LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 35

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 35

nate, and expand Black Ministry throughout the Synod. Also, con-
vocation resolutions help shape the direction and work of the board.
Through this medium congregations and communities are reached,
embraced, and encouraged in ministry. The acceptance of diversity
and planning dynamics are major factors in the following goals:

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¢ Professional workers’ ministry gifts are focused and nurtured
The ministries of congregations and new ministry leaders are fo-
cused and encouraged

Baby Boomers, Xers, and Yers are actively using their skills as
church leaders

New congregations—new ministries—are vibrant and dynamic
forces in community, District, and the Synod

Congregations network and relate to African American denomi-
nations, African immigrants, and Districts of the Synod
Diversity exists and is accepted, respected, and encouraged in
Black Ministry throughout the Synod

All of God’s people fully participate at all levels of District and
synodical administration with vision, mission, and passion for
the sake of the Gospel

Linking network for schools, educators, recruitment of profes-
sional workers, and resources is provided on congregational, Dis-
trict, and synodical levels

The Board works these outcomes with five ministry strategies:

. Communicate

. Connect with White congregations in Black Ministry

. Provide, support, encourage leadership training

. Work with congregations in Black Ministry through District

and synodical partnerships

. Optimize convocations for inspiration, fellowship, networking,

information, decision-making, servant events, worship, and
motivation
Effectiveness is measured against involvement, congregation

participation and growth-knowledge, skill enhancement, new peo-
ple, and leadership throughout the Synod.

Black Ministry Units have been developed in the following Dis-

tricts: Atlantic, Michigan, Indiana, Southeastern, Southern, Mis-
souri, Texas, Mid-South, Northern Illinois, South Wisconsin,
Florida-Georgia, Pacific Southwest, California-Nevada-Hawaii
(commitment to organize), with contact persons in Oklahoma and
Central Illinois.

Report of the Unit’s Performance during the Triennium

A. Professional church workers
* Conference attended by 70 Black and White pastors serv-
ing in Black Ministry
Annual Black Clergy Caucus Conference
Nurture, visit, and consult with congregations and leaders
23 African American students in various stages of semi-
nary education
11 potential professional workers recruited through new
church development
¢ Workshops, conferences, and consultations
B. Congregations in Black Ministry
¢ White congregations are received and welcomed
¢ Black pastors serving as associate in White congregations
¢ 15 of 42 new congregations initiated
¢ 10 new mission sites targeted
e Lay Planters, Urban and Church Planter Institutes held
C. Districts
¢ Consultations as a regular ministry feature
¢ Officers, partnerships, visits
¢ Networking with Districts for new church development
D. Schools
¢ 100 schools in Black Ministry with over 16,262 students
¢ Educators conference in conjunction with convocation
¢ Hand-In-Hand Workshop focused on outreach
¢ Early childhood centers as new church development tool
¢ Linking and networking LCMS school services with Black
Ministry schools
¢ Consultations and visits

E. Convocations

Birmingham Statistics
55 pastors; 61 lay delegates; 35 advisors; 350 guests, 285
youths; total attendance 780

New Orleans Statistics
240 congregations; 28 Districts; 1,248 guests; 552 youths; 34
African immigrants; 13 mission planters; 42 educators; 111 lay
delegates; 61 pastors; 7 District Presidents; 4 LCMS BOD mem-
bers; 15 1C executives; 5 college and university presidents; 33
LCMS exhibitors; 6 vendors and several exhausted volunteers;
total attendance 2,124.

Future Plans—Top Priorities

. Conference of Black and White Pastors in Black Ministry:

This is a unifying and driving force in ministry for the sake of
the Gospel. Seventy pastors have requested immediate action
on this goal. The convocation has blessed it.

. LCMS Black Ministry Census: The executives for the Board

for Black Ministry Services are working on the assumption
that the membership is increasing by 4,000 baptized members
per year. We are confident that the census will show a big
jump in the 53,000 African Americans in the LCMS, toward
our goal of 100,000 by 2010.

. Election of Board Members: The convention of the Synod will

elect three members to our board, and the 2001 convocation
will prepare a slate of 18 from which the President of the
Synod will appoint six. Leadership will be a major concern.

. Fund-raising: More and more boards of the Synod are

requested to raise the funds necessary to do the ministry. Faith,
prayer, persistence, steadiness, thankfulness, confidence, and
joy in ministry will be a great strength for days ahead and for
now, too.

. Implement School Summit Outcomes which position schools in

Black Ministry as vital. links in the chain for increasing the
number of African Americans in The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod from 53,000 to 100,000 by 2010.

. Resource Materials for Church Planting: One of the most

effective strategies for reaching African Americans is through
the planting of new cross-cultural ministries, targeting African
Americans. The Office of Mission Networking for the Board
will focus on identifying, training, and nurturing leaders for
the purpose of church planting and compiling and providing
resource materials to help in reaching the goal of 100,000
African Americans in the LCMS.

Significant Accomplishments

. Perfecting the Board for Black Ministry Services

. Conference of Black and White Pastors in Black Ministry
. Convocation growth to 2,124

. District partnership in new church development

The formation of District units

. 80 plus Black leaders leading at all levels of Districts and
the Synod

Highly motivated professional workers in Lutheran schools
15 of 42 new church starts toward the goal of 50 new starts
. 10 new mission sites identified

. Averaging 20 seminary students at various stages of semi-
nary education toward the goal of 50 per year

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Significant Goals for the Future

1. Positive, supportive leadership transition

2. Regularize Conference of Black and White Clergy in Black
Ministry

. Convocations with 2,500 to 3,500 people in attendance

. 100,000 African Americans in the LCMS by 2010

. 50 professional church worker students at seminaries per
year

6. Black professors teaching and leading at LCMS seminaries

7. Revitalized schools as mission arms of congregations

mn SW

2001 Convention Workbook