LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 91

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SYNOD REPORTS 91

Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support—
Convention Report

LCMS Convention 2007

Highlights
Accomplishments during past triennium:

1. Completion and distribution of the “Let’s Talk It Over’ DVD
and study resources;
. Completion of the Coaching Principals Initiative;
. Completion and approval of the CMGS Policy Manual;
. Establishment and “staffing” of five action teams;
. Exploratory sessions held in five different districts researching
“Next Steps” components;
. “Healthy You” campaign as a retention effort in conjunction
with the What a Way Initiative;
7. Installation and orientation of a full-time executive director;
8. Strategic planning produced articulation regarding the Commis-
sion’s Purpose Statement, Critical Targets, Goal Statements, and
Core Values.

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Goals for the future:

(Note: Every one of the following goals is pursued in collabo-
ration with at least one, and in most cases several, other entities of
our Synod.)

1. Equip congregations receiving “first-call” pastors for their
unique role in the inauguration of healthy pastoral careers;

2. Formalize continuing education and vocational development re-
sources, also at local levels;

3. Host “Worker Wellness Conference II” continuing to reinvigo-
rate and motivate a network of Advocates for Ministerial Well-
ness;

4. Increase awareness to the severity of the issues surrounding in-
debtedness for LCMS professional ministers, implementing
strategies to be engaged by every entity of Synod in pursuit of
economic vitality;

5. Increase the commitment to and motivation for healthy relation-
ships among professional ministers and within congregations;

6. Increase the effectiveness of PALS by adding strategies to en-
hance “people skilis” and “relational competencies” as a part of
the transition from seminary campus to parish life;

7. Recruit LCMS individuals to receive special training for assist-
ing LCMS professional ministers (ordained and commissioned)
in and immediately after a time of crisis, providing spiritual and
personal care, and a fraternal presence;

8. Successfully complete the Indiana Pilot project to formalize a
proven and accepted set of standards and procedures for effec-
tively and strategically connecting the gifted passions of retired
ministers with the ongoing ministry and mission of the church.

Resources provided:

1. Continuing Education Awards ($250 each) through the What a
Way Initiative;

2. Continuing education information and announcements in the
Reporter and on the CMGS Web site,

3. “Healthy You” motivational awards and suggestions for “small
steps” to decrease daily caloric intake and increase daily phys-
ical activity;

4. “Let’s Talk It Over: 10 Conversations on Supporting Church
Workers”;

5. Redesigned e-newsletter offering brief articles related to self-
care for busy ministers, with encouragement and insight in
some of the psychological aspects of ministry;

6. Relationship-strengthening resources distributed to principals
and District education executives;

7. Report sharing research discoveries and related suggestions re-
garding strategies for retaining professional church workers in
parish ministries;

8. Tools and resources for raising the level of financial literacy
among professional ministers placed on the CMGS Web site;

9. Two new learning modules for the PALS program—“Biblical
Foundations for Lutheran Catechesis,” and “The Pastor as
Stewardship Leader”;

10. The “Wellness Incentive Grant” in conjunction with LCMS
Human Care.

R6-01
LCMS World Relief and Human Care

Vision Statement

¢ One Mission—showing Christ’s mercy to all with fidelity.

* One Message—reflecting Christ’s love in Word and deed with in-
tegrity.

* One People—united in Christ with capacity to show mercy.

One Message: Christ! The Gospel of free forgiveness in Jesus
changes things. LCMS World Relief and Human Care has under-
gone a radical, even revolutionary, shift in the past two triennia, by
prioritizing and focusing all its work of mercy in light of, in con-
nection with, and in proximity to, the proclamation of the Gospel.
This has also brought a tremendous strengthening of programs and
capacity to act. If we are serious about reaching 100 million people
with the Gospel by the anniversary of the Reformation in 2017
(Ablaze!), the status quo will not suffice. Jesus spoke forgiveness
and cared for people in need (Luke 5:17—26). He sent His apostles
to do the same (Luke 9:2ff.). The earliest church zealously com-
bined proclamation and mercy (Acts 6). St. Paul spent more than a
decade organizing and collecting funds for poor Christians in
Jerusalem as he traveled about preaching Christ (2 Cor. 8-9).
Luther’s rediscovery of the Gospel revolutionized the church’s life
of mercy at the time of the Reformation. Dr. Walther strongly ad-
vocated mercy in the life of the congregation, also as a chief con-
cern of the pastor.

This is a great moment to be a Lutheran! This is a fantastic mo-
ment for the LCMS. Opportunities are opening all over the world.
Church after church is seeking out the LCMS because of our strong
confession, care for the needy, and desire to reach those who don’t
know Christ. With Jesus we say, “Let’s GO!” (Mark 1:38).

International

In the past, LCMS World Relief and Human Care functioned
as a granting agency with no operational capacity of its own. Over
the last triennium, the ministry has begun building operational ca-
pacity internationally through the recruitment of international staff
and the development of international partnerships with distinctly
Lutheran partners. Humanitarian and development grants and pro-
grams are now administered and monitored more closely, improv-
ing accountability. By partnering directly with implementing
agencies in the field, LCMS World Relief and Human Care can
send more of each donor dollar directly to needy people in the 46
countries in which we currently have programs. These programs
range from medical mission teams in Africa to orphanages and
scholarships for tsunami orphans in India and Sri Lanka, all linked
to “One Message: Christ.” LCMS World Relief and Human Care is
transforming into a bona fide international Lutheran relief agency,
warmly received by traditional, as well as new LCMS partners.

Past Triennium Accomplishments:

* Nurtured budding diakonic relationships overseas that have re-
sulted in at least two Lutheran churches inquiring about full fel-
lowship with the LCMS.

2007 Convention Workbook