LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 133

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SYNOD REPORTS
open two PACE centers, which provide senior medical care in a daycare setting.
In these ways, God’s people in the New Jersey District have been
seeking vigorously to make known the love of Jesus Christ in word
and deed in our communities and throughout the state over the last
three years. We seek to be a vital part of the LCMS by bringing faithful witness to Jesus Christ to those who do not yet know Him and to
nurture the faith and witness of those already gathered around Word
and Sacrament.
William Klettke, President
R7-02-20

North Dakota District
“Cultivating Life in Christ: Strength for Today … Hope Forever”
is the vision statement of the North Dakota District. Its overarching goal: “The pastors and laypeople throughout North Dakota will
cultivate life in Christ by being one in Christ, Bible-based, missionminded, and grateful stewards.”
As the brokenness of this fallen world is felt throughout our world
and synod, so it is felt in the North Dakota District as well. Our pastors, laypeople, and district leaders most certainly deal with the fall
into sin every day. To this end, the North Dakota District keeps her
eyes fixed on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Heb.
12:2). Only in Christ are we given new life, reconciliation, forgiveness, strength, and eternal hope. Everything we do in the North Dakota
District, therefore, is to cultivate this life in Christ. As 80 percent of
the 88 North Dakota congregations are rural, the word cultivate is
well known to us. To cultivate means to prepare the land for seeding and harvesting. So, through every board, committee, task force,
and auxiliary, the North Dakota District is about cultivating life in
Christ. This involves the preparing, seeding, and harvesting of God’s
Word and blessed Sacraments for the faith and life of God’s people.
This past year, the North Dakota District created a Task Force on
Rural Ministry. As we met for planning, we soon realized the purpose
and goals of this task force were pertinent to all of our congregations
throughout the North Dakota District. This is what the purpose of the
Task Force on Rural Ministry was determined to be: “We know that
we have done a good job when circuits are coming together as pastors and laity, to be a catalyst for a change of mindset.” Under this
purpose, we developed three goals:
1. Networking: We know that we have done a good job when
… circuits are coming together as pastors and laity to be a
catalyst for a change in mindset.
2. Pastors: We know that we have done a good job when …
pastors are encouraged, mentored, and held accountable toward an undershepherd’s mindset.
3. Laity: We know that we have done a good job when … pastors and laity are sharing and living the vision of the Great
Commission.
As we work with rural and city churches throughout the North
Dakota District, it is our intentional focus to work on revitalizing
our congregations in mission and ministry in many and various
ways. The North Dakota District confesses with the whole church
that it is the Holy Spirit who “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus
Christ in the one true faith.” With this being said, we also believe
God has given us many tools and models for ministry in carrying out
the Great Commission. The North Dakota District realizes that one
model and set of tools does not necessarily fit all situations throughout

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the district. Therefore, the North Dakota District will be evaluating
various models and tools in which to revitalize our congregations.
This may include, but is not limited to, Transforming Congregations
Network, SPIFE, Appreciative Inquiry, and preaching and teaching
workshops.
In our work toward strengthening pastors, congregations, and circuits, we have begun a process called Excel! A number of our district
pastors have received training from Tentmakers Nehemiah Institute.
They are now leading this same process in our own district. Excel!
is meant to help pastors and congregations grow in their ability to
communicate, set mission and ministry goals and plans for their congregation, develop greater people skills, cast a vision, and get people
from the congregation actively involved in the mission and ministry of the church.
The North Dakota District is rich in mercy toward her neighbor.
In spring 2009, with state-wide flooding, Missouri Synod Lutherans
were active in their communities helping to sandbag, fix fences, carry
belongings out of basements, and give encouragement to pastors and
congregational members. With the great help from LCMS World
Relief and SYNOD REPORTS, the district was able to care for “one
of the least of these.” While the Missouri Synod Lutherans became
known as those who care about their neighbor, our love and mercy
for one another flowed out of who we are in Christ Jesus.
As we seek to be forward-thinking in our mission and ministry, we in the North Dakota District desire to strengthen our circuits.
This includes rebuilding trust and communication between pastors,
caring for one another and sharing resources among congregations,
and even evaluating new ministry models to most effectively do the
work God has called us to do. Beginning in February 2010, we have
begun to hold “Circuit Gatherings,” where we call together pastors
and laity to be in the Word together, report on current ministry taking
place in the circuit, discuss the ministry dreams of the circuit, discuss new/alternative models for ministry, and set out to evaluate and
implement these models.
While the North Dakota District is very attuned to and connected
to the mission and ministry of the Synod, it has made plans for a
“Lutheran Heritage Tour.” In October 2010, our people have been
invited to join our district president to tour our Lutheran heritage
and roots, specifically in St. Louis. We will be visiting Concordia
Seminary (including a “Bach at the Sem” concert, with a reception to follow), the International Center (a chapel service and the
CHI Historical Museum), various historical churches, Perry County,
Concordia Publishing House, and, of course, the wonderful attractions and culture of St. Louis. During our travels, we will be having
devotions that give focus to our Lutheran history.
As the Church finds herself in a post-modern, post-church era, the
North Dakota District is determined to be a light in a dark and fallen
world. We are reminded of Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with
Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the
life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved
me and gave Himself for me.” With this being said, it is the focus
of the North Dakota District to connect God’s life-giving Word to a
people who daily deal with the brokenness and pain and suffering of
this fallen world. While the fall into sin leaves all creation weak and
hopeless, the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings strength, hope, and restoration to all who believe in Him. This is the prayer, determination,
mission, and ministry of the North Dakota District. Soli Deo Gloria!
James A. Baneck, President
2010 Convention Workbook

2010 Convention.indb 133

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