Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 2B. pp. 271-272. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 1-06A
Canonical number: 1-06
Committee: National Witness
Source: Today's Business, Issue 2B
Printed pages: pp. 271-272
PDF pages: 19-20
Version: revised, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 2B, pp. 271-272
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 2B, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 271
- To Support Lutheran Congregations and Schools in Urban Contexts
- RESOLUTION 1-06A
- 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 advise regarding 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
Page 272
- Resolved, That the ONM; LCMS Rosters, Statistics, and Research Services; Lutheran Church Extension Fund;
- Concordia Plan Services; and other data- collecting agencies of Synod share available demographic data upon request
- 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]).
