# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S111
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

111

its members to (1) support the mission and ministry of the church
in the district and (2) financially assist the mission and ministry of
the Synod.
agree/strongly agree
37.78%
no opinion
48.89%
disagree/strongly disagree
13.33%

rejoice in this “partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now,
being confident of this, that He who began a work in you will carry
it to completion until the Day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:3–6).
Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Steinbronn, President

+ Size and Configuration

R38

The New Jersey District LCMS finds itself to be of a size and configuration to be effective, efficient, and capable of serving all who
make up its constituency.
agree/strongly agree
73.33%
no opinion
17.78%
disagree/strongly disagree
08.89%
+ Assistance and Support for the District President

The New Jersey District LCMS provides adequate assistance and
support to allow the district president to carry out the functions and
obligations of the office of the district president as set forth in the
bylaws.
agree/strongly agree
75.56%
no opinion
24.44%
disagree/strongly disagree
00.00%
Theses on the Ministry of the Church—the Ministry
of the Word
In order that His Word, both Law and Gospel, might have free
course and be proclaimed and taught for the edifying of His people and the evangelization of those who have built their lives upon
non-Christian beliefs and narratives, His people have been entrusted
with the ministry of the Word. These five theses on the ministry of the
church will both inform and guide the members of the New Jersey
District during the next triennium:
1.

The ministry of the Gospel, the spoken Word is the highest office in the
church, and from it flow all other offices in the church—both the office
of the pastoral ministry and the office of the priesthood of all believers possess, and are called to proclaim, tell, and witness the Gospel
through the spoken Word (Deuteronomy 6:4–7; Romans 10:9–17).
2: So that all of His people might be properly and completely equipped
for their ministry of the Word, the ascended Christ gave five “Word
gifts” (Ephesians 4:11–16) to His disciples so that His Word might
accomplish His purposes through their evangelizing, edifying and missionary labors and messages (Deuteronomy 6:4–7; 8:3; Isaiah 55:11;
Romans 10:9–17; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23).
3: The nature of the church is inseparable from the ministry of the
church; consequently, a Christian’s identity and ministry is to be
understood in light of who I am in Christ (disciple, servant, steward, priest, witness, temple of the Holy Spirit, etc.) and who we are in
Christ (the Body of Christ, living stones built into a spiritual house,
a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, saints, ambassadors,
living letters, etc.).
4: The ministry of the church is to make disciples of all nations—every
ministry of the church makes sense, and has a purpose, only as it leads
to this mission.
#5: God is working out His saving plan in and through His chosen and
redeemed people and each disciple has a responsibility for advancing
the saving purposes of God in the world—so that this Gospel might
be made known, it is His will that every disciple become a wise scribe
who is able to help his or her neighbor make sense of his or her story
in light of His story—through their communication and application
of soteriological and hermeneutical wisdom (Matthew 13:11, 16–17,
51–52; 2 Timothy 3:14–17).

As with the Christians in the first century, we have this good work
that is ours in Christ Jesus, and He is the One working through us to
accomplish His saving intentions toward all people. Therefore, we can

North Dakota District
The North Dakota District consists of 87 congregations, 66 pastors, 2 Lutheran elementary schools, and 5 early childhood centers.
While these numbers are smaller compared to most other districts, the
North Dakota District consists of 71,000 square miles.
The North Dakota District’s triennial theme is “Lutheran for this
Moment.” During this triennium, we are giving particular attention in
celebrating our Lutheran DNA as being Christological, Confessional,
Sacramental, Scriptural, Homiletical, Liturgical, Synodical, and
Missional. The North Dakota District is intent on remaining faithful
to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions.
At its January 2015 convention, the North Dakota District resolved
the following outcomes:
Witness—(1) Our first outcome in Witness is to Plant and
Revitalize Congregations. Our goal is to start two new congregations
in this triennium. We called a pastor in the spring of 2016 to start the
first of the two. (2) Our second outcome is Lutheran Education. In
this outcome, we are resolved to support Lutheran education in our
churches, homes, and schools. One such way is to set 2017 as the
Year of Lutheran Education on all levels, including home, church,
school, and support of continuing education for our pastors and
church workers.
Mercy—(1) Under International Mercy Care, the North Dakota
district partners with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya
and the Confessional Lutheran Church in Chile. We are involved
in building and supporting a boarding school in Lenkishon, Kenya,
contributing toward a pastor’s salary in Chile, and giving tuition
assistance to a Chilean student attending the Lutheran seminary in
Argentina. (2) Under Local Mercy Care, the district is involved in
disaster preparedness and response, and being ready to provide disaster relief when needed.
Life Together—(1) In our Life Together, the district is committed to support, encourage, and provide opportunities for professional
growth and the personal welfare of our Ordained and Commissioned
Ministers. This is done through pastors conferences, theological conferences, and many opportunities for continued education. We are also
preparing to celebrate Reformation 2017 with Dr. Lawrence Rast as
presenter. (2) Youth and Young Adults is often event driven, which
includes district LYF, an annual middle school gathering, the Synod
National Youth Gathering and Higher Things events. (3) Stewardship
involves the ongoing education and the sharing of resources.
In addition to the above, the North Dakota District continues to
support a part-time campus ministry at the University of North Dakota
in Grand Forks. It also funds a full-time Lutheran schoolteacher in
mercy care at the Life Skills and Transitional Learning Center in
Grafton. Caring for our pastors is also a high priority, as we are able
to fund Doxology spiritual care and counsel for our pastors, largely
due to a generous district LWML grant. To continue the district’s work
in the future, the North Dakota District also appreciates the work of
a part-time planned giving worker. In addition, the North Dakota
District contributes toward the education of two EIIT Sudanese men
training for the pastoral ministry and also gives generous education
grants to men and women training for full-time church work. These
education grants are also largely supported by our district’s LWML.
2016 Convention Workbook