|
Greetings in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
It is that time again to submit your congregation’s end-of-year statistics and update your current list of lay leaders at the following website: lc.lcms.org
If you do not have your congregation’s login information, contact rosters.stats@lcms.org or contact the LCMS Church Information Center at 888-843-5267.
The COVID pandemic has raised questions regarding how to report certain statistics for 2020, especially related to: worship attendance; Sunday school and Bible classes; vacation Bible school; and, reporting of PPP loans and other similar sources of income. Please review the short instructions in the following links that have been updated to assist with these questions:
How congregations should track attendance in this time
LCMS congregation statistics field definitions
NOTE: Do not include online engagements or views in average worship attendance. A separate survey tracking the impact of the pandemic on LCMS congregations will be sent in the coming weeks that will provide an opportunity to submit online engagement information.
Up-to-date statistical information is essential for the Synod as it plans current and future ministry efforts. Such information is also critical for determining proper voting representation at conventions. Your LCMS District office is available to assist you during this process and to encourage full participation.
Online reporting is intended to help congregations honor their commitment as members of the Synod, as confirmed by the 2016 LCMS Convention in Bylaw 1.3.4.3:
|
1.3.4.3
|
Congregations of the Synod, to enable the Synod to plan current and future ministry efforts and to lend accuracy and integrity to the Synod’s delegate representation and voting processes, agree to provide annual membership and statistical information to the Synod.
|
The lay leader list is used to send copies of Reporter and other LCMS ministry related mailings to congregation leaders. Reporter is sent, free of charge, to all Congregational Chairmen and Board of Elders Chairmen each month and will be sent to the other congregation leaders as funding permits.
Emails for lay leaders will be increasingly important as channels for critical convention communications.
While the deadline for congregation statistics is March 31, 2021, you may also review your congregation’s profile and update lay leader information anytime throughout the year to make sure your contact information, service times, and other important data are current.
Thank you!
D. Scott Kostencki
Director, LCMS Rosters, Statistics, and Research Services
|