To Strengthen the Synod’s Digital Witness and Congregational Connections

Page 276

1. 1To Strengthen the Synod’s Digital Witness and Congregational Connections
2. 2RESOLUTION 1-13A
3. 3Reports R1.2.5–1.3 (CW, 32–37); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, 1:26)
4. 4WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded His Church to make disciples of all nations through the
5. 5proclamation of the Gospel (Matt. 28:19–20); and
6. 6WHEREAS, Since the days when Martin Luther employed the printing press to spread the message of the
7. 7Reformation, Lutherans have sought to use available means of communication in service to Christ ’s command to make
8. 8disciples of all nations; and
9. 9WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has continued this tradition through publications, radio
10. 10broadcasting, and digital communications, including such ministries as The Lutheran Witness , KFUO Radio, Synod’s
11. 11online resources, and auxiliaries such as Lutheran Hour Ministries; and
12. 12WHEREAS, The Church receives such technologies as useful tools that may serve the proclamation of God’ s Word
13. 13while recognizing that these tools must remain servants of the Church’s mission and never replace the gathering of God’s
14. 14people around Word and Sacrament; and
15. 15WHEREAS, Many people today first encounter the Church and seek information about Christianity through online
16. 16resources, such as young adults finding—through lcms.org and Lutheran podcasts —faithful Lutheran congregations
17. 17where they may hear God’s Word and receive His gifts; and
18. 18WHEREAS, A strong and accessible online presence provides opportunities to connect such individuals with faithful
19. 19Lutheran congregations where they may hear God’ s Word, receive His gifts, and be gathered into the life of Christ ’s
20. 20Church; therefore be it
21. 21Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage the Office of National Mission (ONM) and LCMS
22. 22Communications to develop a coordinated strategy to strengthen our Synod’s digital witness to Jesus Christ that assists
23. 23those seeking a Lutheran church in locating nearby congregations of the Synod; and be it further
24. 24Resolved, That the ONM and LCMS Communications be encouraged to coordinate their efforts in support of
25. 25evangelism, outreach, and connection to local congregations; and be it finally
26. 26Resolved, That the ONM and LCMS Communications report their progress to the Council of Presidents during the
27. 272026–2029 triennium.
28. 28The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
29. 29Committee, anticipate no incremental costs as this work is already underway to strengthen lcms.org (estimate
30. 30required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).