LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 34

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

34 SYNODICAL REPORTS

(Increase) Decrease in Current Assets:

Accounts Receivable 93,349 (732.048) (75,290)
Inventorics 652,073 (3,981,874) (983,300)
Prepaid Expenses 70,905 83.430 (569,503)
Increase (Decrease) in Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable (369,213) 1,659,045 (30,916)
Unexpired Periodical Subscriptions 170.374 162,507 116,095
Accrued Liabilities 84.645 (356.770) 252,862
Total Adjustments $2,764,036 ($1,748,946) $1,278,907
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital Expenditures (1,012,381) (2,569,604) (1,232,174)
Proceeds from Sale of Property 28,632 0 13,000
Commentary Project Receipts/Draws 147,610 (173,500) (242,700)
Non-Print Development (28,048) (214,244) (309,071)
Printed Material Development (534,597) (397.802) (1,032,037)
Inc (Dee) in Investments (620,343) (12,481) (726,223)
Net Cash Used by Investing Activities (2.019.097) (3,367,631) (3,529,205)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Notes Payable 0 0 0

Commentary Fund Liability (147,610) 173.500 242.700

Post Retirement Benefits (89,912) (113,485) (101,849)
Net Cash Provided by Financiug Activities (237,522) 60,015 140,851
Net Change in Cash and Investments 507,417 (5,056,562) (2.109.447)
Cash and Investments at Beginning of Year 6,661,636 11,718,198 13,827,645
Cash and Investments at End of Period $7,169,053 $6,661,636 $11,718,198

Stephen J. Carter, President
and Chief Executive Officer

Board of Directors
John Brickler, Chairman

R2-04
Board for Black Ministry Services

“Hear the word of the Lorb, O nations; proclaim it in distant
coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will
watch over His flock like a shepherd.’ For the Lorp will ransom
Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they”
(Jer. 31:10-11). This promise of God is fulfilled in our Lord Jesus,
through whom we receive the forgiveness of our sins and eternal
life. This report highlights the confidence and sense of privilege
with which the Board for Black Ministry Services gives its witness
to “The Good News about Jesus.”

The convention of the Synod has charged the Board for Black
Ministry Services under Bylaw 3.803 with this mandate:

[The Board for Black Ministry Services] shall

a. develop policies that will assist congregations in reaching out
more effectively with the Gospel of Jesus Christ among African Amer-
icans;

b. evaluate the effectiveness and administration of plans and pro-
grams designed to coordinate and expand black ministry in the Synod in
cooperation with the convocation of black Lutheran congregations, ap-
propriate boards, and the President of the Synod;

c. represent the concerns of black ministry [throughout the Synod}.

The Board has translated this mandate into its mission state-
ment:

Garner the spiritual and material resources of the LCMS for Black
Ministry, so that members are nourished in the faith, new people
reached with the Gospel all over the world, and the 53,000 Black
Lutherans increased to 100,000 by the early dawn of the 21st century
(2019).

This mission statement is supported by the LCMS Blue Print
for the Nineties—to “reach out from congregations with culture-
specific ministry; evangelize the city; and increase networking” —
and by the Great Commission mandate: “All authority in heaven
and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disci-
ples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey every-
thing I have commanded you. And surely { am with you always to
the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:1 8-20).

2001 Convention Workbook

The audience for the Board for Black Ministry Services is the
34.5 million African Americans. This audience is the primary focus
of ministry. The goal is to increase the membership from 53,642
to 100,000 by 2010. A secondary focus and target is congregations
reaching out to African Americans, White congregations in transi-
tion, African immigrant congregations, multi-cultural congrega-
tions, Lutheran schools, and Lutheran social services. At the pres-
ent time, reports and studies show that 25,000 Anglos are involved
in this ministry.
Black Ministry is 53,642 baptized Black members; 24,506
White members in congregations in Black Ministry; 16,262 Black
students in 100 Lutheran schools; 300 congregations served by 100
Black pastors and 100 White pastors; and 23 students moving
through the seminary process. These congregations contribute $29
million in contributions and $1 million to District and the Synod.
The over-arching need is to “nurture members in the faith and reach
new people with the Gospel.” This has been the primary focus of
the board for this triennium.
The Non-Geographical Black Ministry District Study and the
African American Hymnal Supplement Research greatly impacted
the work of the Board in this triennium. While the reports on both
of these developments were made to the 1998 convention of the
Synod, implementing the resolves and recommendations has been
the work of the board for this triennium. The Non-Geographical
Black Ministry District Study recommendations were
¢ that the Board for Black Ministry Services not pursue the Non-
Geographical Black Ministry District at this time; and

* that the Board for Black Ministry Services develop a partnership
with selected geographical Districts about alternative ways to
deal with issues raised by the Non-Geographical Black Ministry
District Study report; and

* that the Board for Black Ministry Services begin dialogue with
the 26 geographical Districts about alternative ways to deal with
issues raised by the Non-Geographical Black Ministry District
Study Report.

The Study Committee highlighted these issues for considera-
tion by the Board for Black Ministry Services:

The need to keep pushing, keep educating, and keep encouraging al
the local level, all levels; relate to District and District relates to con-
gregations and to Black Ministry Units in Districts; focus on key dis-
tricts (Southern, Norther [llinois, Southeastern, Mid-South); and work
at helping Districts provide services needed to serve African American
congregations and involve District Black Ministry Units in the process.

The African American Hymnal Supplement was published by
Augsburg Fortress Publishing House, 1999. This was done with-
out final approval from the LCMS Doctrinal Review. Responding
to the 1999 LCMS Black Ministry Family Convocation, Dr. A. L.
Barry, President of the LCMS, prepared “A Report on the Doctrinal
Review of This Far By Faith.” It was presented to the Board for
Black Ministry Services, which released it with this statement:

The Board for Black Ministry Services received, considered, and
resolved to release “A Report on the Doctrinal Review of This Far By
Faith,” prepared by Dr. A. L. Barry, President of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod.

Also, the Board for Black Ministry Services received, considered,
and resolved to release the report prepared by some members of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod who served on the African Ameri-
can Hymnal Supplement Steering Commiitee.

This Far By Faith has been presented in a number of workshops:
namely, the convocation, Black Ministry gatherings in Districts, Con-
ference of Black and White Pastors serving in Black Ministry, and some
regional areas at the request of congregations with the goal of assisting
congregational use of “the many features that are certainly a blessing
to those Lutheran Christians who will use it as a resource” and to offer
suggestions and cautions about the doctrinal issues raised by Doctrinal
Review and the President's report.

The LCMS Board for Black Ministry Services set eight goals
for the 1998-2001 triennium. These goals are outgrowths of the
mandate for Black Ministry to plan, administer programs, coordi-