LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 71

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SYNOD REPORTS
the Church “leaves” the building. It is sometimes called “incarnational evangelism.” Just as God knew our lost condition and came to
us through His Son, the incarnation, so, too, we need to find meaningful ways to become active participants in our communities outside our
buildings. Churches who are involved in revitalization activities are
learning how to reach beyond themselves and into their community.
We are reminded more every day of the impact of globalization on
our life and our churches. More of our churches are taking mission
trips to all corners of the world, and more and more people are coming from all corners of the world to live, work, and worship among
us. Eighty-one of our congregations have at least one non-English
worship service each week, and during the past three years, we have
organized a culture-specific ministry support group, which brings
together, on a regular basis, leaders from our diverse ethnic ministries to talk about the challenges and opportunities that we share. It is
exciting to listen to the many ways that God is working through these
men and their ministries to reach those who live among us. Also on a
regular basis, we meet with different ethnic pastors to support them
in their mission efforts.
The people of the Pacific Southwest District are excited about
planting new ministries, revitalizing congregations and schools, and
“Proclaiming the Mysteries of God” in a multiculturally diverse mission field in Southern California, Arizona, and Southern Nevada.
Larry Stoterau, President
R3-03-27

Rocky Mountain District
The Rocky Mountain District includes the states of Colorado,
Utah, and New Mexico and also has parishes in El Paso, Texas; Paige,
Arizona; and Venango and Big Springs, Nebraska. The district—with
its 181 congregations and 65 early childhood centers, schools, and
high schools—is privileged to be the Lord’s mouth, hands, and feet
to broadcast His saving Word far and wide. Additionally, the district’s
congregations are blessed to have Lutheran Valley Retreat within
our boundaries. This ministry, located in beautiful central Colorado,
hosts camps and retreats for schools, confirmation programs, families, and congregations—in addition to a full program of summer
camps for all ages.
School ministries continue to adjust, refine, and evolve as they’re
pressured and responsive to changing models, shifting demographics,
and new opportunities. Curriculum, instructional design, and modes
of delivery have all changed dramatically in response to the needs of
the twenty-first century learner. Yet, in the midst of change, our core
purpose remains rooted in the mission of the church: discipleship and
evangelism. Fundamentally, Lutheran schools play critical roles in
assisting congregations and families in raising God-fearing children.
Directors of family ministry, children’s ministry and youth ministry bless many congregations and communities throughout the district.
Their specialized gifts and intentional efforts shape the Church of
today and tomorrow. Unfortunately, many of these servants find themselves released from their calls due to poorer financial circumstances
or weakened stability and health of congregations. Yet, we remain
grateful for their faithfulness in our midst.
During the last triennium, the Rocky Mountain District’s congregations had the blessed opportunity to support the Lutheran
Theological Seminary in Tshwane, South Africa, in various ways
through student tuition support and other seminary-related operations;
the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute (LHMI) and their efforts
training future Hispanic ministry leaders; the Biblical Orthodox
Lutheran Mission (BOLM) and their ministry to the Arabic-speaking
community; and Hispanic ministry throughout the district. The Fan

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into Flame campaign was completed in addition to the launch and
support of the Lutheran Malaria Initiative.
The present mission statement of the Rocky Mountain District
is Mercy, Witness, Life Together. Familiar to most, however slightly
modified, the district chose to lead in Mercy. We have the blessed gift
of Christ’s forgiveness in our troubled lives. We have a resource that
shows us how to reflect the Gospel in mercy by thought, word, and
deed. We can pray with and for our brothers and sisters. We can reach
out to help and care. We can work together, knowing we are together
at the foot of His cross. This is life together. “Therefore do not worry
about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33).
Our Life Together in the Rocky Mountain District is challenging
and full of opportunities. The greatest opportunity is the gathering of
His people to hear His Word and receive new life through Baptism
and forgiveness through His body and blood. Our primary emphasis
seeks opportunities to show Mercy, as demonstrated following the
2012 wildfires; the theatre shootings in Aurora, Colorado; the school
shooting in Newtown, Connecticut; and with spiritually, financially
or emotionally struggling church workers or conflicted congregations. Acts of Mercy allow further opportunities to bear Witness to
Jesus in any setting.
The future of the Rocky Mountain District’s Mercy, Witness, Life
Together will be carried through the “Gospel Gap”—a circuit-based
mission model adopted by the 2012 district convention. This mission
model seeks to identify where gaps exist, whether they be geographic,
demographic, relational, spiritual, or financial, whereby in cooperation between the circuit and the district these gaps can be closed,
healed, grown, or nurtured. The Gospel Gap places accountable stewarding of the triune God’s mission through cooperation between
congregational, circuit, and district levels.
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Allen Anderson, President
R3-03-28

SELC District
The SELC District rejoices in the privilege our Lord has given to
be in mission and ministry. Our district pastors enjoy a strong collegial bond built on trust that comes from spending quality time with
one another in circuit and district gatherings that last two and three
days at a time. These gatherings allow significant time for sharing
in scriptural and confessional studies, book reviews, guest speakers,
worship, sharing in Holy Communion, casuistry, meals and fellowship
time, and relationship building. Our special trust level allows for the
mutual encouragement of the brotherhood in dealing with issues of
casuistry and for the ability to express both agreement and disagreement on adiaphora while both maintaining and deepening personal
relationships between and among the brothers.
The congregations of the SELC enjoy a special sense of freedom and independence (because most are separated by miles from
one another), while at the same time they find unity in the Scriptures
and Confessions and build on the assurance of mutual support and
the availability of assistance from district officers, circuit counselors,
and sister congregations.
The SELC encourages and supports congregations to seek out
ways to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, upholding our chosen SELC tagline: “Showing Everyone Life in Christ; Showing
Everyone the Love of Christ!”
The administrative structure of the SELC District continues to
be both blessing and challenge. The part-time district presidency, no
paid professional staff, no ownership of property, no rental expenditures, and all administrative functions carried out by pastors and
2013 Convention Workbook