The Department of Rosters, Statistics, and Research Services (RSRS), reporting to the Office of the Secretary, provides the core “organ of recollection and administration” for roster, leadership, contact, and statistical information related to congregations, individual members, schools, districts, and other agencies and affiliated entities of the Synod. Some of this information is published in The Lutheran Annual or to the Synod webpage; some is utilized by districts and others in the Synod for ministry, administrative, and research purposes. The preceding three years have continued to produce meaningful changes for the department. Using updated systems and optimized processes, RSRS continues to transform from a transactional data-entry unit into a strategic information and user support provider. Noteworthy accomplishments include the following: • Implementation of two new applications to support LCMS District offices with o
the call process and general roster management of ordained and commissioned ministers—unifying, for the first time, the roster management system jointly
mapping and analysis of congregations and schools by district and circuit.