INVOLVEMENT

Welcome to the INVOLVEMENT page of the  Lutheran Activities Organization.  LAO, as it is called, is a nation wide Christian Network providing members of the LCMS with a mechanism to develop Christian friendships within and outside their home Congregation, Circuit or District.

Within the continuous United States including Alaska and Hawaii, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has divided itself into 35 Districts.  Depending on location and congregational density these districts may encompass an entire state or portions of multiple states.  These Districts are then subdivided further into Regions.  In some cases these Regions are then are subdivided even further into Circuits.  Again depending on geographic location, proximity to other LCMS congregations and congregational density these Circuits will consist on average between 5 and 10 congregations.

Here at LAO we have a Micro and Macro view of our mission.  The Micro view would be that activities, outings, retreats would be developed and encouraged at the Circuit and Regional levels.  As these events develop and mature they would expand to include neighboring Circuits and ultimately the District as a whole.  Example:

• AMUSEMENT PARK:            Most congregations plan an annual “Youth” outing to the “neighboring” amusement park (Cedar Point, Kings Island, Six Flags, etc.)  So why not coordinate with the other congregations in your Circuit or Region to go on the same day.
• Post the destination and Date on the LAO website for other interested congregations (or individuals) to participate in
• Invite other demographics (Jr. Youth, Families, Singles, and Seniors) for the same day or plan separate days for these other demographics.

• RETREAT:                           Often the ability to host or attend a retreat depends on three main things.
• Facilities and or location of retreat
• Retreat Facilitator or Leader and
• Sufficient number of interested persons in the demographic of interest.

Generally the “a” and “b” take the same amount of work or effort to research, develop and or identify weather you have 20 persons attending or ~100.  What becomes a hindrance for any congregation is that there may not be enough of a specific demographic to ever host a retreat for that demographic, say Single Moms or Father & Sons.

How can you help?

1. Check the LAO website on a regular basis ( Be the LAO representative to your congregation)
2. Encourage your congregation to post annual activities (like annual camping outings) on the LAO website
3. When your congregation plans an activities, outings or retreats see what can be done to include the other congregations of your circuit and post it on the LAO website (we would like it posted for 3 months prior to registration closure).
4. As you develop a relationship with the other congregations in your Circuit encourage them to follow your example.