Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2019 · 67th Convention, Tampa › Page 141

LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 141

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
R31

teers through numerous conferences to
better accomplish that purpose. People
are at their best when on a mission to tell
others about Christ and our “Lutheran
ethos” is best strengthened in the same
way.

Michigan District
Focusing on the Michigan District Critical Targets of
••

Great Commission Ministry,

••

Great Compassion Ministry,

••

Healthy Congregations, and

••

Healthy Church Workers, …

the Michigan District continually strives to effectively serve
the congregations and church workers in its care. Our focus and
emphasis is to “hold fast the confession of our hope without
wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” We also boldly and
daily prayerfully “consider how to stimulate one another to love
and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as
is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the
more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:23–25).
Res. 4-04A asked the district presidents to appeal to the
LCMS Congregations, Workers, and Institutions within Christian Freedom and for Love’s Sake to Retain a Common Order of
Service for the Lord’s Supper. Our Congregation Mission and
Ministry Facilitators (CMMFs), who frequently participate
in services throughout our district, report that congregations
follow this request. The Michigan District also takes pains to
model conformity to this request when gathering for worship,
pastors’ conferences, theological conferences, and the district
convention.
Res. 4-05A asked the district presidents to Continue and
Expand the Koinonia Project. The Winkels of the Michigan District are encouraged to study materials that Synod puts out for
these Circuit gatherings.
Res. 12-02A asked the district presidents to Encourage Calling Church Workers on Candidate Status. The district president,
in preparing call lists, has a list of candidates that are available
in the district. When applicable, he places a candidate’s name
on a call list for congregations or ministries within the district.
Res. 8-01A asked the district presidents to Encourage and
Strengthen the Lutheran Ethos of Our LCMS Early Childhood
Centers, Elementary Schools, and High Schools.
1.

What has been accomplished in your district over the
last triennium to strengthen the “Lutheran ethos” of
our Lutheran schools?
We know that healthy congregations/schools
are thriving when served by healthy
church workers and healthy laypeople.
Those healthy church workers and laypeople serve at their best when, strengthened by Christ through Word and Sacrament, they disciple the saved with sound
biblical teaching and are about the mission of reaching the lost by compassionately meeting the needs of the people
in their community. Great emphasis is
placed on building relationships through
which the Lord can work to create the
God-given opportunities to share the
Gospel. To that end, we continually
strive to strengthen our workers/volun-

141

What work has been done to encourage pastors,
administrators, teachers and parents to work together
in establishing this Lutheran ethos in their churches
and schools?
During the last triennium the district has
continued to encourage, challenge, and
equip the workers/volunteers in our
Lutheran schools to do as Paul says in
1 Corinthians 9:22, “I have become all
things to all men so that by all possible
means I might save some. I do all this for
the sake of the Gospel, that I may share
in its blessings.” Yes, the doctrine of our
Lutheran church is a part of the foundation of who we are as Christians. We also
recognize that what works in one school
or community academically and didactically may not be what is best for another
school. We remain firm in what we believe as Lutheran Christians and support
our workers/volunteers in everything
they do (short of sinning) to accomplish
the mission to reach and save those who
don’t know the love of our Savior.

How have you encouraged schools to undertake and
complete the National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) process?
NLSA is the best tool we have for assisting
our schools in their continued “health”
and growth. Accreditation is a strong encouragement for all of our schools and
has become an expectation for schools
that desire to improve on a yearly basis
and a part of the culture of Lutheran
schools in the Michigan District.

Do you have any recommendations for the further
strengthening of the Lutheran ethos of our schools?

Recognize that “Lutheran ethos” can be determined by much more than the eleven
things prescribed in Res. 8-01A. Having
the input of the Education Executives,
who have intimate knowledge and relationships with the schools in our districts, before crafting such a resolution
would be important if future resolutions
are brought before convention.
Res. 13-02 asked the district presidents to Regularize Status
of Licensed Lay Deacons Involved in Word and Sacrament Ministry. The Michigan District, in response to Res. 13-02, required
our Licensed Lay Deacons (those serving Word and Sacrament
to members in a parish without a full-time pastor) to apply for
SMP Colloquy.
2019 Convention Workbook