LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 41

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SYNOD REPORTS
• A stewardship newsletter for pastors was initiated to elevate and
expand stewardship education in the congregation. This newsletter includes inspirational articles, book reviews, and Bible studies
in stewardship.
• The Faith Aflame process provided “Stewardship Learning
Community” resources including Bible studies, stewardship discussion starters, and prayer resources for congregations.
Youth Ministry

• The 2007 National LCMS Youth Gathering targeted youth through
Bible study, worship, and nurturing components with a core emphasis in catechesis.
• thESource Internet site provided study materials to help young people grapple with issues that are a part of the teenage culture, respond
to current events, and confess/express their faith.
• New efforts were begun to help congregations develop effective
methods to connect young adults (post-high school youth through
young adults into their thirties) with faith, life, and church.
(4) Encouraging Biblical Stewardship
Children’s Ministry

• National goals for early childhood program directors, including
goals for stewardship of time, talents, and resources, were developed and published annually.
• The Children’s Ministry Action Team and the Network of District
Early Childhood Consultants continued their service of validating
the gifts of others. These teams have the capacity to help others
achieve their goals, and to equip children’s ministry and early
childhood education ministry leaders with resources to create and
nurture climates of trust and reciprocity.
• The first National Children’s Ministry Art Show provided opportunity for children to share their talents by donating art, which was
then purchased by participants through their contributions. The proceeds were used to benefit a preselected ministry organization.
Family Ministry

• Great Expectations, a new monthly e-newsletter, focused on using
the gifts of people of all ages, specifically on engaging older people in ministry.
• Promotional resources were developed to support family ministry,
critically important for passing along vibrant faith from one generation to the next.
• Stewardship of time, talents, and treasure was a frequent topic in
the recently developed e-publications 24/7: A Newsletter for the
Christian Home and Home Base: An e-Journal on Christian Family
Life.
School Ministry

• More than 900 school administrators, pastors, and lay people
attended the nine National Funding Academies offered by the
School Ministry Department.
• The School Ministry Department also partnered with the LCMS
Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) to promote the K.I.D.S.
Count stewardship curriculum for Lutheran elementary schools.
Stewardship Ministry

• The Stewardship Ministry Department provided LCMS congregations with quality adaptive change materials as part of the Faith
Aflame process. Pilot congregations in 20 districts that participated
in the workshop have begun Stewardship Learning Communities.

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• Congregations were actively encouraged to participate in LCEF’s
“Consecrated Stewards” program as a way to begin intentional
stewardship education. More than 400 congregations have
participated.
• Seminary leaders were consulted and stewardship materials were
provided for seminarians.
• Partnership with LCEF was used to promote the K.I.D.S. Count
stewardship curriculum for Lutheran elementary Schools.
Youth Ministry

• The 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering is challenging youth
groups to tithe the proceeds from their fundraising efforts in support of a variety of projects, including the rebuilding efforts of RAI/
Camp Restore in New Orleans; youth ministry training for youth,
laypeople, and professional church workers; local and district mission projects; and outreach projects to reach teens. A portion of the
Youth Gathering offering will be used to help fund outreach efforts
back home in local congregations.
• “Teen Focus Training” helped teens identify their gifts and explore
opportunities to use those gifts in ministry. This training, part of the
Lutheran Youth Fellowship Teen Leadership Initiative, was written by a teenager.
• LCMS servant events engaged youth and adults in meaningful service, training, and spiritual growth around the country. More than
2,000 youth took part in more than 100 events during the summer
of 2009.
(5) Strengthening Churches and Schools for Ministry
Children’s Ministry

• An infusion of resources, workshop facilitation, custom-designed
training, group support facilitation, and technical assistance
necessary to upgrade quality of early childhood education and
congregation children’s ministry was developed over the past
triennium, including the early childhood mailing “DIRECTed,”
Children’s Ministry Leadership Training, and Children’s Ministry
Action Teams.
• More than 550 leaders in children’s ministry benefited from learning gained at the first National Children’s Ministry Conference held
in 2008.
• More than 7,000 people subscribed to the e-bulletin Children’s
Ministry Net, an increase of nearly 1,500 subscribers during this
triennium.
• Approximately 7,500 early childhood educators, directors, directors of Christian education, directors of children’s ministry, and
volunteers advanced their skills for working more effectively with
children through retreats, seminars, and workshops conducted by
the Children’s Ministry Department’s staff at events sponsored by
districts and other LCMS entities.
Family Ministry

• A regional network of family ministry leaders was established to
support congregations’ growth in effectiveness in organizing for
intentional family ministry and support of the Christian home.
• A summit attended by the regional network leaders provided opportunity for collaborative planning, leading to development goals
carried out by the Expanded Family Ministry Action Team.
• The family ministry Web pages were redesigned to address more
effectively the needs of families and of those who serve them.
• Staff-led workshops in district and congregational settings
offered skills and insights to help local congregations expand and
strengthen their ministry to families.
2010 Convention Workbook

2010 Convention.indb 41

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