LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 53

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SYNOD REPORTS 53

the commission’s progress report in 2001, the Synod adopted Res.
2-06, which authorized field testing of materials. In 2004, the
Synod overwhelmingly approved the commission’s final proposal
for Lutheran Service Book. Production began in earnest immedi-
ately following the convention, with LSB and its companion edi-
tions becoming available in the second half of 2006.

The commission’s partnership with CPH in publishing LSB has
been a pleasurable and fruitful endeavor. Led by David Johnson,
director of CPH’s music department, the considerable resources of
CPH were brought to bear. Painstaking care was given to every de-
tail, including the engraving and design process, the creation of
tasteful artistic images and symbols, the selection of the finest
paper, and attention to the details of size and binding of the various
books. The result has been the publication of a truly elegant hymnal
whose quality is noted immediately upon its being handled for the
first time.

Published concurrently with the hymnal is its electronic com-
panion, Lutheran Service Builder. To the best of our knowledge,
this represents the first time a hymnal has been published simulta-
neously in both print and electronic media. Reaction to the Builder
has been very positive, with over 1,000 congregations purchasing it
during the first three months of its availability.

The commission published independently the LSB Hymn Selec-
tion Guide. This resource provides thousands of hymn suggestions
for both the three- and one-year lectionaries. Arriving only a few
months after the release of LSB, the Hymn Selection Guide pro-
vides worship planners with important insights into using LSB to
its fullest.

Introduction of LSB. Concurrent with the production of LSB, -

the commission worked carefully with CPH to develop a compre-
hensive rollout. A detailed brochure was sent not only to all con-
gregations of Synod, but also to all pastors and rostered church
workers. A DVD presentation and CD recording of hymns was also
sent to all congregations. A subsequent congregational kit provided
each congregation with a complimentary copy of LSB, along with a
second CD recording of hymns and other resources.

To give pastors, musicians, and other parishioners the opportu-
nity to experience LSB firsthand, the commission hosted introduc-
tory workshops at over 280 sites throughout the United States and
Canada. The three-hour workshops provided a broad introduction
to the entire line of LSB resources. With a final attendance at nearly
24,000 people, the workshops were an unqualified success. Many
reports were received following the workshops from individuals
who were very pleased with the LSB event held in their area.

Reception of LSB. Anecdotal evidence of strong support of LSB
is also evident at the congregational level. In its first six months,
LSB completely sold out the first two printings of 400,000 copies.
Two additional printings, totaling 450,000 copies, were on order
as of the deadline for this report. In terms of number of congrega-
tions, CPH estimates that approximately 25 percent of congregations
adopted LSB within the same six-month period. Sales of various
companion volumes have also been strong, with several of these
editions also entering a second printing.

Future publications. Though the hymnal and the majority of re-
sources are now available, more work remains. By the time the
2007 convention begins, several more volumes will have become
available. Most noteworthy among these is the LSB Pastoral Care
Companion. This volume represents a significant expansion of its
predecessors, TLH Pastor’s Companion and LW Little Agenda. Its
736 pages contain a wealth of resources that will be of great use to
pastors in their work of caring for souls. By the end of 2007, an-
other significant volume will be released, the LSB Guitar Chord
Edition. Providing guitar chords for all of the hymns in LSB will
make those hymns accessible to a wider range of individuals.

Future editions beyond 2007 include desk editions for liturgy,
hymns, and lectionary. These volumes will serve as the official
commentary on LSB.

Future Promotion of LSB. In order to build on the momentum
that the first months of LSB use has generated, the commission is
planning to host two additional rounds of workshops in the fall of
2007 and spring of 2008. These workshops, which will be held at
more than three dozen sites, will serve both to introduce LSB to
those not yet using it and to provide new insights for those who
are. In addition, the day-long workshops will be designed to intro-
duce participants to several features of Lutheran Musician Enrich-
ment (see below).

Conclusion. In its 2004 report to the Synod, the commission
observed that the proposal for the new hymnal and agenda was “the
right one for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod at this point
in our walk together.” By God’s grace that assessment appears to
have been on target. General reaction to LSB has been and remains
positive and even enthusiastic. It now remains for our congrega-
tions to use it in all its fullness as a means to hold before the faith-
ful the Lord’s rich gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Education and Resources

While the production of LSB demanded nearly as much atten-
tion as did its development, the commission has also continued its
efforts to “develop and deepen an understanding and love for the
Lutheran heritage in Christian worship” (Bylaw 3.9.7.2).
National Worship Conference. On July 26-29, 2005, the com-
mission hosted its second “Institute on Liturgy, Preaching, and
Church Music” on the campus of Carthage College in Kenosha,
WI. Nearly 650 people attended, including an honors choir of 32
high school students and over 30 college and seminary students.
As with the first conference in 2002, the response was extremely
positive. A special feature of this conference was a “Steeple Chase”
in and around Milwaukee that allowed participants to visit churches
and learn about liturgical design. The success of the conference has
led the commission to schedule another on July 22-25, 2008, this
time on the campus of Concordia University Nebraska in Seward.
Diverse Worship Resources. At the 2004 convention, the Synod
passed Res. 2-04, which
e affirmed “respect for diversity in worship practices as we build
greater understanding of our theology of worship and foster fur-
ther discussion of worship practices that are consistent with that
theology”;

¢ encouraged “pastors, musicians, and worship leaders to exercise
this freedom responsibly”; and

¢ called on the commission “to initiate a process leading toward
the development of diverse worship resources.”

To address this assignment, the commission assembled a team
of practitioners of contemporary worship who were asked to give
guidance to the commission. After three meetings, which included
Site visits to congregations of three of the committee’s members,
the committee drew up a list of six recommendations (see Appen-
dix to this report). These recommendations represent some new
areas of work that await the commission in the coming triennium.

Visits to Synodical Schools. During the past triennium, the com-
mission initiated visits to each of the Synod’s colleges and semi-
naries in order to carry out the duties outlined in Bylaw 3.9.7.2 (a)
to “consult with the practical theology and the music departments
of schools of the Synod to establish and affirm principles and prac-
tices in liturgy, church music, and church art which best express
the true confessional theology of worship in Word and Sacrament
of the Lutheran Church.” During the 2005-2006 academic year,
each member of the commission and its staff visited one of the ten
colleges and universities in the Concordia University System. Dur-
ing the 2006-2007 academic year, the commission met on the cam-
pus of both seminaries. The purpose of these visits was to learn

2007 Convention Workbook