LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 60

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60

SYNOD REPORTS
by 2016. To that end, John Bakou has enrolled in the EIIT program,
leading toward his ordination as an LCMS pastor. John is currently
serving his vicarage at Trinity under the supervision of Rev. Paul
Cloeter and working with DCO Craig Cooper. Our district has entered into a partnership with Trinity to support the establishment of
this ministry.

Mercy:
1. Parish Nurses continue to be a valuable asset to our congregations
and the district as a whole.
2. Project 24: In partnership with the North Dakota District and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya, our convention adopted a
resolution to provide funds to build three rescue centers (orphanages) in Kenya.
3. 1001 Orphans: The district convention by resolution encouraged our
Sunday Schools, our Christian day schools, our various church organizations and auxiliaries, and individual members and families of
our congregations to sponsor one or more orphans in Kenya through
the 1001 Orphans program and to support the Lutheran Malaria Initiative.
4. District Lutheran Emergency Response Team/Disaster Training was
held to equip team members with the necessary response skills.
5. A workshop sponsored by the district parish nurses and the Disability Task force was conducted by Rev. Peter Preus, whose presentation was entitled Speaking of Hopelessness: When Believers
Consider Suicide.
6. Sowers Fund enables the district president to disburse funds to assist
church workers in times of financial emergency or hardship, or to
provide for counseling services not covered by insurance.

Life Together:
1. A Joint North Theological Conference was held together with the
North Dakota District featuring our Synod President, Rev. Matthew
Harrison, speaking on the theme The Church as the Body of Christ.
2. Lay Leadership Training led by Mr. Ted Kober of Ambassadors of
Reconciliation was held in four locations, covering the geographical
areas of the district.
3. State pastors’ conferences with the Minnesota South District have
been held for over 40 years and continue to enhance relationships.
4. We gave thanks for the ministry of Rev. Rick Hans, who served as
mission and ministry facilitator, working with the Division of Parish Life and Nurture (PLaN) and is now enjoying retirement. Rev.
David Strohschein, who served as mission and ministry facilitator
working with Missions and Congregational Outreach (MaCO), will
be switching roles and working with the Parish Life and Nurture
Division, and we are in the process of calling an individual to work
with MaCO with a special emphasis on congregational health.

2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the Minnesota North District.
From its very beginning, the Minnesota North District has had a double focus, that of its firm commitment to the Word of God with its
message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and its
desire to share that message with the world, which is in dire need
of it. If our district is to continue to be a genuine blessing, we will
need to hold ever firmly to God’s inerrant Word, and our Lutheran
Confessions as a correct exposition of that Word, as well as to purposefully, passionately, and positively reach out with the Gospel as
individuals, congregations, and organizations here in the north woods
of God’s country: Sent to Share Christ’s Healing Grace!
Donald J. Fondow, President
R3-03-14

Minnesota South District
In the last triennium, the Minnesota South District continued to
pursue its goals of 50 new congregations, 50 revitalized congregations, and 250 new ministries by 2017. In March 2011, David Roth,
assistant to the president for schools and commissioned workers,
2013 Convention Workbook

retired after 19 years of service and, on July 18, 2012, joined the
saints in light. His gentle, encouraging leadership has been missed.
Our June 14–16, 2012, district convention saw us taking a strong
stand in favor of God’s institution of marriage as a life-long union
between a man and a woman. This stance supported the proposed
marriage amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution, defining
marriage as such. The proposed amendment failed on November 6,
2012. Further action included the awarding of $2 million to University
Lutheran Chapel, Minneapolis, to find a new home as the district
divested itself of campus ministry properties in both Minneapolis
and Mankato. The district hopes to expand campus ministry through
congregations near campuses.
The district celebrated the 21 years of faithful service of Rev.
Dr. Lane Seitz as our district president. Dr. Seitz retired August 31,
2012. His steady, mission-centered leadership in our district and on
the Council of Presidents leave behind a lasting legacy. Elected as district president was Rev. Dr. Dean Nadasdy, former first vice-president,
seminary professor, and senior pastor of Woodbury Lutheran Church.
The newly elected board of directors has identified the following mission statement as the focus of our district in this triennium:
Developing Leaders Intentionally Engaged in the Mission of God.
This focus will drive eleven initiatives for this triennium:
Uniting in Mission
1. We will celebrate our growing unity around God’s mission.
John 17:23: “I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them
even as You loved Me.“
2. We will facilitate growth in concord and harmony among pastors in our district.
Ephesians 4:15–16: “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to
grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom
the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is
equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow
so that it builds itself up in love.”
3. We will raise congregational and public awareness of God’s mission in the Minnesota South District.
Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others so that they may
see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.“
Leading in Mission
4. We will promote the spiritual, emotional, physical and professional development of leaders involved in God’s mission.
Colossians 2:2: “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in
heart and united in love.”
5. We will prepare and equip legacy leaders and congregations to
further God’s mission by finishing well.
Hebrews 12:1–2: “Let us run with endurance the race that is set
out before us, looking to Jesus.”
6. We will hold leaders accountable for God-pleasing professional
conduct.
1 Corinthians 13:4–6: “Love is patient and kind; love does not
envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own
way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,
but rejoices with the truth.”
7. We will facilitate an efficient call process effective for God’s
mission.
Ephesians 4:11–12: “It was He who gave some to be apostles,
some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors
and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the
body of Christ may be built up.”
Engaging in Mission
8. We will provide administrative services for schools (early childhood, elementary, and secondary) and their supporting congregations.
Matthew 19:14: “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me.’ ”