LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 97

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
outside the confines of a ministry campus. An example of this was
our “flood bucket project” for disaster care. We invited and challenged congregations to prepare flood buckets for use if a hurricane
impacted our district. Over 700 buckets were prepared, and many
were used in the Southeastern District during their recent flooding
event. Congregations working together are able to accomplish great
things for the sake of the Gospel.
The restructuring of our district into five regions has been a tremendous help in fostering partnership and accountability. We are
working toward representation of individuals from every region on
almost every committee and board. At the same time, we are inviting
younger leaders, especially among the laity, to step up and become
ministry partners with us.
We moved to a new office complex, which has been a great
blessing in multiple ways. In addition to the freedom from building
maintenance, we have the opportunity to witness our faith in Jesus
every day with other building residents. Each morning, in our staff
devotions, in addition to workers, LCEF advocates, other districts,
and an RSO, we pray for the businesses in our building and sign and
send a postcard to let them know we prayed for them. This has been
well received.
Fiscally, like most districts, we find congregations struggling to
support the partnership we share. We have endeavored to provide
additional encouragement to these congregations as we develop strategies to help congregations see the value of our partnership. We are
working to address the question, “What does the district do?”
We continue to cautiously and strategically study where we are
able to plant new missions, and we find limitless possibilities. We
are carefully using the resources available to reach further, ensuring that we have the right person, the right place, the right time, and
the right plan.
The Florida-Georgia District is blessed to have a variety of wonderful school ministries and very talented workers, both rostered
and non-rostered. We continue to work with school ministries to
develop networks that will provide training, encouragement, sharing of resources, and critical information for ongoing growth and
development.
During this triennium, the Florida-Georgia District, through the
president’s office, conducted a viability study in accordance with
2013 LCMS Res. 7-04A. In total, we had 134 respondents, which
included board of directors members, ordained workers, commissioned workers, circuit visitors, and the largest group, the laity. The
report identified some issues which the district will continue to work
to address. While there was a variety of answers for most questions,
including “no opinion,” it is clear through this survey, and hopefully
through this report, that the Florida-Georgia District is a viable ministry and district of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. While
some felt that the district is too large, others felt it is too small. The
majority felt that the size was appropriate, as well as the ministries we
offer and carry out together for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In terms of funding, who wouldn’t like to have additional funds to
allocate? However, we are currently debt free as a district and fully
funded. We continue to grow our tithe to the Synod, which increased
to 20 percent this fiscal year.
There is a tremendous degree of unity in the district as we focus
on connecting people to Jesus. While we face what are becoming
“normal” challenges in a post-church world, we are not retreating but
working to meet the needs head-on so future generations may know
the Lord. We feel very blessed to be serving this part of the world, and
we humbly seek your prayerful support in the efforts of the FloridaGeorgia District as we work to equip, empower, and engage in the
Master’s business—connecting people to Jesus.
Gregory S. Walton, President

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Indiana District
“One in Spirit and Purpose”
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one
hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one
God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Eph.
4:4–6
We “always [pray] … with joy, because of your partnership in the
gospel.” Phil. 1:4–5

The congregations of the Indiana District enjoy and celebrate those
times when we work as a team—as partners in the Gospel—united
by our common confession and purpose which begins at the baptismal font. Our convention was a great time for us to enjoy the Spirit’s
leading us to confess and demonstrate to one another and the world
our God-given faith and purpose as His people in this place!
OUR GOALS
In 2012 we set the goals of strengthening partnerships, beginning
new congregations, and renewing struggling congregations. We have
seen much of that happen as circuits have developed circuit, local,
and regional plans for new mission starts and have begun developing
new partnerships within their circuits and regions. In many cases this
has also warmed the relationships between congregations and diminished the competitive atmosphere which can be an issue where we
have clusters of congregations/schools.
Attendance at district conferences has improved and we have
grown in our capacity to study, discuss, and learn together in wholesome dialogue. There is a growing sense of love and respect for one
another throughout our district. We are seeing a cooperative attitude
in many places!
Our convention theme last summer, “One in Spirit and Purpose,”
grew out of Paul’s words to the Ephesians: “There is one body and
one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to
your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of
all, who is over all and through all and in all” (4:4–6).
This passage helped us affirm the connection between confession and mission and celebrate the bond of faith and love we have
with one another. Circuit meetings and conferences have led us into
significant biblical study and theological discussion. As we looked
back, we found a strong desire among our people to be faithful and
missional, but in many cases the know-how and direction was lacking in both areas.
It is for that reason that we are seeking to focus on a “balanced
menu” of theological understanding and practical practice. “One in
Spirit and Purpose” has served us well in setting in place our course
for the new triennium. We are intentionally striving to maintain and
strengthen our urban ministry opportunities. Indianapolis, Gary, Fort
Wayne, and Louisville offer opportunities and challenges. This is not
easy work, and finding workers with the heart and capacity for this
work is a challenge. Funding these ministries is also a challenge, and
we are beginning the process of partnering with the Synod in doing
what we can do together and in what we cannot do alone. An example of this is our present attempt to open a new Lutheran school in
Gary. We are also seeing some young families moving to our urban
areas and we are trying to be there to welcome them, feed them, and
engage them in the local and global mission of the church.
Our second goal is to “water the tall trees” as we encourage and
support our large and growing suburban congregations. These congregations reach vast numbers of families and are often blessed with
resources that are not enjoyed everywhere. As these large congregations expand, we are also asking them to partner with struggling
2016 Convention Workbook