LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 99

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
R33

Minnesota North District
“Keep preaching Jesus!” a mentor told me after a few years into
ministry. I had spent the better part of an hour lamenting to him
about the realities of the church. Our laments can go on forever as
we labor in His harvest. Paul asks, “Where is the one who is wise?”
(1 Corinthians 1:20). In our day, we ask, “Where is the one who
hasn’t returned to worship?” “Where is the one to protect life?”
“Where is the volunteer to teach?” “Where is the one who is generous?” “Where is the one who believes?”
Paul points us from the questions to the foundation of our faith:
Christ. His crucifixion. His resurrection. His ascension. What
should we do while surrounded with so many questions? Preach
Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:23). All the wisdom of the world leaves us
always wanting, but in Christ we are filled with truth, comfort, and
peace. We, as the baptized, faithfully lament the struggles by Word
and prayer and even more boldly, “Keep preaching Jesus!”

Preach. Teach. Visit.
Each week in the Minnesota North District, 198 congregations
preach Law and Gospel, forgiving and retaining sin and serving
their communities. Each school day, our 7 elementary schools, 1
high school, and 19 preschools proclaim the truth of Christ to our
young people and instruct them in His ways. I am humbled each
day by the commitment of each of our workers, congregational
leaders, and all the baptized who keep receiving His gifts and serving in His name.
Our first focus in Minnesota North is to go back to the sources.
At every installation of our workers, we ask them if they believe,
teach, and confess the truth from God’s Word and the Lutheran
Confessions. If we are asking our workers to fulfill this service, we
should probably be reading these too. We have invited all workers
and members to follow a daily weekday plan of reading the Scriptures and Confessions while praying a psalm. “Lord God, keep us
steadfast in Your Word. Amen.”
Our other focus is on visitations. The Minnesota North District
office has had many changes since the last Synod convention due
to retirements and calls. Since I’m new and naïve to the needs of
every church, we are committing ourselves this triennium to the
intentional visitation of our 200+ churches, schools, and missions.
We follow Paul’s words to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit …
every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how
they are” (Acts 15:36). Each visit is centered on prayer, encouragement, and blessing by God’s Word. “O Lord, help us to visit and
bring Your gifts to Your people. Amen.”
Finally, we keep our eyes open to the many blessings and needs
around us. Our visits thus far have showed us the many ways that
the Lord is bearing fruit by His Word (Isaiah 55:10–11). We have
seen the joy of a celebration of fruitful ministry of pastor and congregation for 29 years. The humility of the saints of a sister congregation willing to help another congregation during a pastoral
vacancy. The excitement of our schools seeing major growth in
enrollment. But the visits also present many challenges. The anxieties of churches trying to fill pulpits. The financial struggles for
congregations manifesting with an increase of dual/tri/part-time
parishes. The fear of the future due to aging congregations. The
darkness that surrounds us in our culture with policies that are not
in line with biblical values. “O Lord, we give You thanks for the

99

blessings. Be our light and strength to boldly proclaim Christ and
Him crucified. Amen.”
Keep preaching Jesus! Keep preaching His crucifixion. His resurrection. His ascension (see 2 Timothy 4:2). Lord, have mercy.
Brady L. Finnern, President
R34

Minnesota South District
2019 Resolution 4-03A: Making Disciples for Life
The Synod in convention established Making Disciples for Life
as its mission and ministry emphasis for the 2019–2023 triennium
and directed the resourcing of congregations, schools, circuits, and
districts to do the following:
1. Evangelize and disciple the lost
2. Retain the faithful
3. Strengthen congregations and schools
4. Plant new congregations and schools wherever possible, especially in urban and multicultural communities
5. Engage in international mission in partnership with the Office of International Mission

Implementation of Synod Emphases
In 2018, the 78th convention of the Minnesota South District
was convened under the theme Chosen to Proclaim. Delegates enthusiastically resolved to build on the district’s mission to “cultivate leaders intentionally engaged in the mission of God.” The staff
and Board of Directors initially gathered the resolutions passed by
the convention under 11 initiatives, which were later identified as
supporting efforts of 3 primary initiatives:
1. In the Word
2. Worker Wellness
3. Networking and Collaboration in Ministry
However, barely halfway into the triennium, new questions
and challenges emerged surrounding the worldwide COVID-19
pandemic and the resulting governmental restrictions. Shortly
after those restrictions began, leaders were faced with new questions when racial inequity came to the front following the death of
George Floyd in Minneapolis. Amidst these challenging questions,
leaders in the district had to consider different ways to minister
to the people of God, and congregations were challenged to discover new ways to connect with their communities. These events
focused the district’s efforts to equip, support, and encourage ministry among its 234 congregations and more than 900 ordained and
commissioned workers with the purpose of carrying forward the
ministry emphases directed by the Synod in convention.

In the Word Initiative
The Word of God, in all its forms, is central to our life and
work as His people in this world. However, in an increasingly pagan culture, with every kind of temptation competing for our time
and attention, dwelling together upon the Word of God is increasingly rare. Research indicates that nearly every conflicted congregation has, at its core, basic biblical illiteracy among its leaders.
District staff launched a survey of Bible study opportunities available in congregations throughout the district. Responses to the
2023 Convention Workbook