LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 55

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

SYNODICAL REPORTS 55

component. Youth then train over 5,000 teenagers annually in
District/Circuit and congregational settings.

e Support for recruitment of professional church workers with
LCMS universities/seminaries and synodical efforts, including
“What A Way” and ongoing support for university/seminary
youth ministry classes.

Goal: Servant Events—Youth and adults are provided oppor-
tunities to make a difference in the lives of people in the name of
Jesus Christ.

e Districts, churches, camps, and institutions host 75-80 Servant
Events annually across the nation.

e Nearly 4,000 youth and adults participate in LCMS-networked
Servant Events every year.

¢ Servant opportunities are planned for more than 12,000 partici-
pants at the 2004 National Youth Gathering.

Goal: Resources—Y outh workers are helped in identifying and
having access to the best in youth ministry resources in print,
media, and online.

e “ThESource,” Funded by a grant from Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans, provides access to resources for congregational youth
ministry including Bible study, discussion resources, practical in-
sights and ideas, etc., from authors across the church.
“TheESource” is available free through the Web site,
http://youthESource.com.

e New youth ministry logo, based on the ancient symbol for the
church, features three “cross-eyed” fish swimming in community
and was introduced in 2003 to raise visibility of youth ministry in
the Synod.

e New Bible Study Servant Leadership materials are written each
year to support Servant Events.

¢ Resources are developed for Youth Gathering participants to nur-
ture spiritual growth, build congregational family groups, and
provide information in preparing for the Gathering, in print and
online, http://nyg.Jcms.org.

Goal: National Youth Gathering—Youth and adults have the
opportunity to gather in Christ’s name for worship, spiritual nur-
ture, fellowship, recreation, and a great time.
¢ 33,000 youth and adults attended the 2001 National LCMS Youth

Gathering in New Orleans.

e 35,000 youth and adults anticipated for the 2004 National LCMS
Youth Gathering in Orlando.

¢ Over 150 skilled and talented professional church workers and
laypersons served as program planners.

Goal: Youth Ministry Network—A network of District, profes-
sional church workers, lay volunteers, teenagers, concerned adults,
and advocates for teens is built to support and encourage youth
ministry across the Synod in all kinds of settings.

e Annual opportunity for networking among District persons pro-
vided at youth ministry conference in January.

¢ Network of youth supported and encouraged through council of
LYF representatives and its leadership training.

e Youth representative program developed for 2004 LCMS con-
vention.

e Youth ministry network provides a link to all LCMS District
youth ministry Web sites.

Relationship to Synod Objectives: The above contribute to ob-
jectives 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 (Handbook, pp. 6-7).

Some Future Goals (Hoped for Outcomes)

¢ Maintain the viability and expand the mission of “ThESource” as
a vibrant, extraordinary resource for solid, confessional Lutheran
Christian youth ministry on the Web.

e Provide more opportunities for international Servant Event op-
portunities in addition to domestic sites.

¢ Continue effective leadership training for teenagers through the
LYF Teen Leadership Initiative.

¢ Provide for the youth ministry’s financial viability through the
LYF Youth Ministry Endowment/Joseph’s Coat.

e Build the youth ministry network in the Synod, including strong
links to District youth ministries, universities, and seminaries.

¢ Continue to provide a dynamic Youth Gathering experience for
young people.

VI. Looking Ahead

Reflecting the primary themes of education, opportunities (ser-
vice), Outreach, and resources in Art. III of the Constitution, the
DCS Statements of Directions (priorities) and Desired Outcomes
(goals) were updated early 2004. As a result, the unit strategic plan
and ministry area operational plans are being updated.

Statements of Direction and Desired Outcomes:

1. Proclaim the Saving Gospel of Jesus Christ: The forgiveness of
sins found in Christ alone is proclaimed and distributed in
Word and Sacrament. From this life-giving center
congregations are reaching out to the diverse populations of
their communities to make Christ known in word and deed.

2.Nurture Children, Youth, and Adults: District and
congregational leaders are nurturing children, youth, and adults
in faith and love in Christ so they show forth the hope within
them as they live out their God-given callings.

3. Develop Leaders: District and congregational leaders are fully
equipped to carry out the mission of Christ in their congrega-
tions, communities, and the world.

4. Cultivate Stewards: God’s people in all places—congregations,
schools, homes, workplaces—are freely living out their
vocations, managing all of the Lord’s gifts entrusted to them
for God’s purposes.

DCS will continue to adjust staffing and services in response to
District and congregation directions and available funding. The
staff of District and Congregational Services remains committed to
the concept that first emerged in 1992, to better meet the needs of
Districts and congregations. DCS will continue to be an advocate
for congregations and Districts, facilitate network systems, be a
broker of services, provide services and resources via electronic
media, and serve as a resource to Districts in serving congregations.

Dr. David Held, Chairman
Dr. LeRoy Wilke, Executive Director

R2-02
Commission on Worship

“God is surpassingly rich in His grace.” With this little sentence
Luther begins his succinct description of the ways in which God
delivers to us the Gospel of His forgiveness. What are those ways?

“First, through the spoken word, by which the forgiveness of
sin... is preached to the whole world; second, through Baptism; third,
through the holy Sacrament of the Altar; fourth, through the power of
the keys; and finally, through the mutual conversation and consolation

of brethren (Smalcald Articles III, IV).

It is the specific task of the Commission on Worship to assist
the congregations of the Synod toward a faithful use of these means
of grace, primarily in the context of corporate worship. To that end,
the Commission promotes worship practices that are both faithful
to Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions and also reflective
of the rich heritage of God’s people. Consisting of seven members
appointed by the President of the Synod, the Commission seeks to
“develop and deepen an understanding and love for the Lutheran
heritage in Christian worship” and to “recommend worship materi-
als to the church” (Bylaw 3.928 a, c).

Lutheran Hymnal Project

In 1998 the Synod adopted Res. 2-12, which encouraged the
Commission to proceed with the preparation of a new hymnal. At

2004 Convention Workbook