CLC COORDINATING COUNCIL

Transcription

1 CLC COORDINATING COUNCIL September 28-29, 2005 Immanuel Lutheran College Eau Claire, Wisconsin Reports: CC Resolutions Page 2 Board of Education Page 3 ILC President Page 4 Board of Regents Page 8 Board of Missions Page 13 Board of Trustees Page 23

2 CLC Coordinating Council Minutes September 28-29, 2005 Long Range Planning Committee: A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the report for informational purposes. The ILC s President s Report.: A motion was made, supported, and approved to accept the President s Report. The Board of Missions: A motion was made, supported, and approved to accept the MDF budget. A motion was made, supported, and approved to accept the entire report apart from the budget. The Board of Regents: A motion was made, supported, and approved to approve the emergency expenditure of $17,510 to repair the showers in South Hall. A motion was made, supported, and approved to include the Field House attic upgrade project at a cost of $23,400 in the FY2006 IIF budget. A motion was made, supported, and approved to accept the updated ILC Improvement Fund list of projects. A motion was made, supported, and approved to accept the Board of Regents Report apart from the Adjusted Budget for the Current School Year, and the CBP Proposal for FY-07. The Board of Education and Publications: A motion was made, supported, and approved to accept the entire report as edited. The Board of Trustees: A motion was made, supported, and approved to accept the Revised FY-06 Budget $1,602,915. A motion was made to increase the proposed Board of Education Budget for FY-07 to $9,500. A motion was made, supported, and approved to accept the proposed FY-07 Budget of $1,755,860 as amended, but with the stipulation that the individual boards review their budgets and provide detailed information on the costs for basic programs and the additional needed projects making up the proposed budget. A motion was made, supported, and approved to have the next Coordinating Council on April 26-27, Respectfully submitted by Pastor Paul D. Nolting, serving on behalf of Secretary James Albrecht 2

3 BOARD OF EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS Coordinating Council Report - September, 2005 Sunday School Series Editing and improving lessons continues. A few missing lessons have been completed and are being put online. A new Preschool Level is being produced and will be available soon. Publication Division The Sydow Catechism has been edited and specifications are now being sent for printing bids. The following publications are in the pipeline for printing and distribution a. Statement of Faith and Purpose online, in the hands of the Board of Doctrine for updating and approval. b. Concerning Church Fellowship online, needs formatting for printing. c. Hard Sayings scanned, ready for reprinting d. Concerning Church and Ministry online, needs formatting for printing e. The Book House is working on production of a history of the ILC campus as prepared by Lynette Roehl Spokesman/Journal of Theology The following increases of Spokesman subscriptions were approved. 1 year Individual/Gift from $11 to $13 2 year Individual/Gift from $19 to $21 3 year Individual/Gift from $27 to $29 1 year Foreign from $15 to $17 2 year Foreign from $27 to $29 3 year Foreign from $39 to $41 The list of individuals receiving gratis copies was reviewed, and plans are to standardize the practice of granting gratis subscriptions only to publications/institutions that exchange their publications The Journal of Theology and Spokesman will be including a statement regarding permission granted by Thomas Nelson Publishing to use the NKJV. The Mission Board has been contacted about sending surplus copies of the Spokesman overseas to the brethren. Organizational Structure An outline of the Board of Education and Publications structure provides for the elimination of the Publications Division as a Synod Standing Committee and integrates the function into the Board. The outline also calls for the CLC Directory to be a function of the Book House. It is anticipated that the Structure Document will be submitted to Convention for approval. Web Server Status A new web server is being funded by our budget. A Trademark for the CLC lettering is in process. Mentoring Program is now in place at ILC with the 2005 graduates. The CLC Teachers Conference will be made aware of the collected list of volunteer mentors. Dr. Gayle Stelter, Chair; Prof. Ross Roehl, Sec.; Rev. David Naumann, Teacher David Bernthal 3

