Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 1-06
Committee: National Witness
Source: Today's Business, Issue 1
Page: p. 61
To Support Lutheran Congregations and Schools in Urban Contexts
RESOLUTION 1-06 Overtures 1-9–10 (CW, 281–82) Rationale Throughout its history, the Synod has had congregations and schools in urban contexts. Many of these congregations and schools have ceased operations or have greatly curtailed ministries due to shifts in demographics, even as more people live in urban contexts in the United States. Unfortunately, the urban congregations that exist tend to be small and lacking funds and expertise. Assisting with parish operation and governance, developing sustainable funding models, encouraging networking for mutual conversation and consolation, and encouraging workers to serve in urban contexts would be ways to invest in urban contexts so that people may continue to hear the Good News about Jesus , and so that existing congregations and schools may be supported and new congregations and schools may be planted.
Therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks for congregations and schools in urban contexts; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of National Mission (ONM) work with districts to enhance networking for congregations, schools, and workers in urban contexts throughout the Synod for the sake of sharing resources and best practices and grant opportunities; and be it further
Resolved, That the ONM work with districts to collaborate on ways to provide congregations and schools in urban contexts with administrative assistance for governance that could include payroll services, sharing a bookkeeper, insurance recommendations, strategic planning, and the like; and be it finally
Resolved, That demographic resources from the ONM ; LCMS Rosters, Statistics, and Research Services; Lutheran Church Extension Fund ; Lutheran Hour Ministries ; Concordia Plan Services ; and other data -collecting entities be encouraged to share with congregations, schools, and workers in urban contexts so that plans for outreach to people in urban contexts may be developed locally.
The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance Committee, anticipate an annual cost to corporate Synod of $30,000 in contract labor to support coordination, visitation, etc.; cost to districts in collaboration would be additional (estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).
