LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 39

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 39

— 20 Black Ministry units in the 35 Districts of the Synod. Fifteen
units have been organized and involved in ministry.

~ Preserve and maintain archival resources for students in Black
Ministry for congregations and for the LCMS historical record at
Concordia Historical Institute. This goal has been set in motion
and is progressing, although slowly.

— Complete the delivery of the African American Lutheran hym-
nal, under the title This Far by Faith.

— Affirm our heritage as Black Christians with an abundant future
in the LCMS.

~ Advance from subsidy mindset to abundance mindset with a “can
do spirit.”

— Continued support for Concordia College Selma and Lutheran
schools.

— Continued link with leaders in Black Ministry.

Specify recommendations regarding general categories of
overtures submitted:

Non-Geographical Black Ministry District

The support of the convention of Synod is needed for the im-
plementation of these recommendations.

Ethnic Doctrinal Review Panel

The doctrinal review process for the African American hymnal
highlighted the need for an Ethnic Doctrinal Review panel for cul-
tural consideration in the review process.

Blue Ribbon Committee Report

The 1997 Atlanta convocation adopted Res. 1-02, the “Blue
Ribbon” committee recommendation:

Resolved, that the 1997 Black Ministry Family Convocation nomi-
nate 9 people for presentation of the Nominations Committee of Synod
for the election of 3 members to the Board for Black Ministry Services
by the 1998 convention; and be it further

Resolved, that the term of office be 3 years, with a maximum of 9
years; and be it further

Resolved, that the 1998 convocation elect 18 people for presenta-
tion to the President of the Synod for appointment to be Board for Black
Ministry Services; and be it finally

Resolved, that the 1997 convocation declare selection by the Con-
vocation as the criteria for nominations for election to the Board for
Black Ministry Services, and that the 9 names include 3 pastors, 3 lay
persons and 3 teachers.

Three Brief Lists

African Americans

32 million in the United States

53,642 in the LCMS

24,506 White members in congregations in Black Ministry
16,262 students in Lutheran schools

300 congregations in Black Ministry

300 congregations served by 100 White pastors and 100 Black pas-
tors

$1 million contributed to work of God through District and Synod
annually.
Convocations
1996 New Orleans
2,000 opening worship service
80 pastoral delegates
1,200 registered participants
515 adult participants
250 youth participants
121 voting lay delegates
80 pastoral delegates
10 advisory members

1997 Atlanta
1,500 opening worship service
55 pastoral delegates
946 registered participants
450 adult participants
340 youth participants
61 voting lay delegates
55 pastoral delegates
39 advisory members

Students

20 students in Concordia seminaries and Fort Wayne Extension
at Concordia Selma

Most Significant Accomplishments

* Partnership with 60 congregations through cutting-edge projects,
resulting in grants totaling $146,000

* 36 new congregations toward the 150th anniversary goal of 50

¢ 20 students at Concordia seminaries and extension at Concordia
Selma

* Convocation registered attendance at the 1,000 mark

* 3,642 new Lutherans gained in one year!

* African American hymnal manuscript developed!

* The nongeographical Black Ministry District question addressed
by congregations

* 15 Black Ministry units organized in Districts

* Black Ministry connected to African Immigrant Ministry

* $80,000 raised for burned churches with Board for Human Care
Services

Most Significant Resources:

Communique

Communities

Dare to Dream

African Americans and the Local Church
Reaching African Americans

Bryant E. Clancy Jr., Executive Director

Appendix R2-04A
Exhibits
Feasibility Study Survey Results
John P. O’Hara

Department of Planning and Research
December 1997

Summary
Part 1—District Data on Contributions and Subsidies

1. The attached Table | reports the total 1996/97 fiscal year con-
tributions from congregations in Black Ministry (“Distr Contr,”
column 2) and the total District subsidies (“Dist Subs,” column
5) as well as the number (n) of congregations for which each
District had data, and the median amounts of contributions and
subsidy, respectively. The median divides a population in half.

2. The total amounts of contributions and subsidies are
approximately equal, though not distributed equally. Most
congregations give relatively small contributions to Districts,
while a smaller number of congregations receive sizable
subsidies. Which congregations join a new, non-geographical
District would make a difference in the financial resources
available to fund programs.

3. Given the data reported here, a separate non-geographical
District would have to raise $1.7—2.0 million, assuming all the
listed congregations joined.

Part Il—Clergy Responses to the Feasibility Study Report

1. Respondents included clergy from 58 congregations, 35 served
by White pastors, 19 served by Black pastors, and 4 for which
race was reported as mixed or not indicated.

2. Table 2 reports the distribution of responding pastors

according to their attitudes toward a nongeographic District by
race.
White pastors are more likely to indicate opposition to a non-
geographic District than Black pastors, who are split on this
issue. Verbatim comments indicate that those opposed to a
non-geographic District (both Black and White) cite fears of
segregation/separatism and financial concerns.

3. Table 3 presents the results of clergy responses to a series of