# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S126 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 126 SYNODICAL REPORTS the LCEF Promotion Director, and Mr. Dan Bacon as the Gift Plan- ning Counselor for the Lutheran Foundation. We give thanks to the Lord of the church for His work in and among us. It is our prayer that we be faithful to Him in teaching and preaching the Word, love each other with deep sincerity, and be aggressive with the Word that offers and gives life to a world so steeped in unbelief. Randall L. Golter, President R7-05-28 SELC District ¢ Like all the other 34 Districts, seeks to facilitate and coordinate the mission and ministry of each congregation, give direction and optimize the collective recourses of the District to open new mis- sions, protect and advocate for the well-being of both the congre- gations and all professional church workers. * Like only the English District, is nongeographic, which allows the targeting of areas of population growth for the planting of mission congregations. * Like only the Oklahoma District, has no full-time officers and no predetermined location or building as headquarters, because whichever congregation shares its pastor as SELC District Presi- dent, that church becomes the District headquarters. ¢ Unlike any other District, the name “SELC” is not an anagram; so the preferred pronunciation is as letters, “S-E-L-C,” not as the word “selc.” This past triennium, the SELC celebrated its 100th anniversary as a church body, recommitting herself to the core value of the Dis- trict: to identify, target, and execute, under the grace and power of God, the establishment of new worshiping communities. We de- sire to strengthen the ministry and outreach of each local congre- gation, while we utilize our delegated resources to open new mis- sions. To that end, the SELC 100th anniversary thankoffering is 100 percent dedicated to mission outreach, reaffirming our reasons to exist: to Show Everyone Life in Christ and to Show Everyone the Love of Christ—always SELC! Carl H. Krueger Jr., President R7-05-29 South Dakota District The 2003 South Dakota District theme, “That All May Know Your Name ...,” describes the purpose of District activities during the past triennium. At the same time those words challenge us to boldly move out into our communities and make Christ known. During the past triennium, the South Dakota District addressed the following challenges. * Remaining faithful to the Gospel—Theological Convocations were held throughout the District for pastors and laity. * Reaching the lost for Christ—Received Blessed Emmanuel, Stur- gis, as the newest member of the District and the Synod. Started a new mission congregation in Tea and explored the possibility in two other towns. The District expanded its work among the deaf and hearing impaired as well as among Native Americans, while also continuing work among Sudanese. Congregational efforts to reach the 31.6 percent unchurched in the state were promoted. « Addressing ministry issues in rural and small town congrega- tions—The District has created the Barnabas Fund to assist rural congregations and allocated money for funding a rural vicarage. The Rural Ministry Program Area helps congregations with new models of congregational/parish structure for continuing ministry. * Training of lay leadership—District-sponsored lay leaders work- shops were held throughout the state. 2004 Convention Workbook ¢ Addressing Christian and family life issues—Workshops focused on family issues were held throughout the District. The District also provided resources to pastors for family ministry. * Supporting professional church workers—Wellness among church professionals was highlighted in mailings to them, and free health screenings were offered at professional conferences. The District provides congregations with salary guidelines each year, encouraging congregations to exceed those guidelines. The District authorized the creation of a Church Worker Loan Debt Reduction Fund. ¢ Recruiting church workers—The District provided student aid for more than 60 students from South Dakota preparing for full-time church work. The District established a “What A Way” cabinet. ¢ Funding the mission—While financially supporting the mission program of the District, South Dakota exceeded our declared in- tention of the support of the Synod each year. In addition, the South Dakota District additionally supports our T.I.M. partner, Amy Hartwig Kashenov in Kazakhstan. As the Synod in South Dakota, our pastors and congregations * are committed to building one another up in our common faith as we strengthen our unity in doctrine and practice; * affirm the LCMS World Mission’s Ablaze!; * support the South Dakota LCMS-produced TV outreach “Main Street Living” on two networks in South Dakota and supplied by satellite to Good Samaritan Homes nationally; ¢ have increased our T.I.M. support; * are committed to opening new congregations, as the Lord gives us opportunity; * are exploring a formal lay leadership training program; * look to 2006 and celebrating the District’s centennial. In thanksgiving for His past blessings, the District moves into the future confident of His blessings. “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:34-35). Vernon L. Schindler, President R7-05-30 South Wisconsin District “An Unforgettable God” was the theme for the South Wiscon- sin District’s 50th convention in the summer of 2003. This theme, developed from the words of Is. 49:15-16, expresses God’s grace and mercy as the District continues to move forward in nurturing her members and acts as a backdrop for the District as she reaches out toward unbelieving people in our unbelieving world. It is the intent of God’s people in South Wisconsin to expand mission outreach all across the District. This is accomplished through the establishment and support of ministries: (1) Direct mission starts; (2) Circuit and/or individual congregation mother/daughter starts; (3) Mission outreach and expansion through cooperation with local congregations to reach people of specific ethnic, cultural, or language groups; (4) Ongoing support of specialized ministries that are reaching populations not ordinar- ily reached by existing congregations; (5) Participation in DELTO and other ethnic and cross-cultural theological education programs. Two mission starts recently became self-supporting. They in- clude Lamb of God, Kenosha and Living Word, Jackson. Two new mission starts were initiated: a Madison area Hispanic Outreach in conjunction with Living Christ, Madison, and another Milwaukee area Hmong Outreach related to Benediction, Milwaukee. South Wisconsin extended a call to Rev. Dan McMiller, a re- turning Panamanian missionary, to serve as Missionary at Large to the city of Milwaukee, with immediate assignment to Shepherd of