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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 29

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Fiscal Year

R1.2.5

CSL

CTSFW

Total

FY19

1,879,470

1,693,286

3,572,756

Communications

FY20

1,903,588

1,971,314

3,874,902

FY21

1,716,077

1,767,011

3,483,088

FY22

2,875,224

2,726,593

5,601,817

LCMS Communications exists to tell the stories of the church
body across an array of media, both print and digital, and to assist
the Office of National Mission, the Office of International Mission, the Office of Pastoral Education, and Mission Advancement
to achieve their goals as we work collaboratively to fulfill their
communication and resource production needs. One of the major
“stories” we tell every three years comes in the form of our comprehensive coverage of the Synod convention, including the leadup to the convention, the event itself, and what follows.

James A. Baneck, Executive Director
R1.2.4

Mission Advancement
Mission Advancement (including Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa) serves those who—moved by the Holy Spirit—voluntarily contribute time, talent, and financial resources (entrusted to
them by God) to support the mission and work of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod, as well as those open to making their
first contribution. The desired outcome is a solid, diverse, joyful
source of voluntarily given charitable revenues working to proclaim the Gospel. The unit’s goal is to carry out its assigned duties
in complete accord with God’s Word. Mission Advancement is a
distinct programmatic (direct services) unit under the supervision
of the Synod’s Chief Mission Officer, per Synod Bylaw 3.4.3.6.
All giving in support of the church body is voluntary, as God’s
people respond in a visible way to the Good News of salvation
through faith in Jesus Christ alone. During the period between the
2019 convention and the writing of this report, our Lord’s disciples
voluntarily contributed (whether as an individual, a family, a group,
or a congregation) $203,589,406.84 to support the international
and national mission and mercy work (including disaster response)
of LCMS-called or appointed missionaries, pastoral education,
Worldwide KFUO, and a number of special focus projects through
gifts to and through the Synod’s corporate office, excluding donations for the Concordia University System, LCMS National Housing Support Corporation, and the Lutheran Center for Religious
Liberty. Fifty-three percent of this gracious, voluntary outpouring
of blessings came from 51,708 households. The other 47 percent
came from 5,571 organizations, mainly LCMS member congregations and the 35 districts. Details regarding the intended use of contributions can be found in the LCMS annual reports, which are publicly accessible at lcms.org/giving/transparency. Other information
relating to Advancement and voluntary contributions is available
on the same website.
Mission Advancement gives thanks to God for every single person whose voluntary choice makes this type of report possible.
The Advancement unit’s professional and technical staff, including those at Mission Central, are honored to serve God’s children, who voluntarily respond to the Gospel and work to fulfill
Synod policy, state and federal regulatory requirements, and ethical obligations on behalf of those who give and for the owners of
the Synod. Advancement staff members are available to address
the questions of laity and professional church workers about the
Synod’s work and to give presentations about the mission and
mercy efforts of the Synod that embody the best her congregations
and their members can offer in the name of Jesus. For more information, please contact Mission Advancement at 888-830-4438 or
mission.advancement@lcms.org.
Mark D. Hofman, Executive Director

A. Work Mandated by 2019 Convention
Resolution 4-07, “To Commend Actions to Synod Boards and
Offices to Revitalize Synod’s Recognized Service Organization
Program”: Work with the Office of National Mission (ONM) to
develop a communication plan for use during the six months after
convention. LCMS Communications worked with ONM to develop and implement a communication plan. This plan was immediately enacted as appropriate and continues to find new outlets and
aspects of implementation.
Res. 11-01A, “To Give Guidance and Encourage Action on
Beginning-of-Life Issues”: Post “The Child as a Gift of God” paper.
The paper is now available at resources.lcms.org/reading-study/ctcr
-paper-the-child-as-a-gift-of-god/.
Omnibus Res. A, Ov. 4-28, “To Improve the Clarity of Written
Communication.” LCMS Communications regularly reviews its
style guides, editorial processes, and overall presentation of materials. Clarity of communication continues to exist as an ideal and
goal for all communications projects.

B. Future Plans
B.1. Multi-Platform Approach to All Publications
Print remains an important and necessary format for Synod
publications. Yet due to both the rising costs of paper and postage
and the rising availability and desirability of other media, LCMS
Communications continues to explore avenues to make content
available to a varied audience, understanding preferred consumption patterns of media by new and changing generations.

B.2. Social Media Advancement
Social media continues to change and grow. New platforms
and adaptations of established ones require constant evaluation of
strategy and content creation. Important to this decision-making
process and strategy are the mores and appropriateness of each
medium for the church body’s presence therein and the communication of the Gospel. Though the media and platforms continue to
change, our goals remain consistent with those previously stated:
•

Employ new outlets where people gather online.

•

Increase our use of social media analytics to inform content
creation and posting.

•

Redouble our efforts to help our congregations and ministries use these tools well and consistently according to our
confession of faith.
2023 Convention Workbook