LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 117

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SYNOD REPORTS 117

R7-05-15
Missouri District

“Faith Aflame: Light in the Darkness” was the theme for our 2006
district convention and serves as the theme for the current triennium.
Weare called by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be “‘a light unto
the world.” By God’s grace and mercy, it is the goal of this district to
“Jet our light shine before others, so that they may see [our] good
works and give glory to [our] heavenly Father” (Matt. 5:16).

In his report to the 2006 convention, retiring President Rev. Dr.
James W. Kalthoff stated, “‘Faith Aflame—Light in the Darkness’
is the wonderful theme chosen for the 60th convention of the Mis-
souri District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. This is
the 40th anniversary of our district . . . [during these 40 years]
many .. . people who sat in the darkness of sin and death have been
rescued from eternal ruin!”

The convention devoted a special evening to recognize the ser-
vice and retirement of President Kalthoff. A special banquet was
held in his honor. Thanksgiving was given to God for his fifteen
years of tireless, faithful service as district president. The board of
directors announced special gifts that it had given in behalf of the
district to the Kalthoffs.

At our 2006 convention, Synod President Gerald Kieschnick re-
minded our delegates that “he chose the word Ablaze! because it
describes something or someone on fire, full of light, illuminated
with the brightness, the power and the energy produced by the fire
of God’s Holy Spirit.”

The Missouri District committed itself to a strong mission em-
phasis through the adoption of Res. 1-10, which resolved “that each
congregation of our Missouri District be intentional in carrying out
the Great Commission as a ‘mission outpost,” and to that end begin
at least one new mission effort to bring Christ to the people in their
mission field.”

The district board of directors’ strategic plan and that of the four
service boards has established a goal of assisting Missouri congre-
gations start 18 new missions during the 2006-2009 triennium and
recruit and train 450 laypersons with basic evangelism skills. With
over 50 percent of the state of Missouri not churched, there is a
great mission field.

Missouri continues to be a destination point for many ethnic
groups newly arriving in the United States. Active ministries are
reaching immigrants from China, Bosnia, India, and various coun-
tries from the continent of Africa and other parts of the world. The
Hispanic population continues to grow rapidly. Manny Rodriguez
was ordained and installed as a missionary-at-large to the Hispanic
population of the Springfield-Branson region of the state.

Revitalization of congregations is a second major emphasis in
the Missouri District. Great effort is being expended to assist rural,
.small town and urban congregations to retool their ministries. Cre-
ativity and innovation in ministry is being encouraged.

The Missouri District has grown to 300 congregations. In addi-
tion, groups of congregations have formed MAGs (Mission Action
Groups). The goal of a MAG is for member congregations to work
together to start a new mission or ministry. Efforts are under way to
form MAGs throughout the district.

Three longtime district executive staff members retired in 2006:
Mr. Mike Earickson, Director of Financial Planning and Control;
Dr. Ralph Geisler, Mission Facilitator; and Mr. Roger Mailand,
Mission Facilitator and advisor to the Board for Family Life and
Youth Services (he remains on staff in a part-time capacity). In
addition, Mr. David Waterman, Director of Lutheran Schools, ac-
cepted a call to serve as Headmaster at Lutheran High School
North, Houston, TX. The district is grateful to these men for their
faithful and longtime service. Mr. Dennis Gehrke accepted the
district’s call and has been installed to serve as the Director of
Lutheran Schools.

Statistically, the district numbers 300 congregations, with
139,800 baptized souls, served by 292 parish pastors. In addition,
there are 60 elementary schools (9,945 enrolled), 52 early child-
hood centers not affiliated with elementary schools (3,270 enrolled)
and 7 high schools (1,690 enrolled.) The number of sole pastor va-
cancies has averaged 12, and the number of vacancies not actively
calling a pastor has averaged 23.

The “harvest is ripe” in Missouri. The challenge is for our con-
gregations to become much more outreach focused. While God
continues to bless the state with a growing economy, relatively full
employment, and a stable environment, the financial stewardship
of congregational members is not reflective of God’s growth in
blessings. Therefore, the district is committed to a much stronger
emphasis on stewardship inspiration, education, and motivation.

The Missouri District, under God’s guidance and blessing, is
committed to “let our light shine . . . to give glory to our heavenly
Father” for the sake of the people of Missouri living in darkness.
We trust that through the power of the Gospel, the efficacy of Word
and Sacrament ministry, and the work of the Holy Spirit through
these means of grace that both the members of our congregations
will grow in God’s grace and that many nonchurched people of this
district will be brought to faith in Jesus Christ.

Ray G. Mirly, President

R7-05-16
Montana District

“From Generation to Generation” was the theme of the 2005
celebration for the SOth anniversary of the formation of the Mon-
tana District. The words of Ps. 78:4, “We will not hide them from
their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds
of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that He has done,”
helped us give thanks to God for all that He has done in, through,
and for His children of the Montana District LCMS.

At this occasion also, the 2007 LCMS convention, the people
of Montana want to remember and give thanks for the blessings He
has worked among us. Chief among those blessings is the gift of
His Son who lived, died, and rose again to purchase life for us
through the forgiveness of our sins. We praise Him for the gift of
faith, through which we have been brought to know Jesus Christ
as our Savior. These things we share with each succeeding genera-
tion through the proclamation of His holy Word, which He has
given us that we might be wise unto salvation.

It is truly an awesome privilege to have been called to rightly
handle the Word of God and steward the Gospel for believer and
unbeliever alike in this beautiful state. There are a few things God
has done that we would like to note for our brothers and sisters
elsewhere in the Synod. We thank God for the addition of one new
congregation in Creston. This congregation will continue to teach
new generations the Gospel in the beautiful Flathead Valley. Al-
though very few people in Montana have ever experienced a hurri-
cane, God worked through the abundance of His people to offer
not only generous financial contributions, but also manpower as
members made the long trip to the Gulf Coast to help in rebuilding
programs. God led us early in the direction of stewardship empha-
sis with the development and adoption of an “Every Member Vis-
itation” program at our 2006 district convention. The next
generation has been well served as God gave success to our early
childhood educators conferences. °

A most significant historical event of this past triennium that
should be noted for the Synod is the retirement of Rev. George
Wollenburg. God used this remarkable man to proclaim the glori-
ous deeds of the Lord to many generations. President Wollenburg
served the church in full-time ministry for nearly 51 years. He was
an effective leader in the congregation, the district, and on the

2007 Convention Workbook