LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 116

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116

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

The Oklahoma District is made up of an all-volunteer staff of lay
and called workers. These dedicated and gifted workers are committed
to the work of the district while continuing to serve in their specific full-time calling. The only positions with salaries and stipends
include an administrative assistant, an outdoor ministries director, and
a business manager. Whether salaried or volunteer, the district staff
is composed of gifted people who freely and readily share their gifts
and time in extending the work of Christ’s kingdom.
As a result of the 2013 Synod convention Res. 7-04A that districts evaluate their viability, an ongoing three-year study has been
carried out. It was determined that even with an all-volunteer staff,
which also includes the office of the district president, the ecclesiastical supervision defined in the Synod’s Constitution (Art. XII) and
Bylaws (Bylaw 1.2.1 [i]) is being carried out in a reasonable and
timely manner. In an all-volunteer structure where individual parish
responsibilities make it difficult for the district president to visit each
congregation and pastor within every three-year span, his representatives make themselves available within the three regions and nine
circuits. It was also determined that each congregation and pastor has
available to them through the district sufficient resources to encourage
them into various missions and ministries, new starts, school development, stewardship endeavors, and mission challenges. The district
resources also seem sufficient in helping congregations and pastors
through the struggles that develop within a parish setting, especially
during difficult economic times. Even though the district spans the
entire state of Oklahoma, these distances do not seem to break down
a unity of spirit and purpose within the district mission. With the allvolunteer staff, the Oklahoma District is able to allot three-fourths of
its budget for mission work, one-fourth of which is designated to the
work of the Synod. Each year, the district board of directors steadfastly sees that this financial commitment to the Synod is fulfilled.
The Holy Spirit continues to work dynamically within and through
the 82 congregations of the Oklahoma District. The district continues
to work toward the goal of planting new congregations while providing revitalization efforts for older and more rural congregations.
Equipped with the effectual Word of God which is the sword of the
Spirit, many new people groups are being touched with Christ’s grace.
The Oklahoma District is indeed a viable entity committed to fulfilling the mission of Christ.
In the Western Region, which includes the panhandle, outreach
has continued among the Burmese Karen people, resulting in multiple Baptisms and confirmations. Lutherhaven Retreat Center has been
refined to offer outdoor ministry for youth and adult groups. The treelined, spring-fed lake offers a wonderful retreat setting for those who
choose to use the modern facilities located at the Center.
In the Central Region, which includes the metro area of Oklahoma
City, the Hispanic ministry continues to grow and flourish. The district also called and finances a bi-vocational pastor for outreach to the
growing Islamic community, with a special focus on the metro area.
This is a slow process since the witnessing is done one-on-one. As a
result of this endeavor, several Baptisms have occurred.
In the Eastern Region, which includes the metro area of Tulsa,
spiritual doors are continually opened as outreach continues among
the Hispanic, Liberian, and Hmong people. Camp Lutherhoma,
located near Tahlequah, has undergone extensive renovation by converting all the buildings for year-round use. It ministers to hundreds of
youth during the summer and winter programs. It also opens the beautiful facilities along the Illinois River as retreat centers for groups,
congregations, and family reunions.
Preaching stations continue to be maintained throughout the
district with some serving as satellites for more established congregations. More and more, we are introducing bi-vocational pastorates
in an attempt to provide Word and Sacrament ministry to struggling
2016 Convention Workbook

congregations. And in southeastern Oklahoma, a ministry continues
to families of prisoners incarcerated at the Oklahoma State Prison at
McAlester. Each circuit is being encouraged to form a mission panel
or board to identify local mission opportunities and potential church
starts, and then work to bring these opportunities to fruition.
During the past triennium, our congregations have been impacted
by extreme weather. We have watched droughts dry up crops, massive grass fires consume vegetation and homes, extensive rain bring
flooding, high winds, ice storms, numerous earthquakes, and tornadoes. Our families, congregations, and communities are being
severely impacted economically because of the extreme slump in
oil prices. Yet through all of these times, the saints of the Oklahoma
District continue to give generously of the resources entrusted to them
by God. We thank God that He has counted us worthy to serve Him
through our varied landscapes in unique ways within The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod. Although life on this side of eternity may
be shifting sand, we continue to be built firmly upon the Rock—our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Barrie E. Henke, President
R44

Pacific Southwest District
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that
you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide” (John
15:16).
With these words, the Pacific Southwest District began its new triennium June 2015. Under the theme “Chosen for This Moment,” the
district celebrated the mission opportunities of the past and planned
for the future. Through our Baptism God has chosen each of us to
be His witnesses in the world through our vocation. This report will
highlight the work of the district and share information concerning
district viability.
In looking at the Pacific Southwest District in 2016, we are proud
to say the district is strong and healthy with wonderful opportunities for Gospel expansion. The district is 312 congregations and 170
schools scattered through Southern California, Arizona, and Southern
Nevada.
District Viability:
Resources for the district president to carry out ecclesiastical
supervision:
The Pacific Southwest District is well equipped to support the
president in his ecclesiastical supervision. With 33 circuit visitors
and 4 regional vice-presidents, congregations and workers are encouraged in their ministry. Ecclesiastical supervision is also supported by
2 mission facilitators and an executive director of school ministries.
Reduction in staff due to finances are now being addressed with reorganization currently in place.
Resources for visitation:
Visitations are supported by the circuit visitors and vice-presidents
with annual reporting to the district president. Regional meetings are
held each year with circuit visitors and vice-presidents for training
and for communication by the circuit visitors concerning congregation health. The president also makes personal visits with every
congregation at the beginning of the call process and is provided
with information concerning the challenges and opportunities of the
congregations.
Appropriate guidance and support for participating in the mission:
Resources are readily available to congregations through the
district website as well as staff visits. The district utilizes a variety of available resources depending on the size and mission field
of the congregation. During the past triennium, two full-time mission facilitators, an expert school administration, and the resources