LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 92

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

92

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

focused, explore ways to operate more efficiently, identify additional
financial resources, and strive to be financially prudent. NHSC is preparing to start another strategic planning endeavor. It envisions that
the goals to be considered will include, but are not limited to
•
•
•
•

building a diverse revenue support structure;
strengthening NHSC’s image and brand to enable it to expand into new
geographic areas, increase borrowers, and generate funding support;
building development service capacity to respond to the demands of
current customers and meet the needs of targeted markets; and
transitioning from a direct service provider in College Hill, North
St. Louis, to providing technical assistance to a more locally based
organization.

NHSC’s task, in partnership with LCMS congregations, districts,
and RSOs, is urgent and complex, and we ask for your continued
prayers and support.
Respectfully submitted,
Nicole Turner-Ridley, Chief Executive
R19

Atlantic District
The Atlantic District is composed of the eastern portion of New
York State, including Long Island, New York City (the capital of the
world), the northern suburbs of New York City, the Hudson Valley,
the state capital region around Albany and Schenectady, and points
north to the Canadian border. It is one of the most beautiful geographical regions of the United States and one of the most densely
populated. Roughly 6 percent of the national population resides within
the borders of the Atlantic District, many of whom are unchurched or
dechurched. Both the Capital Region and New York City were listed in
the top 10 post-Christian, least-churched places in the United States.
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Luke 10:2).
Mission outreach continues to be the main focus of the Atlantic
District as we go about “Engaging the World with the Gospel of
Hope,” the Atlantic District theme. This is more than mere words
as we share the Gospel in multiple languages, with different cultural groups, and across the global neighborhood on our doorstep.
The Gospel is shared in 20 different languages in the Divine Service
among a sea of different-looking people with very similar hearts.
Many congregations have multiple services in multiple languages
on a given Sunday.
There are a number of men in various routes leading toward ordination, including EIIT, SMP, and traditional routes. The training of
lay leaders to assist the congregation under the supervision of the
local pastor continues to be strongly encouraged. These leaders are
able to assist their local congregations in a variety of tasks to serve
the church. They are truly a blessing.
There have been a number of mission initiatives over the last
three years. The Ebola project in Liberia that provided food to local
churches in the midst of a crisis is just one example of “Engaging the
World with the Gospel of Hope.” This project was born out of personal
relationships of an Atlantic District pastor with Liberian churches in
partnership with the LCMS. Through the project, hundreds of pounds
of food were served to starving people. It was a blessing!
The triennium of 2013–15 was also a time of transition. The Rev.
David H. Benke retired as district president and continued in parish
life. A new district president, the Rev. Derek G. Lecakes, was elected
and installed.
Summarized below are the results of our viability study for the
Atlantic District, according to the eight general principles detailed
in 2013 Res. 7-04A.
It is generally accepted that there are always additional resources
that could be utilized in carrying out ecclesiastical supervision.
2016 Convention Workbook

However, there are sufficient resources for the district president to
carry out ecclesiastical supervision in a reasonable and timely manner.
The emphasis of regular visitation of all district churches and
rostered church workers is ongoing. This is not only listed in the
Synod Bylaws but was strongly encouraged by the Atlantic District
convention.
Congregations are regularly encouraged to “Engage the World
with the Gospel of Hope.” This is to be done in word and deed as we
live out our calling as the church. This is to be done within our congregations and outside in our communities.
Encouragement and congregational services are provided to congregations through district staff and elected servants. These cover a
variety of areas and respond to requested needs of congregations.
The Atlantic District does its best to adapt to the new, changing
world. As people and culture have changed, the district strives to continue to meet the challenges of this new world without watering down
or compromising the Gospel.
The Atlantic District continues to seek out new opportunities to
support and grow the mission and ministry of the church in the district. This is a challenging task in an environment where normal giving
patterns seem to be changing. The challenge for the Atlantic District
is not only supporting ongoing ministry but also assisting struggling
congregations, starting new missions, and identifying and training
diverse leaders of the church.
There seems to be a variety of views regarding the size of the
Atlantic District. Some think we are too large to meet the needs of
each congregation, some believe we are too small to be able to meet
the needs of each congregation, and many see the Atlantic District
to be just the right size. Of course, there is always a small group that
does not seem to care.
It is generally perceived that the Atlantic District president can
and does carry out the functions and obligations of the office. There
is always a desire for additional assistance and support, but he serves
willingly and faithfully.
The conclusion regarding the viability of the Atlantic District is
that while the challenges of sharing the Gospel in an increasingly
non-Christian environment continue to grow, the dedicated pastors,
commissioned workers, lay deacons, laity, and staff empowered by
the Gospel seek to “Engage the World with the Gospel of Hope.” The
reality is that the world lives right on our doorstep.
Derek G. Lecakes, President
R20

California-Nevada-Hawaii District
For well over a decade, the vision guiding our district is challenging and assisting our churches to serve as missionary outposts
in their communities. Realizing this vision required that we understand and embrace our missionary status—that God has called us to
proclaim the Gospel at a time and place where the Christian church
is profoundly marginalized. We are “elect exiles of the dispersion,”
as St. Peter reminded his first-century readers. As such we celebrate
the fact that our “outsider” or “alien” status is not by human accident but by divine design. This missional paradigm has taken root in
the CNH District, including our board of directors, circuits, and the
majority of our congregations and schools. God has planted us in the
soil of a great US mission field with an identity and purpose rooted
not primarily in the preservation of our past, but in the faithful proclamation of His Son, especially among those who do not yet know Him.
Strategic Mission Field Initiatives
As our West Coast world grows increasingly hostile to Christian
churches, we rejoice that our Lord is raising up a new generation of