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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 145

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
on our website, titled, “Circuit Visit and Final Survey Report.”
The final pages of this report offer practical applications for
churches to address these three challenges.
2016 Res. 4-04A: Common Order for the Lord’s Supper.
This was one issue discussed as part of the Koinonia 2.0 project
(see following). We affirmed the Common Order of Service for
the Lord’s Supper and continued to encourage our churches to
strive for unity by engaging in conversations about doctrine and
practice of the Lord’s Supper.
2016 Res. 4-05A: Koinonia Project. In 2014–15, we went
district-wide with the Koinonia Project. This project opened
the door for conversations among pastors to build greater trust
and understanding concerning divisive issues. For Koinonia 2.0
during the 2015–18 triennium, pastors, commissioned workers,
and laypeople met across the district at six different locations to
discuss the six chief parts of Luther’s Small Catechism, identifying what we confess, what we reject, and what we need to discuss
further. The result was a document (available on our website)
called, “A Statement of Concord.” We praise God for the many
who participated in Koinonia 2.0 and for the growing concord
among us.
2016 Res. 12-02A: Workers on Candidate Status. We have
117 workers on candidate status—15 ordained and 102 commissioned. Commissioned Minister Information Forms (CMIFs)
of commissioned ministers on candidate status are shared with
every congregation and school going through the call process.
When appropriate, the district president encourages calling congregations to consider ordained workers on candidate status.
Names are routinely included as call lists are prepared.
2016 Resolution 8-01A: Lutheran Ethos of Our Schools.
School visits by the Education Executive, regular communication, and the annual education and pastoral conferences all
encouraged pastors, administrators, and teachers to establish
and strengthen Lutheran ethos in their schools. In the 2015–18
triennium, the district colloquy support program provided financial assistance for nine non-rostered teachers. Additionally,
seven schools/centers attained National Lutheran Schools Accreditation (NLSA) for the first time. NLSA has been extremely
effective in assessing and strengthening Lutheran ethos in our
schools.
2016 Resolution 13-02: Licensed Lay Deacons. Our district’s
one licensed lay deacon has applied to be certified through the
Specific Ministry Pastor to General Pastor Certification (SMP/
GPC) program.

Update on Minnesota South District’s 2015–18
Triennium Goals and Initiatives
Our 2015–18 initiatives helped us stay in step with district
goals.
1.

Oneness. See Koinonia 2.0 (Res. 4-05A). Created
Engaged in Mission publication to highlight district
missional ministry. Reformation festivals were held
in each of the four regions of the district. Over 2,000
worshipers gathered on October 29, 2017, at Concordia University, St. Paul, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, with LCMS President
Matthew Harrison preaching.

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Meeting expressed challenges. See visitation (Bylaw
4.4.4). Executive district staff visited all 24 circuits to
understand and develop responses to aging membership, declining attendance, and financial stresses.

Christian education. The To All Generations appeal raised significant funds for grants to strengthen
Christian education across the district, in conjunction with visitation and NLSA progress (see also Res.
8-01A).

New outreach ministries. Congregations were encouraged to establish at least one new community connection. A new standing committee, Congregational
Mission Formation, was established.

Wellness. 2016 was the Year of Wellness, which
reached out to church workers and congregations
through conferences, retreats, and workshops. The
wellness initiative continues into the new triennium.

Church planting. Church plant Remedy Church in
Oakdale has had regular worship since 2016. Remedy
is the first church to be planted using the crowd
sourcing/funding capabilities of our New Church
Incubator. We look forward to the next New Church
Incubator launch out of Christ Victorious in Chaska
later this year.

Campus ministry. Campus evangelists now serve at
the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; University
of Minnesota, Mankato; and Concordia University,
St. Paul.

Excellence in preaching. To move toward more excellent proclamation of the Word and in celebration of
the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, pastors
were encouraged to use the “Preach the Word” video
series for personal growth.

Professional conduct. Clergy Coaches received training to come alongside other pastors and workers facing times of transition, difficulty, or change. The 2017
Fall Pastors’ Conference focused on pastoral integrity
and workers at risk.

10. Best practices. Congregations were encouraged
through a technology summit, worship arts summit, new learning communities for pastors, funding
for congregations to attend the Best Practices for
Ministry Conference, and cultivating leaders through
Emergent Leader Training.
11. Public policy advocacy. The One Voice for Public
Policy publication, created by our MN Public Policy
Advocate, informs and encourages pastors, teachers,
and leaders in the district to incorporate marriage
and sexuality, sanctity of life, religious freedom, and
parental choice in education into their teaching and
preaching. Efforts also included coalition involvement, legislative hearing testimony, and direct communication with elected representatives.
We praise God for how He worked through our initiatives
in the 2015–18 triennium!
2019 Convention Workbook