# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S116 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 116 SYNODICAL REPORTS the 150th anniversary of our founding. Interestingly enough, until 1947 our Synod was known as the “Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States.” Ohio therefore was a key player from day one, with St. John’s, Marysville (Neuendettelsau) and Zion, Wilshire (Schumm), being numbered among the founding congregations. F. C. D. Wyneken, who was characterized by one as “transversing the area as a winner of souls,” and who is buried in Cleveland’s Lutheran Cemetery, was instrumental in planting congregations in those early days. Pastor H. C. Schwan of catechism and Christmas tree fame was another Ohio pioneer. John Adam Detzer, who joined as an advisory member in 1847, founded some 18 congre- gations in northwest Ohio. Other founders of Synod in 1847 in- clude F. W. Richman of Lancaster, Ohio, Trautmann of Port Clin- ton, Ohio, and J. E. Schneider of Marion, Ohio. “Casting the Vision” was the theme of the 1997 Ohio District convention as it set its eyes on doing ministry and outreach in the 21st century. For today the Ohio District sees itself not as a pro- gram body, but as a service organization called to serve and support congregations and workers, one at a time, in their ministry of out- reach and nurture. Today church-planting starts with local and area congregations, mission associations, and Circuit endeavors. Out of this initiative several new congregations and mission stations have been formed each year. City ministry remains a priority, with the District sup- porting and encouraging congregations in writing strategic plans and undertaking new initiatives. Human care ministries continues to focus on sensitizing workers and congregations to the physical needs of people. In addition to providing grants for new and exist- ing social ministries, outreach is not an option but the mission and purpose of God’s people. Forty-nine early childhood ministries, 23 elementary schools, and 2 high schools are part of our education thrust. Youth min- istries is a high priority implemented through a youth network and a youth ministries coordinator. One of the annual highlights is the Junior Youth Gathering, which brings 500 different youth to a state park for two weekends in a row. P.R.O.M.P.T., Puerto Rico and Ohio in Mission Partnership To- gether, is a strong and continuing partnership with LCMS World Missions, supported with over and above gifts from District soci- eties and individuals. This mission beyond our shores calls for a base of ministries at Mayaguez along with four congregations in outlying areas. Healthy workers and their families serving healthy congrega- tions remain a key. The District’s Ministerial Health Commission proactively continues to bring support and resources to help our workers and their families be the best possible. One essential Dis- trict goal is to provide a full-time minister who will serve workers and their families in the area of ministerial health. It is the Lord’s mission, and He provides the resources to carry out His work. The Ohio District is blessed with a gift planning counselor who continues to assist people in direct giving, deferred giving, and planned giving. The Ohio District is congregations and people. The Ohio Dis- trict as an organization and as a competent and dedicated staff has only one purpose, to serve and equip congregations in order to be effective in outreach and nurture. The bottom line is the mission, bringing the Gospel to the hurting and the lost. In the current trien- nium the Ohio District is looking at its structure, our organization, and the way we do business, talking about staff roles whether resi- dent or dispersed, shaping the Board of Directors into an outcome based governance model, and examining the functions of boards and workers. Restructuring is never an end in itself, only a means by which mission and ministry are enhanced. The Ohio District Lutheran Church Extension Fund continues to provide loans for new and established ministries alike. During this triennium the ODLCEF significantly changed the pattern of min- istry for new mission starts. Gone is the old paradigm of buying land based on demographics and speculation or hopeful intent. A new Advance Site Program has been instituted that takes into ac- count the mission congregation’s growth, its ability to help with the land selection, and the purchase of land at no cost to the con- gregation. The land is free. In addition, new interest rates were es- tablished for mission churches, so the burden of building their first structure will not be financially threatening to the growth and min- istry of the mission. Greater flexibility in Residence Assistance Loans to rostered church workers has greatly enhanced the worker’s ability to secure appropriate housing and improve the quality of life for the family. The Ohio District Lutheran Church Extension Fund continues to enhance the ministry of the District beyond what is normally expected, to color outside the box. We thank God for this very active partnership Where is God leading the Ohio District in the 2] st century? In one sense it is the proclamation of the faith and message which was ours at the founding a century and a half ago. But the scene is dif- ferent today. Congregations are much more focused on their needs, ordained and commissioned workers enter the scene of their min- istries with a great diversity of gifts, ethnicities are an essential part of strategy, family values and family ministries are a top priority, seekers looking for spiritual answers abound, and in the eyes of the world the church is irreverently regarded as irrelevant. In this chal- lenging setting opportunities for mission and outreach abound. For the Ohio District Phil. 3:12—14 says it all: Not that I have al- ready obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do forgetting what lies behind and straining; forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heav- enly call of God in Christ Jesus. Ronald L. Bergen, President R7-05-25 Oklahoma District The Oklahoma District is a fellowship of congregations com- mitted to lead people into a dynamic, living relationship with Jesus Christ. We have accepted the challenge to move from mission statement to active mission in Oklahoma and around the world. Our commitment remains to train and equip laity in parish leadership, attract the unchurched, retain our excellent church workers, de- velop funds to accomplish our mission, and continually structure ourselves to accomplish our mission. Every day we bring the Gospel of salvation to the world where we live. Our District convention last April affirmed that. Oklahoma District produced commercial air on Oklahoma television stations, work among Hispanic peoples grows, new ministries will rise up around our cities. Laypeople receive theological education, profes- sional church workers receive financial assistance to pursue ad- vanced degrees. We thank God for the spirit of working together that exists among our congregations. The people of Oklahoma look forward to the challenges of the future, eager for the opportunities God holds before us, daily promising our faithfulness to Him. William R. Diekelman, President R7-05-26 Pacific Southwest District “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil—to give you a hope and a future.” With that key verse from Jeremiah 29:11, the Pacific Southwest District gathered in convention under the theme “Embracing the Future.” While we are a future-focused District, we are also deeply conscious and ap- preciative of our past. Ours is a rich heritage. We gladly stand where Lutherans must always stand, firmly founded on the Scrip- tures and the Lutheran Confessions. They define who we are and how we go about our task. We have pledged ourselves not to move from that foundation. But we have also committed ourselves to be a church, not just standing, but a church on the move. We dare not become so enam- ored of the past that we fail to move into the challenges of the fu- ture. The future will certainly bring with it changes and enormous challenges. To meet the challenge of the 21st century, the Pacific Southwest District carefully considered how to structure ourselves to be most effective in the days yet to be. After three years of much