A printable PDF can be found at the end of this article.
Definition of LWML Terms
ADVISORY PERSONNEL
Non-voting members of boards or committees, such as pastoral counselors, parliamentarian, etc.
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
The document which establishes LWML’s legal status.
ASSEMBLY OF LEADERS (AOL)
An LWML workshop for LWML leaders. The goals of the workshop are to develop leadership skills, present new programs and service projects, and to aid, inspire, and encourage leaders.
BIENNIUM
The period of two years between conventions.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (BOD)
The elected officers are voting members of the BOD; appointed officers and pastoral counselors attend as advisory members. The BOD transacts the business of the organization between conventions, conducts the routine business of LWML, and implements the program of work.
BYLAWS
The rules by which an organization functions.
CERTIFIED DELEGATE
A delegate whose membership qualifications and eligibility to serve have been verified by her district president to vote at an LWML convention, or by her zone president for a district convention.
CHRISTIAN LIFE DEPARTMENT
One of five LWML departments; it includes the Christian Life Committee and the Christian Resources Committee. The Vice President of Christian Life is the Department Coordinator.
CIRCLE
A small sub-group within some LWML local groups which meets regularly to meet a specific need.
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
One of five LWML departments; it includes the Information Technology Committee, the Official Publication Staff, and the Graphics Team. The Vice President of Communication is the Department Coordinator.
CONVENTION MANUAL
A booklet that contains the convention program and reports of officers and committees.
DEPARTMENT COORDINATOR
A Vice President assigned by the Bylaws to a specific department to coordinate activities of committees in that department. She reports to the Board of Directors regarding the program of her department.
DISTRICT
The LWML is divided into districts. Some districts encompass more than one state, others only a section of a state. (Two LWML Districts are non-geographic: the English District and the SELC District.)
EDITORIAL STAFF
The Editor-in-Chief and other editors of the official LWML publication.
eQUARTERLY
An electronic version of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly, the official publication of the LWML. Available at www.lwml.org.
facebook.com/TheLWML
The address of the LWML Facebook page.
FISCAL YEAR
The twelve-month period at the end of which financial accounts are balanced. The LWML fiscal year is April 1 through March 31.
GIFTS OF LOVE
An official LWML ministry whose purpose is to help LWML women understand the benefits of remembering the Lord’s work through well-planned, prayerfully-considered lifetime charitable gifts and Christian estate plans.
GOSPEL OUTREACH DEPARTMENT
One of five LWML departments; it includes the Gospel Outreach Committee and the Mission Grants Committee. The Vice President of Gospel Outreach is the Department Coordinator.
HANDBOOK
A document of information to assist leaders and members of the LWML, now available at www.lwml.org.
HEART TO HEART SISTERS (H2H)
A group of women and their mentors who have completed the LWML H2H Sisters training program. They are led by the LWML Heart to Heart Sisters Committee which helps to identify, develop, support, and encourage women of diverse ethnic groups to serve the Lord through the LWML and their church.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
LWML membership which is available to women who are members of an LCMS congregation with or without a group affiliated with the LWML.
instagram.com/lwmlnational
The address of the LWML Instagram page.
INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEETING (ID)
The planning and working session of LWML committees and other personnel; usually held at least once a biennium.
JOYFUL RESPONSE®
A free, electronic mite-giving opportunity provided by the Lutheran Church Extension Fund for individuals and districts of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
LCMS
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. (The acronym “LCMS” should be written without a hyphen or periods.)
LOCAL LWML GROUP
An LWML group within a congregation, on a campus, in a resident home, a care facility, a neighborhood, condo complex, or in similar settings. (See also “Virtual Group, LWML.”)
LUTHERAN WOMAN’S QUARTERLY (LWQ)
Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly, the official publication of the LWML, contains topical studies, inspirational and informative articles and features, and LWML news. May be referred to simply as LWQ or Quarterly. Also available as an electronic subscription. (See eQuarterly.)
LUTHERAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY LEAGUE (LWML)
One of two auxiliaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. [Lutheran Laymen’s League (Lutheran Hour Ministries) is also an LCMS auxiliary.] “Lutheran Women in Mission” may be used to describe the LWML, but its official, legal name is “Lutheran Women’s Missionary League” and is to be used in all official documents.
LWML
The acronym “LWML” is used when referring to the national Lutheran Women’s Missionary League organization; however, the word “national” is not placed before it. District LWML entities are referred to as “LWML district.”
LWML OFFICE
LWML Office staff personnel are located in St. Louis, Missouri. The mailing address is 801 Seminary Place, Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. LWML materials may be ordered from the office by using the toll-free phone number, 800-252-LWML (5965) or by fax at 314-505-7506. The website address is www.lwml.org; email address is lwml@lwml.org.
LWML.ORG
The address of the LWML website.
