LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 104

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104 SYNODICAL REPORTS

bylaws state that a person is full-time only when elected to the po-
sition. Rev. David J. Bueltmann served out the remaining two years
of the presidency and then was elected to his first full term as full-
time President on July 13, 1997, The Circuit Counselors and staff
in the District office have been very helpful during the transition.

During the coming years the District President would like to focus
on outreach, youth ministry, and communications.

Christian education by means of the Lutheran early childhood
center, the Lutheran elementary school, and the Lutheran high
school continues to be a very strong part of ministry in the Central
Illinois District. More and more congregations of our District are
considering the establishment of early childhood education centers.
Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley is now in its first full year
of operation. Overall enrollments have shown an increase in our
schools. A greater number of synodically trained or colloquized
teachers are now serving our congregations. The placement of the
highest quality synodically trained or colloquized teachers into the
classrooms of our Central Illinois District schools is a high priority.
We have been offering colloquy classes at our District office in
conjunction with Concordia University, River Forest. In an effort to
improve upon the total program of Christian education being of-
fered, a number of our schools have participated in the National
Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) program and have become
accredited by the NLSA Commission.

Our Congregational Life Commission, through an ad hoc com-
mittee, developed the “Theses on Worship” which has been well
received. In addition, they have worked with youth, parish educa-
tion. family life, men’s ministry, pastors’ wives retreat, and a wor-
ship catechism. There have been many congregational consulta-
tions which have assisted congregations as they seek new ways to
share the Gospel. Many congregations are looking to how they can
best function in the 21st century.

Our stewardship commission has been involved in carrying out
every-congregation visitation, a Back to the Basics seminar, and
Circuit visitations. Instead of heading in the direction of deployed
staff, we have assigned three or four Circuits to each staff person
for a year. It is our hope that this staff person will work with the
congregations in that area with the expertise that he has to futher
develop the resources of these congregations. Each year a new staff
person will work with another group of congregations. In that way
all the congregations of the District will be enriched by the re-
sources available in the District office by each staff member. The
Central Illinois District has been one of the top five Districts on a
per-communicant basis for remittance to the Synod for years. How-
ever, while the total dollar amounts have risen, the percentage
amount to District and the Synod has dropped. We know that many
congregations are doing more locally and have had to cut back
some to District and the Synod. We are always reminded of Acts
1:8 where God calls us to be His witnesses not only at home, but
also in our District and the Synod.

We live in a society that no longer values God and His Holy
Word. The challenges before us are great! But, on our side is the
greatest One of all—Jesus Christ, who conquered sin, Satan, and
hell! All who believe in Him will not perish, but have everlasting
life! Our missions revolve around new mission congregations, sub-
sidized congregations, campus ministries (four state universities in
our District), prison ministries, deaf ministry, and other specialized
ministries. Mission education is very important so our people un-
derstand what is being done in the mission field. Our District is
also looking into ethnic ministries, including Hispanics and
African-Americans.

Our Evangelism commission has produced two practical manu-
als for congregations. “From Prospect to Disciple” invites people to
come and hear God’s Word to be brought into the local congrega-
tion. The second manual attempts to integrate people into the con-
gregation and is entitled “Keeping Disciples.” In the area of Human
Care. five workshops were held on alcoholism, and two which as-
sisted in ministry to the developmentally disabled.

Staffing for the district includes: David Bernhardt, Christian ed-
ucation; Rev. Joel Cluver, Missions and Evangelism; David Gold-
hammer, business manager and church extension; David Rohe, Gift
Planning Counselor; and Rev. Wesley Reimnitz, Congregational
Life and Stewardship.

The Central Illinois District continues to be blessed with caring
pastors dedicated to serving our Lord, the people of their parishes,
and the communities in which they serve. We give thanks for the
faithful people of our congregations as they reach out with the
Gospel message to those around us. There are many unchurched to
be reached. May God bless our efforts in reaching out to them with
the message of Jesus Christ.

David J. Bueltmann, President

R7-05-04
Eastern District

The 92nd Convention of the Eastern District was held at the
State University of N. Y. at Geneseo, N. Y., May 30—-June 1, 1997.
365 were in attendance. Dr. Robert Kuhn, First Vice-President of
the Synod served as synodical representative. Dr. Howard Patten,
President of the Kansas District, served as the Bible study leader.
The theme of the convention was “Ordinary People ... Extraordi-
nary Purpose.”

A major portion of the convention was spent in five Bible study
and small-group discussion sessions relating to the theme of the

’ convention and the biblical lessons for that Sunday. DCE Sue

Steege served as the facilitator for the round-table discussions by
voting and advisory delegates as well as guests. The convention
had two workshop sessions offering a variety of presentation and
discussion times on issues such as leadership, worship, racial rec-
onciliation, ministry to singles, prayer and evangelism, men and
women in mutual ministry, small-group outreach, conflict resolu-
tion, growing your Bible class and Sunday school participation,
walking together, etc. In addition, time was taken to enable regional
meetings of delegates from the four regions of the Eastern District
to meet and work together to plan mission outreach.

New church professionals were recognized and welcomed into
the District and the Synod and as part of the 150th anniversary cel-
ebration of the Synod, those church professionals with 25 or more
years of continuing service were recognized.

The ratification of the slate of Circuit Counselors was accepted
and the District President was re-elected on the first ballot.

The convention authorized the District Board of Directors to
“exercise responsible flexibility” in the structural design of the Dis-
trict in order to better serve the needs of congregations.

During the last triennium, the District re-affirmed its partner-
ship with the LCMS Foundation and at the convention service in-
stalled Mr. David Cascio as the new Gift Planning Counselor. Re-
ports were also received from the part-time mission coordinator,
Reverend Elton Rengstorf; the congregational service and educa-
tion executive, Mr. William Cochran; Mr. Paul Renckert, LCEF
vice-president; and Mr. James Brese, District treasurer. He reported
on the continuing relationship with the Synod that is providing ac-
counting services for the Eastern District in an effort to save scarce
financial resources.

Over 400 participated in the evening banquet and fellowship.
Ms. Elaine Richter, LCMS Executive for World Relief, gave a major
presentation on ordinary people fulfilling God’s extraordinary pur-
pose as it related to the work and witness of world relief.

The Eastern District now has 152 congregations; another one
closed during the past triennium. 90 of the 152 congregations have
less than 100 people per week in worship. There are 23 elementary
schools and 51 preschools. Three new preschools were started in
the last triennium. Church attendance averages 30 percent of mem-
bership and financial support through the congregations is less than
the synodical average. 20 percent of our baptized members are in
Sunday school and/or Bible class during a given week. Finding
pastors for small, stable or declining congregations providing low
salaries is a very serious matter. We have five men enrolled in the
Distance Education Leading to Ordination (DELTO) process. They
are providing a vital service to congregations while continuing their
studies with a local mentor pastor and professors from the semi-
nary.

During the course of the triennium, the District Task Force on
the Future continued to listen to the needs of many congregations.
This led to the convention affirming the Board of Directors move