LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 299

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PARISH SERVICES AND YOUTH 299

together as “the youth” and considered alike. Christ brings
them together in the midst of diversity.

The Lutheran Church — Missouri Svnod was once char-
acterized as being mostly rural people of German heritage.
This is no longer true. There is diversity in race and ethnic
background.

In our church rural people have now become a minority
and as such deserve special attention. Today's understanding
of “Missouri, Ohio, and other states” must put special accent
on “other states.” Our church is not only midwestern; we
must recognize regional differences. There is diversity due
to geography.

Individual young people look at themselves differently.
Their difference in self-esteem and world view require very
different approaches in ministry. Some respond to massive
gatherings; others prefer small, personal groups. Some want
to keep the world as it is: others want to change nearly
everything. There is diversity in the way young people
view themselves, their world, and their church.

Closely connected with this is the wide range of interests
and strong dislikes found among young people. Personal
needs expressed in “likes” and “dislikes” also shape the
ministry of the church. There is a wide diversity of in-
terests and needs.

However, the variety of voung people bound together by
the Spirit of Christ is the beauty of the church and the
assurance that God is with His people. The spectrum of
gifts. needs, and ministry approaches is a sign of hope for
the church today and a sign of promise for the future. As
we affirm this diversity, we will develop the humility to
listen to one another. We must also pray for the grace to
understand those who differ from us in their approach to
ministry. Perhaps today more than ever, a ministry with
youth is needed that affirms that there is onlv “one Lord,
one faith, one baptism.” and yet recognizes that there are
many ways to serve the Lord, Jesus Christ. This is the
direction in which the Board of Youth Ministry is working.

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?

The synodical convention at Milwaukee gave the Board
of Youth Ministry five priorities for carrying out its ministry.
In Res. 7-02 the convention commended the Board for its
direction in ministry and encouraged it to “implement its
outlined priorities.” The following is a report of these pri-
orities and some developments that have grown out of the
Board's work.

The Continued Development of a Care Ministry

“Learning through experiences” is the Board of Youth
Ministry pattern for helping youth and adults discover and
practice styles of discipleship. Several types of leadership
development activities have been structured to actively in-
volve district leaders in this learning process. Caretaker
Conferences were initiated nationally in the fall of 1971 in
nine regional conferences. Over 70 congregational teams,
each consisting of three youth and two adults. were trained
in small group learning experiences utilizing the Care Min-
istry pattern of Visit, Reflection. and Response. Teams visit
with the aged, the mentally retarded, those imprisoned, etc.,
and then reflect on their responsibilities as Christians. Re-
sponse to the visits leads to ongoing witness and service.
The teams that participated in the Caretakers Conferences
are now multiplying the pattern throughout Synod.

Many Districts conduct Encounter Schools (formerly
called LSV Schools) which are one week summer experi-
ences for youth. The Board of Youth Ministry provides
Bible study materials and training for the leaders that ties
in with Care Ministry. The design of the schools provides
opportunities for youth to:

— encounter God through worship and Bible study

—encounter youth and adults through group action and
honest sharing with one another
— encounter the world through visiting those whom they
would not normally encounter
— encounter themselves as they relate with others
The relationships developed through these encounters be-
come the basis for each participant to develop a personal
understanding of Christian discipleship.
The Board of Youth Ministry staff members consider

themselves part of the district team in youth ministry. As
requested staff members serve as consultants to District
youth boards in developing various training events and also
serve as staff for District workshops and retreats.

A Growing Emphasis on Leadership Development

A variety of leaders is needed for a diverse ministry with
youth. The purpose of the Board's work in leadership de-
velopment has been to help both adults and young people
discover some of their strengths and skills and build on these.
This is a slow process with the accent on the person rather
than the program. It frees people to be in ministry by using
their unique gifts rather than striving to fit themselves into
some preconceived idea of what a youth leader should be.

Four week-long leadership workshops have been con-
ducted each summer at different locations. Each district
also develops its own style and format for leadership de-
velopment. The Board has encouraged this by providing re-
sources in the form of planning consultation, materials, and
staff persons whenever possible.

During the biennium the staff has conducted three classes
in youth ministry at the St.Louis seminary, worked with
college personnel at other campuses to conduct five retreats
for students, and met with graduates each spring after calls
have been issued. In 1972—73 two events were offered as
special inservice training for church professionals. One of
these was cosponsored with the LCA Youth Department.

The Board has also provided encouragement and resources
for leadership in camping and outdoors ministry and was
instrumental in the organization of Outdoors Ministry —
LCMS, an association of camps and campleaders in our
Synod.

The Advocacy of a Ministry That Includes Youth
in the Main Lifestream of the Church at All Levels

One of the ongoing tasks of the church is to make it pos-
sible for young people to feel a part of the fellowship of
God's people. In part this task means making it possible
for young people to participate in the structures and decision-
making processes of congregations, Districts, and Synod.

The Milwaukee convention elected five young people as
full members of the Board of Youth Ministry. Most Districts
have now involved young people on their youth boards,
many of them as full members. The Denver convention
was the first synodical convention with young people as
special delegates, and since then most Districts have also
developed some form of youth representation at conventions.
The Board of Youth Ministry continues to encourage such
participation.

The parish is the key in involving young people in the
life of the church. Milwaukee Res. 7-04 encouraged a lower
voting age. Data on the number of congregations that have
done this is not available, but some have. The vote franchise
is an important symbol of the congregation’s desire to in-
volve young people in the decisions and ministry of the
parish. Young people need much help in feeling the worth-
whileness of being in the church. Youth/adult dialogs,
youth adult Bible studies, and youth/adult service projects
all contribute to this feeling. The Board of Youth Ministry
continues to encourage congregations to seek the participa-
tion of young people in serving alongside adults in all the
ministry functions of the church.

Some young adults have formed organizations under
various names in their effort to find a place in the church.
Milwaukee Res. 7-07 instructed the Board of Youth Ministry
to support the work and formation of these organizations.
This has been done through regular contact with the Young
Adult Communications Committee which is the national
coordinating and planning group of these loosely affliated
organizations. With the financial support of the LLL, a
consultation with 34 District leaders was held in 1972 in an
effort to encourage young adult ministries.

The Provision of Services and Materials for Particular
Needs
Lutheran Selective Service Information
In the spring of 1971 several national units of Lutheran
church bodies agreed on a coordinated response to the
needs involved in a long list of draft-related issues. The
Board of Youth Ministry was one of these units along with