LWML SUNDAY
Traditionally, the first Sunday in October, set aside by LCMS to give recognition to the LWML; however, it may be observed on any Sunday in October. Promotional materials and a special worship service may be downloaded from the LWML website or ordered from the LWML Office.
MARKETING TEAM
The Marketing Team provides support through intentional programs, products, and services of the LWML. It seeks to engage LWML women in innovative ways to promote the LWML.
MEETING MANAGER
An appointed officer who develops and administers meeting service support for all LWML events as directed by the President.
MISSION GOAL
A financial goal, adopted at each LWML convention and each LWML district convention, to fund mission grants and administrative expenses.
MISSION GRANTS
A portion of mite funds, designated by delegates to district and LWML conventions, that supports mission needs around the world.
MISSION GRANTS BANK
A list of approved mission grant proposals not adopted for funding at an LWML convention. This list is distributed to district presidents and Gospel Outreach Vice Presidents or Chairmen for consideration as district grants.
MISSION STATEMENT
A statement of purpose. The LWML mission statement is: As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others.
MITE BOX
A small box designed to hold offerings to support the mission grants and the program of the LWML.
MITES
Monetary funds donated to the LWML to support the mission grants and the program of the LWML. The term “mites” comes from the biblical story of the widow’s mite, found in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4. Mites are gathered regularly and prayerfully.
ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
One of five LWML departments; it includes the Church Workers in Mission Committee, Group and Leader Development Committee, and the Structure Committee. The Vice President of Organizational Resources is the Department Coordinator.
PAST DISTRICT PRESIDENT (PDP)
A woman who has served as an LWML District President.
PAST LWML PRESIDENT
A woman who has served as an LWML President.
PASTORAL COUNSELOR
An LCMS parish pastor serving in an advisory capacity to the LWML.
PINTEREST.COM/THELWML
The address of the LWML Pinterest account.
PRAYER SERVICE
A special worship service provided annually and available on the LWML website and from the LWML Office.
PRESIDENTS ASSEMBLY (PA)
The Presidents Assembly is comprised of the LWML President and district presidents. The members of the Board of Directors serve in an advisory capacity. The PA promotes the activities of the LWML and approves business that goes in front of the convention body for vote.
PRIMARY TARGETS
LWML organizational goals for each biennium. They may be found on the LWML website.
PROCEDURES MANUAL
A document for LWML containing job descriptions and procedures for officers and other personnel.
PUBLIC RELATIONS (PR) DIRECTOR
An appointed officer who interacts with LCMS entities to inform them of the mission and ministry of the LWML and to develop partner relationships. She leads the process of disseminating information regarding the full scope of the LWML’s work through accurate and effective communication.
QUARTERLY
See Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly and eQuarterly.
RALLY
A gathering of members in a zone, hosted by a unit or local group, for the purpose of spiritual growth, sharing objectives and programs of the LWML, and for fellowship, inspiration, encouragement, and training. A rally may be called by other names, such as “Spring Fling,” “Fall Festival,” or other creative and inviting titles.
RETREAT
A planned opportunity to withdraw from normal routines for fellowship, as well as spiritual and physical renewal. Retreats vary in length from a few hours to several days.
SPECIAL FOCUS MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT
One of five LWML departments; it includes the Committee on Young Women, Heart to Heart Committee, and the Special Ministries Task Force. The Vice President of Special Focus Ministries is the Department Coordinator.
STANDING RULES
Rules related to the details of the administration of the organization rather than to parliamentary procedure. Standing Rules do not need approval from the Structure Committee or the voting delegates at LWML conventions.
STRATEGIC PLAN FACILITATOR (SPF)
An appointed officer who is responsible for focusing the LWML vision through the planning process.
STYLE GUIDE, LWML
The LWML supplement to The Official Stylebook of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and The Associated Press Stylebook. It includes exceptions and organization- specific additions and supersedes any with which they are in conflict. The styles are to be used in all LWML publications and communications. The LWML Style Guide may be found on the LWML website.
twitter.com/TheLWML
The address of the LWML Twitter account.
UNIT
All groups within one congregation, campus, resident home, or other setting that are affiliated with the LWML.
YOUNG WOMAN REPRESENTATIVE (YWR)
A young woman chosen to attend an LWML convention as a non-voting guest. The intent is that the experience will strengthen her relationship with God, educate her about LWML, and motivate her to become an active participant and promoter of the LWML among her peers. Districts send YWRs to LWML conventions. Some LWML districts host a similar program within their district.
youtube.com/TheLWML
The address of the LWML YouTube account.
VIRTUAL GROUP, LWML
An LWML group that conducts its regular meetings over the Internet.
VOTING MEMBERS
Members of an LWML group who have voting privileges at LWML meetings or conventions, as defined by that group’s bylaws.
ZONE
Several local LWML groups that are grouped together in the same general geographic area within an LWML district. Zones may or may not cover the same geographical area as do LCMS circuits.
