LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 55

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SYNOD REPORTS
We do not compromise our doctrine and practice, but we may need
to adjust and revitalize our sense of intentionality for the Gospel and
care for the lost if we are serious about connecting people to Jesus.
We have introduced a new vision statement for the district: “The
people of the Florida-Georgia District are equipped, empowered,
engaged … connecting people to Jesus!” We want to equip people
so they can better understand their roles as stewards. Paul says in
Ephesians that we are “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for
building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12 [ESV]). Our desire
is to continue to offer opportunities to equip leaders in our congregations to lead revitalization efforts for the sake of the Gospel in a
responsible way.
Congregations are empowered by the Word and the Sacraments in
their witness, mercy, and life together. We want people to be empowered by allowing the Word of God and participation in the Sacrament
of the Altar to be a regular part of their daily life and practice. In the
waters of Holy Baptism, God gifted each of us so that we are equipped
to serve Him.
We want to see that our people are engaged with their faith,
engaged in their church, and engaged in their community for the
sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we want to have a lasting impact
for Jesus, we must engage our communities. Church no longer happens only within the confines of the walls of a building. As we are
out in the world, showing the love of Jesus in word and deed, our witness will draw people to Jesus and His Church, our acts of mercy will
increase, and our life together will be blessed. This is being stewards
of God’s grace, empowered by the Word.
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Strategies for carrying out this vision include the following:
Continuing to provide leadership training, assistance with the creation of personal development plans, and coaching assistance for all
professional church workers, as well as for active lay leaders, so that
they are better equipped for service
Restructuring our district into five regions instead of four to give us
greater and more strategic lines of communication, as well as creating new partnership webs to expand the missional focus that has
been so much a part of the fabric of the district
Working toward greater fiscal responsibility in the mission and operation of the district. At the close of 2012, we sold the district office
building, which we had occupied for over 20 years, and leased more
efficient office space near the Orlando International Airport. This
will provide greater flexibility and proficiency in the administration
of district operations
Restructuring our mission-granting process to one of providing
mission development loans that will be repaid on a generous time
schedule, thus increasing the investment and commitment of those
developing new missions
Enhancing our school ministries through the development of networks that will provide training, encouragement, sharing of resources, and critical information for ongoing growth and development

We humbly seek your prayerful support in the efforts of the
Florida-Georgia District to help its people be equipped, empowered,
and engaged … connecting people to Jesus.
Gregory S. Walton, President
R3-03-07

Indiana District
The Indiana District is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the
theme Celebrating God’s Love! When we gather as a district, we
celebrate who we are and whose w­­­­e are in Christ Jesus! We gather
as God’s beloved, forgiven, and redeemed people to do the will and
work of our heavenly Father.
Our anniversary celebration revolves around the partnership we
share in the Gospel! Paul writes to the Philippians, “In all my prayers

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for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in
the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that
he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until
the day of Christ Jesus.”
Our partnership includes all of our congregations, church workers, and laypeople as we strive to do together what none of us can do
alone. It is a blessing and pleasure to be able to share this time in history and this geographic area as we live out our Christian vocations!
We are happy to provide this report of God’s work among us. May
our work always be the outgrowth of God’s active grace in this place!
As we evaluate our present circumstance, we thank God for the
opportunities we have in common. As we look ahead, we boldly plan
to forge into the future, knowing that even through the mission climate has changed, is changing, and will change, we serve our Lord
Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Opportunity

God has blessed us with a terrific mission field in Indiana and
northern Kentucky. We have a new congregation recently chartered,
several others about to be chartered, and 10 other mission starts in
process. We have new opportunities for our schools and preschools,
and many of these have expanding facilities.
Affirming Our Lord’s Mission

In the midst of all that we do in the Indiana District, we reaffirm
our biblical and confessional foundation as we “fix our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition
from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
There will always be uncertainties and challenges as we do ministry
in this fallen world. The world and its culture continue to challenge
us and resist the Gospel we share. Taking up the cross and following
Jesus has always meant going against the flow. And yet, as we celebrate this anniversary, we celebrate God’s love in Jesus Christ. Our
mission is Christ’s mission! “The Mission of the Indiana District Is
to Encourage and Assist the Christian Outreach and Nurture of Its
Congregations and Other Ministries.”
Identity in Christ

The partnership we share grows directly out of our baptismal faith!
We are a family of 236 congregations in the Indiana District! More
than 1,200 professional church workers work in partnership with more
than 100,000 baptized congregational members in boldly bearing witness of Jesus Christ in this part of God’s vineyard! The diversity of
gifts, interests, and opportunities that exist from northern Kentucky
to northern Indiana are astounding and humbling.
The faithful people of our district trace their heritage back to missionaries in this part of God’s world like Wyneken, Loehe’s pastors,
Walther, and the early pastors of every one of our congregations. The
heart and spirit of the early missionaries is a heritage we celebrate
and treasure! Our intention to let the world know the Holy Gospel is
as strong now as it was in the mid 1800s.
By convention action, we have resolved to do the following:
1. Encourage our congregations to invite 50 new families to church on
this 50th anniversary year.
2. Encourage all circuits to come up with a mission plan of action for
their circuit for the next 10 years of growth.
3. Encourage congregations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the district by providing gifts designated for church-worker scholarships.

We are God’s loved, forgiven, and redeemed people in Christ Jesus
living in this time and this place. As with those before us, we feed on
Word and Sacrament and proclaim clearly the Law and the Gospel.
2013 Convention Workbook