# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S116 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 116 SYNOD REPORTS congregations, Grace Lutheran in Becker, Minnesota, thereby forming Shepherd of Grace senior living complex. Workshops to assist congregations with senior ministry will be taking place with Good Shepherd Community and Church Resources of California. 3. Becoming Northern Lights—an outreach resource fair—has been held the past three years along with Tell the Good News rallies and Lutheran Hour Ministries “Equipping to Share” workshops. 4. A statewide crisis team has been established by the Minnesota North and South districts to respond to crisis situations that occur in our congregations, schools, institutions, and their respective communities. The crisis team offers spiritual, emotional, and physical support to them. 5. With the growing challenges which rural/small-town parishes/schools are facing, a task-force has been formed to address the various issues and provide resources. 6. The Minnesota North District has six mission-funded congre- gations; four campus ministries; two ministries to Native American people; one ministry to the hearing impaired; nine elementary schools; twenty-three preschool/daycare centers; and one education/retreat center/outdoor ministry (Lutheran Island Camp & Retreat Center). 7. According to resolutions from the 2003 and 2006 district conventions, each circuit of the district is to establish a Circuit Mission Committee, which is to look at their area for possible new congregation starts; promote district, national, and world missions; provide opportunities for God’s people to be equip- ped in sharing their faith; and assist each congregation in developing an intentional mission plan. 8. We have been blessed with an active and growing parish nurse program. . 9. A Mission Partners Summit Meeting was held with a represen- tative from every entity, organization, group, and position that is involved in some way in the work of the district. In the Word 1. For five consecutive years, theological conferences have been held jointly with the North Dakota District. 2. District-wide “Getting into the Word” events are being planned to encourage and help our people to study God’s Word. 3. Continued growth opportunities for pastors are being planned that will focus on preaching, teaching, visitation, and outreach. 4. All delegates to our district convention received a copy of the Bible Study: “Blessed are the Peacemakers” and were encour- aged to use it in their congregations. 5. A variety of annual retreats are held at Lutheran Island Camp & Retreat Center focused on the study of God’s Word. . + Through Christ: The message of God’s grace in Christ Jesus is more than suffi- cient for us in these changing and challenging times. His Gospel will be our power in whatever weakness we may have, in whatever trouble we may experience. The Church ever lives in the afterglow of Easter. The risen Lord is her only strength. The world of man is her field of action. “Forward in Faith” is her motto. The Word of God is her infallible tool. By the power of that Word, we know what our mission is: to proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the salvation of the world. We’re here to love others as He has loved us and to forgive as He has forgiven us; starting right here, right now! “Living and Forgiving as God’s Holy People: In Peace, In Mission, In the Word . . . Through Christ!” Donald J. Fondow, President 2007 Convention Workbook R7-05-14 Minnesota South District “It’s Time to Fish—Catch, Equip and Release!” was the theme for the 2006 Minnesota South District convention, and it serves as the theme for the current triennium. The Lord continues to challenge the district in bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to an increasing and more ethnically diverse population. The district challenges its congregations to see their communities as their mission field and to nourish, train, and equip members through Word and Sacrament to share the story of God’s love and salvation through Jesus Christ. Our goal is to plant 50 new churches in the Minnesota South District by 2017. Minnesota is now home to immigrants from various nationali- ties, and their number is increasing. In partnership with congrega- tions, the district provides guidance and support for missions among the Chinese, Sudanese, Hispanic, Hmong, Southeast Asian, Liberian, Somali, Swahili, Eritrean, and Ethiopian immigrants, as well as Native Americans and the Deaf. This work resulted in the reception of Grace International Lutheran Church, Robbinsdale, Minnesota, as a member of the LCMS. Our campus ministries are also actively involved in outreach to international students. Six im- migrant leaders participated in the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) seminary program leading to ordination. The first EIIT graduates will be ordained in 2007. In addition to our missions among immigrants, we also continue the work of planting new Anglo congregations. This effort resulted in this past triennium in the formation of two new congregations and their reception into the LCMS: Family of Christ, Rochester, and Saving Grace, Delano. New church plants have been or are being started in Circle Pines, St. Bonfacious, and Victoria. We also have entered into partnership with the Minnesota North District to plant two new congregations in Monticello, which is at the border of both districts. The increasing opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ within the district poses the challenge of raising funds to support this work. This past year, the district convention formally adopted the “It’s Time to Fish” mission initiative campaign, which is designed to raise awareness of mission opportunities within the district and to provide individuals and congregations ways to sup- port them. Through its Congregational Services Subcommittee, the district continues to provide support for its congregations and church workers. A number of theological convocations were held this past triennium, and additional ones are being planned. The subcommit- tee also implemented two senior high youth gatherings and one ju- nior high youth gathering in the district. This past triennium, the district board of directors entered into a partnership with the Minnesota North District to establish a Min- nesota State Crisis and Consultation Program. The program pro- vides for a trained crisis response team to assist the district presidents in providing a timely response and appropriate assis- tance to congregations and workers facing crises. We rejoice that several new schools were started this past tri- ennium. We now have 51 Lutheran early childhood centers, 50 el- ementary schools, and eight high schools serving nearly 9,000 students. These schools, along with their teachers and administra- tors, raise awareness of mission opportunities and provide impor- tant assistance in the task of catching, equipping, and releasing. This past triennium has provided graphic reminders of the ur- gency of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Minnesota South District commits itself to encouraging and helping congregations to catch, equip, and release, so that more Christians will be in- volved in the task of spreading the life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Lane R. Seitz, President