LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 107

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SYNOD REPORTS 107

¢ Development of the LCMS Foundation’s GiveNow online dona-
tion Web site (catalog.lcms.org/GiveNow/Gift_Catalog.asp).

¢ Implementation of KFUO Radio’s streaming audio for both the
AM (www.kfuo.org) and FM (www.classic99.com) stations.

* Development of an online learning system for the Ablaze!Con-
nection.

« Implementation of an online grant management system for LCMS
World Mission and World Relief/Human Care.

* Continued support of the LCMS Foundation’s fund-raising and
trust administration systems.

Future technology initiatives will include:

* Expanded online collaboration.

¢ Expanded integration of smart phones with all systems.

¢ Enhanced data security.

¢ Social networks for the church.

* Enhanced online learning communities.

¢ Expanded IP-based video conferencing.

* Expanded use of streaming video and audio media.

Alan Meyer, Executive Director

R7-04-03
Department of Human Resources

The Department of Human Resources has a direct relationship
to the Synod Board of Directors. It provides leadership to the
human resources function in service to church workers throughout
the Synod. It coordinates the development and administration of
personnel policies, procedures, and supporting systems within and
between all synodwide corporations, boards, commissions, depart-
ments, and agencies of the Synod. In addition to the concern for at-
tracting and retaining high-quality people for service within all
units, it strives to create an environment that is caring and support-
ive to enhance effective service to the Lord and the Synod. The de-
partment, guided by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Board
of Directors and the Chief Administrative Officer of corporate
Synod, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod Foundation, Concordia Plan Services,
and the Vice-President-Finance—Treasurer, administers uniform
personnel policies and salary administration.

The department administers compliance with the Synod Bylaws
on behalf of the Board of Directors as they relate to the human re-
sources function. Such activities include annually obtaining the ap-
propriate conflict of interest statements; publishing the salaries of
elected Synod officers; coordinating the President’s role in the ap-
pointment and calling of staff; working with the Secretary of the
Synod and the Synod nominating committee to identify a list of
candidates from which to fill board vacancies; and assisting the
boards in conducting both the annual and comprehensive reviews
of their chief executive.

During the last triennium, the Department of Human Resources
assisted in the calling or appointing of chief executives to the Board
for University Education; the Board for Black Ministry; and the
boards of directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Foundation.

The department coordinated a national contract for background
screenings; redesigned the International Center’s compensation
program, including the offering of a Section 125 cafeteria plan for
employees; developed the Matura Leadership Series, which is now
in its second year; met annually with the Concordia University Sys-
tem human resources representatives; implemented a relative-
performance rating system; and worked with the Internal Audit
Department in carrying out the recommendations related to the op-
erational audit of payroll.

Barbara Ryan, Executive Director

R7-05-01
Atlantic District

The Atlantic District is composed of the eastern portion of New
York State including Long Island, New York City—the capital of
the world—the northern suburbs of New York City, the Hudson
Valley, the state capital region around Albany and Schenectady,
and points north to the Canadian border. It is one of the most beau-
tiful geographical regions of the United States, and one of the most
densely populated. As Iowa is to corn, so New York is to people.

Mission outreach has been the main focus of the Atlantic Dis-
trict endeavor since the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. The At-
lantic District theme is “Engaging the World with the Gospel of
Hope.” This thematic was developed by the president of the At-
lantic District for presentation on Sept. 11, 2001, and was resound-
ingly affirmed at the district’s centennial convention in June 2006.

The centennial afforded the Atlantic District an opportunity to
affix its goals to the concepts contained in the LCMS Ablaze! cam-
paign. The threefold goals are:

1. That every congregation be an active mission station;

2. That during the next 10 years, the active mission stations
double to 200;

3. That 200 homegrown mission leaders (mostly youth) be trained
and equipped for the sake of the mission.

Each goal is connected to the Ablaze! movement.

As part of its centennial, the district celebrated with gatherings
of 1,000 and 600 people, respectively, in upstate and Long Island
“Festival Concerts of Praise.” The largest event in recent district
history and held in connection with Concordia College, Bronxville,
was the Reformation Festival Eucharist on Oct. 29, 2006. Cele-
brated at the West Point Cadet Chapel at the U.S. Military Acad-
emy, the Eucharist brought close to 2,000 LCMS Lutherans
together for the fortification of the Lord’s Meal.

“Witness in the Public Square,” the Atlantic District Mission
Society’s annual luncheon in midtown Manhattan, brings well in
excess of $100,000 each year to add mission-planting resources.
The Atlantic District Mission Society, composed of individuals and
groups from within the district and around the country, has raised
close to $1 million exclusively for the ever-expanding work of mis-
sions in the district. Sunday worship services are held in 20 differ-
ent languages in the Atlantic District so that the Good News can
be heard by those who have just arrived on our shores. The Atlantic
District is proud to be involved in the Fan Into Flame program of
Ablaze! during 2007. Most of all, the Atlantic District is committed
to engaging the world with the Gospel of hope in Christ Jesus
through every baptized member’s words and deeds.

David H. Benke, President

R7-05-02
California-Nevada-Hawaii District

In May 2006, the California-Nevada-Hawaii District met in
convention under the banner “Embrace God’s Future.” The Lord
spoke to His exiled people in Babylon, “For I know the plans I
have for you,” says the Lorp, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to
give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come
and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find
Me; when you seek Me with all your heart.” Those words brought
reassurance and encouragement to God's people at a time of great
uncertainty, even anxiety, as to what the future held. They lived in
a “hinge period” of history, bereft of the familiarities needed to face
an uncertain tomorrow.

The congregations of the CNH District live in the midst of a
hinge period as well, a time marked by a significant shift in the life
and ministry of Christ’s church in His world. Like the Jewish saints

2007 Convention Workbook