LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 54

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54

SYNOD REPORTS

R3-03-05

English District
The 102-year-old English District is one of two non-geographic
districts of the LCMS. It is, as in its slogan, igniting Christ’s Church
in mission by the power of the Holy Spirit. Consisting of 158 congregations, the English District also has six new mission starts, six
campus and human care ministries, and 65 school ministries in 19
different states in the US and in the province of Ontario in Canada,
across four time zones. Adoration and praise of the triune God is spoken and sung in 21 different languages of worship and Bible study.
The district is a microcosm of the Synod. It provides a unique “servant district” and leadership role in the Synod as a mission catalyst
and collaborative partner with other districts in mission and ministry, and as a responsible safety net.
In the past triennium, the following highlights occurred:
• Reception of six new congregations in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Nevada, and the addition of a new Lutheran high school in western Pennsylvania at Redeemer Lutheran,
Oakmont, and Penn Hills, PA
• Celebration of the English District’s 100th Anniversary Year (2011–
2012), with a theme Scripture verse and logo and culminating in the
district convention in St. Louis, a centennial-replicated “seven block
walk” from old Redeemer (English Missouri Synod) to Holy Cross
(German Missouri Synod), visits to Concordia Seminary and the
LCMS International Center, and a 100th anniversary group picture
and anniversary hymn
• 100th Anniversary Committee’s work, including the writing of articles for the Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly, English Channels, and other journals, and producing a centennial year cookbook
(The Great Potluck from Across the English District), anniversary
mugs, seals, coasters, pins, a Camp Pioneer weekend, 100th anniversary birthday cakes and cookies, and encouraging concerts and
mission projects as part of local church and school celebrations
• A 100th anniversary banner and Christmas ornament, centennial
year prayer list, TV and other centennial special appearances, with
special speakers for fall pastoral and spring church-workers conferences
• A new Georgia mission plant out of Christ the Shepherd Lutheran
Church and Open Arms, Alpharetta, GA, supported by a 100th Anniversary District Mission Thank Offering
• New or revitalized District Stewardship, Lutheran Malaria Initiative,
Campus Ministry, and Endowment Fund Committees and Missions
Council, with transcontinental meetings via phone or Webcam
• Mission partnership with the Dominican Republic Lutheran Mission
• The “Under the Net” initiative of the district’s LMI team
• A district Millennials Church Workers Gathering in San Diego in
January 2012
• The naming of three district exemplary schools in the Synod through
NLSA
• The selection of a new district triennium theme for 2012–2015:
Christian Faith Expressed in Courageous Action, and new core
values and end statements
• The continuing of annual Doctor of Divinity and Lumen Christi
awards in the district

The 54th convention of the English District was held in St.
Louis, MO, June 27–30, 2012. Reelected to a third and final term
was the Rev. Dr. David Stechholz as Bishop and President. Also
elected were 1st Vice-President Rev. Wayne Morton of Pinetop, AZ;
2nd Vice-President Rev. Nate Schwartz of Lee’s Summit, MO; 3rd
Vice-President Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy of McMurray, PA; 4th VicePresident Rev. Derek Mathers of Toronto, ON; District Secretary Rev.
Bob Fitzpatrick; and eight new members to the board of directors,
which operates with policy-based governance.
2013 Convention Workbook

The English District executive staff includes Tim Ewell, parish services/school ministry executive, and Sally Naglich, business
administrator/treasurer. The dedicated support staff workers are Peggy
Oke, Evelyn Jentzen, and Mary Ann Holvenstot and a part-time
Internet communications person, Kate Storey, and Rev. David Thiele,
who serves as the deployed LCEF vice-president. The missions executive hat is worn by Bishop Stechholz, with strong assistance by the
regional vice-president in reviewing monthly mission grantee reports
and by the District Missions Council. In addition, we are blessed with
local volunteers at our district office.
One other uniqueness of the English District is the use of the words
circuit “visitor” (counselor) and the biblical term “bishop” (“overseer”) as a servant of Jesus Christ, along with the title of “president”
of the district.
The four major emphases or goals for this triennium include the following:
• New mission plants across North America
• New school starts and expansions with schools of excellence
• Campus ministry and new campus ministry starts
• Strengthening congregations—inner city, urban, suburban, and rural, with strong doctrine and faith, liturgical, mission, and ethnic
emphases.

What may be lacking in a smaller district staff in suburban Detroit
is more than made up for with healthy and courageous congregations
and their members, who seek the lost for Jesus Christ in responsible risk-taking and creative ways, and with Christ-centered, joyful
confession and worship of the blessed Trinity. The English District
embraces the challenges and opportunities in this second decade of
the 21st century in living hope and faith in our blessed Redeemer,
the Lord of the harvest.
David P. Stechholz, President
R3-03-06

Florida-Georgia District
The Rev. Gregory S. Walton was elected to a second term as
president of the Florida-Georgia District at the district’s 31st regular convention, June 22–24, 2012, in Lake Mary, Florida. The theme
of the convention was “Stewards of God’s Grace; Empowered by the
Word,” based on 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): “As each has received a gift,
use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
A steward is defined as one who manages somebody else’s property, finances, or household. We often misuse the term in Christian
circles by assigning it to a financial position. The greatest gift God
has given us is His grace in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are stewards
of that grace. It doesn’t belong to us; we didn’t earn it, and we certainly don’t deserve it. It is God’s gift to us in Jesus, a gift meant to
be shared with the world.
So we go into this post-church world as stewards of God’s grace.
It is His grace to give away. We are simply the vehicles He counts on
to share it with those who so desperately need it. He empowers us to
go, as His stewards, with His Word and Sacraments. It’s His Word
about forgiveness and new life and His grace made known to us in
the very body and blood of Jesus in, with, and under the elements, to
strengthen our faith and empower our action as His stewards.
The district’s focus in the current triennium is on revitalizing the
church. We work together under the assumption that “revitalization”
means to give new life or energy to somebody or something, or to
restore to health. Very few churches can claim they don’t need new life
or energy. In fact, we have had no churches say to us, “Please come
and help us because we have too much life or energy!”
How can a church be revitalized? God has called us, as stewards,
to be about His mission, reaching souls with the grace of Jesus Christ.