Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2016 · 66th Convention, Milwaukee › Page 109
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 109

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
conflict and is a hallmark district of collegiality, Christian peace,
and unity. I have been blessed as district president with relatively
lesser work demanded in the area of doctrinal correction or conflict.
Most of my work has been to help struggling congregations meet
financial needs and to maintain ministry in our post-Christian environment here in New England.
I conclude with a summary of the findings of our viability study
in the district. For the sake of space, I will not repeat the questions
asked of those who took surveys and joined in the viability study with
responses and comments.
All “strongly agree” or “agree” that as district president I have sufficient resources to carry out ecclesiastical supervision. Likewise is
there strong agreement that I have the resources to carry out official
visits as we follow the Synod’s encouragement to engage in regular
and true visitation. Again, strong agreement exists that all congregations have a genuine opportunity to engage in the missions and
ministries of the district. Almost to a person, there was incredible
agreement that guidance and encouragement exist for congregations
in the areas of stewardship, financial counseling, the calling process,
and support for our schools and early childhood centers. Any number of answers cited the evidence of the work of Deaconess Manor
and the revitalization efforts of Rev. Sahlberg in support of this area.
Because we live in one of the most rapidly changing environments
for mission and ministry, with a growing antipathy and even hostility
to Christianity, most respondents strongly agreed or agreed that we are
doing our best to meet changing needs. One area had some concern, in
that the financial resources coming to the district from congregations
have, as in many areas, become harder and harder to determine ahead
of time. We have made budget cuts to become “leaner and meaner”
but also stronger in our way of doing ministry. Concerns exist that
we have had to use estate gifts and endowments to do some ministry
of the district, but we are grateful to the Lord that He has provided a
healthy reserve of financial resources for us at this time. Most respondents expressed a concern that we deal with the issues facing us in
these matters now rather than wait for it to become a crisis of epic
proportions years down the line.
As to the size of the district, all respondents to a person agreed
that they like the smaller size of the New England District compared
to larger districts of the Synod elsewhere. They feel that this allows
the district president especially to be present in so many congregational events, positive and negative, on a personal and regular basis.
Some responses even suggested that districts the size of New England
should be looked on as the definitive size for proper visitation, ecclesiastical supervision, and instilling unity and collegiality among the
member congregations and church workers. Though we readily recognize the programs and staffing that a large district can provide to
her members the respondents held up the advantages just outlined as
a major blessing in our district.
As such, the overwhelming conclusions drawn from the evaluations submitted by the varying respondents were positive toward
our district’s viability. Even the caution that the district cannot forever count on some endowments to fund the mission—even in that
area—there was a strong positive response to the Lord’s blessing of
New England. With such a foundation of blessing it is my hope and
the hope of all New Englanders that the light will continue to shine
and shine in a greater way. Numbers are not everything, but we do
want our numbers to increase as the Lord provides and allows. But
we want it to increase for His glory and for the salvation of those for
whom Jesus was born, lived, died, rose again, and reigns on high.
Timothy Yeadon, President

109

R37

New Jersey District
The 2015 New Jersey population was estimated to be 8,872,593
people, residing in 21 counties and 566 municipalities; with the following population distributions:
			
population percentage
Generation (median age = 39.4)
Homeland (Z)
Millennial (Y)
Gen X (13th)
Boomer
Silent
GI

2005–2025
1982–2004
1961–1981
1946–1960
1925–1945
1901–1924

1,104,163
2,589,637
2,542,445
1,606,461
888,259
141,627

12.44%
29.19%
28.66%
18.11%
10.01%
1.60%

735,061

8.28%

1,130,379
5,255,539
1,573,098

12.74%
59.23%
17.73%

178,516

2.01%

Racial/Ethnic
Asian
Asian Indian
Chinese
Filipino
Korean
Black/African American
White		
Hispanic/Latino		
Puerto Rican
Mexican
Cuban
Pac Is/Am Indian		

299,034
126,659
112,385
95,325

437,977
219,073
84,946

As one surveys the religious landscape regarding those who reside
in New Jersey, the population can be placed within these religious
categories and preferences:
			
2014
2004
Catholic & Orthodox		
34.0%
39.2%
Catholic
33.5%
Orthodox
0.5%
Historic Mainline Protestant
16.8%
18.8%
Baptist
5.0%
Congregational
1.5%
Episcopalian/Anglican
1.9%
Lutheran
2.6%
3.1%
Methodist
3.4%
Presbyterian/Reformed
2.3%
Other Protestant Denominations
6.7%		 5.8%
Other Non-Christian Religious
10.9%		 11.4%
None/No Preference or Spiritual
31.2%		 24.4%
The State of the New Jersey District—LCMS
The New Jersey District comprises fifty-four congregations, with
12,096 baptized members and 9,862 communicant members, and an
average Sunday worship attendance of around 4,075. Eleven congregations operate a preschool ministry; five congregations operate
a preschool-kindergarten ministry; three congregations operate a preschool through second grade ministry; and one congregation operates
a preschool through eighth grade ministry. As a Lutheran presence,
we are almost invisible in a state that numbers nearly 9,000,000 residents (one out of every 750 residents is an LCMS member).
We continue to see that many of our congregations are growing
smaller in terms of both baptized and communicant membership; and
that the average age of those who worship are getting older. At present, of the fifty-four New Jersey District congregations, eight are close
to closing their doors, since their average worship attendance is below
2016 Convention Workbook