LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 113

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 113

church body, both in applying the Gospel to changing situations in
society and in demonstrating concern about problems daily con-
fronted by the people of our District in their respective homes and
congregations. Its greatest objective will continue to be the advo-
cacy of the District’s motto: “Man is justified by faith,” Rom.
3:28. This Scripture accents the very principle upon which the Dis-
trict was formed 93 years ago, namely, God declares us guilty sin-
ners just or righteous solely and alone as an act of His grace. We
are, therefore, linked by faith to Jesus Christ, God’s Son, our Sav-
_lor. We encourage all our fellow believers, brothers and sisters in
Christ throughout The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, to part-
ner in Christ with us, work with us, and together equip even more
to be disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. We invite you to “Share
the Joy of That One Gospel among the Many People” God has
placed before us all.

David H. Ritt, President

R7-05-06
Florida—Georgia District

Under the theme “Forward Together—Servants in His Mis-
sion,” the Florida-Georgia District has been striving to respond to
the Gospel of God’s love in Jesus Christ by building one another up
and by reaching out to others with that same love.

In many ways, the past three years have seen the District follow
through on initiatives begun at its 2000 convention. Led by Direc-
tor Dr. Wayne Wilke, the Concordia House of Studies (CHS) is
now operating at four locations: Orlando and Gainesville, Fla., with
traditional classes through an alliance with Concordia, Bronxville;
and Atlanta, Ga., and Delray Beach, Fla., with weekend classes
through an alliance with Concordia Wisconsin. Currently 45 stu-
dents are enrolled. Courses prepare students for the Lutheran
Teacher Certificate program, provide the first 10 courses of the
DELTO curriculum, equip students for seminary admission, and
offer courses to laity seeking enrichment. The CHS is seeking to
expand its offerings and the number of sites where classes are of-
fered. By partnering with campus ministries at our traditional sites,
both programs benefit.

I am happy to report that the District’s efforts to enhance its
growth in financial stewardship have been paying dividends. The
capital campaign, Forward Together—Servants in His Mission, has
now topped $8.7 million in gifts and pledges toward a goal of $10
million. These “over and above” funds benefit new missions,
strengthen existing congregations, serve to establish the CHS, ex-
pand Woodlands Camp, and undergird our District’s social min-
istry agencies: Lutheran Services Florida and Lutheran Services
Georgia. We thank God for the faithful service of now sainted Paul
Kralovanec, Director of Gift Planning Services, for the leadership
he provided the campaign and stewardship education. A by-product
of our emphasis on biblical stewardship has been an annual growth
in unrestricted congregational gifts to the District, of which 20 per-
cent is forwarded to the Synod.

At its convention in 2003 the District realigned its Circuits
from 18 to 22 to (a) position itself for the continuing population
growth we are experiencing as we seek to plant more new mis-
sions; (b) foster greater mutual care and concern within the Cir-
cuits by reducing their geographic size; and (c) make it easier for
Circuits to gather for training and common events. During
Epiphany 2003 the District staff visited each of the Circuits, em-
phasizing that we are “Co-workers in God’s Service.” Visits to
each of the congregations this year by Circuit Counselors, Vice-
Presidents, and the undersigned are reinforcing our commitment to
strengthen and encourage one another. The next two years will see
the District staff coupling congregation visits with circuit events to
further nurture relationships for mission. ,

The District Board of Directors is operating effectively under
policy-based governance. Each meeting includes time for a topic
or Bible study that our work may be guided by wisdom from
above. To also draw on the rich talents and insights of the District’s
membership and to develop further the sense of involvement by the
whole District, a significant number of commissions and advisory
councils serve with the District staff: Human Care, Parish Educa-
tion, Youth Ministry, Early Childhood, School Administrators, Ac-
creditation, Church Worker-Family Care, Stewardship, Outreach,
and task forces with specific, short-term assignments. I am most
thankful for the dedicated, able, and cooperative District staff:
Richard Neubauer, who marked 20 years of faithful service in Jan-
uary, Finance and Administration, LCEF Vice-President; Mark
Brink, School Ministries; David Weidner, Congregational Services,
whom we welcomed in 2002; and Doug Kallesen, Outreach. Steve
Cecchetti serves as an LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor
in our District.

In addition to structuring the District to promote the partnership
of the Gospel, genuine efforts to assist congregations in times of
need are made by District staff and leaders to provide support dur-
ing pastoral vacancies, assistance with leadership training and plan-
ning processes, and help with reconciliation efforts when congre-
gations have become conflicted. It’s all part of our endeavor to help
our congregations become more missional in orientation and prac-
tice.

Significant challenges for us as we strive to be a “missionary
church” include helping congregations reach out to new neighbors
as the community changes, especially racially and economically;
finding ways to bring the Gospel to the many ethnic groups in our
two states and the Bahamas; securing the financial and people re-
sources needed to plant the new congregations we have set as our
goal, that is planting new congregations each year equivalent to 3
percent of our existing ones, which translates, for instance, to six in
2004. We thank God for the outreach now being done among Ko-
rean, Chinese, Laotian, Sudanese, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Jewish, His-
panic, Haitian, African-American, Vietnamese, and Anglo peoples
and pray that by working together under the power of the Gospel,
we may touch ever greater numbers of people with the grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ. In that missionary spirit, we are determined to go
Forward Together—Servants in His Mission.

Gerhard C. Michael Jr., President

R7-05-07
Indiana District

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you

a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that

with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 15:5—6 NIV).

We know that God’s desire for us as His baptized children is to
work together as we celebrate His strong love for us in Christ
Jesus! Together we can do what none of us can do by ourselves.

With this goal in our hearts and minds, we strive to be a bless-
ing to one another as we focus on the faith God nourishes as we
gather around His Holy Word and Sacraments. Since God is for us
we are also for each other. The mission of the Indiana District is to
encourage and assist the Christian outreach and nurture of its con-
gregations and other ministries.

Our bond of faith and love in Christ is celebrated in 236 con-
gregations of the Indiana District and among the more than 1,200
professional church workers! We rejoice in God’s grace as we set
our hearts on daily encouraging and assisting all who share in the
vital mission of the Indiana District.

It is a privilege to share in this report how God is joining us to-
gether in a spirit of unity to serve Him. We trust that God will con-

2004 Convention Workbook