LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 105

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

105

D. Conclusion

Synodical Focuses

I have served all 37+ years since my ordination—and also
served my vicarage—in the New England District. Although born
and raised in Ohio, I have found New England to be an area where,
for the most part, pastors are appreciated and their ministry is respected. Most of our congregations are small, but their worship
is solidly Lutheran and joyful, and Christ crucified is faithfully
preached. Come and visit us, and enjoy with us the joy of forgiveness and new life in Christ Jesus!

The seven mission priorities previously affirmed at the 2016
Synod convention and included in 2019 Res. 4-03A have helped
shape the NJ District’s ministry response to its mission and challenges. They are

Robert D. Beinke, President
R39

•

plant, sustain, and revitalize Lutheran churches;

•

support and expand theological education;

•

perform human care in close proximity to Word and Sacrament ministries;

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collaborate with the Synod’s members and partners to enhance mission effectiveness;

•

promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, financial,
and physical well-being of pastors and professional church
workers;

•

enhance early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, and youth ministry; and

•

strengthen and support the Lutheran family in living out
God’s design.

New Jersey District
Ministry Situation and Challenges
From the Jersey Shore to the Highlands and from the New York
or Philadelphia suburbs to the Pinelands, New Jersey is a wonderful and diverse place to live and preach Christ crucified. Yet the
geography only points to an even more diverse demography. New
Jersey is the home to more scientists and engineers per square mile
than any other area of the world. Religiously and ethnically, it is
host to the second largest population in the U.S. of Jews, Muslims, and Cubans; the largest population of Peruvians; as well as
high numbers of Portuguese, Brazilians, Hispanics, Arabs, African Americans, Asians, Chinese, and Italians. This great diversity
within a population of over 9.4 million and growing is all gathered together into 8,721 square miles, making New Jersey the most
densely populated state in the U.S.. Yet there are only four cities
with a population greater than 100,000! That means the population
is spread out over a multitude of smaller cities and municipalities.
The challenges of culture, language, religion, thought, and
worldview are readily evident within this environment. How does a
well-established, relatively long-term resident, primarily of northern European descent church share the Gospel of Christ crucified
with such a diverse population? The good news is that this has begun to happen and with God’s blessing will accelerate in the coming days. Both our prayers and our work aim at reaching all the
people of New Jersey in their great diversity one person at a time.
Ironically, the dense population of New Jersey is, in some ways,
an advantage. It means that while the NJ District is the smallest
of districts in terms of churches and geography, we are relatively
close. First, we are close in distance meaning that circuits are small
and sister congregations are nearby. As our congregations struggle
with the high cost of living and housing, they find it evermore advantageous to build relationships with nearby congregations and
share a pastor and ministry. Our close proximity makes this easier
to do. Second, we are close in relationship. Our close proximity
enables us to gather more easily for circuit meetings, district meetings, training, and fellowship. We enjoy a high level of collegiality
and friendship, which fosters the care and well-being of our pastors
and church workers. Third, district president visitation is facilitated
as most congregations are within an hour drive and all are within
two hours. To that end, all of the NJ District congregations received
a presidential visit in the first 16 months of the new president taking
office in September 2021.

In addition, 2019 resolutions regarding church planting,
strengthening multiethnic outreach, shared ministry, active witness, church worker recruitment, continuing education, and more
helped shape the district’s ministry response.

Ministry Plan
In 2022, the New Jersey District celebrated her 50th anniversary! Back in 1972, the Atlantic District was divided into three new
districts: Atlantic, New England, and New Jersey. One of the stated
purposes at the time recognized the unique characteristics of each
of these regions and allowed each new district to focus ministry on
the unique needs within its territory. So, after 50 years of ministry,
the NJ District gathered at the Princeton University Chapel for a
service of praise and thanksgiving to God for this wonderful opportunity and to ask for His inspiration and blessing in the years
ahead. Congregants were blessed by the address of previous and
current district presidents from New England and Atlantic.
The Initiative for Ministry Development (IMD) is the flagship
of the district’s short- and long-term ministry plans. Working in
conjunction with LCEF’s Ministry Solutions, the district has developed a long-term, ongoing plan to help congregations develop and
implement ministry plans.
Phase 1, Small Church Clarity (SCC), is meant to help small
congregations that have done little in terms of ministry planning to develop and implement a manageable and effective
annual ministry plan. The end result starts with a simple
guiding statement and boasts of goals and action steps in the
areas of worship, study of the Word, fellowship, and service
(outreach). It presents the ministry of the congregation in a
printed brochure for distribution to visitors and at outreach
events.
Phase 2, NJ District University (NJDU), is a fuller, more indepth version of SCC for more mature congregations. Since
these are larger congregations, their plans will encompass
more areas of ministry, in a more sophisticated way. NJDU
is a seven-session, seven-month process compared to SCC’s
four-session, four-month process.
Phase 3 is Advanced Development. Congregations that have
completed either SCC or NJDU are eligible to enroll in
2023 Convention Workbook