# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2010_S67 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) By God’s extravagant grace, the LCMS can be engaged in a confessional revival as we embrace the transformative, dynamic beauty of our evangelical and reforming movement in which we boldly share Christ crucified, risen, ascended, and returning. Receiving God’s comforting gifts in the Means of Grace, we are forgiven and strengthened in our baptismal and Eucharistic identity to share with everyone the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Spirit-given words of truth and Spirit-driven works of mercy, all the while prayerfully, faithfully, lovingly, joyfully, and incessantly proclaiming God’s universal justice, hope, and peace with the rest of Christ’s one Holy Church. commissioned MINISTERS LAYPERSONs  PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p James A. Sandfort, Ballwin, MO; St. John, Ellisville (MO); LCMS 66; Retired, Volunteer, Consultant. S. Volunteer Consultant, World Missions 2. C. Volunteer Consultant, Education 2; Usher 5; Pastoral Care/Communion Asst. O. BOD, SSM Health Care, St. Louis 4; Pres. & BOD, Nurses for Newborns 17; Pres. & BOD, YMCA 17; Founder, Dir., Mem., Historical Found. 17; Pres., Chamber of Commerce 17; Boy Scouts 1; Wiegand Found. 2. As we walk together in Synod, I firmly believe that Synod’s institutions of higher education have marvelous opportunities to proclaim the Gospel. For some students, this may be their initial chance to hear the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness and to see it lived. For others, there is a marvelous opportunity to be affirmed in their faith and to be able to share it in the campus community. I would be pleased to work with other regents and with administrators and faculty to facilitate this proclamation in a well-run institution. NOT AVAILABLE Greg D. Durgin, Atlanta, GA; Grace (FG); Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Georgia Tech. D. Triennial Conf. Lay Rep. 1; Cir. Lay Rep. 1. C. Head Elder 2; Treas. 4. O. Bd. Mem., In-Town Com. Assistance 2; Charity Christmas Tree Sale 5; Founder, Georgia Tech Christian Fraternity House 7. In uncertain economic times, there can be a tendency within church bodies to minister primarily to the faithful while curtailing outreach ministries. Synod has the opportunity to challenge the faithful to step up rather than step back—to adopt a missionary’s zeal, “If it will be it is up to me,” not leaving God’s work up to the Synod, the pastor, or someone else. It is up to each of us to become Christ’s personal emissary on earth and in doing so to make a Christian difference each day in every way we can. Lawrence E. Sohn, Milwaukee, WI; Mt. Calvary (SW); LCMS 72; SemiRetired Professor & Administrator, CUW. S. Rep. CUS, Conf. on Congregational Serv. 4; BHE Visitation Team to Conc. Seward 1; Parish Serv. Fl. Com. 2; Conv. Nom. Com. 2. D. Luth. Elementary School Assn. Steering Com. 1; Chm., Conv. Fl. Com. on Education 1; Ed. Supt.’s Cabinet 3. C. Pres. 9; VP 3; Bible Class Tchr. & Plan. O. Common Ground, Com. Organizing 5; Adv. & Human Rel. Com., Marquette Univ. School of Ed. 12; BOD, Luth. Living Serv. 2. PHOTO p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p Maria E. Saunders, Miami, FL; St. Paul (FG); LCMS 25; School Principal/Adjunct Professor. S. Urban Luth. Administrators. D. Bd. Mem., Conc. House of Studies. C. Principal of School. O. Chm., Bldg. Com.; SACS & NLSA Accreditation; Presenter, Various Workshops & Conf.; Writer; Consultant, Ed. Facilities; Mem.: Southern Assn. Colleges & Schools, NLSA, Assn. of Christian School Int’l., Urban Luth. School Admin., Dade Assn. of Christian Schools, ASCD, LEA; FundRaising; Adv. Com., Trinity Int’l. Univ. 2; Church Relations Com., Habitat for Humanity 3; Conc. House of Studies 5; Christian Couns. Min. 3; Various Recognitions. Jane P. Wilke, Woodbury, MN; Concordia, Kirkwood (MO); LCMS 56; Administrator of Communications, Lutheran Senior Services. S. BRTFSSG 4. D. Early Childhood Consultant 10. C. Bible Study Ldr. 3; Choir 9; Church Coun. 6. O. KFUO-AM Weekly Segment 8; Curriculum & Devotional Author 20; Luth. Ed. Assn. 5. As I look to the future of our LCMS, I see Christ at the center. I see Him touching the lonely and sick, bending to wash the feet of His disciples, and stretching out His arms on the cross so that we might be saved by His sacrifice. It is my prayer to also see us as His hands and feet, spreading the message of His love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in real and tangible ways to those who need it most. I pray that we will not simply speak the mission, but that we will live the mission. The cultural landscape of our nation has changed and so must the leadership of the LCMS. The Rev. Billy Graham once said that the Lutheran Church is a sleeping giant. If the sleeping giant is to wake up, LCMS leadership at the national level must be more inclusive of Hispanics and African Americans. 66