LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 143

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DISTRICT AND CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 143

United States or approximately 15 percent of the U.S. population;
and

WHEREAS, This has been a population that the LCMS has strug-
gled to evangelize through its ministries; and

WHEREAS, The President’s Blue Ribbon Task Force for His-

panic Ministry (BRTFHM) appointed in June of 2006 operated -

with very limited resources and time to address comprehensively
and evangelically the possibilities for bringing vigor and strength to
this part of the LCMS’ ministry; and

WHEREAS, There are significant implementation challenges fac-
ing the LCMS in Hispanic ministry; therefore be it

Resolved, That the work begun by the 2006 BRTFHM be ex-
tended for at least the next triennium with specific focus on the de-
velopment of a strategic plan to invigorate Hispanic outreach for
the LCMS; and be it further

Resolved, That a full report on the long range strategic ministry
pian for Hispanic outreach and ministry be presented at the 2010
convention.

St. Paul, San Antonio, TX; St. Peter, Brooklyn, NY;
El Calvario, Brownsville, TX

2-14

To Encourage Hispanic Ministry Staffing and Funding

WHEREAS, The Scriptures lift up a vision of the Church being
made up of people from all tongues, languages, and nations (Rev.
7); and

WHEREAS, The Lord has commissioned us to be about the task
of making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28); and

WHEREAS, The LCMS in convention approved the Ablaze!
movement that challenges partner churches, districts, and congre-
gations to make Gospel sharing contacts with 100 million
unchurched people by the year 2017; and

WHEREAS, The Hispanic population of the United States is the
largest minority ethnic group in the nation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Texas District office appropriately staff to
support mission work among Hispanics; and be it further

Resolved, That the Texas District Web page be made inviting
to Spanish-speaking people as soon as possible; and be it further

Resolved, That the Texas District convention memorialize the
2007 LCMS convention to make its Web page inviting to Spanish-
speaking people as soon as possible; and be it further

Resolved, That the Texas District convention memorialize the
2007 LCMS convention to encourage Synod staffing to support
mission work among Hispanics; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Texas District evaluate and develop ethnic
ministry funding models that support and encourage effective eth-
nic ministry.

Texas District

2-15

To Create Position of Director for Strategic
Development of Hispanic Ministries

WHEREAS, The Hispanic population of the United States contin-
ues to increase, now numbering 44.7 million Hispanics in the
United States or approximately 15 percent of the U.S. population;
and

WHEREAS, This has been a population that the LCMS has strug-
gled to evangelize through its ministries; and

WHEREAS, The top recommendation from the National Hispanic
Summit (a group convened by the Synod’s President that included
key executive synodical leadership, key LCMS Hispanic leaders,
as well as the Blue Ribbon Task Force for Hispanic Ministry
[BRTFHM)) for invigorating and providing focus and direction to
the LCMS’ efforts in Hispanic ministry and outreach was the call-

ing and placement of a Director for Strategic Development of His-
panic Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Ministry with Hispanics is a “whole church” issue
and not simply a ministry of LCMS World Missions; and

WHEREAS, There is no person, entity, or unit within the LCMS
that can ¢urrently provide the leadership and direction for this ef-
fort; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention authorize the creation
of the position of Director for Strategic Development of Hispanic
Ministries as soon as possible; and be it further

Resolved, That, until the most appropriate organizational loca-
tion is determined, the Director for Strategic Development of His-
panic Ministries work under the auspices of the President’s Office;
and be it further

Resolved, That to engage the participation and support of the
entire Synod and facilitate the impact, development and desired
progress, this position shall be funded in the estimated amount of
$300,000 annually by a combination of line items from the bud-
gets of all program boards and commissions to fund the work of
the Director for Strategic Development of Hispanic Ministry on be-
half of that program board or commission; and be it finally

Resolved, That the evidence of this position’s efficacy and value
to the LCMS be based on greater participation by existing Hispanic
and Anglo congregations, LCMS circuits, and districts in cross-cul-
tural ministry with Hispanics as measured by a greater emphasis
on Hispanic leadership development, an increase in the number of
Hispanic ‘church plants, and new Latino members coming into the
LCMS.

St. Paul, San Antonio, TX; St. Peter, Brooklyn, NY;
El Calvario, Brownsville, TX

2-16

To Revise Bylaw 3.8.6.1 to Increase Board for District
and Congregational Services Membership

WHEREAS, Our heavenly Father has given to all His children
through faith and Baptism a “diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit”
(1 Cor. 12:4); and

. WHEREAS, God has set them as members of the body of Christ,
His Church, “each one of them, in the body just as He pleased”
(1 Cor. 12:18); and

Whereas, “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some
prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers...for the
edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-12); and

WHEREAS, The Board for District and Congregational Services
(DCS) needs representation from the breadth of the members of the
body of Christ with the fullest diversity of gifts so that they might
serve “with districts in assisting congregations to develop and fos-
ter vibrant ministries to bring the saving, life-giving Gospel of
Jesus Christ to the sinful, dying world” (DCS purpose statement),
by “proclaiming the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ; nurturing chil-
dren, youth, and adults; developing leaders; and cultivating stew-
ards” (DCS statements of direction); and

WHEREAS, The board needs its members, collectively, to have
experience in the fullest range of ministries and to have the capac-
ity to respond flexibly to the changing needs of districts and con-
gregations; and

WHEREAS, All members of the board are required to be active in
their individual congregations, as members of the body of Christ;
and

WHEREAS, The present wording of Bylaw 3.8.6.1 unduly re-
stricts the freedom and flexibility of the Synod in convention to
choose for service on the board those servants of Christ with di-
verse and specialized gifts and expertise, as needed; and

WHEREAS, Broadening categories of board membership imme-
diately, effective with the election process of the 2007 convention,
will eliminate no one currently nominated for election to the Board;
therefore be it