LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 36

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36 SYNOD REPORTS

invite the input from Hispanic pastors and lay leaders, publish
some materials in Spanish, and seek Hispanics to serve on work-
ing groups and even in staff positions.

¢ National Lutheran Hispanic Mission Society and Hispanic
Lutheran Convention—As gathering points and advocates for the
Hispanic voice in the LMCS, these two groups are encouraged to
identify and nominate men and women for election to the district
and national boards and commissions and to serve as delegates
to conventions.

People with Hispanic heritage are dynamic, valuable, and
gifted. They can bring fresh blood and new enthusiasm to this
church body. The ministry of the whole will be energized through
inclusion of this not-so-minority minority.

Hispanic people desire to be part of the whole church and yet
desire to connect to their heritage. Many established Missouri
Synod Lutherans can understand because they trace their roots to
Germany, or Slovakia, or Scandinavia. If the Missouri Synod is se-
rious about mission with Hispanics, we look for the day when tor-
tillas y frijoles or lechén moros y cristianos are as naturally part of
church suppers as sausage and sauerkraut.

Recommendation 4:
Address Issues Related to Immigration

Most Americans are acutely aware of the large numbers of His-
panic immigrants coming to this country. The task force empha-
sizes that immigration and Hispanic ministry are—and will
continue to be—closely connected. A comment from the Hispanic
Summit highlights this issue: “To not address immigration issues
will hinder Hispanic ministries.”

In June 2006, LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick and Rev.
Matthew Harrison, executive director of LCMS World Relief/Hu-
man Care, issued a statement on immigration. They reiterated the
Synod’s affirmation of the right, responsibility, and authority of
the government to act as God’s agent, according to what is reason-
able and just, in the creation and enforcement of laws. Rev. Ki-
eschnick and Rev. Harrison also recognized that millions of
undocumented persons come to the United States because they can
work and find dignity in labor. Citing the biblical directive to show
loving concern for the “stranger in our midst,” these church leaders
voiced their prayer that God graynt wisdom and discernment to
USS. leaders as they seek to find appropriate solutions to illegal im-
migration.

Rev. Kieschnick and Rev. Harrison also requested that “the
charitable acts of providing assistance to undocumented aliens not
otherwise engaged in illegal activity not be criminalized ipso
facto.” They said, “We pray that appropriate solutions may be
found, so that our assistance to those in need can also include help-
ing persons become legal residents and citizens of this land of free-
dom and opportunity in which God has so richly blessed us.”

In expressing its own “Amen!” the task force affirms Rev.
Kieschnick and Rev. Harrison in their statement and recommends:
¢ Welcoming the stranger—The Lutheran Church—Missouri

Synod in convention affirm its loving concern for “the stranger
in our midst” and request LCMS World Relief/Human Care and
District and Congregational Services, working with Lutheran Im-
migration and Refugee Services, to identify a network of congre-
gational resources for counseling immigrants regarding legal and
social services.

* Theological understanding—As underscored by the Kieschnick-
Harrison statement, immigration brings issues of both govern-
mental authority and Christian responsibility. Professional church
workers and laity need a theological guide for responding as in-
dividuals and through their congregations. The task force en-
courages Concordia Publishing House to develop at least one
Bible study on immigration. Other guidance can be provided by
articles and Bible studies in The Lutheran Witness and discussion
guides for district pastoral conferences and circuit convocations.

2007 Convention Workbook

¢ Position paper on immigration—The task force requests the
CTCR to prepare a position statement on immigration. Such a
study should consider the Christian’s legal and biblical responsi-
bilities for “welcoming the stranger.” The CTCR should also look
at related questions of asylum and advocacy.

Recommendation 5S:
Cross-pollination in Leadership Structures

The task force notes the desire of the Hispanic church to be part
of the church-at-large. That will happen much sooner and more
comfortably if leaders understand cross-cultural ministry—the kind
of learning that happens “in your own skin.” As it often does, the
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League is leading the way with its
Heart to Heart Committee and cross-cultural awareness training for
LWML district presidents and its executive committee.
The task force realizes that cross-cultural training can easily be
interpreted as “political correctness” or “diversity training.” How-
ever, we note that the LWML was not trying to do social re-engi-
neering, but to intentionally include ethnic women into their
leadership structure. This opened the door to greater appreciation of
cultures and to the contributions ethnic women can bring to the or-
ganization. To accomplish this, the LWML established a new and
innovative path to leadership for ethnic women.
While recognizing this effort and expressing its appreciation to
the LWML, the task force encourages other groups in the Synod to
include this type of cross-pollination.
¢ Bridging cultures—As part of its own professional growth activ-
ities, the Council of Presidents might lead the way. In their dis-
tricts, the presidents could convey the value of bridging cultures
in meetings with district boards, circuit counselors, and congre-
gational leaders.

¢ Developing resources—Such an effort requires coordination. The
task force suggests that the Board for Mission Services, as leader
in the Ablaze! initiative, offer resources—both materials and in-
structional expertise—to help the people and congregations of the
Synod grow in their comfort and capability to provide leadership
opportunities. This effort reaches far beyond Hispanic ministry; it
includes ministry with all immigrant groups, even ministry across
economic lines and communities and generations.

¢ Identifying potential leaders—In front of every board and com-
mission, before every elected official, is the task to identify men
and women who have leadership potential and to identify means
by which their gifts and abilities may be developed for the bene-
fit of the church.

Recommendation 6:
Communication in Spanish

The task force reminds the church-at-large that many of our
Hispanic pastors and pastors-in-training have limited English skills,
although they are proficient in Spanish. Simply stated, the church
will face an ongoing need for resources in Spanish—both printed
and Internet-accessible. Hispanic ministry will benefit from com-
munication that allows sharing of information, events, ideas, and
resources in both Spanish and English.
¢ Theological documents—Certain key theological documents, in-

cluding CTCR reports, should be translated. A short-term task
force should be brought together to select the documents.

¢ Internal communications—As the Ablaze! initiative continues, the
Board for Mission Services should make some communication
available in Spanish. Many Spanish-speaking Lutherans would
appreciate portions of The Lutheran Witness in Spanish. To save
printing and mailing expense, these materials could be posted on
the LCMS Web site. The Web site also should offer some basic
information in Spanish.

¢ Outreach materials—Outreach materials, explaining Lutheran
teachings and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, would be
most helpful for mission leaders seeking to reach Hispanics. The
Board for Communication Services and Concordia Publishing