LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 134

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134

SYNOD REPORTS

R7-02-21

North Wisconsin District
The North Wisconsin District’s 2006–2009 triennium was a time
of change, not only with a new president, Rev. Joel Hoelter, but also
with the transition to a different model of governance for the board of
directors and staff. Using policy-based governance, we have worked
intentionally to create a more responsive atmosphere and vehicle for
conducting the work of the Kingdom through and among the congregations, schools, and ministries of the district. As a result of this work,
a number of congregations have begun to implement the same type
of governance to make them more effective in ministry.
Two major emphases have been initiated in the last two years.
Transforming Congregations Network (TCN), focusing on leadership accountability, has become a growing part of our work. A team of
trained consultants from within the district is leading the way. Several
congregations have already either committed to or anticipate beginning the two-year focus of TCN. The district is committed to helping
congregations reverse the trend of decline in membership and worship
attendance that is affecting a majority of congregations in the Synod.
Nearly half of the congregations in the North Wisconsin District are
in dual-parish relationships, many of those in small communities and
rural areas. Along with TCN, we are working to strengthen the ministries in rural areas through specific events and materials that are
designed for smaller churches.
The other major emphasis has been participation in Fan into
Flame. We have been especially pleased with the positive response
we have received from many congregations as they see the opportunities for outreach and Christian witness in their communities and
beyond. A series of regional events was held throughout the district
in 2009, paving the way for participation by our congregations. Our
Ablaze! Task Force has met regularly to help circuits and congregations become involved, and those labors are beginning to bear fruit.
While many districts are closing their camps and associated ministries, Camp Luther in North Wisconsin is growing. Through the
“Every Kid to Camp” program begun four years ago, by God’s grace
and a generous outpouring of financial support from faithful members in the district and elsewhere, nearly 700 children have been able
to experience a week at our Christian camp at no expense to them or
their families. These 700 lives that have been touched by the Gospel
of Jesus Christ have in turn touched many more lives. Funds are
already in place for 2010 and we are beginning to work toward 2011.
As a result of the support that Camp Luther receives from congregations, individuals, and organizations, we have been able to conduct
capital improvements and expand this ministry. We are planning a
satellite summer camp for 2010 that will give us a presence on the
far western side of the district. God continues to shower His blessings on our humble efforts!
Mission efforts continue with outreach to the Hmong population,
and efforts are still being made to reach out to the Hispanic population in and around Green Bay. Ministry to the deaf continues at four
different sites in the district, our district-supported pastor also traveling as far as North Dakota to carry out his ministry.
The 220 congregations in our district continue to address the
changing demographics of their communities. Several of the congregations that have recorded the most significant gains in membership
have been in the Upper Peninsula, one of the most economically challenged areas in our district. This is evidence that the Gospel continues
to touch peoples’ lives in these trying times. Some of our smaller
congregations in rural areas are discussing the possibility of mergers
or the formation of new multiple-point ministries. Together we are

seeking ways, with God’s help, guidance, and blessing, to strengthen
the ministry that we share.
The 21 Lutheran elementary schools and 3 Lutheran high schools
in our district continue to meet the challenges of Christian education
in creative ways. Our 32 free-standing preschools continue to be a
growing segment of ministry as schools and churches respond to the
opportunities God is presenting to them.
The 2009 district convention gathered under the theme, “Revive!
Renew! Reach Out!” We are looking ahead in this new triennium to
the continuance of God’s blessings on our humble efforts, and with
the prayer that God will revive in all of us the commitment we share
as members in His Kingdom of Grace; that He will renew us in our
faith each day as we recall our Baptisms; and that He will empower
us to reach out with the saving Good News to those who do not yet
know and confess Jesus Christ as Lord!
Joel A. Hoelter, President
R7-02-22

Northern Illinois District
“New Starts … New Believers”—These four words describe what
the Northern Illinois District values, prays for, and works for, while
at the same time guarding our life and doctrine closely and providing ecclesiastical supervision for more than 220 congregations; over
120 early childhood, elementary and high schools; and nine recognized ministry organizations.
Throughout the history of the church, new believers are consistently found in largest numbers in new churches. It is in new churches
that we most often see the Holy Spirit giving the gift of faith to
girls and boys and men and women through the Means of Grace.
Recognizing that we do not have the resources to do everything,
the leadership of the Northern Illinois District (NID) concentrates
on these two areas, “New Starts … New Believers” and ecclesiastical supervision.
A new start can be a number of different things. The “crown jewel”
of new starts is a new chartered LCMS congregation. Many congregations are in a position to partner with other congregations to plant
a new church. We are at various stages of doing both what is viewed
as typical and experimental new starts in Chicago, Lake in the Hills,
Lombard (Arabic Church), Manhattan, Park Forest, Spring Grove,
Winnebago, and other locations. Most if not all congregations are in a
position to do some other kind of new start. Here are just a few examples of new starts in NID congregations: a second site for worship
aimed at people who are not currently going to any church, perhaps
in English or perhaps in another language; a new venue onsite for the
same purpose as a second site; building relationships through SYNOD
REPORTS with the people in the community in the name of Jesus,
doing good as He did and proclaiming repentance and forgiveness
of sins in His name as He also did. SYNOD REPORTS is probably
the most effective method for going into the community and inviting people to know the One in whose name we do good. But it must
not end with just providing SYNOD REPORTS. Always the goal is
to bring the message of repentance and forgiveness to people who
do not currently believe while fervently praying that the Lord will
multiply new believers, adding to our number day by day those who
are being saved.
The NID has also committed to and put into practice good stewardship efforts, both in terms of instructing the people through
LCEF’s “Consecrated Stewards” program and other resources and
through good financial practices by the district as an organization.

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