4 Coordinating Council - ILC President s Report - September, 2005 INTRODUCTION My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:1-5) The quest for wisdom has engaged the time and strength of multitudes of people through the ages. In fact it might be said that everyone, each in his own way, is engaged in this quest. There is a wide variation in people s understanding of the concept of wisdom, yet, everyone is looking for it. As one writer puts it: Philosophy, the loving quest of wisdom, the tireless pursuit of knowledge to its deepest origins and roots, comes into being, first and foremost, because the human mind is forever seeking to know, and to grasp the ultimate how's and why's of what it knows. ( Adventures in Philosophy, Furthermore, a great many believe that they have found it. Some of these people write books, give lectures, or become university professors. They are called philosophers... lovers of wisdom. From Thales (650 BC) to Socrates (450 BC) to Philo (50 AD) to Peter Abelard (1100 AD) to John Locke (1650 AD) to Soren Kierkegaard (1850 AD) to Bertrand Russell (1950 AD) to Nathaniel Branden (2000 AD), men have sought wisdom and claimed triumph in this quest. However, have they discovered wisdom? A great many of these philosophers subjected the infinite to the cogitation of their finite brains. Many embraced evolution and yet believed that their evolving brain is capable of grasping and proclaiming ultimate truth. Even those who believe in creation and that man was created in the image of God make no great claims for the ability of the human mind. How much less, then, should claims be made by those who believe that man is but a rational ape. Wisdom, the ability to put knowledge to its proper and beneficial use, must come from a source outside of ourselves. The search for wisdom must be directed toward that great mind which brought all things into existence. It must be directed toward God. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Prov.9:10) Outside of God there is no true wisdom. At Immanuel Lutheran College, we urge all of our students to be both passively and actively involved in the quest for wisdom. From the passive reception of what is taught to the active search for wisdom, they spend their time at Immanuel growing in wisdom and understanding. As they mature spiritually, they will move from passive reception of what is taught to deliberately trying to learn with mind and heart; from there they will move on to asking questions of man and God (prayer); finally they will initiate their own search, which will become a lifelong quest. As they pursue this quest, each step of the way they will come to understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. Morever, each step of the way they will discover that in Christ are hidden 4

5 all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col.2:3) From the child who knows that Christ died for him and took away his sins to the seminarian who understands the Genus Apotelesmaticum (all the works of one nature of Christ are attributed to the other), they find ever greater treasures of wisdom and understanding. God grant that ILC will always remain a tool of God, through which He will guide His children to ever greater wisdom through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. STUDENTS ENROLLMENT AY06 - By the grace of God our enrollment as of 9/25/05 is as follows: High School Fr 32 College Fr 16 (6BS/4BA/6AA) Seminary Jr 3 Dormitory Boys 53 So 27 So 9 (1BS/3BA/5AA) Md 3 Girls 52 Jr 31 Jr 3 (1BS/2BA) Sr 1 Birch Hall 1 Sr 32 Sr 3 (3 BS) Sp 1 Town Sp 4 Auditing FACULTY PERSONNEL John Ude: John Ude was installed as professor by Pastor Theodore Barthels during the opening service at Immanuel. Professor Ude has launched into his work with zeal and aptitude. There have been no complaints heard from him. Observing his coming and going, one might assume that he has been here for years. We thank God for sending this able servant to ILC. To help Professor Ude develop his courses, Professor David Lau has volunteered to teach the seminary dogmatics course for one semester. We thank Professor David Lau for volunteering his time and energy. Grateful Acknowledgment: I want to acknowledge with thanks the following efforts made by the faculty during the summer months: < Many hours of donated labor by professors and their wives were given to large maintenance and improvements on faculty houses. < Administrative offices remained open and busy throughout the summer. < Two teachers furthered their education by means of fellowships and grants from outside organizations. This required a month-long absence from their homes. Our thanks, also, to the families who were willing to make this sacrifice. < Faculty members who remained at home increased their knowledge of the disciplines which they teach through hours of study. < Faculty members performed cleaning jobs on campus. Peer Evaluation: The faculty is considering a proposal for faculty peer evaluation. The objective is to improve the quality of instruction at Immanuel. It is our hope that by helping one another we can hone 5

