LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 116

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116 SYNODICAL REPORTS

prepared the way is an important part of our one mission. The min-
istry of the Lay Ministry Training Program and the Family Life
Academy continue to equip and empower men and women
throughout the ministries and congregations of Kansas. Our con-
tinued partnership with LCMS World Missions and the partners of
the “Together In Mission” congregations of Kansas support the
work of Christ’s vision for the mission in Guinea, West Africa. We
have employed a former missionary of Guinea, the Rev. Tim
Heiney, as a mission developer in our District, to work alongside
Marvin Kohlmeier to raise awareness and response to that mission.
Tim will also be organizing trips into the mission field for layper-
sons throughout Kansas to experience and participate in the mis-
sion there first hand. We continue to desire to expand the mission
of our Lord in ethnic ministries in Kansas, and have taken initial
steps in both Hispanic and African American ministry. At the same
time, we give attention to other congregations through our Rural
and Small Town Ministry Task Force.

In all of these things we seek to pray that Christ would be our
vision, and that he would lay upon our hearts, and provide the gifts
to our hands, in order to continue to be about His plan as one peo-
ple, with one mission, proclaiming together one message. Toward
that end, bless us dear Father.

Keith E. Kohlmeier, President

R7-05-11
Michigan District

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and
you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8).

Under the theme “Celebrating Christ’s Mission, Near ... Far ...
Forever ...” the 2003 Michigan District convention celebrated
Christ’s mission “to” us, “through” us, and “beyond” us. God be
praised for what He has done among us and for the opportunity and
challenge of doing great things for Him in the future.

During this past triennium the Michigan District Board of Di-
rectors has provided outstanding leadership and direction for mis-
sion and ministry in the Michigan District and beyond. Four major
goals were articulated during the past triennium. First is an Out-
reach Mindset, that congregations are sensitive to the lost within
their communities, and beyond, and actively share Christ’s love.
The second goal focuses on Professional Church Workers, that the
church would have an abundance of professional church workers
and church-worker students filled with integrity and joy, well re-
spected and supported financially. Third, Relationship Building,
that congregations and professional church workers demonstrate
respect, trust, and support for each other as they engage in interde-
pendent ministries. Finally, Resourced Congregations, that con-
gregations are provided resources toward effective ministry. In all
these things, District ministry is to bolster congregations and con-
gregational ministries.

In striving to achieve the outcomes, indicators and measure-
ments have been developed. Ministry and operational plans have
been crafted and are carried out by District staff. Happily, many
new missions have been begun. Nine new missions were planted
in the year 2003. Five of these were ethnic church plants (Arabic,
Sudanese, Asian-Indian, Muslim) and urban ministries. The Michi-
gan District is using both called missionaries at large (MALs) as
well as mother/daughter church planting and local support. The
goal of the District is to plant three to five new mission starts each
year. In mission beyond ourselves, the District has established a
partnership with the Lutheran Church of Venezuela. The Michigan
District has also been sending an average of 10 short-term mission
trips to various Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod mission fields
in our program called “Workers in Nations, God’s Servants”

2004 Convention Workbook

(WiNGS), and has been working on a relationship with Lutherans
in Pakistan.

Christian education continues to be a blessing in the Michigan
District as well as an opportunity and a challenge. The most popu-
lar form of Christian education for children remains the preschool
and/or daycare. There are currently 155 congregations operating
preschools, many also with daycare capability. One of the mission starts is
using the “Open Arms” concept to begin a new church through a preschool.
The number of congregations with Lutheran elementary schools has stabi-
lized over the past triennium. While some schools have closed, others have
begun. The Michigan District is thankful for the Genesis program, which
helps congregations conduct feasibility studies. Currently there are 95 ele-
mentary schools helping families with Christian education. Chnstian high
school education in Michigan has also grown. The Detroit High School As-
sociation has moved from four to five high schools. High schools are also op-
erated in Lansing (Central), Saginaw (Valley), and a new one is scheduled to
begin the fall of 2004 in the Grand Rapids area.

The Michigan District Church Extension Fund has been blessed
with a triennium of substantial growth. Total assets at the begin-
ning of 2004 were at $213 million as compared with $159 million
three years earlier. Total asset growth represents an approximate
34 percent increase. Loans outstanding increased, and loan demand
also has increased. The fund is very well capitalized with net as-
sets of $31.4 million at the end of 2003, up 33 percent from three
years prior. The Michigan District CEF in its 103rd year of exis-
tence has adopted the theme “A Christian Connection to All Gen-
erations” in seeking to build and extend the Kingdom. Also, the
District business office is looking at the possibility of expanding
the services of the business department to offer an accounting ser-
vice to churches on a fee-for-service basis.

The Michigan District is celebrating its 125th anniversary in the
triennium 2003-06. Michigan originally was a part of the North-
ern District of the LCMS. However, by 1878 Michigan was the
only state in the Northern District. Therefore, in the 1881 Synod
convention the name was changed from the Northern District to the
Michigan District. Plans are underway for a special 125th anniver-
sary drive to advance new mission starts and church-worker stu-
dent support.

In seeking to bolster congregations and congregational leader-
ship via effective communication, there is an emphasis on sharing
information among the church workers and the congregations. The
District began a new District magazine entitled Michigan In Touch,
replacing the former newspaper format. Weekly e-bulletins are sent
to churches, workers, and other subscribers. A District Web site in-
cludes resources, information, directories, and event registrations.

The Michigan District continues to be blessed by the Lord
through His people gathered in congregations. We continue to cel-
ebrate Christ’s mission as we see it in the hearts and lives of indi-
viduals, congregations, and the church at large. May “Celebrating
Christ’s Mission” bring a sense of His presence, a sense of His
calm, a sense of His purpose, and a sense of commitment to serve
“near ... far ... and forever.”

C. William Hoesman, President

R7-05-12
Mid-South District

The organizational mission of the Mid-South District is ex-
pressed in these words:

Serving LCMS ministries by providing leadership, resources, and
encouragement for making and nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ.
During the past triennium the District has continued a strong

outreach emphasis through its 20/20 Vision adopted at the 1997
convention, which envisions 200 New Missions and/or Ministries
by the year 2020. “New missions” are new starts while “new min-
istries” are outreach by an existing congregation to reach a new