LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 117

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- SYNODICAL REPORTS 117

group of people, culture, language, generation, or location. The

District has also seen continued interest and growth in the area of

education with one new early childhood program, three new

schools, and the continued growth of its first high school.

“Jesus Christ, the Same, Yesterday, Today, and Forever” was
the theme chosen for the District’s 2003 convention. A major ac-
tion of the convention was the formation of a Partnership in Mis-
sion Agreement with the East of Lake Victoria Diocese (ELVD) of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). The con-
vention also affirmed the Deacon Training Program and asked the
Synod to strengthen and expand this ministry. A highlight of the
convention was the opportunity to celebrate and give thanks to God
for 12 years of faithful service by retiring President Rev. David W.
Callies, to honor him and his wife, Nancy, and to elect him Presi-
dent Emeritus.

As part of its commitment to outreach, the District has chal-
lenged 100 percent of its congregations to establish a goal to con-
firm at least one adult in 2004 and for 67 percent of District con-
gregations to confirm more adults in 2004 than in 2003. Providing
support to church-work students attending one of the Concordia
System seminaries or schools is another priority of the Mid-South
District with over $220,000 in scholarships being provided in the
past three years. In its concern for church workers, the convention
asked that a fund be established that would help current workers
with their educational indebtedness.

Because long-range plans are difficult in today’s world of rapid
change, the District Office personnel participated in the develop-
ment of a planning map in 2002. This “directional map” was de-
signed to be responsive to changes, to assist in the transition to a
new District President, and to provide accountability to the District
through the Board of Directors. This map was then updated in the
fall of 2003 and will continue to be updated annually.

Five key directions for the District’s future are as follows:

e By God’s grace, we will encourage and assist in enlarging the
District’s outreach with the Gospel on the District, North Ameri-
can, and world mission fields.

e By God’s grace, we will assist in recruiting, supporting, and re-
taining servants of Christ, aiding growth in attitudes and actions
that affirm His gifts of church servant-leaders and their families.

¢ By God’s grace, we will expand the District organization’s ser-
vice to congregations and schools for their faithful witness to
Christ in a changed and changing culture.

¢ By God’s grace, we will practice faithful financial management
of His blessings and grow in all areas of District financial stew-
ardship in order to meet new and existing mission opportunities.

¢ By God’s grace, the organization will strengthen overall commu-
nication with each partner in the Gospel, using interpersonal,
technological, and innovative approaches.

Each of the five directions then has specific three-year goals
that the District will strive to accomplish by the grace of God and
under His direction. Examples of these include the following:
¢ Encourage and assist with beginning 33 new ministries, 50 per-

cent of which are new congregations/missions.

¢ Increase the amount of student financial aid awarded to $100,000
annually.

¢ Provide encouragement along with leadership to increase dollars
on account with LCEF from District investors to $57 million.

e Complete and implement a technology-needs analysis and master
plan for optimizing use of technology resources.

¢ Build and maintain a District Web site that is useful, responsive,
of assistance, and appealing as a communication resource.

In all its ministry effort, the congregations, schools, and people
of the Mid-South District are striving to faithfully proclaim a never-
changing Christ to our ever-changing world.

Kenneth E. Lampe, President

R7-05-13
Minnesota North District

Many are the blessings we recounted as God’s people in the
Minnesota North District as we observed our 40th anniversary dur-
ing 2003. Since its formation in 1963, much that was envisioned,
hoped for, and prayed about has come to fruition by God’s grace.

Numbering 210 congregations with 222 total pastors (including
emeritus), along with 10 elementary schools, 35 preschools, and 53
commissioned ministers, we are faithfully working to carry out our
mission: “... to further the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) and
to assist congregations as Great Commission churches.”

During the past triennium we have seen three new congrega-
tions begin. One of these congregations, Lutheran Church of the
Good Shepherd, is located at a senior care complex that includes a
nursing home, assisted living, and independent living apartments.

A new campus ministry was begun, bringing our total to six.
Two new locations were added to our ministry to the deaf. A build-
ing was purchased in Cass Lake for our ongoing work among Na-
tive Americans. Three students graduated from the DELTO pro-
gram and are serving congregations in the District.

A mission partnership was formed with the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Ghana to provide support for the seminary in
Accra. A number of congregations and individuals contribute to-
wards the work of Delano and Linda Meyer, who serve in West
Africa and are from the Minnesota North District.

Many congregations had building projects, and a new school in
Baxter was built. .

The Minnesota North District owns two properties where sum-
mer worship services are held: Breezy Point and Tulaby Lake.
Year-round programs and events are conducted for all ages at
Lutheran Island Camp, a beautiful place to grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord blessed us through a mission fund appeal called
“Stepping Out in Faith,” which set forth six initiatives to strengthen
and further the work we are doing. A total of $1,165,644.12 has
been pledged, and thus far we have received $925,247.42.

We have carried out the emphasis to “Tell the Good News
about Jesus” through annual Districtwide rallies and pastors’ re-
treats.

In 2002 a luncheon to recognize and honor the retired church
workers in the District was held. We thank God for all the workers
He has provided and is providing to carry out the work of ministry
in our District.

Rev. David Bode retired as District President, and Rev. Don
Fondow (District Mission and Ministry Facilitator for Missions and
Congregational Outreach) was elected President. Rev. David
Strohschein, pastor of Holy Cross in St. Cloud, accepted the posi-
tion vacated by Pastor Fondow, and he joins Rev. Richard Hans
(MMF for Parish Life and Nurture), George Miller (office man-
ager/LCEF VP), Orrin Rinke (treasurer), and four support staff to
form the District team.

A District Web site was developed along with bi-weekly E-
News.

In recognition of all that our Lord has done and is doing in and
through the Minnesota North District, we praise His holy name.

Now we are committed to continue the good work the Lord has
done. We have purchased 27 acres for a new mission start on the
North Shore of Lake Superior and are exploring the possibility for
a mission start in South Moorhead, where the District owns prop-
erty. We are looking for land to purchase to enhance our ministry to
Native Americans on the Fond du Lac Reservation, and we will be
working to establish a Mission Committee in each of our 18 Cir-
cuits. An association of six congregations in the St. Cloud area is
making plans to build a school. We are entering a process to pro-
mote unity and help congregations, church workers, and individ-

2004 Convention Workbook