

enable at least 25", of the professionals to become better
equipped in youth ministry.

8. By 1994 the Synod has provided avenues such as gather-
ings, leadership conferences, and workshops, as well as
resource materials, to enable at least 50" of the young
people to be active and involved in the life and mission of
the Church.

NS

ur

Communication Planning Unit
Planning Assumptions

In determining the functions of the Synod's Board for
Communication Services, several assumptions were noted and
used in planning a future course for synodical communi-
cations.

1. There is need for attention to be given to the public
perceptions of the LCMS.

2. There is a lack of knowledge and understanding on the part
of LCMS members about what the Synod is and does.

3. Communication efforts of synodical departments, agen-
cies, and institutions are seen as fragmented, often duplica-
tive and inconsistent, and occasionally inferior in quality.

4. There is need for communications training throughout the
Synod with special emphasis on the utilization of the new
technologies.

5. There is need for liaison to be established and maintained
with all those involved in communication efforts within
the Synod.

Goals

1. By the end of 1993 a plan is developed and implemented for
a coordinated synodical communications system with
synodical officials, boards, schools, and Districts. Such a
plan, if effective, will assist the various entities of the
Synod in the attainment of their goals.

2. By the end of 1988 readership surveys will show that 75" of
members’ homes receive and read the Lutheran Witness;
by 1993, 90%.

3. By the end of 1988 the Synod has developed a training
program to equip leaders in at least 30% of its congregations
to utilize new technologies for communicating the Gospel
of Christ to their members and to people in their com-
munity; by 1993, 65").