LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 105

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Our June 18−20, 2015, district convention gathered around the
theme “On Our Way Rejoicing,” based on Acts 8:39. The theme
focused us on the new believer, dripping wet with baptismal grace,
sent on his way rejoicing in the Lord. Incumbent President Dean
Nadasdy was reelected on the first ballot to a second term.
Among the actions taken by the 2015 district convention were the
following: (1) to continue to encourage the planting of new churches
through the New Church Incubator; (2) to encourage the congregations and individuals toward joyful formation of and participation in
new mission ventures; (3) to add a full-time assistant for Christian
education and commissioned workers; (4) to limit the service of the
district president to four consecutive three-year terms; (5) to develop
a comprehensive campus-ministry plan, which will include the needs
of University Lutheran Chapel, Minneapolis; (6) to affirm the district and Synod emphasis on visitation; (7) to continue and expand
the Koinonia Project; (8) to encourage intentional leadership in matters of public policy; (9) to urge church members and elected officials
to value, exercise, and protect religious freedom; (10) to encourage
the State of Minnesota to establish parental choice equality in education funding; (11) to affirm and encourage the ministry of directors
of Christian education; and (12) to approve a feasibility study for a
special funding appeal to support MNS District education initiatives.
In 2015, the newly elected district board of directors defined the
mission of the MNS District as “cultivating leaders intentionally
engaged in the mission of God.” They also adopted the following
promise statement, clearly stating what congregations, pastors, and
workers can expect from those who serve them in the MNS District:
“Rooted in the Scriptures and growing in a relationship of mutual
trust and Christian love, we promise to equip, support, and encourage you in your ministries, joyfully serving together to make disciples
of Jesus Christ.”
The board of directors, as in the previous triennium, also established initiatives for the new triennium. The district staff reports
quarterly to the board regarding progress in each of the initiatives.
These eleven initiatives for 2015−18 will guide the work of the MNS
District:
1. Oneness. To nurture our growing unity, concord, and harmony
(Ephesians 4:1−3)
2. Meeting Expressed Challenges. To help congregations address their
most urgent, self-identified challenges: aging membership, declining
attendance, and financial stresses (Matthew 6:25−26)
3. Christian Education. To strengthen our existing schools and early
childhood centers and expand education ministries (Matthew 19:14)
4. New Outreach Ministries. To encourage and support congregations
and individuals in developing new outreach ministries in their communities (1 Pet. 2:9)
5. Wellness. To provide resources that promote wellness among church
workers, their families, and congregations (Mark 12:30–31)
6. Church Planting. To encourage congregations to support the planting
of new churches by participating in the New Church Incubator (Luke
19:10–27)
7. Campus Ministry. To develop and execute a comprehensive plan for
campus ministry (Psalm 78:1−7)
8. Excellence in Preaching. In celebration of the 500th anniversary of
the Lutheran Reformation, to move toward more excellent proclamation of the Word (2 Tim. 4:2)
9. Professional Conduct. To hold one another accountable for conduct
worthy of the Gospel of Christ (Phil. 1:27)
10. Best Practices. To train leaders in implementing best practices for
ministry (Phil. 4:8−9)
11. Public Policy Advocacy. To advocate for scriptural truth in the following areas of public policy: marriage and sexuality, sanctity of life,
religious freedom, and parental choice in education (1 Pet. 2:11−12)

105

In January of 2016, in response to 2013 Res. 7-04A, the MNS
District conducted a survey regarding the resolution’s general
principles of viability as applied to our district, with 174 pastors, commissioned workers, and lay people participating. Overwhelmingly,
the ratings and comments affirmed the viability of the MNS District
in regard to the general principles outlined in Res. 7-04A.
The MNS District looks forward to its first new church plant using
our New Church Incubator development model. We are observing
2016 as a Year of Wellness, emphasizing through several opportunities the health of our pastors, workers, and congregations. The
year 2017 will bring phase two of the Koinonia Project to our district. Reformation hymn sings, lectures, and German suppers have
been scheduled in each of the four regions of the district in 2015−18.
A Reformation festival service on Oct. 29th, 2017, at Concordia
University, St. Paul, will bring together the Minnesota North and
Minnesota South Districts as we celebrate together the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Dean Nadasdy, President
R33

Missouri District
The Missouri District is composed of 298 congregations totaling
more than 128,000 baptized members and 112 educational ministries
(9 high schools, 53 elementary schools, and 50 freestanding preschools) with more than 14,000 students enrolled. The district has
chartered two new congregations (Praise and Worship in Branson and
The Exchange Community in Jackson) and celebrates the establishment of two new high schools (Farmington and Platte City).
The Missouri District held its 19th regular convention under the
theme “Put Out into the Deep” based upon Luke 5:4. The convention essayist was Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier. Maier encouraged the
delegates that “with God’s help, anything and everything can be
accomplished, as it did when He told Simon to lower his net for
a catch; and that it is necessary to look into the future and with the
Holy Spirit’s guidance, determine what it would look like to ‘put out
into the deep.’ ” Special guests included the Synod President, Rev.
Dr. Matthew Harrison, who led a Bible study, and Rev. Dr. Herbert
Mueller, who served as the preacher at the opening Divine Service.
In his report to the convention, President Ray Mirly highlighted the
three emphases of the 2012–2015 triennium: (1) increase and improve
relationships with congregations, ordained and commissioned ministers, schools, parishioners, and partners; (2) support congregations,
schools, pastors, other called church workers, and others to give bold
witness to the triune God and to extend their Gospel witness to the
world; (3) establish a comprehensive funding model for the district.
He also noted that in his nine years of leadership, 55 new missions
had been started in the district.
The convention adopted resolutions encouraging church planting, ethnic outreach, and mission collaboration. The convention also
adopted a resolution to align the district’s work with the Synod’s
“Witness, Mercy, Life Together” emphases. Since President Mirly
had previously announced his plans to retire, the district convention
honored him at a banquet where a Service of Farewell and Godspeed
was conducted for President and Mrs. Mirly. The convention also
passed an overture giving thanks for President Mirly’s faithful service
to the district and the Synod and naming him as president emeritus.
The convention elected Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan to his first term
as district president. Also elected were Rev. William Marler as first
vice-president, Rev. Dr. Ronald Rall as second vice-president, Rev.
Alan Wollenburg as third vice-president, and Rev. Brian Thieme as
fourth vice-president.

2016 Convention Workbook