# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S95 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 94 SYNODICAL REPORTS ¢ developing new missions and ministries * encouraging intercongregational support and cooperation * developing leaders * supporting professional workers, congregations, and schools * maintaining strategic ministries * supporting the work of the Synod * providing special ministries on behalf of congregations New Regional Structure Now Fully Implemented The reorganized regional structure, adopted by the 1997 con- vention of the District, is now fully in place. The new East Region now enables the sprawling Chicago metropolitan area to operate as a single entity, recognizing a oneness in mission and ministry while at the same time rejoicing in its cultural, ethnic, and linguistic di- versity. In addition, the addition of three new regions formed of areas that are closely tied by geography make possible increased support and enrichment of each congregation’s ministries. The new regional structure is designed for flexible response to changing congregational needs! A single Board of Mission and Ministry is responsible for all areas of congregation life, mission, and service! For the first time, mission development, stewardship life. Christian education, singles’ ministry, youth ministry, and human care ministries all will be in dialogue together as they seek to serve the congregations of the District! In addition, a new approach to the development of new mission congregations and new ministries has been developed. Four re- gional mission outreach teams replace the former District Mission Board and Evangelism Board. By placing these two ministry thrusts under one group, the outreach that leads to mission devel- opment and the actual development of that mission will flow more smoothly and be in the hands of congregations of the very region in which the new ministry will take place! New Congregational Services Staffing Closely tied to the new regional structure are the four new Ex- ecutives for Congregational Services, replacing the former Execu- tives for Program who had served the District in the past. One of the key roles of the executives ties in closely to the de- velopment of new missions and ministries as they serve as staff to the four regional ministry outreach teams. In addition, they serve a significant portion of their time as facilitators for long-range and short-range planning in congregations of the District. Above all, these staff members serve to greatly enhance the communication between congregations and the District leadership. New Ministry Initiative in Housing {In 1999 the District Board of Directors authorized a one- million-dollar loan secured from Lutheran Church Extension Fund, provided interest free (interest paid by the District budget), to support a Nehemiah-type project of housing development in the city of Chicago. Now renamed the Ezra Housing Plan, this effort involves the city of Chicago, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, and African- American churches. In similar fashion to the first Nehemiah project in Brooklyn, NY, supported by a one-million-dollar loan from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, this project will enable the creation of hundreds of quality homes for low-income, first-time home buyers. Housing sites are planned within the nearby communities of one of our congregations, giving us an opportunity to serve that new community with the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We are thrilled to be able to give this evidence 2001 Convention Workbook of our Savior’s love in caring for people’s spiritual as well as physical needs. New Ministry Initiative to Figh In early 2001 the Northern Illinois District received a grant from Wheatridge Ministries to fund in part a project aimed at disabling systemic racism in our congregations and communities! Under the tile ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF US ALL, this three-year project will train teams of God’s people within congregations and institutions of the District to deal with the still-persistent evil of racism! The first seven teams will be trained in 2001-2002. We pray for God’s richest blessings on this effort to clearly and powerfully witness to the fact that there is truly one Lord, one faith, one God and Father of us all! The Lord of the church has set great challenges before us. We look to the years ahead with great excitement and with great ex- pectations. William H. Ameiss, President R7-05-23 Northwest District “God Opens Doors.” Does He ever! The Northwest District’s emphasis directs our trust to Him who, indeed, “open doors” to reach the “lost,” people who have no knowledge of saving faith in Jesus Christ. And for the Northwest Ministry team that’s our marching orders. At our 2000 convention we celebrated our 100th anniversary by revisiting some of the wondrous doors that God opened in our “walk together.” And certainly God has blessed His Northwest District as we have seen God-pleasing expansion to en- compass 269 congregations across the states of Alaska, Idaho, Ore- gon, and Washington, and the Church of All Nations, Hong Kong. And there remain even greater opportunities before us today. At the 2000 convention the District delegates united in a first ballot vote to return Rev. Warren Schumacher to the presidency of the Northwest District for the next triennium and for his third term of office. President Schumacher accepted this call to serve, promis- ing, with God’s help, to faithfully serve the Lord and His church. The theme of that convention, “God Opens Doors,” was truly prophetic, as the delegates voted overwhelmingly for a resolution adopting the Bylaws necessary to support the restructuring of the Northwest District Board of Directors and staff. This restructuring will position the District to better assist the congregations in their pursuit of the Great Commission in the coming years. And doors did open! The delegates began by adopting a special triennium project emphasizing the expansion of ethnic ministries and inner-city min- istries in the Northwest District. The Alaska Mission Committee lay ministry program (utilizing trained lay workers in bringing the Gospel to people in remote areas) has become a model for setting up new areas of outreach mission and ministry to reach the lost in southern Idaho through the South Idaho Circuit Rider Project. And we are examining the coastal areas of Washington and Oregon as sites for a Circuit rider approach, also. With restructuring approved, setting the vision of our Lord and His church before us has brought retirement of some familiar and also new faces to the District. Rev. Lee Wendland retired, having expanded the awareness of both District staff and congregational pastors that the District really cares. Replacing Lee, but with a dif- ferent organization structure in mind, was Rev. Jerry Scansen as Pastoral Assistant to the President, with duties to oversee the call process, professional church-worker care, and as my personal as- sistant.