by Pamela J. Nielsen
We live in a world where communication is instant. Words and pictures race around the globe, going viral in seconds. Never before in the history of humanity have ideas and information had such immediate and far-reaching powers to educate, inspire, move to action and unite people across continents, oceans and borders.
The implications of this for the Church, for the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth, are breathtaking and the responsibility equally so. This faith that we confess is founded on the Word of God – a written Word, spoken first by God and then written down and repeated by men. The message of God’s Word has not changed from the first promise of a Savior for our sin-broken world made to Adam and Eve in Gen. 3:15. God’s call to His church to preach the Word, to be prepared in season and out, to teach the Word to all ages and in all places, is what drives the efforts of LCMS Communications.
Those efforts involve “partnerships” of many kinds as we work closely with the Office of the President and the Offices of National and International Mission, Pastoral Education, Church Relations, Districts and many other LCMS entities and partners. We help the Synod — all of us together — get the word out strategically about our ministries by any means at our disposal, such as print, Web, video, public relations, social media and blogs. As a department, our charge is simple: We educate, inform, interpret and highlight our Synod’s purpose, program and positions — all to promote an increased understanding of the mission and ministry of our Synod.
At the center of our efforts is LCMS.org, the official website for the Synod where you can find or link to all LCMS information outlets including our two official print publications, The Lutheran Witness and Reporter. Also, our press releases, eBlasts, Facebook and Twitter streams, video and photo blogs, ministry newsletters and blogs, printed and digital ministry resources and now Lutherans Engage the World can all be found on LCMS.org. This is information is for you, for Lutherans everywhere; in Christ, for the life of the World.