LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 95

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SYNOD REPORTS 95

* Distributed new magazine on life issues and proper Christian sex-
uality to more than 13,000 teens at youth gatherings and facili-
tated “chastity talks” with youth groups around the country.

Next Triennium Goals and Challenges:

¢ Explore cooperative efforts with Lutheran partners in Asia, par-
ticularly in Indonesia, where women in increasing numbers turn
to dangerous, illegal abortions for lack of other options.

¢ Continue to develop theologically rich printed and online re-
sources to enhance parish education.

* Enhance pro-life outreach through development of a network of
Lutheran pro-life providers to support organizations and projects,
both domestically and internationally.

« Expand pregnancy care center outreach in Russian cities.

Ministry in Nonmilitary Chaplaincy,
Pastoral Counseling, and Clinical Education

LCMS World Relief and Human Care recruits rostered minis-
ters of religion for ministry in nonmilitary chaplaincy, pastoral
counseling, and clinica] education and facilitates to process of ec-
clesiastical endorsement for these ministries. Chaplains and pas-
toral counselors serve as “domestic missionaries,” touching the
lives of many at their most stressful and vulnerable moments.
Chaplains and pastoral counselors serve in hospitals, nursing
homes, and retirement centers, parishes, counseling agencies, busi-
nesses, law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue agencies, hos-
pice centers, jails and prisons, and more. Chaplains and pastoral
counselors listen with the ears of Christ as they hear the cares and
burdens of those to whom they minister. They reflect His mercy
and compassion as they offer support and care and bring words of
forgiveness, life, and hope through the one message of Jesus Christ.
Those who teach chaplaincy and pastoral counseling ministry pre-
pare our rostered ministers of religion and our seminary and dea-
coness students as they teach the art of integrating our rich
Lutheran theology with effective interpersonal skills. More than
500 men and women serve as nonmilitary chaplains, pastoral coun-
selors, and clinical educators.

Past Triennium Accomplishments:

¢ Partnered with the Southern Illinois District to hold the first syn-
odwide jail and prison ministry conference, drawing more than
100 in attendance. (Funding provided by the Lutheran Women’s
Missionary League.)

* Hosted the first conference for law enforcement, fire and rescue,
and disaster response chaplains, with funding from the Schwann
Foundation.

Next Triennium Goals:

¢ Extend calls to full-time institutional chaplains, pastoral coun-
selors, and clinical educators.

* Increase chaplaincy opportunities for pastors and deaconesses.

¢ Identify and support qualified rostered workers for teaching chap-
laincy and pastoral counseling.

¢ Identify and support qualified rostered workers to become pas-
toral counselors.

Youth Corps

Established in 2005, the Youth Corps encourages and strength-
ens the work of mercy by providing resources and opportunities for
those who work with young people, helping youth learn and expe-
rience what it means to reach out with “One Message: Christ.”

Past Triennium Accomplishments:

¢ Provided opportunities for students from LCMS seminaries and
universities to participate in Mercy Mission Expeditions, assisting
human care projects in Madagascar; Biloxi, Mississippi; and
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

* Coordinated fund-raising effort with LCMS elementary and high
schools, generating more than $1 million for Gulf Coast Lutheran
schools affected by the 2005 hurricanes through the sale of more
than 60,000 hurricane-relief bracelets.

¢ Created materials for teachers to help students understand and
support the work of LCMS World Relief and Human Care as the
Synod’s mercy arm, including chapel offering promotions and
“Hearts for Jesus” project campaigns.

¢ Developed workshops and a monograph on Teaching Mercy
through Service Learning to encourage and support teachers as
they help students understand community needs and how to serve
neighbors in the clear name of Christ and His Gospel.

Next Triennium Goals:

¢ Build more connections within the Concordia University System
to help students understand the role of mercy within the church
and the opportunity to explore avenues of service in their Chris-
tian vocation.

* Continue to work with LCMS seminaries, universities and cam-
pus ministry organizations to facilitate and promote Mercy Mis-
sion Expeditions, giving youth service opportunities.

¢ Develop “Hearts for Jesus” materials that can be customized by
districts, congregations and schools to educate youth about op-
portunities to support LCMS World Relief and Human Care pro-
jects.

LCMS National Housing Support Corporation

The LCMS Board for Human Care Ministries established the
Housing Support Corporation in 2004 as its housing ministry arm.
As a Synod-controlled entity, that “arm” provides critical funding
and technical assistance to LCMS congregations, districts, social
ministry organizations, and other partners. A charitable and educa-
tional organization, the corporation builds more than houses. It en-
gages and trains LCMS members who then put their many
vocational gifts to work in communities. Our members’ faith ac-
tive in love restores and revitalizes deteriorated neighborhoods
close to LCMS altars. Building homes and revitalizing communi-
ties in proximity to Word and Sacrament ministry provides oppor-
tunities to proclaim Christ to a chaotic world. The first fiscal year
of operation for the Housing Support Corporation began July 1,
2006.

Past Triennium Major Accomplishments:

¢ Partnered with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri
Synod to make possible a $1 million loan to the East Brooklyn
Congregations (EBC), New York, for the newest Nehemiah af-
fordable housing community in Spring Creek for first-time home
owners. Two Brooklyn LCMS congregations are veteran EBC
members whose determination to remain in and serve their inner-
city parishes helped lead to the Synod’s first Nehemiah invest-
ment. To date, 2,900 homes have been built in East Brooklyn
using the Nehemiah funding concept.

¢ In partnership with the Northern Illinois District, helped provide a
$1 million loan to build 100 new homes in the Lawndale area of
Chicago as part of the Ezra Housing plan.

¢In partnership with the Lutheran Foundation in St. Louis,
launched a Nehemiah community revitalization effort to bring
caring into an abandoned urban neighborhood, training local res-
idents in community organizing, and engaging volunteers from
neighboring suburban churches.

¢ Worked with the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, to encourage con-
tinued investment in a once-dilapidated area near Zion Lutheran
and St. Peter’s Catholic churches that has been stabilized with
new homes for the working poor, a new library, child care center,
and senior housing. Plans are in the works to add 300 more new
homes.

2007 Convention Workbook