LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 38

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38

SYNOD REPORTS

A governance committee was also appointed to examine the current structure of the organization, discuss challenges that currently
exist, and look for ways to improve efficiencies, effectiveness, and
accountability. A proposal was presented to the Board of Governors
late in 2009 which would reduce the size of the board, eliminate
regional representation of board members, and foster a selection process focused on board competencies. A proposed overture to the 2010
LCMS convention addresses providing flexibility for auxiliaries in
the title they designate for their chief elected officers. Bylaw changes
to adopt both proposals for biennial conventions and a new governance structure will be presented to the 2010 Int’l LLL convention,
scheduled for July 22–24 in Omaha. If adopted by the convention,
the new governance structure will be fully implemented in the summer of 2012.
Goals for the Future
LHM will continue its dedication to vibrant domestic and international ministry in general, but the organization’s vision will focus
especially on four core areas: The Lutheran Hour and Woman to
Woman broadcast programs; international ministries; and the Men’s
NetWork.
Specific Goals for Next Triennium
• Increase weekly listenership of The Lutheran Hour and Woman to
Woman broadcasts to 2.5 million people.
• Continue to provide LCMS and LCC congregations with services
and resources to accompany their proclamation of the Gospel and
witness to their communities.
• Increase the number of congregations that participate in the Men’s
NetWork.
• Increase the number of congregations that are using LHM’s
“Equipping to Share” training and resources.
• Strengthen collaborative and cooperative partnership efforts with
the LCMS Board for Mission Services.
• Strengthen existing ministry partnerships, and identify and develop
new partnerships for prayer support, advocacy, and volunteer and
financial support.
• Strengthen collaboration with partner churches overseas with a goal
of generating an additional three to four million responses.
• Assist international ministry centers to identify existing and
emerging technologies that can effectively engage people with the
salvation story of Jesus Christ, and increase outreach with a personal touch through holistic ministries.
• Integrate Gospel outreach resources developed in foreign ministry centers for use in North American congregations to reach out to
ethnically diverse groups, immigrants, and refugee communities.
• Provide opportunities for donors to engage in specific ministry projects with their financial support.
Challenges
Along with many other agencies of the church, LHM also faces
challenges in the years ahead. As leaders in our church body, LHM
recognizes Satan’s desire that its efforts fail. Accordingly, the Int’l
LLL must be bold to do the following:
• Use new technology and media tools effectively to proclaim the
Gospel.
• Provide dynamic programs and resources that support local
churches.

• Foster grassroots activities that meet local church and ministry
needs.
• Communicate effectively within churches and support groups.
• Assure that members are clear about the expectations of the
organization in the use of time, treasure, and talent to advance
the mission.
• Engage members who are activated and motivated to serve their
Lord.
• Be bold to ask for financial assistance, which helps drive our
mission.
• Implement an organizational structure that is visionary and
mission-driven.
• Develop a strong leadership base and a leadership development
program that meets the needs of the governing board and develops aspiring candidates to serve on the board.
• Use our volunteer human resources effectively.
• Use our financial resources effectively.
• Incorporate greater diversity within the organization (geography, age, gender, and ethnicity).
With God’s grace and direction, challenges will be met and LHM
will not only thrive but will also become an even more powerful
Gospel media force in the years ahead.
In Conclusion
God has blessed His church at large through the use of various
media and technology tools for outreach such as those employed by
Lutheran Hour Ministries. LHM has also provided valuable resources
and services to the congregations of the LCMS and LCC. Those services may be as simple as providing The Lutheran Hour sermons
and Daily Devotions for shut-ins and the home-bound. They may
include training for outreach and evangelism efforts, topical booklets
for addressing daily problems or witnessing, Christian outreach tools
and resources on the Internet, Bible study information and devotions,
or opportunities for hands-on service projects in a foreign country.
They may include solid doctrinal media programming and the truth
of the unchanging message of the Gospel, helping to associate area
listeners with local LCMS and LCC congregations.
But Lutheran Hour Ministries is much more. Not only do its media
tools help grow and nurture faithful Christians by the power of the
Holy Spirit, but they also enable the Gospel message to penetrate
the expanse of distance, the barriers of prison walls, and the lines of
civil unrest or hostile political regimes. They bring a message of forgiveness, love, and hope found only in Jesus Christ to a world that is
hurting and hungry for the one thing so sorely needed.
Lutheran Hour Ministries pledges to continue as a leader in
sharing the Gospel through whatever communications, media, and
technology means are most effective to touch lives for Christ. It
will continue to offer training and outreach tools for local volunteer
evangelism efforts. It will strive to be a leading resource for sound
Lutheran programming to support churches and pastors in their outreach efforts, not only in the U.S. but throughout the world. LHM
thanks the congregations, church workers, and members of the LCMS
for the prayers, involvement, and gifts of love which have helped
to support its mission of “Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the
Nations to the Church.”
Michael Onnen, President
Bruce Wurdeman, Executive Director

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