Workbook page: 33
PDF page: 68
Section: No public section attached
Source status: source checked / public
LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 68
2026 Convention Workbook 33 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS C. Web Our small, dedicated web team maintains the LCMS’ online presence. The current website has been visited by over 4 million users, garnering over 25 million views in the last triennium. The website consists of many thousands of pages of content offering resources to districts, congregations, and church workers to help LCMS churches and schools remain faithful in proclaiming Christ crucified. The team also manages and updates ministry pages, giv- ing pages, missionary information, and more. Over the last two years, the web team has begun evaluating the LCMS’ current web technology stack to determine the best way forward to provide a revitalized online presence for the LCMS. In the near future, the web team plans a full overhaul of the current website to better serve the mission of the Synod. D. Design The department’s design team provides “branding from the in- side out.” This team works closely with production and all LCMS ministries to provide resources that adhere to LCMS brand guide- lines while also serving the proclamation of Christ in an engaging manner. The team also designs the publications of the Synod, in- cluding The Lutheran Witness and Reporter on a monthly basis and Lutherans Engage the World and the Journal of Lutheran Mission on a quarterly basis. In all they do, they seek to point to Christ and Him crucified for the sins of the world. E. Video Video remains a key channel for raising awareness of the church’s work and teaching God’s people His Word. Over the last triennium, the team has faithfully recorded the mission work of the Synod, showing the extent of the LCMS’ care for those in need and its proclamation of the Gospel. Over the next three years, the video team seeks to increase both the quality and quantity of doctrinally sound video content for LCMS Lutherans and those beyond the Synod. New, engaging, and easily digestible videos will educate and strengthen the faith of cur- rent and potential members of the Synod’s congregations. Offering various types of content will support God’s people as they grow in and learn more about God’s Word. F. Social Media In addition to maintaining the LCMS social media presence, LCMS Communications has spent time over the last triennium evaluating and prioritizing social media activity. Over the last five years, research has demonstrated the deleterious effects of social media on users of all ages, but especially the long-term, harmful effects of social media on children and teenagers. It is incumbent upon the church to use social media in a way that mitigates poten- tial harm, even if that means a temporary reduction in overall reach. Additionally, changes in social media algorithms have increasing - ly made these platforms less than ideal for marketing and raising awareness. The LCMS social media strategy is adjusting to focus less on quantity and more on higher quality content tailored to individual platforms. This reduced cadence has already demonstrated higher engagement on posts. The strategy also focuses more on providing content that teaches rather than as a marketing tool, thus building up and encouraging God’s people. ity storytelling and photography, Engage stories often include vid- eo and audio components (engage.lcms.org). Currently, the LCMS mails just under 72,000 copies of each issue to subscribers. Since the last convention, Engage has told over 35 stories of work in more than 30 countries, requiring over 20 international trips for Communications staff. Within the U.S., Engage has shared well over 40 stories showing how LCMS ministries have partnered with LCMS districts, congregations, church workers, RSOs, and others in the work of God’ s Mission Here. Staff collected stories, photos, and videos from disasters such as hurricanes Helene and Milton and fire-ravaged Los Angeles County. Multiple stories were told of church-planting efforts in Texas, Kansas, and Wisconsin. Work with youth, whether in relation to the LCMS Youth Gather - ing, YouthLead, or Servant Events, also received significant atten- tion, among many more stories. A.4. Journal of Lutheran Mission The last triennium also saw the relaunch of the Journal of Lu- theran Mission (JLM) with the Office of International Mission (OIM). The updated digital journal now includes a peer-review process handled by the theological educators of the OIM. It stands at the forefront of a Book of Concord Lutheran perspective on mission. It includes articles submitted by OIM educators, LCMS scholars, and global partner church leaders. This year, JLM plans to publish four issues with topics ranging from justification to the practice of church planting nationally and internationally. See more at lcms.org/journal-of-lutheran-mission. B. Production Each year, the production team coordinates the work of several hundreds of projects and pieces of content created, edited, and pub- lished by LCMS Communications on behalf of LCMS ministries, districts, and congregations. This means coordinating the work of all these various groups in the common goal of directing all mate - rial published by the LCMS to the glory of Christ and for the sal- vation of souls. Some key projects over the last triennium include: • The International Church Relations Conference: An extend- ed conference booklet that included materials for theological presentations, worship, and more, as well as a book of the previous years’ conference papers and video coverage of presentations and interviews. • 2024 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music: This project included coordinating with LCMS Worship to pro- duce and design a conference booklet, a devotional sheet for every psalm, videos of keynote presentations, and more. • Digging Deeper resources: A refreshed and updated edition of the Living Planted resources that provide Bible studies, studies on vocation and Christian living, and more. • Office of International Mission (OIM) resources: Worked with the OIM to create missionary training and recruitment materials. • Conference booth at the 2025 Youth Gathering and 2025 LWML Convention: Coordinated and staffed the official LCMS booths at these two major conferences, which re- quired significant preparation months in advance as well as organizing multiple staff from multiple departments at the booths.