LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 121

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SYNOD REPORTS 121

boldly in newness of life as we “vigorously...make known the love
of Christ by word and deed.”

For the years ahead, we hope to continue on this more positive
course as the Holy Spirit, through the power of the Gospel and the
Sacraments, continues to rekindle in us a zeal to serve our Lord
better. We have adopted what we consider to be realistic Ablaze!
goals of telling the Good News about our Lord Jesus Christ to those
aforementioned 19,000 who have no apparent saving relationship
with Him. As the Holy Spirit works through that Word, we will
strive to plant three to four traditional congregations in areas that
benefit from the population shift to our larger cities. We will also
work to rekindle or revitalize several congregations in their zeal for
worship, Bible study, giving, and serving in the name of the Lord.
We also look forward to the Fan into Flame capital appeal, with a
goal to raise one million dollars for outreach, while the important
stewardship component of that campaign builds us up in the know]-
edge of biblical giving.

While there is “nothing new under the sun,” the Lord paradox-
ically says, “I make all things new.” As the old nature is daily
drowned through contrition and repentance, a new person walks
forward in newness of life with rekindled zeal, restored joy, and
faithful service. We go forward with ONE MESSAGE: Christ.
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that
we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to
Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all genera-
tions forever and ever. Amen.”

Larry S. Harvala, President

R7-05-21
North Wisconsin District

“Come follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” With
these words, Jesus called Peter and Andrew to become disciples.
Like those early followers, we are on a life-changing journey as we
follow Jesus, fishing—for people! “Come Follow Me” was the
theme for the North Wisconsin District convention in June of 2006.
Having served the North Wisconsin District for 21 years as presi-
dent, Rev. Dr. Arleigh Lutz retired from office. Rev. Joel A. Hoel-
ter was elected to succeed him.

God has blessed our district with faithful church workers and lay
leaders and with faithful churches—223 congregations in 50 coun-
ties of northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The North Wisconsin District convention approved the move to
policy-based governance for the district board of directors. Con-
vention delegates approved a second pastoral conference, the pur-
pose of which is to focus on specific issues facing the Synod and
District and how we can address them as brothers and sisters in
Christ. The convention also voted to memorialize the Synod to sur-
vey the Concordia University System with regard to its teaching of
creationism.

Camp Luther is a bright, shining star in the ministry of the dis-
trict. A campaign called “Every Kid to Camp” has brought amazing
blessings to Camp Luther and the district. The goal is to enable
every middle school age child in the North Wisconsin District to
have one experience of the blessings of Camp Luther free of charge.

We are encouraging one another, as workers, schools, and con-
gregations, to be faithful and fruitful in carrying out the Great Com-
mission. With changing demographics causing us to examine our
district, we are intentionally moving toward revitalizing congrega-
tions as we seek creative ways to carry out effective Word and
Sacrament ministry. Along with that emphasis, we are pleased that
a great many congregations are now utilizing Lutheran Service
Book to enhance their worship life.

Mission work in North Wisconsin includes new church starts,
Hmong outreach, Hispanic outreach, deaf ministry, institutional

chaplaincies, and support of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of The-
ology. Congregations were visited under the theme of Ablaze! Cre-
ating Mission Outposts to encourage them to reach the unchurched
of their community. Congregations that receive the most adults
through confirmation/baptism are awarded the “Golden Sickle.”
“Stewardship Lifters - How to Increase Congregational Financial
Giving 15%” was the theme of our emphasis, which shared Herb
Miller’s Consecration Sunday material.

The North Wisconsin District is blessed with 21 Lutheran ele-
mentary schools and 3 Lutheran high schools. These are served by
over 180 dedicated teachers and administrators, who touch the lives
of over 3,000 preschool through grade 12 students and their fami-
lies. The fastest growing segment of Christian education in the Dis-
trict is the free-standing preschool. With 36 such preschools
operating, we are reaching 1,200 3- and 4-year olds and their fam-
ilies. In addition, 13 congregations operate child care services in
their communities, serving over 500 students and their families.
National Lutheran School Accreditation is a major emphasis in the
district as we seek to maintain the highest standards of Christian
education.

With a growing sense of faithfulness and fruitfulness, the dis-
trict is moving forward to reach out with the Gospel through the
Ablaze! initiative of Synod, seeking to capitalize on the opportuni-
ties that God is placing before us to be about the work of fishing for
people! We thank and praise God for making us followers of Jesus
Christ, and pray that by the power of His Holy Spirit we will be
faithful and fruitful servants, living and proclaiming the Good
News throughout the North Wisconsin District and beyond.

Joel A. Hoelter, President

R7-05-22
Northern Illinois District

Many changes have occurred in the Northern Illinois District in
the last three years. Most notably, a new district president was
elected in 2006. Rev. Bill Ameiss had served the NID faithfully for
three terms (nine years) as district president, having served for 28
years prior to that as a district executive. President Ameiss decided
not to serve another term, and so a new president had to be elected.
At the convention in June of 2006, Rev. Dan Gilbert was elected on
the first ballot. President Gilbert had served for a total of 28 years
as a full-time pastor at Cross Lutheran Church and School in
Yorkville, Illinois, since 1983, and at St. Paul Lutheran Church
(with Community Lutheran School) in Readlyn, Iowa, from 1978
to 1983. He had also served as a district vice-president and on the
district mission board. President Ameiss was designated “president
emeritus” at the district convention, joining former president Ed
Happel with that distiction.

President Ameiss’ last term was characterized by some innova-
tions, notably the addition of “ReFocus,” a process for pastors and
congregations in refocusing the mission and ministry to which the
Lord has called them. President Ameiss also began the process of
moving the district’s congregational services executives away from
geographically assigned “generalists” to more specific specialists
in various areas of ministry.

With a new president, praesidium, board of directors, and board
of mission and ministry, the Northern Illinois District is now mov-
ing to concentrate on “The One Thing”—that is, the one thing that
the 233 congregations who make up the district really should be
doing and that they can probably do better together than alone. That
“One Thing” has been identified as new starts. This can be done by
one congregation or by a group of congregations together. It can be
the formation of a completely new congregation by the Holy Spirit
through the means of grace, or it can be a satellite or second site of
an existing congregation. It also can be a restart of a congregation

2007 Convention Workbook