LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 19

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SYNOD REPORTS
learn the art of effectively caring for the souls of those to whom they
minister from a Lutheran theological perspective. They reflect God’s
mercy and compassion as they offer support and care, bringing words
of forgiveness, life, and hope through Jesus Christ.
In the last triennium the LCMS has become responsible for the
endorsement and support of Synod’s VA hospital and Federal Bureau
of Prison chaplains. In addition, the LCMS has discontinued a joint
ecclesiastical endorsement process with the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America in light of the ELCA’s decision to authorize the
ordination of those who live in openly gay and lesbian lifestyles. At
the request of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), we
have shared our endorsement standards with them and opened the
door for NALC candidates to use our process as the NALC endorses
its own candidates.
Specialized pastoral ministry looks forward to the ability of the
LCMS to extend divine calls to those who serve in these ministries,
just as the LCMS extends divine calls to those who serve in activeduty military chaplaincy.
Life Ministry

Understanding that all human life is sacred, LCMS Life Ministries
provided free online resources, a speakers’ bureau, and contributed
to numerous Synod publications. To observe the 40th anniversary
of Roe v. Wade, Life Ministries sponsored the first-ever LCMS
Life Conference in Washington DC, “Lutherans and Pro-Life
Advocacy—Good and Acceptable Service,” based on 1 Timothy 2:1–
4. Instrumental in bringing the largest number of Lutherans ever to the
2013 National March for Life, the goal was to promote a more pronounced Lutheran voice in the public square on life issues.
Life Ministries continued to represent the LCMS on the National
Pro-life Religious Council and coordinated the LCMS Sanctity of
Human Life Committee’s work. Life Ministries also provided consultation and domestic grant assistance for congregational pro-life
mercy projects.
Increasing hostility to religious freedom and life concerns surrounding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
required Life Ministries to publish nonpartisan online statements and
a national op-ed article reinforcing President Harrison’s congressional
testimony on the PPACA Birth Control Mandate. Life Ministries also
contributed to a Heritage Foundation panel on women’s concerns and
infringement on religious freedom from the birth control mandate.
Critical and impending threats to sanctity of life, traditional marriage and family, and religious freedom to speak on these issues will
require increased emphasis on public advocacy and involvement.
LCMS Life Ministries will continue to serve as a resource on these
issues to the “Free to Be Faithful” campaign and the LCMS Office
of President.

school nurses, and additionally by nurses in our partner churches
internationally.
Health Ministries coordinates the LCMS Disability Task Force
efforts to encourage and provide resources to congregations seeking
outreach to those with disabilities and their families. The group is
comprised of professionals in various disciplines affected by or contributing to a healthy ministry with and to those with special needs.
Concerns surrounding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act (PPACA) and the PPACA Birth Control Mandate will require continuing communication and ongoing coordination between LCMS
leadership, Concordia Health Plans, and LCMS Health Ministries
as we seek to promote affordable health care for all while navigating
the uncertainties of changing health care regulations and increasing
threats to our religious freedom.
Future Direction of Ablaze! Goals

2010 Res. 1-02 “To Provide Guidance for Future Direction of
Ablaze!” resolved to encourage congregations and members not to
extinguish the Spirit’s fire as the Board for Mission Services re-evaluated plans for the future. With the restructuring of the Synod, the
Board for National Mission and ONM have taken up the task of keeping the Ablaze! goals and priorities alive.
In September 2011, the Office of the President hosted a National
Mission Conference, the purpose of which was to engage in dialogue with relevant stakeholders about the work of the Office of
National Mission and how it can best support the work of districts
and congregations.
Prior to the conference, districts reported the following results
from the Ablaze! goals of planting and revitalizing 2,000 congregations by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation:
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How many new mission congregations have been planted since 2004?
343
How many of these are still active in 2011? 295
How many new mission congregations do you plan to start within the
next five years? 337
How many congregations have participated in a revitalization workshop? 250
How many congregations will participate in a revitalization workshop
within the next five years? 418

ONM believes that revitalization is the key, so much so that it is
focusing its revitalization efforts around the other mission priorities,
lifting up the mission priorities of the Synod (including the goals and
priorities of Ablaze!) so that districts and congregations can be supported in spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth:
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Health Ministry

LCMS Health Ministries continued to serve as a catalyst, encouraging districts and congregations to care for both the body and soul
of their members and communities in the name of Christ. As a leader
in the national parish nursing movement, LCMS Health Ministries
coordinates the popular parish nurse program in all 35 districts. Parish
nurses serve congregations and communities by encouraging care of
body and soul, and support the work of the pastoral office through
assistance with shut-in visitation, senior ministry, and hospital visits. Regular e-mail list serves, e-newsletter publications, quarterly
regional phone conferences, and individual mentoring have encouraged increased and robust networking among parish nurses, helping
to maintain a standard of professional excellence and theological
integrity. Work has begun to develop remote-learning, Web-based
continuing education modules for dual use by domestic parish and

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Plant, sustain, and revitalize Lutheran churches
Support and expand theological education
Perform human care in close proximity to Word and Sacrament
ministries
Collaborate with the Synod’s members and partners to enhance mission effectiveness
Promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being
of pastors and professional church workers
Enhance early childhood, elementary and secondary education, and
youth ministry

Revitalization brings the mission priorities of the Synod to life
in exciting and innovative ways. The faithful confession of Christ
crucified is preached and lived in the church. The church loves
the neighbor. We partner to expand our work. We love our workers. Our schools thrive. Youth are engaged in the life of the church.
Congregations see new opportunities to share the gospel and plant
churches. This keeps the goals and priorities of Ablaze! at the heart
of our work.
2013 Convention Workbook