LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 78

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78

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

photographs, audio/visual material, or fine art that needs to be cared
for in a stable environment and is available to be “treasured and
trumpeted” for generations to come.

11. Your prayers and generous support are
vital in moving Lutheran history forward
With our emphasis on preserving and proclaiming the redeeming
work of our crucified and risen Lord, CHI continues to serve the
historical interests of the LCMS so that generations to come might
not only better understand the fascinating history of our Synod but
more clearly understand the saving work of Christ in the life of the
LCMS. To that end, we ask for your continued prayers and financial
support in moving Lutheran history forward together. Please
consider becoming a member of CHI’s Director’s Circle today
(concordiahistoricalinstitute.org/membership/directors-circle).

Daniel M. Harmelink, Executive Director
R16

Concordia Publishing House
“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed,
to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining
in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises
in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19 (ESV)
Concordia Publishing House (CPH) continues to serve as the
publishing arm of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, equipping congregations, schools, pastors, teachers, and all Christians
with tools to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the past four years, CPH has experienced significant leadership changes, with the death of Executive Director of Editorial
Rev. Paul McCain in 2020 and the retirement of President and CEO
Bruce Kintz in May 2021. At that time, the CPH Board of Directors appointed Jonathan D. Schultz, CPH’s then Vice President and
Corporate Counsel, as Interim President and CEO. Mr. Schultz was
elected CPH’s ninth President and CEO and was installed on March
11, 2022.
Like every ministry in the LCMS, CPH was deeply impacted
by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. But by God’s grace,
we maintained our staff and have continued producing resources to
equip the Synod. During the pandemic, CPH offered free subscriptions to Lutheran Service Builder to the congregations of the Synod
to help them minister to their members through online services.
Through all these changes, we have continued to provide resources to support biblical literacy efforts in congregations, encouraging people to read the Bible and prioritize time in the Word.
The Tree of Life: God’s Promise of Salvation Church Resource Kit
provides a complete package of resources for a congregation to dig
into the Scriptures together (from the oldest to the youngest).
CPH has been honored to enter publishing agreements with
partner organizations throughout the Synod. We have an ongoing
partnership with Concordia Historical Institute on the Concordia
Historical Monograph Series (with three volumes in print and more
in development). Additionally, partnering with the Lutheran Leadership Development Program has allowed us to publish specific
textbooks for those enrolled in the program. We have also worked
with the Center for Church Music to produce two books and with
a mission foundation to produce a translation of a Swedish theologian.
2023 Convention Workbook

In partnership with the LCMS Office of Youth Ministry, we help
publish resources for leaders influencing the next generation. Since
the last convention, we have released one youth ministry book,
Connected for Life: Essential Guide to Youth Ministry, with another one in development.
In partnership with the LCMS Office of the President, we have
released significant collections of essays on the theology of the two
kingdoms and Law and Gospel proclamation. These resources help
pastors and seminary students focus their sermon preparation and
delivery and help keep Bible classes centered on God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
We have also published a number of resources to meet the challenges posed by our culture. These products reach all ages on a
range of vital moral issues that challenge the church to respond in
loving and faithful ways to our neighbors. Examples include faith
during the pandemic, support for caregivers, grief, vocation, gender
and sexuality, addiction, divorce, anxiety, suicide, abortion, cults
and other religions, and dealing with stress.
Our scholarly publications remain a priority. We continue making progress on our Concordia Commentary series. In the past four
years, we have published eight volumes: Mark 8:27–16:20 (James
W. Voelz and Christopher W. Mitchell), Psalms 1–50 (Timothy E.
Saleska), Micah (Jason R. Soenksen), Zechariah (R. Reed Lessing), James (Curtis P. Giese), Deuteronomy (Adolph L. Harstad),
John 7:2–12:50 (William C. Weinrich), and Joel (Thomas P. Nass).
This brings our total of published volumes to forty-four, with
thirty-three volumes remaining to complete the series.
Also important to us are historical documents that we continue
to translate and publish. Since 2019, we have released three new
volumes of Luther’s Works. Of note is the first of two volumes of
Luther’s academic disputations, which includes for the first time in
English all the Antinomian theses and disputations. In addition to
other stand-alone writings, volume 61 includes Against King Henry
and Report to a Good Friend concerning Both Kinds in the Sacrament. Finally, volume 63 provides the first new Old Testament
exegetical material in the new series: Luther’s sermons on Exodus.
An additional four volumes of Gerhard’s Theological Commonplaces are now available. Most notably, as we wrap up work on
this series, we have released Gerhard’s commonplaces on the “Last
Things”: resurrection, the last judgment, the end of the world, hell,
and eternal life. Forthcoming are the final two volumes, which address the commonplace “Death” in two parts.
We remain committed to providing resources faithful to our
Lutheran Confessions and have released several products for all
ages and interest levels to make these important confessions approachable at every stage of life, even for readers normally intimidated by the Book of Concord. These publications include My First
Catechism; Luther’s Small Catechism for Kids; Lutheranism 101,
third edition; Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions audiobook;
What Are the Lutheran Confessions?; The Formula of Concord:
Epitome; and The Augsburg Confession and the Apology.
New resources for pastors include our Advent and Lent series,
which offer resources for worship and family devotions each year.
Concordia Seminary professor Dr. David J. Peter has written an important book called Organizing for Ministry and Mission: Options
for Church Structure. Dr. Peter helps pastors and congregations
improve their organizational design and administrative practices
to maximize their ministry. Another book, Navigating Ministry
Challenges, offers advice to pastors and covers a variety of top-