LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 114

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114 SYNODICAL REPORTS

Mission 2000

Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heav-
enly vision, but declared first to those at Damascus, then at
Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the
Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and perform
deeds worthy of their repentance. Acts 26:19~20 RSV

On the Damascus road St. Paul received a commission or
“heavenly vision” to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles. We, the
members of the North Wisconsin District, also believe that we have
received a commission to make disciples of all nations beginning in
our local community. The Lord of the church who has called us
and redeemed us by His grace also sends us as once He sent St.
Paul to win the lost to Jesus Christ. We received this commission
not on some Damascus road but in the Holy Scriptures which are
the inspired Word of God and the only source from which we may
know the love of God in Christ and the will of God for His church.

We believe that this “heavenly vision” which God revealed to
us in His Word is summarized in the Great Commission. Based on
the Great Commission we envision a District of faithful congrega-
tions committed to healthy kingdom growth.

We understand a faithful congregation as one that centers its
life and work in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that holds fast to the
Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions, that reaches out boldly
to win the lost to Jesus Christ, that grows vigorously toward matu-
rity as full-committed followers of Christ, that serves compassion-
ately to help those in want or need, and that manages its business
affairs prudently and efficiently.

Based on these convictions and compelled by the love of Christ,
we commit ourselves and pledge to one another that we will pray
and work to faithfully carry out the commission or “heavenly vi-
sion” we have received. We will do this especially by working to
accomplish the following goals during the coming triennium within
our individual congregations.

Goals

* Every member of each District congregation will be helped to
see himself or herself primarily as a disciple of Jesus Christ and
not simply as a member of a church.

Every disciple in the congregation will be helped to recognize

Jesus Christ also as the Lord and head of the church. The con-

gtegation is not merely a human organization to be ordered and

operated according to our desires.

Every disciple in the congregation will be helped to view the

congregation as a mission station in the local community and in

the world commissioned by the Lord of the church to win the

unchurched to Jesus Christ.

¢ Every disciple in the congregation will be helped to pray
earnestly for God to make clear His will for the mission and min-
istry of the congregation so that each congregation may be faith-
ful to its Lord and fruitful in its service.

“Faithful Lord—Faithful Church”—as God grants His grace
and the help and guidance of His Holy Spirit, the North Wisconsin
District will work together to be faithful to our faithful God by
building and maintaining faithful congregations as described above.
Arleigh Lutz, President

R7-05-22
Northern Illinois District
Great Beginnings

It all started in Chicago, at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church on
April 26, 1847, as our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod was
founded there, with 12 congregations signing the original charter.
First St. Paul Congregation is still alive and well today, and is one
of the 242 congregations comprising that portion of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod known as the Northern Illinois District.

Serving over 140,000 members, the Northern Illinois District
has a wide diversity of cultures, ethnic groups, and economic lev-
els. Worship services are offered in no less than five distinct lan-
guages every Lord’s Day. Northern Illinois contains the Chicago

metropolitan area with its population of over 8 million, its stock
markets and vibrant business community, and at the same time in
its rural areas boasts some of the most serene and productive farm-
land in the Midwest.

Great Gifts

The Northern I!inois District is blessed with great gifts. We

count as blessings:

242 congregations

120+ schools and preschools

6 Lutheran High Schools
Concordia University, River Forest
375 pastors

1,100 teachers

In the midst of these blessings and this diversity the Northern
Illinois District has launched its Mission Statement to guide and
direct its activities:

The Mission of the Northern Illinois District,of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod is to extend and serve, the church of Jesus
Christ, by providing support, encouragement, leadership, and resources
to its congregations, leaders, and the church-at-large.

Seven Critical Targets, or priorities, guide the work of the Dis-
trict, its boards, committees, and staff in carrying out the Mission
Statement.

1. Developing New Missions and Ministries

2. Encouraging Inter-Congregational Support and Cooperation

3. Developing Leaders

4, Supporting Professional Workers, Congregations, and Schools
5. Maintaining Strategic Ministries

6. Supporting the Work of Synod

7. Providing Special Ministries on Behalf of Congregations

New Regional Structure

In its 1997 convention the District adopted a reorganized re-
gional structure, replacing the former three regions with four. The
change will go into effect in the year 2000, enabling the sprawling
Chicago metropolitan area to operate as a single entity, recognizing
a oneness in mission and ministry while at the same time rejoicing
in its cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity. In addition the
change creates three other regions that are closely tied by geogra-
phy to make possible increased support and enrichment of each
congregation's ministries.

New Congregational Services Staffing

The four new regions will be served by Executives for Congre-
gational Services, replacing the former “Executives for Program’’
which had served the District in the past. This new staff role places
executives “out in the district’’ as
* Facilitators for long range and short range parish planning

* Consultants for parish program resourcing

* Coordinators for area mission development

¢ Administrators of District Special Ministry staffing
* Channels of communication to the District

New Mission Starts

In 1997, new ministries were begun in three different areas of
the District. These were the first mission efforts able to be launched
by the District in the last four years. It is with great joy that we
greet these new outposts of the Gospel and pray God’s continued
blessing on them.

New District President

It is a joy and a privilege for me to follow Dr. Theodore Laesch
as President of the District. His love for his Lord and his love for
the church remain a great gift to all of us in Northern I]linois that
has touched us and blessed us mightily. I pray earnestly for that
same spirit for this District, its people and all of its leaders. The
Lord of the church has set great challenges before us. We look to
the years ahead with great excitement and with great expectations.

William H. Ameiss, President