LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 55

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REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT : 55

every dimension of the church’s life—individual, congre-

_ gational, District, riational, and international—because it
is only through the means of grace that God gives life and
power to His church to accomplish its mission.

b. All dimensions of the church’s life will use every
means available to help pastors and congregations in-
crease church attendance, use of the Lord’s Supper, and
study of God’s Word.

Comment: Although a major responsibility of the Pres-
ident and his co-workers is to administer and supervise
the synodical organization, the focus of his office, and in-
deed of the entire synodical structure, is on the spiritual
well-being of our people. Difficult as it is to generalize on
the spiritual health of the Synod and its members, it is my
conviction that the pastors, teachers, and lay leaders of
the Synod today are making strong and effective efforts to
carry out their responsibilities for spiritual life and growth.
We are grateful for the signs of such growth among us,
including the large numbers of children baptized and
adults received into communicant membership each year.
At the same time, we continue to be concerned that nearly
one-fourth of our communicant membership does not par-
take of the Lord’s Supper even once during a typical year.
Again, we note that only about 39% of our members are
worshiping in our congregations on an average Sunday
a statistic somewhat better than many other large denom-
inations, but far from adequate. Our congregations cori-
tinue to lose ‘approximately 50,000 members through the
“back door” each year; think what it would mean if each
congregation could reverse that statistic!

2. Witness and Outreach ,

a. The “Mission Blueprint for the ’90s” will be discussed
by all major components of the Synod with the intention
of guiding the congregations and the Synod itself in be-
coming increasingly more effective in reaching the lost
with the Good News of Jesus Christ. ‘

b. The many opportunities for reaching out with the
Gospel in Eastern Europe will receive a high priority from
the Synod in coming years. ' '

c. Congregations, Districts, and national synodical com-
ponents will increasingly focus on North America as a ma‘
jor world mission field. , :

Comments: In 1988, with the support of the Board of
Directors and the cooperation of the Board for Mission Ser;
vices, I initiated an effort to develop a mission blueprint
for the ’90s that would include an analysis of all current
world and North American mission activities, as well as a
design and strategy for our future efforts. An outstanding
task force, representing many areas of the church’s lead:
ership and mission activity, completed this assignment in
1991. Since that time, promotional materials have been
prepared, and discussions of the implications of the blue!
print are taking place with every board in the Synod, with
plans to reach congregations with its implications at the
earliest possible date. The blueprint for the ’90s, in ab:
breviated form, is printed in its entirety in the Appendix
to this Workbook. In addition, various floor committees will
be asked to focus on some of its specific implications aa
these committees report to the plenary convention. \

The Synod’s response to open doors in Eastern Europe

- ig detailed in the report of the Board for Mission Services

and in earlier paragraphs of this report. Plans also call for
direct personal reports to the convention from this area of
synodical activity. Our recognition of North America as a
major mission field will also be reflected in various reports
to the convention, as well as the special mission rally held
during the convention.

3. Pastoral Ministry

a. Written materials, theological studies, and pastoral
conferences will help the Synod to clarify the current con-
fusion that exists among us in the doctrine of the ministry.

b. Every possible step will be taken to promote the
growth and support of our pastors and other professional
church workers.

c. A major study by the seminaries and the Standing
Committee on Pastoral Ministry will address key questions
about seminary curriculum, the location of seminaries,
theological education by extension, and related questions.

Comment: A number of factors have combined to cre-
ate an atmosphere of confusion in the church on the doc-
trine of the call and the status of the pastoral office. Strong
leadership in this area, based on solid study, has been
given by the Council of Presidents. Much of the confusion
surrounds action taken by the 1989 synodical convention
in the area of lay miniatry. The convention will address
key aspects of this question, but continuing effort will be
needed throughout the coming triennium. During the past
triennium, the newly formed Commission on Ministerial
Growth and Support, aided by a generous grant, has made
important strides in the area of supporting pastors and
other professional church workers in the areas of theolog-
ical study, the development of improved ministerial skills,
and the achievement and maintenance of personal whole-
ness. Under the leadership of the Standing Committee on
Pastoral Ministry, and with the full cooperation of both
seminaries, important beginnings have been made to atudy
the future shape and direction of seminary education.

4. Inter-Christian Relationships
. a. The study document developed by the CTCR will re-

ceive widespread study and attention throughout the

Synod in an effort to develop a stronger consensus in our
application of biblical principles, combined with respon-
sible flexibility in addressing the changing conditions and
circumstances faced by our congregations.

b. Every effort will be made to develop and aggressively
expand our confessional efforts and contacts worldwide.

Comment: The CTCR document, described elsewhere
in this report, is serving the Synod as a needed catalyst
to, explore a number of important questions in how we
relate to other Christians in a way that is consistent with
our confessional convictions, while at the same time rec-
ognizing that the exercise of responsible freedom is also
called for. In the meantime, efforts need to continue at the
local, Dstrict, national, and international levels to bear
strong witness to the confessional doctrine and sense of
mission of the Synod. Although some among us advocate
withdrawing into a more isolationistic posture, the Synod