LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 107

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

5.

6.

7.

8.

and provide advice and counsel to member congregations struggling
to carry out their core functions? (Provide encouragement and support
for Lutheran preschools, elementary and high schools? How many
exist, have been started, etc.?)
Yes, and in fact, the leaders and congregations of the Montana
District find the size of this district to be ideal on this count.
Volunteer standing committees of the board of directors, comprised of lay and church workers, are appointed triennially.
These committees assist congregations in the parish services as
mentioned.
Montana District congregations support six Day Schools and
eighteen preschools. The district has a “Schools Fund” from
which annual grants are made to these schools. It sponsors an
annual preschool conference and a biennial school administrator conference.
Adapt to new circumstances and meet changing needs related to the
mission and ministry of the church?
Yes, and in fact, the leaders and congregations of the Montana
District find the size of this district to be ideal on this count.
Congregations in Montana are now looking for guidance as to
how to weather the loss of oil and coal revenues. The district
president and circuit visitors are sensitive to these needs and offer counsel to continue to proclaim the name of Jesus. The Montana District developed and supported the means for a triple
parish to live-stream its services so that the pastor could serve
all three congregations at the same time each Sunday.
Meet its financial responsibilities and obligations, and receive sufficient financial resources from its membership to (i) support the
mission and ministry of the church in the district, and (ii) financially
assist the mission and ministry of the Synod?
Yes, and in fact, the leaders and congregations of the Montana
District find the size of this district to be ideal on this count.
Montana District congregations have increased their contributions to the district each year for ten years. The Montana District forwards 25 percent of these offerings to the Synod. So,
Montana District offerings to the Synod have increased over the
last ten years.
Find itself to be of a size and configuration to be effective, efficient,
and capable of serving all who make up its constituency?
Yes, and in fact, the leaders and congregations of the Montana
District find the size of this district to be ideal on this count. The
pastors and congregations of the Montana District evidence a
strong commitment to each other and to the proclamation of the
name of Jesus.
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, and in fact, the leaders and congregations of the Montana
District find the size of this district to be ideal on this count. See
questions 1 & 2.

Based on what you have determined above, discuss the “viability”
of your district in light of these “general principles” and determine
to what extent your district is capable of carrying out its purpose
and functions.
The Montana District considers itself to meet and exceed the
principles of viability as set forth in Res. 7-04A. It encourages
the Synod to consider establishing maximum sizes for districts,
(roughly 100 congregations) in order to assure the primary work
of ecclesiastical supervision is carried out in a scriptural, personal, and caring manner.
Terry R. Forke, President

107

R35

Nebraska District
Congregations, leaders, and related organizations of the Nebraska District
growing and working together in their mission of discipling the saved and
proclaiming Christ to the lost.

The Lord has blessed the Nebraska District of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod for more than 130 years with congregations that preach the true Word of God and administer His Sacraments,
as well as Lutheran schools that teach the truths of Holy Scripture and
the Lutheran Confessions. First and foremost, the Nebraska District
is comprised of 245 congregations and all our commissioned and
ordained workers. We operate 35 Lutheran elementary schools, four
Lutheran high schools, and 34 preschools. These ministries and workers are the core of our effort to proclaim the Word and make His
presence known.
We have been sent into the world as the incarnational presence of
Jesus to convey His care and proclaim His Good News. The district’s
board of directors continues to seek the Lord’s guidance to monitor a
strategic plan for resourcing its congregations, schools, missions, and
professional church workers in their mission to disciple the saved and
reach out to those who are without Christ.
Under our Synod’s mission, we are focused on life together.
Through Word and Sacraments, we seek to strengthen each individual in their connection with Christ, to fortify our union as the Body of
Christ, and as His Body to serve and reach out to the world through
mercy and witness.
The 2015 convention of the Nebraska District gathered under the
theme “In the World … Not of the World” based on John 17: “They
are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in
the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent me into the world, so I have
sent them into the world.”
God provides abundant opportunities to share His grace in the
person and actions of Jesus Christ. Some of our communities are
experiencing general population growth, as well as specific growing
populations of Hispanic, African, and Asian immigrants. We have
four ordained Sudanese-American LCMS pastors. We have two
Sudanese congregations and two other Sudanese ministries within
other congregations. In Nebraska, there are two established Hispanic
congregations with called pastors and another Latino-ministry plant
underway. The ongoing outreach to the Native American Winnebago
Tribe continues through an association of congregations and the
Nebraska District.
An evangelist with POBLO (People of the Book Lutheran
Outreach) and a pastor who was born in Ethiopia both partner with
Omaha congregations and also work at our Peace International
Friendship Center in Omaha to reach out to the Muslim community in
our midst, as well as to other immigrants and refugees, with the Good
News of life and salvation in Christ alone. Campus ministries offer
both national and international students the Good News of salvation
in Jesus. Ministries at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Wayne
State College, and the many higher-education institutions in Omaha
are served by local congregations in partnership with the district. The
district also supports a chapel at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.
Camp Luther offers outdoor opportunities for growth in the Word
and Christian fellowship and is the only Christian camp in Nebraska
for developmentally disabled individuals.
The Nebraska District and Concordia University, Nebraska, continue a strong partnership in the Gospel, with district congregations
and individuals moved by the Spirit to support the mission of CUNE
as well as our LCMS seminaries at St. Louis, Missouri, and Fort
Wayne, Indiana.

2016 Convention Workbook