LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1989, Page 161

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8. Planning and Administration

Introduction

Tell everyone what He has done! Committee 8 has
worked faithfully to prepare resolutions that will help The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod accomplish just that—
tell everyone what He has done!

The committee was ably staffed by Dr. Richard Bimler
and Dr. Walter Rosin. Their work made our work easy.

We, the members of Floor Committee 8, feel honored to
have the privilege to serve—to serve you through the prep-
aration of resolutions for your consideration.

Glenn O’Shoney, Chairman

To Encourage Coordinated Planning
and Decision Making

RESOLUTION 8-01

Report R8-09 (CW, pp. 148-50); Overtures 8-53-55
(CW, pp. 283-84)

Wuereas, Res. 4-01 of the 1986 synodical convention
requested the Synod to begin the development of a coor-
dinated planning process; and

Wuereas, A thorough study has been completed, which
involved leaders at congregational, District, and national
levels of the Synod; and

Wuereas, the 1989 Planning Council has recommended
such a process to strengthen congregations in their min-
istries; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention adopt the following three
components endorsed by the Planning Council:

VISION

Vision enables congregations to view all of their activ-
ities and planning in light of Christ’s Great Commission.

Committee 8 Chairman Gienn O’Shoney

161

Vision is focused on the promises of God. Vision incorpo-
rates the whole ministry of Christ to His people.
NETWORKING

Networking is a relational approach to ministry that
connects those who have needs with those who have gifts
to meet those needs. Networking supports, affirms, and
enables congregations for more effective ministry by link-
ing them together around the functions of the parish, such
as worship, nurture, witness, service, and fellowship.

COMPATIBLE RELATIONSHIPS

Compatible relationships emphasize the ministry of
God’s people to one another as members of the body of
Christ. These relationships enable the people of God to
work together, listen to one another, and respond to each
other’s needs under the lordship of Christ.

Action: Withdrawn and incorporated into Res. 8-02A.

To Coordinate Congregational Ministries
RESOLUTION 8-02A

Report R8-09 (CW, pp. 148-50); Overtures 8-19, 8-53—
55 (CW, pp. 275, 283-84)

PREAMBLE

The Great Commission provides the people of The Lu-
theran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) with a common
vision for working together. There is a sincere desire to
see more people, especially laity, participating in the en-
deavors of the national planning process as it helps the
church consider the future direction of its work. There is
also strong encouragement to stay focused on serving con-
gregations through the work of the Synod at both District
and national levels.

The interactive group approach (used by the LCMS Re-
search Department, the Colarelli, Meyer and Associates
study, and the table-talk style of the Circuit Counselors’
Conference) has received strong affirmation as being val-
uable for better understanding of our brothers and sisters
and their dedication to the proclamation of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ.

It is vitally important that the District and national
levels of the Synod determine how they can best work to-
gether for the benefit of the congregations. This does not
necessarily mean a set of hard and fast rules to which every
project is subjected to ascertain whether District and na-
tional should take ownership. Rather, it is a mutual con-
sent to work together in a process that looks at each
situation to discover the best approach for serving
congregations. ‘

Resolved, That in keeping with 1986 synodical Res. 4-
01, the whole of the LCMS (congregations, District and
national staffs, boards and commissions) involve itself in
a coordinated planning and decision-making process to as-
sure more effective and better coordinated services to con-
gregations, so that congregations are better equipped to
support the ministry and mission of the local parish and
of the whole church; and be it further