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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 96

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

R31

Michigan District
Focusing on these Michigan District Critical Targets:
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Great Commission Ministry

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Great Compassion Ministry

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Healthy Congregations

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Healthy Church Workers

The Michigan District seeks above all things, in and through her
congregations and in every endeavor it undertakes, to proclaim
Jesus. Indeed, We Preach Christ Crucified.

The State of Michigan
Three realities impact Christian ministry in the state of Michigan. First, the latest election approved one of the most liberal positions regarding abortion and gender issues in the nation. Second,
the state continues to be one of the few in the Midwest that does
not provide a voucher system for education. Third, social practices
continue to accelerate the use of marijuana and legalized gambling
across the state.

Ministry during the Pandemic
During the pandemic, the district helped its churches transition
to online (recorded) and livestream worship by providing resources
such as phone and Zoom consultations with our staff videographer,
how-to videos and podcasts on how to livestream, and a listing
of congregations offering online worship. We also created videos
based on The Hymnal Project (an ongoing project whereby hymns
in the public domain receive new arrangements and are distributed
free of charge), adding lyrics to facilitate singing via livestream.
These videos blessed many congregations not only in our district
but also in other states and even around the world. A website page
with pandemic resources was created to help congregations and
schools navigate the social, educational, financial, and legal environments during state lockdowns.
Unfortunately, some of our major conferences had to be canceled during 2020. Most were rescheduled for a later date, or we
moved to a hybrid or virtual-style conference instead. We thank
God for the flexibility of our professional church workers as things
changed regularly.
All of the turmoil took a heavy toll on church workers, and the
district sought to provide support by means of podcasts on mental
health, as well as reminding workers of the availability of our Mental Health Case Manager.

Schools
Our Lutheran schools and early childhood centers have rebounded from the pandemic, and, despite the challenges of the
shortage of educators and roadblocks from the state department of
education, we continue to push forward as we explore a variety of
ways for Lutheran education to thrive in the years to come.

Other Ministry Initiatives during the Last
Four Years
The Digital Footprint Initiative continued to address the challenges some congregations face when they do not have a web presence, an updated website, or skilled, willing, and trained volunteers.
2023 Convention Workbook

It provides an inexpensive website platform with a template that
requires little to no manning.
The Michigan District Stewardship Committee put together the
video curriculum God’s Children Are God’s Disciples for parents
and teachers to engage children in stewardship principles as they
grow in their life as disciples of God.

Here We Stand Campaign
The Michigan District’s Here We Stand campaign, which was
launched in 2015, ended in June 2022, having surpassed its $10
million goal by raising $10,392,875.86. The campaign focused
on four initiatives: Professional Church Worker Scholarships; Innovative Missional Ministry; Endowment Fund; and International
Ministry.

Circuit Visitors
Our circuit visitors meet monthly by Zoom and twice a year for
a two-day conference. The circuit visitors work with congregations
on the call process, maintain monthly circuit meetings, and meet
regularly with individual pastors.

Michigan District Church Extension Fund
Our Church Extension Fund continues to be a strong partner
with our district. CEF provided a total of $1,290,000 in financial
support of our Here We Stand capital campaign. CEF continues to
provide low-cost loans to congregations for building, renovation,
and church-worker housing, and competitive investment instruments to all our members. CEF also provides services and grant
programs that assist our congregations in various ways (e.g., aesthetic updates, Lutheran education, security, technology, and ministry worker wellness).

Michigan District Convention
Our convention theme was People of Hope … It’s Time. Keynote speakers were Rev. Dr. Chad D. Lakies and Rev. John A.
Nunes, PhD. The convention expressed its gratitude to Rev. Dr.
David P. E. Maier for his 13 years of faithful service as district
president. Convention business focused on resolutions toward the
reversal of Roe v. Wade with Gospel understanding and care (1-17);
the CUS/CUE proposed governance model (2-06a); strengthening
the advisory delegate participation at district conventions (2-01);
a CUW/CUAA board of regents representation (2-08); addressing
the issues of race by utilizing resources such as Heart Issues Are
Hard Issues (1-05a); a culture of Bible reading (1-01a); focusing on
spiritual formation (1-06); and encouraging congregations to raise
up new commissioned and ordained church workers (1-10).
The convention elected a new praesidium: David Davis, president; Dean Davenport, first vice-president; Darryl Andrzejewski,
second vice-president; Craig Bickel, third vice-president; and Erik
Cloeter, fourth vice-president.

Synod Convention Actions
Michigan District leadership priorities align with the following
Synod resolutions:
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We are determined to move forward with church planting
and church revamping (helping smaller congregations work
with others to forestall closure and maintain an incarnational
presence) (2019 Res. 1-02, 1-03, 1-05A).

•

We are determined to take advantage of lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic to find ways to expand the