Workbook page: 16
PDF page: 51
Section: No public section attached
Source status: source checked / public
LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 51
Related reports
2026 Convention Workbook 16 mat at the beginning of the triennium and annual strategic plans for mission units have since been developed in con- junction with the BIM and BNM. • The office gathered information and conducted numerous interviews with district presidents, pastors, and laypeople in preparation for PFC reports included in this workbook; see Reports R13.3–6. • The office coordinated efforts to use funding from the 2023– 26 National Offering to expand available faithful Lutheran resources for Gospel witness and theological education na- tionally and internationally. The most notable CMO objectives for the coming triennium fall under the following categories: • Expanding the Synod’s mission and ministry to proclaim the Gospel of Christ, especially with the development of 2026–29 National Offering theme: Tell the Next Generation (Psalm 78:4), including efforts to give partnership grants to congregations and schools. • For ONM: Church and school planting in U.S. mission field, expansion of the Synod’s work among ethnic immi - grant groups, improved support for Lutheran education and schools, increased efforts toward evangelism by providing additional resources, and enhanced collaboration with dis- tricts and other Synod entities and agencies. • For OIM: Recruitment and deployment of LCMS and alli - ance missionaries and sustaining the Synod’s premier role in global Lutheran theological education, especially through overseas seminaries in all four of the Synod’s international regions. • For PED: Set Apart to Serve church worker recruitment ini- tiative. • For MADV: Informing and fully engaging current and new contributors who find fulfillment, gratitude, and joy in their participation in the Synod’s mission and ministry. • For COMMS: Increased reach and engagement of stakehold- er audiences and a major transition into a new and improved digital platform. • Through PED, PFC, and other Synod agencies, facilitate on- going study, analysis, and conversations regarding the Syn- od’s pastoral formation programs and routes to ordination, church worker recruitment, and continuing education. • Address evolving challenges and opportunities among the Synod’s international schools in Asia pertaining to Lutheran identity and strategic alignment with LCMS mission empha- ses and priorities. Daniel M. Galchutt, Interim Chief Mission Officer R1.2.1 Office of National Mission The Office of National Mission (ONM) coordinates and sup- ports domestic ministries that serve congregations and schools through the districts of the Synod (Bylaw 3.8.2.4). The ONM will enliven, equip, coordinate, and engage congregations, schools, and recognized service organizations (RSOs) through districts in order to enhance their local and regional missions and ministries. During this triennium, through the districts, the ONM has fo- cused on God’ s Mission Here in North America by supporting con- gregations, schools, and circuits to plant new congregations and schools, strengthen existing congregations and schools, evangelize the lost, retain the faithful, and care for workers (2023 Res. 4-02). A. Worship LCMS Worship ministry nurtures a culture of confessional faithfulness, artistic excellence, and integrity in the presentation, distribution, and reception of God’s life-giving gifts in Word and Sacrament. Accomplishments over the past triennium: • Hosted the 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music with 540 in attendance. Preparations are underway for July 12–16, 2027, at Concordia University Wisconsin. • Received a $750,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. in support of “Sing, Pray and Keep His Ways,” a five-year proj- ect devoted to nurturing child faith through Lutheran wor - ship. Rev. Sean Daenzer, Director B. Mercy Ministry Area The ONM Mercy Ministry Area takes up the work of LCMS World Relief and Human Care in North America. Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, Managing Director B.1. Deaconess Ministry LCMS Deaconess Ministry encourages and supports the for - mation and professional service of Lutheran women theologically trained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the Christian faith under the supervision of a pastor. There are 365 deaconesses on the LCMS roster, which represents an increase of 92 women over the past decade. Accom- plishments over the past triennium: • Coordination and consultation with Synod deaconess train - ing programs and RSO programs. • Created a Post-certification Applied Learning and Support (PALS) program for deaconesses in the first three years after being commissioned. Twenty-four deaconesses have partici- pated in PALS for deaconesses. B.2. Disaster Response and Training LCMS Disaster Response provides training, resources, and fi- nancial assistance to districts, congregations, and RSOs affected by disasters. Accomplishments over the past triennium: • Over 3,200 new Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) vol- unteers were trained, and over 72,000 hours were logged by all LERT volunteers. • The Basic LERT Training underwent significant revision to make it more accessible to interested volunteers. • Provided 111 grants totaling $3.43 million nationwide to support disaster relief and response (2023 Res. 3-04A). • Following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina in 2024, awarded 11 grants totaling $714,000 to assist affected minis- tries (2023 Res. 3-04A). • After Hurricanes Milton and Helene impacted Florida, pro- vided 9 grants totaling $560,000 to support recovery efforts (2023 Res. 3-04A). Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson and Rev. Michael Meyer, Directors OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS