Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 357
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 357

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

PARISH EDUCATION AND SERVICES B57

leaders, evaluate the needs of Christian education in the
inner city and enable congregations collectively to devise
plans to meet these needs and exercise their creativity
and freedom in the Spirit.” This project asks partici-
pating schools (1) to evaluate the Christian education
needs of their church and community and to work coop-
eratively with neighboring congregations to devise plans
to meet these needs, (2) to serve as demonstration centers
within their communities, and (3) to provide the Board of
Parish Education periodic reports which share informa-
tion, insights, and suggestions. The Board of Parish Edu-
cation administers this project and collects and publishes
project results.

“Say and Do Love,” an experimental 10-lesson course
suitable for inner-city use, is currently in development.
This course deals creatively with both method and con-
tent particularly suited for various urban uses.

Currently under consideration by the Boards of Edu-
cation of The American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran
Church in America, and The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod is the publication of selected inner-city materials
produced cooperatively by the three church bodies.

b. Materials for Congregations’ Use

Inner-city pressures and related social, economic, and
racial issues have become frequent crisis events. The
crisis of the city is the church’s concern, for it is here
that the church is committed to carry on its mission of
the proclamation of the Gospel. “It is time for men who
are touched by the Spirit of God to launch neither a revo-
lution nor a reformation but a renewal of what God offers
us in Christ,” says Rev. Harry Huxhold, editor of the
Lutheran Education Association Yearbook Christian
Education and the Urban Parish. The Board of Parish
Education appreciated the opportunity of working with
the Yearbook editor and commends the Lutheran Edu-
cation Association for providing a significant service to
the church. This single volume clearly states the critical
issues of the city crisis and suggests and motivates toward
a responsible response for churchmen.

“A Study Guide on Civil Disorder,’ based on the
“Kerner” report, was prepared jointly by the Missions,
Parish Education, and Social Ministry departments of the
Synod. This guide, available from the Board of Parish
Education, can help congregations discuss and under-
stand the National Advisory Commission’s report and
decide appropriate actions. Why should congregations
study this report? The editor of the guide suggests,
“Churches are a major social force in any nation. We
mold opinions, shape attitudes, organize action. ... Both
God and country call us to action, beginning with the
discussion of this report.”

Increasing numbers of worthwhile publications deal
with urban and related social concerns. The Board of
Parish Education attempts to review this literature, list
and distribute it to District officials, urban church leaders,
and educators. These listings are made available to
many congregations with appropriate encouragement to
study and plan congregational action.

It appears that increasing numbers of Missouri Synod
congregations are demonstrating concern for the urban
ministry. The increase of correspondence to the board
is evidence of this interest. Further evidence of increased
interest are the requests for staff members to participate
in inner-city workshops and to conduct education sur-
veys in urban areas.

One urban survey conducted by the Board of Parish
Education warrants attention here. The Northern Illinois
District requested a Lutheran elementary school survey
for the Chicago Southside congregations because these
congregations are facing special challenges growing out
of complex social, cultural, and political developments
in that area. The survey purposes were: (1) to determine
the current effectiveness of the Lutheran elementary
school and explore the school’s role in future Christian
education efforts; (2) to assess the attitudes of the con-
gregation members and staffs regarding ways of accom-
plishing the church’s mission in the Chicago Southside:
(3) to seek the opinions and suggestions of congregation
members and staffs regarding possible interparish coop-
eration among Chicago Southside churches and schools
particularly in Christian education ministries; (4) to
propose a strategy, or plan of action, whereby the Dis-
trict and Chicago Southside congregations might work
together more effectively in Christian education efforts.
This survey concluded with an extensive report and rec-
ommendations. The recommendations included a plan
of action whereby the District and Chicago Southside
congregations could work together. Reports from the
District indicate that the plan of action is being imple-
mented and that the survey was a useful procedure in
launching a fuller ministry in that area. Noteworthy is
the fact that an increasing number of Missouri Synod
congregations are located in urban areas where com-
munity change has or will soon be taking place. These
congregations should know that early recognition of
community change, advance planning for new com-
munity needs, and congregational commitment to com-
munity mission are major factors in stabilizing an urban
community ministry. Fearfulness of survival can be
replaced by commitment to service.

Numerous avenues need to alert and to aid church
members and leaders to inner-city needs. Board publica-
tions such as This Day, Interaction, The Gate, Spirit.
and the Lutheran Secondary Schools Bulletin regularly
feature articles which help church members to reassess
their views and take appropriate actions in dealing with
inner-city concerns. The 1968 Parish Education Month
theme was ‘Christian Education for Social Responsi-
bility.” Here again was an attempt to aid Christians in
dealing more responsibly with social issues.

c. Appropriate Curriculum Materials

Appropriate curriculum materials are needed that
enable Christian teachers and students to view without
prejudice people of differing cultures and races. An
appropriate church school curriculum avoids portraying
the church as a single-cultured, middle-class institution