LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 21

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 21

¢ To be in mission is to expand education. Schools are exten-
sions of congregations and serve as extensions for outreach. About
59 percent of LCMS congregations operate schools. Early-child-
hood centers (daycare, preschool, and sometimes kindergarten) are
among the fastest growing ministries offered by congregations,
now serving more than 100,000 children. During the 2002-03
school year, the enrollment in Lutheran schools (early childhood
through high school) totaled 289,100, with 35 percent of these chil-
dren from non-Lutheran churches and 16 percent being
unchurched. The influence of these schools is dramatic: 4,208 chil-
dren were baptized, and 3,308 adults were baptized and confirmed
during 2002-03. As part of mission strategy, schools nurture chil-
dren and, through them, reach families and communities for Christ.

¢ To be in mission is to start new congregations. Experience
has shown us, and other denominations, that starting new congre-
gations is one of the most effective ways to be in mission. Our
commitment to see congregations as missionary outposts calls upon
us to continue looking with missionary eyes to areas of growth and
to commit the resources to reach people at times when they need
the community of faith. More than 35 congregations have been
started through the Open Arms approach that begins with early-
childhood centers. ,

Diversity

Today, the Gospel is being shared in 30-plus languages through
LCMS ministries in North America. As the face of America rapidly
changes, more than 900 ministries have been registered through the
Pentecost 2000 effort. They include new congregations, English as
a Second Language (ESL) classes, food pantries, soccer clubs,
Bible studies, and other efforts that share the Gospel of Jesus Christ
with people of other cultures. These cross-cultural ministries give a
glimpse of Rev. 7:9: “After this I looked and there before me was a
great multitude that no one could count, from every ethnic group,
tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front
of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding
palm branches in their hands.”

¢ To be in mission is to continue multiethnic outreach. Being
in mission reminds us that the Gospel is inclusive, and of the need
to find methods to reach diverse groups. The Task Force encour-
ages celebration of those ministries that have begun, as well as
holding them up as models for other congregations. Current esti-
mates are that about 10 percent of LCMS worshiping communities
are not Anglo. Cross-cultural ministry requires patience in guiding
ministries as they evolve into worshiping communities and, even-
tually, chartered congregations .

¢ To be in mission is to affirm current outreach. Congrega-
tions, Districts, and the Synod have a growing number of resources,
services; and mission societies to assist in their mission. Assisting
existing congregations and schools, as well as encouraging new
congregation starts, the Board for Black Ministry also gives occa-
sion for mutual support through its Black Family Gathering. The
list of supporting agencies continues to grow: Hispanic: Mission So-
ciety, Center for United States Missions, Center for Asian Missions
and Evangelism, People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (Muslim
ministry), for example. Both seminanes provide study tracks for
mission specialists, as well as supporting training through efforts
such as DELTO, the Hispanic Institute, and the Ethnic Immigrant
Institute of Theology.

Education and church workers

Much emphasis has been given to training church workers at
our colleges and seminaries. Often members of congregations see
them as the professionals who do the work for the congregation.

Yet the mission cannot be accomplished only by the professionals.
Much more can be accomplished when laity and professionals team
to do the work.

* To be in mission is to train missionary pastors. There is
much to celebrate in the education of our pastors as both theolo-
gians and shepherds for the flock. The Task Force notes that a sem-
inarian’s education is strongly focused on “shepherding”—the du-
ties of the pastor to preach and teach the Word, counsel with both
Law and Gospel, and assure that the congregation remains true to
the Confessions and rightly administérs the Sacraments. Yet many
seminarians graduate with only one course, or none, in mission.
Knowing that the church increasingly ministers in an unchurched
culture, the Task Force calls upon our seminaries to require courses
in missiology and to incorporate a missiological attitude in all their
offerings. The Task Force also affirms the Board for Higher Edu-
cation’s recent “‘12 Themes” for pastoral education, which provide
a planning and guiding focus for preparing LCMS pastors.

* To be in mission is to train lay missionaries. The Task Force
encourages the colleges and seminaries to explore courses and ap-
proaches that prepare their professional church-worker graduates
to see part of their ministries as training laity to serve in mission.
This request comes in two forms. First, as part of their preparation,
these future workers be encouraged to see one of their congrega-
tional roles as being trainers to equip laity to work in partnership in
the mission outreach of the congregation. Second, that these future
workers, especially pastors, also be offered courses that equip them
to teach and serve in team ministry with the laity.

* To be in mission is to continue training. Society is con-
stantly undergoing change, which requires the church and its pro-
fessional workers to stay current as they seek to minister. Comple-
tion of college or seminary education is just the beginning.
Missionaries, like other professionals, need continuing education.
Congregations will grow as missionary outposts when they en-
courage and budget for their professional workers and lay leaders
to gain additional knowledge and skills. Our educational institu-
tions serve by bringing their expertise from the campuses to edu-
cate both professionals and laity through workshops, distance learn-
ing, and other educational offerings.

Use of technology

Technology has been part of Lutheranism since the Reforma-
tion. Movable type and the printing press enabled Luther to spread
his teachings and provide the Bible in the language of the people.
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pioneered in use of radio
and television to reach audiences with the Gospel. Today’s
CUENet shares classes among our colleges via interactive televi-
sion and provides distance learning for teachers and seminary stu-
dents via the Internet. Lutheran Hour Ministries continues to share
the Gospel through radio programs and television specials. The In-
ternet is used to teach confirmation classes for youth and provide
lay training for new workers in remote areas. Hundreds of congre-
gations reach into their communities with broadcast worship ser-
vices and other programs on radio and cable television.

Technology is part of today’s frontier. In all its contemporary
forms, it is a dynamic presence in the lives of people, especially
younger generations. Technology is a powerful tool for the church,
and the Task Force affirms efforts to use technology for mission
and instruction.

¢ To be in mission is to use technology. Technology is a gift
from God that can be used by the church to support congregations
as missionary outposts. Within congregations, it can be used to en-
hance worship for the “new” culture as well as enhancing instruc-
tion in Bible classes and schools. Technology provides a cost-ef-
fective means to link with our seminaries and colleges for

2004 Convention Workbook