LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 103

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

D. Weaknesses
Not only are the congregations of the district predominantly
small, but they are spread out. The pastors of the Montana District cover a lot of territory. It seems to be increasingly unpopular
to pastors to serve in multiple parishes. In addition, 40 percent of
active Montana pastors are 63 years old or older. This means that
the next three years could see a drastic increase in vacancies that
will be hard to fill. The need for more pastors is very real for the
Montana District.

E. Truth
God’s Word is powerful. The message of Christ crucified is just
what the world needs to hear. The congregations of the Montana
District are resisting the impulse to circle the wagons and take care
of our own. We are dedicated to advancing the Good News of Jesus
to the people of our district.
Terry R. Forke, President
R37

Nebraska District
The challenges of this last convention cycle are greater than we
could have ever predicted. The challenges before us could easily
overwhelm. I am daily reminded that the task is too great, yet God
has chosen you and me, in the midst of our brokenness, as members
of His Body, to perform His gracious work. This is why We Preach
Christ Crucified.
Much of our time and effort has gone to visitation. I yearly visit
each of the circuits as pastors gather in their monthly meetings. I
present a topic and facilitate discussion on issues that challenge
us. Most of those visits are in person, though some have required
virtual presence. Government restrictions also inhibited some of
my congregational visits, but outside of those restricted months,
the goal is to visit two congregations each month to worship, listen, share, and evaluate ministry on the local level. We can’t walk
together if we don’t talk together, and we can’t talk together if we
don’t meet together. I continue to pursue transparency, trust, and
mutual encouragement. I receive encouragement in these visits,
and I am proud of our congregations and workers as I see the effort and creativity in all circumstances to proclaim the reconciling
grace of our Lord with one another and with the community. As
promised, God works for the good in all things for those who have
been called according to His purpose.
Critical to our work is the understanding that the Nebraska District is not a small group of staff working out of an office in Seward.
Rather, it is 233 congregations and related ministries and leaders
in various locations, working side by side to strengthen the found
and reach out to the lost. For this body to work the best, each part
needs to function.
Outcome #1: Strengthen Relational Health of Ordained,
Commissioned, and Other Workers—Our personal lives
and relationships are our loudest Gospel message. God calls
us to live in and live out that Gospel first to those closest to
us, which in turn speaks to those around us. Conferences,
trainings, intentional communication, and individual interactions seek to promote an engaged faith integrated in all of
life. We are working to bless workers’ spiritual relationship
with our triune God. We are working to nurture cognitive,
emotional, physical, and financial health. We are working

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to build strong bonds in marriage, family, and close friends.
Enhancing the relational health of our workers strengthens
our work to reach out to the lost with a heart for the hurting.
We have developed and are monitoring a triennial health
questionnaire to develop a longitudinal study to measure
outcomes.
Outcome #2: Healthier Congregations and Ministries—The
Holy Spirit works through the Means of Grace when and
where He pleases. This faith produces good fruit and good
works. The work of the district is fundamentally the work of
each congregation serving the Body of Christ with Word and
Sacrament and sending people out into their vocations as
witnesses of the Savior. Conferences, trainings, intentional
communication, and individual interactions seek to build the
Body of Christ as it grows in discipleship. Divine Service
and Bible study are fundamental. Parents, grandparents, and
guardians are called to make disciples with the children God
has placed in their lives. Ministry opportunities like VBS,
daycare, preschool, school, youth, and small group are used
to develop relationships and foster discipleship, service, and
outreach. Vocations of neighbor and coworker give us opportunity to reach out with Christ’s compassion and Gospel.
Assisting in the call process is my highest priority. Visitation
and evaluation to encourage congregations is also a critical
priority for me.
Outcome # 3: Healthier Circuits, District, and Synod—We
cannot walk together if we do not talk together. We cannot
talk together if we do not meet together. As leaders, we seek
to care for one another, foster unity, and build trust in our
work together of sharing the Gospel message. Each of us
has our own work, and each congregation has its own work.
We also need one another to do those things we cannot do
working alone. A healthy Synod must have healthy relationships. God calls us to work together. As a Synod, we have
committed to walk together. Pastors communicating, congregations cooperating, and reconciliation happening are
signs of a healthy church. Again, visitation—meeting with
circuits and congregations—is my second highest priority.
We meet together around Scripture and our Confessions to
transparently and fraternally discuss issues of doctrine and
practice and build consensus. We celebrate and share ministry opportunities and successes. We also are working to find
greater ways to help congregations and districts collaborate
for greater impact and efficiency.
All three of these outcomes are aspects of discipleship. In the
Means of Grace, God pours out His grace and empowers us with
new life. This is a life of repentance. The discipleship journey
calls us to new ways of living. To that end, we are working to
see change. Our approach to conferences is not just gaining more
information but pursuing transformation. Pastors conferences are
more than “one and done” as we design ongoing professional development through circuit gatherings, personal reflective practice,
and lifelong learning. Circuit visitor training is focused to enhance
a growth environment for our pastors to look at their own selfcare and relational health. We just began our fourth Leadership
Learning Community, an intensive gathering of 12 pastors for two
years. They meet, learn, and grow together, building capacity to
lead themselves, their families, and their ministries. Leading by example, the district staff has focused our development on relational
health and discipleship.
2023 Convention Workbook