# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S110
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

110

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

twenty now, and another twelve to fifteen congregations worship fewer
than fifty members on an average Sunday morning.
The crisis situation in which we find ourselves is this: we no longer live in a churched culture but in an un-churched and de-churched
culture. This state of affairs both challenges and invites God’s people
to acquire and possess a proper ministry balance between edification
and evangelism; and most important, to become more missionary
in our posture and orientation toward those who are not Christians.
What Is Our Reflective Response to This Present Reality?
From the very beginning of time and human history, God’s fundamental mission is to save humankind; for God desires all people to
be saved and come to the knowledge of their salvation in Jesus Christ
(1 Timothy 2:4). So that His mission might be accomplished in the
lives of all peoples, God has entrusted His people with four ministries.
+ An evangelistic ministry, as they seek to evangelize large numbers
of non-Christians through their life of witness and Gospel proclamation and bring them, by God’s grace, to faith in Jesus Christ
+ A maturational ministry, as they grow up into Christ, who is the
Head of the body, and become mature disciples of Jesus, who are
also His stewards, servants, priests, witnesses, salt, light, and living letters
+ An organic ministry, as they are connected to one another in relationships that live out the “one another” admonitions of the New
Testament, with each believer using his or her gifts for the building up of the Body and for the common good
+ An incarnational ministry, so that wherever they go, and to
whomever they come into contact with, they are able to be His
ambassadors and living letters, making known His mind and word
and demonstrating His love, concern and compassion for others;
The following statements describe core, strategic focuses that will
guide the members of the New Jersey District during the next triennium as we seek to fulfill the Lord’s Great Commission (Matthew
28:18–20; Luke 24:46–49) and Great Commandment (Matthew
25:31–45; Luke 10:25–37; John 13:34–35; 1 John 4:7–12, 19–21).
Ten Strategic Focuses
Focus 1: A district-wide process that addresses the pressing issues
and adaptive challenges that are facing New Jersey District professional church workers and congregations
Focus 2: Connecting and networking with one another through a
biannual Day with the Congregational Presidents and
monthly Learning Communities, as we form and equip
ourselves for ministry in the 21st century
Focus 3: Identifying pastors for potential ministry service in New
Jersey congregations; they will be the next generation of
pastoral leaders to shape the district’s ministry culture
and lead it into the future
Focus 4: Strengthening New Jersey District congregations through
equipping resources and events that are based upon their
needs, along with the onsite or online ministry of specialized district staff; and the ministry curriculum of the New
Jersey District Leaders and Learners program
Focus 5: Extending His kingdom through the formation of lay and
pastoral missionaries, utilizing this thirty-six session curriculum
+ The Mission of God
+ Discipleship in the New Testament
+	“Body Life” as the Body of Christ, with Christ Being the Head
+ Biblical Anthropology and Culture Learning
+ Worldviews
+ Fostering Revitalization and Mission Movements

2016 Convention Workbook

Focus

6: The formation of urban church workers for labor in
densely urban congregational and mission contexts
Focus 7: To design and establish a “restart” model for densely
urban congregational ministry
Focus 8: Exploring and embracing the counsel and practices of
our ascended Lord, made known through His special
servants, given to equip His people for their work of
ministry, the ministry of the Word (Ephesians 4:11–16)
Focus 9: Developing a process to interface with, and minister to,
“at-risk” congregations so that they might experience a
new chapter of ministry
Focus 10: Exploring creative and innovative ways of ministry
configurations at the congregational and circuit levels
through strategic partnerships
District Viability Questions—the New Jersey District
+ Ecclesiastical Supervision
The New Jersey District LCMS provides resources for the district president to carry out ecclesiastical supervision as defined in the
Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws in a reasonable and timely manner.
agree/strongly agree
82.22%
no opinion
17.78%
disagree/strongly disagree
00.00%
+ Official Visits

The New Jersey District LCMS provides resources for the district
president to carry out the minimum requirements for official visits to
each of the member congregations as outlined in the Bylaws of Synod,
including coming to the pastors and member congregations at least
once every three years as a brotherly adviser, “reminding them of the
joy of serving in the mission and ministry of the church.”
agree/strongly agree
86.67%
no opinion
13.33%
disagree/strongly disagree
00.00%
+ Guidance and Support for Member Congregations

The New Jersey District LCMS provides appropriate guidance
and support to member congregations for participating in the mission God has given to the church, including how that is carried out in
the various missions and ministries of the church.
agree/strongly agree
80.00%
no opinion
08.89%
disagree/strongly disagree
11.11%
+ Congregational Services, Advice, and Counsel

The New Jersey District LCMS provides encouragement and
needed congregational services to member congregations and provides advice and counsel to member congregations struggling to
carry out their core functions.
agree/strongly agree
75.56%
no opinion
17.78%
disagree/strongly disagree
06.66%
+ Changing Needs and Circumstances

The New Jersey District LCMS adapts to new circumstances and
meets changing needs related to the mission and ministry of the
church.
agree/strongly agree
73.33
no opinion
17.78
disagree/strongly disagree
08.89
+ Financial Responsibilities

The New Jersey District LCMS meets its financial responsibilities and obligations, and receives sufficient financial resources from