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PDF page: 52
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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 52
2026 Convention Workbook 17 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS through congregational health ministries. Accomplishments over the past triennium: • Collaboration with the LCMS Parish Nurse Council that co- ordinates the districts’ parish nurse leaders and health initia- tives; supported the annual meeting of district parish nurse representatives. There are currently 277 parish nurses serv- ing in 33 districts. • Created mental health resources (see the separate Report R60 on 2023 Res. 3-03A). B.7. Recognized Service Organizations The granting of RSO status by the Synod signifies that a service organization, while independent of the Synod, fosters the mission and ministry of the Church, engages in program activity that ex- tends the mission and ministry of the Synod, is in harmony with the programs of the boards of the Synod, and respects and does not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of the Synod (Bylaw 6.2.1). These organizations serve nationally and internationally as they extend the mission and ministry of the LCMS by providing acts of mercy, witness, and education. There are currently 339 RSOs. Over the past triennium, 95 organizations have received status, of which 30 were new organizations applying for RSO status and 65 were renewing RSO organizations. There were 47 RSOs terminated of RSO status and four applications were denied. Deaconess Dorothy Krans, Director B.8. Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry Specialized Pastoral Ministry (SPM) was renamed as Special- ized Spiritual Care Ministry in 2023 to reflect the variety of spe- cial contexts the ecclesiastically endorsed rostered church workers serve in, such as civilian chaplaincy roles, counselors, and clinical spiritual care educators. These workers bring the love of Christ through compassionate spiritual care to individuals in hospitals and health care facilities; long-term care facilities; senior communities; prisons; law enforcement, fire, and rescue agencies; disaster re- sponse; and workplaces. Accomplishments over the past triennium: • Ecclesiastically endorsed 25 church workers. • Three calls issued through the Board for National Mission. • Launched Lutheran Visitation Education, a distinctly LCMS training program for rostered church workers that is rec- ognized as a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) equivalent course. • Distributed 34 Prison Ministry kits to inmates and LCMS prison chaplains for visitation, services, and pastoral care. Plans for the next triennium: • Continue to train workers through Lutheran Visitation Edu- cation annually. • Provide resources and training for Prison Ministry with the generous support of the LWML (2023 Omnibus Res. A). Rev. Brian Heller, Director B.9. Worker Well-Being The Synod’s fifth mission priority is to promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, financial, and physical well-being of pastors and professional church workers. Accomplishments over the past triennium: • Collaborated with Concordia Plan Services and districts to B.3. Family Ministry The seventh LCMS mission priority is to strengthen and support the Lutheran family in living out God’s design. Accomplishments over the past triennium: • Created over 100 resources to encourage family devotions (2023 Res. 12-02, Res. 12-05) and other supports to the fam- ily. • Developed Created Male and Female resources to address sexual orientation and gender identity; engaged youth on this topic at the LCMS Youth Gathering (2023 Res. 1-04A). • Holding a Family Summit on Manhood/Fatherhood in spring 2026 (2023 Res. 12-05). Plans for the next triennium: • Encourage congregations, districts, and RSOs through new and existing initiatives targeted to Tell the Next Generation. • Continue to provide Created Male and Female resources. • Create resources to support the family. Rev. Andrew Becker, Manager B.4. Grantmaking ONM offers grants to aid LCMS congregations, RSOs, and dis- tricts to vigorously make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches and communities. In the past triennium, ONM awarded 74 national development grants totaling $1,626,251.67 to benefit projects throughout the U.S. Deaconess Maryann Hayter, Manager B.5. Life Ministry Through LCMS Life Ministry, the Body of Christ comes to- gether to value all human life—from conception to natural death. LCMS Life Ministry speaks up for life, cares for people in body and soul, and teaches about the sanctity of human life. Accomplish- ments over the past triennium: • In 2023–25, the Life Ministry matching grant program gave 61 grant awards to congregations and districts to sup- port education, advocacy, and local pro-life human care ef- forts with emphasis on beginning of life needs. Estimates are that 38,100 people were served by 2,512 volunteers. LCMS grants totaling $500,496.75 were disbursed to match congregational contributions of $618,083.12 for a total of $1,115,579.87 (2023 Res. 3-01). • Facilitated LCMS participation in 42 different Marches for Life at the national, state, and local level. The estimated number of participants in 2024–25 is 4,780 Lutherans. • Published podcast episodes, conference sessions, and re- sources to respond to human trafficking (2023 Res. 3-02A). • Held a conference in 2025, conducted webinars, provided training, and published new resources (2023 Res. 3-01). • Consulted and collaborated with the Commission on Theolo- gy and Church Relations to address abortion and use of fetal tissue in vaccines (2023 Res. 11-04). Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, Director B.6. Health Ministry LCMS Health Ministry works to support and promote Christ-centered health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit