# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S104
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

104

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

Answer

Number of
Responses
0
1
12
24
37
27
2
7
0
110

Never
Almost Never
Seldom
Frequently
Almost Always
Always
No Opinion
Insufficient Knowledge to Answer
No Response
Totals

Response
Ratio
0.0%
<1.0%
10.9%
21.8%
33.6%
24.5%
1.8%
6.3%
0.0%
100%

Does the Minnesota North District staff provide encouragement and support for our Lutheran preschools and elementary
schools?
Answer
Number of Response
Responses Ratio
Never
1
<1.0%
Almost Never
0
0.0%
Seldom
5
4.5%
Frequently
23
20.9%
Almost Always
19
17.2%
Always
29
26.3%
No Opinion
6
5.4%
Insufficient Knowledge to Answer
27
24.5%
No Response
0
0.0%
Totals
110
100%
Does the Minnesota North District board of directors provide
adequate resources for the district president or his representative
(vice-president or circuit visitor) in carrying out the minimum
requirements for official visits to each congregation and its pastor,
at least once every three years, to be a brotherly adviser, “reminding them of the joy of serving in the mission and ministry of the
church” (Bylaw 4.4.4 [d])?
Answer
Number of Response
Responses Ratio
Not Enough
13
11.8%
Adequate
51
46.3%
More Than Enough
3
2.7%
No Opinion
8
7.2%
Insufficient Knowledge to Answer
34
30.9%
No Response
1
<1.0%
Totals
110
100 %
Does the Minnesota North District board of directors provide
adequate resources for the district president to carry out ecclesiastical supervision of congregations and workers, in a reasonable
and timely manner, defined in the Synod’s Constitution as “evangelical encouragement and support, care, protection, counsel,
advice, admonition, and, when necessary, appropriate disciplinary measures” (1.2.1 [i])?
Answer
Number of Response
Responses Ratio
Not Enough
11
10.0 %
Adequate
52
47.2%
More Than Enough
4
3.6%
No Opinion
6
5.4%
Insufficient Knowledge to Answer
37
33.6%
No Response
0
0.0%
Totals
110
100%

2016 Convention Workbook

Based on what you have determined above, how do you see
the viability of your district in light of these general principles,
and to what extent is your district capable of carrying out its purpose and functions?
Answer
Number of Response
Responses Ratio
Not Viable
0
0.0%
Somewhat Viable
12
10.9%
Viable
53
48.1%
Very Viable
35
31.8%
No Opinion
1
<1.0%
Insufficient Knowledge to Answer
9
8.1%
No Response
0
0.0%
Totals
110
100%
As we move forward, it is our prayer that the Lord will lead us
to hold firmly to the Word of Truth, celebrating and cherishing our
heritage as confessional Lutherans and all that it entails, especially
as we observe the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation in
2017. May God continue to bless this small corner of His church: the
LCMS Minnesota North District. May He keep us faithful, may He
give us joy in our labor, and may He always keep our eyes focused
on the cross where He died for us and on the heavens from which He
will come again to take us home.
Donald J. Fondow, President
R32

Minnesota South District
In the last triennium, the Minnesota South (MNS) District continued its emphasis on planting new churches and ministries,
strengthening the mission of existing congregations and schools, and
building concord and harmony in the district through both our districtwide Koinonia Project and visitation on every level.
The past triennium was also characterized by significant staff
changes and additions. In 2013, Dr. William Utech joined our district staff as assistant to the president for missions, and later that year
Dr. Phil Johnson came on staff as assistant to the president for mission
formation. Their predecessors, Dr. Peter Meier and Mike Zimmer,
served the district with great effectiveness and zeal.
In 2014, we added a second assistant for mission formation, Rev.
Fred Hinz, to focus on rural and small-town congregations. Pastor
Hinz was also asked to develop an approach to public policy advocacy
in our district and now serves as public policy advocate for both the
Minnesota South and Minnesota North districts. That same year, Rick
Marko joined the staff as treasurer/business manager, succeeding Lu
Clemmensen, who had faithfully served the district for 41 years. Also
joining us in 2014 was Billy Schultz, who serves as the district’s first
full-time director of communications and missions support. In 2015,
Sean Martens began serving full time as assistant for Christian education and commissioned workers, a position he had held on a part-time
basis. We are so blessed to welcome these gifted servant leaders as
resources to our congregations, pastors, and workers.
Circuit and congregational visits in 2014−15 revealed three challenges faced by many of our congregations: declining or plateaued
worship attendance, aging membership, and financial stress. A second round of visits in 2015−16 will seek to address each of these
three challenges with grass-roots input and approaches appropriate
to different ministry settings. A 2015 district-wide survey checking
the attitudes of our pastors, workers, and lay people drew more than
500 responses and revealed both deep concerns and genuine hope for
the future of our churches and their mission.