LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 101

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
7. Find itself to be of a size and configuration to be effective, efficient,
and capable of serving all who make up its constituency?
		
Yes			74%
		
No			18%
		
No Response
8%
8. Provide adequate assistance and support to allow the district president to carry out the obligations of the office of district president as
set forth in the Bylaws?
		
Yes			82%
		
No			 6%
		
No Response		
12%

Under the theme of “IMAGINE … Living as God’s Loved
and Compassionate Community,” the 2015 Michigan District
Convention was held on June 28–30 on the campus of Concordia
University, Ann Arbor. The theme, which highlighted the “Mercy”
emphasis of the Synod’s three foci, also established an emphasis for
the next triennium for Michigan District congregations. Rev. Dr. R.
Reed Lessing, senior pastor of St. Michael, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and
former professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, was the convention essayist.
Of note at the district convention was Res. 1-03, “To Support the
Here We Stand Initiative in Celebration of the 500th Anniversary of
the Reformation,” which was adopted with a 94.2 percent majority.
This 500th anniversary effort will include an all-district Reformation
service that will take place on October 15, 2017, at the Breslin Center
on the campus of Michigan State University, where 12,000–15,000
are expected for the 4:00 p.m. worship service. It also includes a $10
million ministry campaign which has four emphases:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Church worker scholarships ($3 million)
Innovative mission and ministry ($3 million)
The Michigan District Endowment ($3 million)
International ministry ($1 million)

Several major conferences were planned and held to encourage
and further develop pastors and professional church workers during
the past 3 years:
•
•

•

2013 All Pastors’ Conference with the theme of Spiritual Disciplines,
including Dr. John Kleinig as guest speaker
2014 Professional Church Worker Conference for all professional
church workers in the district, held in Dearborn under the theme
Imagine Immeasurably More
2015 All Pastors’ Conference with the theme of Jesus at the Leading
Edge, with Mr. Carl Medearis as the main speaker

We are thankful for our schools, their administrators and
teachers, and for the spirit of discipleship and outreach that pervades
our educational systems. Over 14,000 students attend an LCMSsponsored early childhood center, elementary school, or high school
in Michigan. God uses these ministries to help parents in their role of
nurturing their children’s faith. Daily, over 1,000 adults share Christ
through these ministries and raise up and inspire our children, youth,
and young adult students to be People of Hope who are rooted in
Christ Jesus.
Concordia University, Ann Arbor (CUAA), is the Michigan
campus of Concordia University Wisconsin (one university, two residential campuses). Thanksgiving is regularly given to our Lord for
this relationship and for the ensuing health of CUAA. Not only has the
school continued to grow (this fall will be the first time there will be
1,000 full-time students), but it will expand its educational offerings
by opening its Nursing School in the newly purchased North Building
(86,000 sq. ft. that was the former Cooley Law School Building). The
Physical Therapy (PT) and Athletic Training (AT) programs will also
be housed in the North Building, which will still have space for additional programs. Perhaps the highlight of the Ann Arbor campus is

101

the campus spirit. It is Gospel-focused and contagious, bringing a full
house to the Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity for worship on an almost
daily basis. We were also thankful for Mrs. Heidi Swanson and the
students involved in the Worship Arts Leadership program who took
a major part in leading the music for the worship that took place at
our 2015 All Pastors’ Conference.
We are thankful for our partnership with FiveTwo and Pastor Bill
Woolsey for the expertise, wisdom, practical know-how, and coaching that they bring to bear for our congregations in our mission and
ministry efforts. We are a Word and Sacrament church recognizing
the great gifts God has graciously given. We trust God’s promises
in Isaiah 55:10−11, “For as the rain and the snow come down from
heaven, and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring
forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so
shall My word that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me
empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and in the thing
for which I sent it,” and know that God’s Gospel Word, the power of
God unto salvation, still has power and still brings a harvest. Living
as what God has intended for us to be, the salt of the earth and the
light of the world (Mt. 5:13–16) within our communities, we strive
to start new ministries (Start New to Reach New) that will make an
impact in our communities, allow His light to shine, and allow opportunities for sharing truth. We believe that although not all “ministry”
is Word and Sacrament ministry, all “ministry” should lead to Word
and Sacrament ministry. Starting something new—whether it is a new
worship service, Bible study, mercy ministry, food or clothing bank,
or whatever God leads you to start—and then helping others through
that ministry or inviting others to that ministry remains the best way
to reach new people.
The Michigan District Church Extension Fund (CEF) is separately incorporated from the district and thrives under the continuing,
capable leadership of Mr. Ronald Steinke. CEF has been and continues to be a great blessing to the district.
We are excited about the future, about the continuing mission
and ministry in the Michigan District and about starting NEW
mission and ministry efforts over the next three years under the
theme “IMAGINE … Living as God’s Loved and Compassionate
Community.” We will do so always remembering that it is “Upon This
Rock,” Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord, that we “Repent,
Confess, Rejoice.” We are truly thankful for what Jesus has done in
the past but are also hope-filled about what He will yet do to reach
His lost people in the years ahead. Truly, in Christ Jesus, the BEST
is yet to come!
David P. E. Maier, President
R30

Mid-South District

The continuation and expansion of the ministry and mission of
the Mid-South District continues to be expressed in the words of our
mission statement:
As an alliance of congregations and schools, the Mid-South District provides leadership, resources, and encouragement for reaching the lost for
Christ’s kingdom and equipping the found for service in our churches,
communities, and world.

2016 Convention Workbook