LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 93

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SYNOD REPORTS
5. Economic Vitality—Church workers and their families are faithful stewards of their financial health, adequately compensated and
with manageable debt and a personal financial plan for present
needs, emergencies, and retirement.
In addition, the 2007 convention assigned two specific tasks to
the commission:
1. “That the Council of Presidents, the Board for Pastoral Education,
and the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support work
together in developing strategies for implementing continuing education plans for pastors” (Res. 5-05, “To Encourage Commitment
to Continuing Education for Clergy”); and
2. “That the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support be
charged with developing model Synod guidelines for use in the
Synod” (Res. 6-08: “To Encourage Congregations to Provide
Professional Church Worker Sabbaticals”).
An understanding of the work of the commission directed toward
these targets may be gained through the following notes.
The Governance Committee continues to function with its primary
assignment the review of the CMGS Policy Manual and the provision of updates for consideration by the members of the commission,
as necessary. The current manual was updated and approved at the
September 2009 meeting of the commission.
A significant change in the commission’s pursuit of the targets
was experienced as it evolved from a “working” commission into a
“policy-based governance” approach. The official clarification came
in a regular meeting on October 5, 2008, at which time the commission members also approved, by consensus, the understanding that
members of the commission would no longer serve on action teams
formed by the executive director for the purpose of accomplishing
operational goals.
The commission members, in a regular meeting on May 19, 2009,
accepted, by consensus, the recommendations from the LCMS CCM
for revision of the CMGS Policy Manual.
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Relational Vitality—At the outset of the triennium, a study was
engaged to explore the linkage of spiritually healthy relationships
between pastors and members to
1. spiritual vitality;
2. congregational participation;
3. unity of the body of Christ and member retention; and
4. biblical stewardship.
Four LCMS congregations participated in the study Celebrating
the Power of the Holy Spirit Moving in the Hearts of God’s People,
conducted by People Solution Strategies.
Responses were received from 438 participants, who completed
a survey of 125 questions in the following categories:
1. Congregational Leadership
2. Pastor(s) Relationships
3. Your Faith and Learning about God
4. Worship Services
5. Planning for the Future
6. Your Commitment/Involvement in the Congregation
7. Your Community Service Focus
8. Faith/Walk Impact
9. General Questions of Your Commitment to the Congregation
The findings indicate that members engage in ministry activities,
intentionally share their faith, are good stewards, and recommend
their congregation to others when the fruit of the Spirit in pastors

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is “very evident” and the pastors are “very good” in displaying the
human relationship skills of
1. listening to what members have to say;
2. encouraging members;
3. treating members with respect;
4. being friendly and approachable;
5. smiling easily;
6. caring about members individually;
7. exercising humility;
8. greeting members by name; and
9. making eye contact when speaking with members.
For a complete summary of the study, contact the office of the
Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support, 314.996.1378, or
cmgs@lcms.org.
The Antioch Project is another venture into the dynamics of
Relational Vitality. Supported in part by funding from the CMGS,
the pilot project, entitled “The Antioch Project,” was initiated in 2007
and conducted by Partners in Caring, an arm of Lutheran Family
Services of NE, Inc. The project pursues the goal of equipping core
leaders of congregations that frequently receive first-call pastors for
their unique role in “pastoral formation.” Workshops were held in
each of the first two years of the project, involving nearly 50 leaders
representing 13 congregations. Results from evaluation instruments
as well as from anecdotal information about the manner in which congregations and pastors made adjustments to each other indicate that
this approach has been helpful.
Anticipated project outcomes:
• First-call pastors will have a nurturing environment in which
to develop and improve their skills.
• Congregations receiving first-call pastors will gain understanding of the unique role they play in the development of first-call
pastors.
• Congregations receiving first-call pastors will have a wider network of resources from which to draw.
• Congregations will build stronger partnerships with other congregations and district/Synod officials.
• The number of pastors leaving within the first 10 years of ministry will be reduced.
The efforts to date have been very successful. For a complete summary of the study, contact the office of the Commission on Ministerial
Growth and Support, 314.996.1378, or cmgs@lcms.org.
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Vocational Transitions—Pursuit of this critical target of the commission is outlined below.
• The Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support (PALS) initiative is an intentional effort to help new pastors and their families
transition from seminary life into life in the parish. The initiative is
designed to provide educational opportunities as well as spiritual
and emotional support in a “peer group” environment, led by experienced pastors.
The desired outcomes for the PALS initiative include the
following:
• Foster and enhance the personal, spiritual, and professional formation of pastors.
• Help make a successful transition from seminary life to parish
ministry for pastors and wives.
• Ease the sense of isolation that often accompanies the transition
from seminary life to parish ministry for pastors and wives.
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