LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 107

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 107

R7-05-08
Iowa District East

Catch the Vision

Much of the story of Iowa District East for the last three years
has been dominated by those three words. It has been our hope and
aim that we in the church militant may see beyond the skirmishes
and battles that mark our walk of discipleship; that we might hold
before our eyes the vision of the church triumphant.

What that has meant for us in tangible ways has involved a
three-year drive to fund some goals set at the 1994 District con-
vention. These goals included helping some of our mission
churches with debts that had become overwhelming, increasing
support for our full-time church work students in synodical schools
from congregations in Iowa District East, and in meeting some of
the challenges the Lord is placing before us in a mission within our
area.

The response from members and congregations was heartening,
and financial support is still coming in. Some of the debts of mis-
sion congregations are being paid, an endowment program has
been set up to provide funds for scholarship for Iowa District East
students, and funds have already been supplied to congregations
with new mission outreach endeavors. We have also been able to
underwrite a new chaplaincy position at the University of Iowa
Hospital and Clinic in Iowa City.

We thank God for His continued blessings in these areas.

It was the same three words, Catch the Vision, that introduced
our theme for the 1997 District convention, and were joined with
three more, Share the Glory! With the encouragement of our con-
vention essayist, Dr. Roger Pittelko, we were challenged to re-
member we have only one purpose and that is to share the message
of the Gospel. As he recounted some of the challenges which our
Synod has confronted over the first 150 years, he also repeatedly
brought us back to the joyful realization that God uses times of
conflict to refocus us on the real task we have as the church mili-
tant. We confront those forces which would destroy the means God
has chosen to share the good news of salvation in the world. We
dare never allow ourselves to become so fixed on our own “agen-
das” that we forget the agenda God has given to us in Matt.
28:19-20.

In response, the District has committed itself to concentration
of work in two areas. The first is in education. This must mean ed-
ucation in all the variety of forms being used and many which we
may still tap into also so that members not only know that basic
Gospel message, but we may be bold witnesses for the truth in a
world which seems continually darkening with doubt and loss of
faith.

The second area is in human care. Within our congregations and
beyond, there are needs which cry out for love and attention. In the
name of Christ we can reach out to those in need, be they families
(no matter what form that family is taking on these last days of the
20th century) or communities where disasters have deprived many
of the necessities of life. We have been so bountifully blessed, but
always with that blessing comes the opportunity to do good to oth-
ers with what God has given to us.

As the plans for this tiennium unfold, these areas will be at the
forefront of our attention and activities.

It-has also been in this last year that one loved and valued mem-
ber of our District staff has retired from his work with us and, even
though officially in retirement, is responding to other needs of the
church. Rev. Larry Schmidt, executive for Education, Human Care,
and Youth, retired in November 1997. To date the Lord has not
provided us with a man to fill the vacancy. The Board of Directors
has called and looks forward eagerly to whomever the Lord will
supply to us.

God has also blessed our District with a very faithful support
staff in the District office. It was our joy to celebrate the 10-year
anniversary of our business manager with us, and the five-year an-
niversary to two of our three secretarial staff persons. God has not
only given us continuity with their years with us, but has allowed
us to value greatly from their talents, abilities, and high sense of
dedication.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not report the Lord has con-

tinued to bless our District with generous people who have a vi-
sion for the need to financially support the work of the District and
Synod. Each year we have rejoiced as the pledges have not only
been kept by our people, but have been increased for the coming
year. We thank God for the faithful guidance the Stewardship Ex-
ecutive has given to congregations and rejoice as together we re-
spond to the opportunity to Share the Glory of the Gospel message
with those who still have not heard.

As we look forward to completing this triennium, which corre-
sponds to the close of not only a century but also a millennium, it is
truly our prayer that we shall Catch the Vision which our tri-
umphant Lord holds before His church for all times and Share the
Glory of that vision in the world He died to save.

Curtis R. Moermond, President

R7-05-09
Iowa District West

“Pass It On!” That’s been the theme of Iowa District West prior
to, during, and since the time of our District convention in June
1997. Based on St Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 15:3-4, “Pass It On!”
looks back to our roots in the Gospel and forward to the future gen-
erations who will receive what we faithfully, under Jesus Christ,
pass on to them. In the midst of the 150th anniversary of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, that theme struck a responsive
chord in all that we did in Iowa District West for the past trien-
nium.

“Pass It On!” was certainly on the hearts and minds of the dele-
gates at the convention when they voted unanimously to call three
“pass it on” missionaries to engage in cross-cultural ministries in
three urban areas—Sioux City, Des Moines, and an area outside
the District, probably the Los Angeles or San Francisco area. This
is to be funded with over-and-above mission offerings of $200,000
each year.

With the departure of its only full-time executive, the Rev.
Larry Reinhardt, in June 1996, the District undertook an extensive
study of its ministry needs. As a result of this study, the Rev. Earl
Pierce, formerly serving as the District’s mission planter, was
called in October 1996 as Executive Assistant for Missions and
Stewardship. In June 1997 the Rev. Robert Riggert was called to
serve as Executive Assistant for Education and Youth Ministry. In
addition, the Rev. Daniel Alsop serves as the part-time Executive
Assistant for Human Care Ministries, and the Rev. David Fechner
as the Executive Assistant for Evangelism.

Realizing that congregations have expressed less need for pro-
grammatic help and more need for basic mission and ministry in-
formation and equipping, both of the full-time executives have
been trained to help congregations move forward through planning,
valuing, visioning, and missioning for the sake of “passing it on.”

Two other staff persons have been actively engaged in helping
the people and congregations of Iowa District West to “Pass It On.”
Mr. Gary Thies serves both the Nebraska District and IDW as Mis-
sion Development Counselor. Gary’s task has been to “pass on” to
congregations and individuals what the Lord is doing in the Dis-
trict, nation, and in other lands in reaching out to those who don’t
know Christ. Through this sharing of the “Pass It On!” story, a ma-
jority of our congregations are involved in direct mission support.
The other staff person who has a special “Pass It On!” message to
share is Mr. James Schroeder, Gift Planning Counselor in the Dis-
trict. Jim works directly with people regarding the financial legacy
that they intend to leave not only their heirs but also for the Lord’s
work. Both of these men have been a tremendous blessing to those
they serve and to the work of mission outreach.

In addition to sending on about 60 percent of its congregations’
“mission offerings,’’ Iowa District West is engaged in the support
of the eight parochial schools, 47 preschool and after-school pro-
grams, and the numerous midweek and Sunday school programs
that are conducted by our people. In addition, $65,000 is provided
each year for the support of students studying at our synodical col-
leges and seminaries for full-time church work.

Throughout the past triennium various workshops and seminars
have been held on topics such as understanding and appreciating