LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 129

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SYNOD REPORTS 129

namely, a perceived lack of unity in doctrine and practice. We also
encourage circuit winkles (conferences) to study the Augsburg
Confession (we provide materials for this purpose), asking God’s
help and blessing to draw us closer together.

All of this is in line with the prayer for the future adopted by
our board of directors in 2005: that we (1) Grow in faith through
the Word; (2) Increase support for Synod missions; (3) Grow in
our mission partnership with the Lutheran Church in South Africa;
(4) Help congregations and schools be mission outposts; (5)
Strengthen members in firm confession and outreach; (6) Unite us
by the Spirit in our confession of faith through the Lutheran sym-
bols; (7) Plant churches and schools; (8) Expand the various min-
istries of the district (prison, campus, mission school).

How will this be done? If it depends on us, we fail. But none of
this is our doing. God will provide the resources, as He always has.
His grace is always sufficient. His strength is made perfect in
weakness. His Word will never fail. We look forward to another
triennium of His mercy as we “approach the throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help
us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

Herbert C. Mueller Jr., President

R7-05-34
Texas District

The State of Texas continues to experience an annual net
growth of more than 300,000 people. Retirees and winter Texans
from the North, high tech workers and executives from the West,
corporate headquarters transferees from the East, and Central
American and Mexican immigrants from the South contribute to
the burgeoning population of this second most populous state in
the U.S.

In 2004, the Texas District developed a strategy for the Ablaze!
movement by setting the following goals:

¢ 200 new congregations established by 2017

¢ 2.5 million recorded witnessing events

2 percent net growth per year in baptized membership within the
District

A Web site dedicated to Ablaze! has been developed
(www.txdistlcms.org/ablaze/). It provides multiple resources and
tools to help congregations better understand and participate in the
Ablaze! movement. Resources available on the Web site:

* Daily Devotions

¢ Weekly Videos (thoughts for faith sharing and faith growing)
¢ Small Group/Bible Study Materials

¢ Training Manual

The Texas District has served as the pilot for Fan Into Flame,
the funding effort for the Ablaze! movement. The experience has
been beneficial for both the district and for Fan Into Flame opera-
tions and has served well in establishing guidelines for other dis-
tricts of the Synod. We anticipate receiving $1 million to be used in
reaching the Ablaze! goals. This success has been attributed to the
widespread communication; the Web site, special Sunday worship
messages, small and large group gatherings and newsletters.

The mission board of the district has established a new funding
model for beginning new congregations. Most of the dollars given
to support new ministries will be repaid in order to build an ever in-
creasing annual amount to start new work, along with the district’s
mission support from congregations through their offerings.

The mission of the Texas District is to strengthen congregations
to reach the lost, disciple the saved, and care for people—tocally
and globally.

The vision of the Texas District is that between now and the
500th anniversary of the Reformation (2017), 200 new congrega-
tions will exist in the Texas District that are mission-driven and

filled with Christians who are empowered and on fire, to stand and
give testimony to the love of Jesus Christ to those who do not yet
know of His love and grace!

Ken Hennings, President

R7-05-35

Wyoming District

Organized: Sept. 30, 1970

Geography: All of Wyoming, the panhandle of Nebraska, and one
congregation in Colorado—high plains farming, ranch-
ing, mountains, sparse population

Ministry: 61 congregations, two mission stations (one Indian
mission), two campus ministries (one full-time), six
circuits

Schools: 13 preschools, four elementary schools, 43 teachers
and aides, one DCE

Pastors: 67 (includes emeriti)

Other: two chaplains, two lay workers, retired pastors

Membership: 14,503 baptized, 11,388 communicant
Staff: district president, business manager (part-time), sec-
retary (part-time)

After the district convention, the new district administrative
team met to review congregational input and formulate a “theme”
for the new triennium. The main theme for years 2007-2009 will
be “Walking Together in Mission” with special emphasis in pro-
gressive years on “Strengthening our Walk Together as Christians,
District and Synod” (2007); “Strengthening Mission Outreach”
(2008); and “Strengthening Support for Walking Together in Mis-
sion” (2009).

Through Bible studies, congregational activities, planning and
implementation, we will strive for excellence in these areas for the
sake of the Gospel and saving of souls in our small parishes and
communities, as well as mission work in the district and Synod. An
ongoing activity that involves nearly 500 people from parishes
throughout the district is the “Tell The Good News About Jesus
Convocation” held in January for the last five years. Lay people
study, learn, and take back to their parishes ideas and attitudes
which foster sharing of the Gospel in their own vocations, congre-
gations, and communities.

During the past triennium, a special task force on “Funding
the Mission” studied stewardship concerns in congregations, the
district, and our Synod. As a result, a special stewardship educa-
tign presentation was developed and has been presented to more
than 10 percent of the congregations thus far, and stewardship will
be a major emphasis in 2008-2009.

District missions include assistance to four congregations, two
mission stations, and one full-time campus ministry at the Univer-
sity of Wyoming. Regular visitations to all pastors and congrega-
tions during each three-year cycle are done by the district president,
vice-presidents, and circuit visitors. Mission gifts of congregations
also provide Synod support, as well as support to pastors and con-
gregations during difficulties and the call process, and financial
support for those entering full-time church work through generous
scholarships.

We continue to struggle with the common problem of serving
small congregations facing declining populations (several are about
60 percent of what they were 20 years ago) and that still want to
have their own pastor or share one with another congregation.
Since distances are great—sometimes more than 100 miles apart—
presenting special challenges for serving God’s people.

Although small, we enjoy knowing one another better; we appre-
ciate opportunities to be together for worship, study, and collegiality;
we encourage one another and pray for each other, as well as for the
entire Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, striving to walk together
in Christ Jesus. To Him be the Glory!

Richard O. Boche, President

2007 Convention Workbook