LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 88

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88 SYNODICAL REPORTS

R7-05-12
Mid-South District

During the past triennium, four primary goals guided our stew-
ardship of God’s mission: By God’s grace, the Mid-South District
* enlarges its Gospel outreach, locally and globally;

* strengthens service to the diversity of its ministries;

* grows in attitudes and actions that affirm and support His gifts of
church servant-leaders and their families;

* practices spiritually responsible stewardship of financial resources
for mission and ministry.

In the June convention, District delegates conducted business
and celebrated partnership around the Jeremiah 29 theme “God’s
Plans for Hope and a Future.” Dr. Robert Kuhn served as synodical
representative. The convention reelected President David Callies
to serve a fourth term. Business matters included rejoicing in 20/20
Vision mission emphasis and growth in Lutheran education, revi-
sion of Bylaws to support the District’s mission, study of a new
world mission partnership agreement, formation of a Health and
Wellness Cabinet for church workers and families, and considera-
tion of specialized ministries. The convention emphasized technol-
ogy for communications to connect the large mission field of
Arkansas. Tennessee, and So. Kentucky.

A series of special events in 2001 will mark the District’s 35th
anniversary since its formation from the Western District in 1966. In
35 years of history, service to the District was given from four office
locations. This past February the staff moved into a newly con-
structed permanent fifth office made possible by a major gift from a
generous donor, Mr. David Coleman, in memory of his mother and
proceeds from the sale of a previous office and property.

The District continues to focus on 20/20 Vision, a mission em-
phasis adopted by the 1997 District convention. Empowered by the
Holy Spirit, 20/20 envisions by the year 2020 200 new missions
(new starts) and ministries (outreach by an existing congregation
to a new group of people, culture, language, generation, or loca-
tion). Plans for implementing the emphasis are emerging through a
series of small-group meetings across the District. The action plans
emphasize mission initiatives and involvement from the front lines
of ministry through Mission Action Councils, with the District in a
partnership role. With prayers and plans for 40 new ministries by
2005, we give thanks to God that since 2000, 16 have already
started!

Opportunities abound for outreach with the Gospel. The Dis-
trict’s Evangelism Committee has served effectively as a resource
to congregations for the Synod’s “Tell the Good News about Jesus”
emphasis. Significant doors open daily for ministry to and with
African Americans, the deaf, Hispanics, African immigrants, inter-
national students on campuses, and Appalachia.

Since 1995, the ministry of Lutheran education in the District
experienced a significant period of new growth, including I early
childhood centers, six elementary schools, and one high school.
Several congregations are conducting feasibility studies.

A large challenge for Mid-South is the increasing number of
smaller congregations that are just holding on or declining. They
are financially challenged for resources and find it difficult to se-
cure pastoral help. With more vacancies, fewer available pastors,
and increasing numbers of retirements, Mid-South, like other Dis-
tricts, is grateful for retired pastors who continue to serve. Many
ministry settings, including immigrant ministries, urgently need as-
sistance. In response, and until the Synod finalizes its approach for
using the gifts of trained laymen to assist pastors, the Mid-South
District is equipping qualified laymen, under pastoral supervision,
for assistance in specific places and situations.

Recruiting and supporting gifted people for church service is a
major concern of the District. During the past three years, $208,250

2001 Convention Workbook

was awarded in financial assistance to Mid-South students attend-
ing one of the Concordias or seminaries.

Financial stewardship received major attention and will con-
tinue as a primary area for growth. Pastoral conferences devoted
emphasis to stewardship and providing resources to pastors for
congregational education. With a slow decline in overall congre-
gational mission commitments to District and the Synod in relation
to the increase in the cost of living, the District is challenged in
stewardship with a budget of 60 percent allocated for District and
synodical mission work. From God’s abundant blessings, the Mid-
South District has been able to increase its synodical mission com-
mitment each year since 1966.

Direct gifts are an aspect of stewardship, above and beyond reg-
ular corporate offerings in worship. The District initiated a $5 mil-
lion direct gift emphasis so 20/20 Vision can be aggressively im-
plemented. Through the services of our gift planner and in
partnership with the LCMS Foundation, significant gifts will come
to various ministries of the Synod and Mid-South District congre-
gations. The bounty of God’s goodness to the District is experi-
enced through the ministry of LCEF to make new construction and
renovation possible. Investors in the Mid-South District have over
$50 million on deposit.

Trusting that God has an exciting and hopeful future for the
Mid-South mission field, we serve in joyful partnership with you to
His glory!

David W. Callies, President

R7-05-13
Minnesota North District

“Tell the Good News about Jesus” was the theme of our 2000
District convention: It remains the center and core of our work as
we seek to serve our 211 congregations and the communities in
which they are found. In order for the District to carry out its Mis-
sion Statement, “To assist congregations as Great Commission
churches,” two Mission and Ministry Facilitators have been called.
Rev. Donald Fondow is the facilitator in the areas of Missions and
Congregational Outreach and is involved in new church starts and
mission development. In the fall of 2000 a new mission start was
initiated in the Grand Marais area. Rev. Richard Hans works
closely as a facilitator in the area of Congregational Life and Nur-
ture (education, youth, human care, stewardship, and family life).
He also serves in the area of preschools and Lutheran day schools.
The goal of our facilitators is to work on a one-to-one basis and to
encourage, support, and nurture our congregations to be the very
best they can be as they “Tell the Good News about Jesus.”

A capital fund drive called “Stepping Out in Faith” is presently
in progress. It is an added effort on the part of our congregations to
give special support in six areas of carrying out our mission in Min-
nesota North: (1) To plant new churches. (2) To reach out to Native
Americans in Minnesota. (3) To support the establishment of
preschools. (4) To encourage the ministry at Lutheran Island Camp.
(5) To strengthen rural and small town congregational ministry. (6)
To recruit, encourage, and support future church workers. It ap-
pears that much of our future mission activity will be in the
fast-growing areas just north of the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
Campus ministry work continues on campuses at St. Cloud, Du-
luth, Moorhead, Morris, and Bemidji.

The Ministerial Health Commission continues its work of lend-
ing support to all of our professional church workers and their fam-
ilies in the areas of spiritual, emotional, and physical health. A re-
tired pastor serves part-time and stands ready to assist any of our
workers in trouble and to point them to helpful agencies and coun-
seling.