Black Ministry In The LCMS

 

Introduction

LCMS Black Ministry provides encouragement, assistance, advocacy, and influence to LCMS districts, congregations, and schools for synod-wide engagement in ministry to people of African American descent and other ethnic cultures. It promotes faithfulness to theology that is contextually holistic, touching lives with the Gospel through mercy care in the context of daily experiences.

Why Black Ministry In The LCMS?

Black Ministry congregations are comprised of congregations with significant African American memberships, congregations located in African American communities, or congregations with day schools who serve the African American community. (Example: There are congregations with predominately Caucasian membership and predominately African American day schools.)

Black Ministry is within the LCMS, not outside. Congregations in Black Ministry are located across the nation in the 35 Districts of the Synod. Members serve in many ways: as Circuit Counselors, Vice Presidents, members of boards of directors, on boards, committees, task forces, and on faculties at our colleges and universities.

Black Ministry is a conduit through which God is rekindling the missionary spirit in African Americans in America, to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ. It is empowered by the same Holy Spirit to be, to plan, and to act according to the commandment of God, as given in Matthew 28:18-19. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

It helps to provide leadership in the church body at every level, and to enable members to be a mature, self-reliant people in The Lutheran Church, boldly confessing Christ, administering the sacraments, and encouraging one another in lifting up prayers, preaching, and singing songs of Zion.

Black Clergy Caucus Of The Lutheran Church 

The Black Clergy Caucus (BCC) of The Lutheran Church Inc. is an autonomous organization that provides Spiritual Direction, Leadership, Fellowship and Support for pastors and congregations. It is an organization of ordained black clergy in the LCMS, striving to empower the African American Lutheran Church to minister holistically in the areas of: Evangelism, Ministerial Support, Education, Economic Development, Political Involvement and Awareness, Youth Development, Fellowship, and Recruitment. The BCC’s Vision for Black Ministry is “Empowering And Advancing The Next Generation through Communication, Ministry Focus, Ownership, Recruitment, and Revitalization.”

Who We Are

We are Ministry Focus
  • We create multi-generational dialogue between church leaders and members that leads to a “mind-shift” that strives towards engaging people who we are not currently engaging. (Acts 1:7-8)
  • We promote and encourage congregations, schools, institutions, agencies, and supporting ministries to be involved in 21st century outreach models to reach the next generation.
We are Revitalization
  • We intentionally partner with congregations, schools, institutions, agencies, and partner ministries to recreate, reorganize, and restructure in a way that effectively reaches the next generation. (Isaiah 43:18-19)
  • We encourage ministry partners to evaluate their ministry (ex. vision, strengths, weaknesses).
We are Recruitment
  • We identify individuals for professional church work and/or congregational leadership. (Matthew 9:37-38)
  • We encourage every member to recognize their responsibility and opportunity to recruit laborers for the harvest.
We are Communications
  • We keep the Church at large, including congregations, schools, institutions, agencies, supporting ministries, and ministry leaders, in touch and up to date with news and issues impacting ethnic groups within the church. (Colossians 4:7-8)
  • We strengthen and support congregations, circuits, districts, and Synod to value, highlight, and use our cultural diversity.
We are Ownership
  • We encourage congregations and partners in Black Ministry to invest financial and other resources that advance the efforts of Black Ministry for the sake of the next generation. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
  • We strategically approach agencies and institutions, in and outside of the church, to support and invest in Black Ministry.

Coalition Of Lutherans In Black Ministry   

The Southeastern District Coalition of Lutherans in Black Ministry (COLIBM) is a forum which recognizes and addresses the challenges faced in sharing the Good News about the Savior of all people with and to African Americans, especially with the Lutheran Church being a predominantly White and historically German church body. Since some LCMS districts do not have a similar organization like the COLIBM, participation is open to any LCMS congregation or individual—both youth and adults—within and outside of the Southeastern District geographic location.

Our Goals

The goal of the COLIBM is to serve as a network for communication among congregations in Black Ministry, and to promote unity, awareness, and support for Black Ministry efforts throughout the Southeastern District and the LCMS. We also encourage congregations in Black Ministry to engage District/Synod and other resources that specifically offer training in the areas of outreach, church development, and revitalization.

Conferences (Gatherings)

The COLIBM currently meets twice a year on the second complete weekend in March and the first complete weekend in October. Every COLIBM Gathering offers opportunities for:

  • Engaging Bible study and worship with Holy Communion
  • Participating in workshops and discussions for adults and youth on problem areas of ministry
  • Learning about Synodical and District policy or actions that impact Black Ministry
  • Sharing congregational news, needs, and accomplishments
  • Joining in special services, projects, and activities for youth