To Support Lutheran Congregations and Schools in Urban Contexts

Page 61

1. 14To Support Lutheran Congregations and Schools in Urban Contexts
2. 15RESOLUTION 1-06
3. 16Overtures 1-9–10 (CW, 281–82)
4. 17Rationale
5. 18Throughout its history, the Synod has had congregations and schools in urban contexts. Many of these congregations and
6. 19schools have ceased operations or have greatly curtailed ministries due to shifts in demographics, even as more people live
7. 20in urban contexts in the United States. Unfortunately, the urban congregations that exist tend to be small and lacking funds
8. 21and expertise. Assisting with parish operation and governance, developing sustainable funding models, encouraging
9. 22networking for mutual conversation and consolation, and encouraging workers to serve in urban contexts would be ways
10. 23to invest in urban contexts so that people may continue to hear the Good News about Jesus, and so that existing
11. 24congregations and schools may be supported and new congregations and schools may be planted.
12. 25Therefore be it
13. 26Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks for congregations and schools in urban contexts; and be it further
14. 27Resolved, That the Office of National Mission (ONM) work with districts to enhance networking for congregations,
15. 28schools, and workers in urban contexts throughout the Synod for the sake of sharing resources and best practices and grant
16. 29opportunities; and be it further
17. 30Resolved, That the ONM work with districts to collaborate on ways to provide congregations and schools in urban
18. 31contexts with administrative assistance for governance that could include payroll services, sharing a bookkeeper, insurance
19. 32recommendations, strategic planning, and the like; and be it finally
20. 33Resolved, That demographic resources from the ONM; LCMS Rosters, Statistics, and Research Services; Lutheran
21. 34Church Extension Fund; Lutheran Hour Ministries; Concordia Plan Services; and other data-collecting entities be
22. 35encouraged to share with congregations, schools, and workers in urban contexts so that plans for outreach to people in
23. 36urban contexts may be developed locally.
24. 37The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
25. 38Committee, anticipate an annual cost to corporate Synod of $30,000 in contract labor to support coordination,
26. 39visitation, etc.; cost to districts in collaboration would be additional (estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).