6 the skills that God has given, develop better methods of teaching, and improve our manner of interacting with the students STAFF Third Maintenance Position: The decision to hire a third maintenance man has been put on hold as we await the budgetary decisions of the Board of Regents. The need for this position is beyond question. The only question is the funding of the position. Analysis of Need: Going back as far as 1997, the administration has appealed for this position. There is too much work for two men. We have 32 buildings and 80 acres. Each building requires interior and exterior maintenance on a yearly basis. There are approximately 275 bathroom fixtures and 19,000 square feet of carpet in just 3 of the 24 carpeted buildings. From October to April there is a need to be on-call for snow removal. Add to this the new problem: the yearly removal of oak trees infected with oak wilt fungus. The amount of work that needs to be done is too great for the existing staff. Some things are not getting done. Many things cannot get done in a timely manner; therefore, each problem becomes worse and/or more costly. Some of the maintenance items must be put on hold indefinitely. In addition to this, certain tasks must be contracted, because we do not have sufficient manpower. It is our hope that we can actually save money by having three full-time maintenance workers. In addition, we can save on the mental and physical wear-and-tear of our existing staff. Three, full-time workers on the maintenance staff would be employed as follows: < The Facilities Manager could spend more time managing: building inspections, organizing jobs, prioritizing tasks, finding ways to save money, improving the efficiency of the maintenance department, seeking bids on tasks that require contracting, etc. In addition, he could continue to spend some time helping the other two workers. < Worker #1 could concentrate on larger, long-term projects. < Worker #2 could concentrate on short-term, daily maintenance tasks. Grateful Acknowledgment: I want to thank all our staff for their dedicated labor throughout the past year and for their willingness to continue serving their Lord during this school year. Many donated hours and efforts were invested in ILC by staff members. We thank our Lord for continually sending people committed to Him and to His Church. POLICY College Women in the Classroom: Last year, one of the female students, along with her parents, challenged the practice of allowing female college students to present papers in front of the entire college class. This was perceived as a violation of the principle set forth in I Tim.2: After considerable study, the following response was sent to the concerned parties: We shall make every effort to avoid giving the impression that women are exercising the role of a teacher of religion to men in the college classroom. The specific application of this is left in the hands of the individual professor. 6

7 Spanish: A committee is presently studying the impact of adding Spanish to the curriculum without eliminating any of the present courses. CODE ISSUES FACILITIES Ingram Hall: The Ingram study by the architect employed by the Long Range Planning Committee has demonstrated that we should never have been using the third floor of Ingram for anything but storage. I have issued an order that this shall now be the policy. From now on the only people who will have continual right-of-access to the third floor are the maintenance workers and the administration. This removes from the picture the use of the third floor for certain functions (play practice; seminary homiletics; student meetings; pastoral conference; etc.). Field House: The fire inspectors have issued a report of code violations in the attic of the field house. This area is being used for a considerable amount of storage (athletics; theater; organ pipes). Unless we bring the floor up to code, we can no longer keep anything up there. In addition, we would need to provide proper egress from that area. Since space is at a premium, it is difficult to know where a stairwell/fire escape would go. We appealed to a superior and then to the Eau Claire building inspector. The answer was always the same. We were told that we need to get an architect, if we want to continue this use of the attic. At the very least, we will have to hire an architect to bring the floor up to code under the organ pipes. OUR PRAYER O God of wisdom, bless our students, staff, and faculty in this new year. Continue to make us Your instruments for the growth of Your Church. Do for us as you have always done: comforting, encouraging, strengthening us for the tasks that lie before us. Grant us wisdom in Christ, so that we may do that which is well pleasing in Your sight. O great Shepherd of the sheep, help us to be faithful shepherds, so that we proclaim Your Word without error, using it for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the your youth may be qualified, equipped for every good work. Grant unto us also the financial means to carry out the work that You have given. Curb our appetites when we seek more than we should have. Bless every effort to help our parents bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Grant these requests for Jesus' sake. Amen. John K. Pfeiffer, President 7

8 BOARD OF REGENTS FOR ILC Coordinating Council, Fall 2005 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken ~ Psalm 62:5-6 When we were overwhelmed by sins, He atoned for our transgressions. (Ps. 65:3) When we were the poorest of people, without a home, He chose us in Christ; and by His Spirit He brought us near to live in His courts and to be filled with the good things of His holy temple forever. (Ps. 65:4) He alone sent the September hurricanes to the Gulf; and in His own time He also steered and stilled the roaring of the seas and their waves, without our help. (Psalm 65:7). He alone causes the turmoil of the nations to cease (Ps. 65:7). Because He answers our greatest needs with awesome deeds of righteousness, God our Savior is the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas. (Ps. 65:5) No one anywhere has any hope without Him, even if everyone everywhere should reject the hope He offers. We have no hope without Him. For even as we witness the hammer-blows of God s judgments upon portions of a proud people, we confess that we deserve no less. We may be occupied with many similar thoughts as we plan for the spread and growth of Christ s Gospel through our CLC mission program and Immanuel Lutheran College. In view of large budget deficits, as well as the prospect of an increase in the cost of living in the coming year, we may worry in our wondering: How? Then we remember that this work we are so concerned about is our Lord s work first; it is ours only by His calling and appointment. We also remember that when the Scriptures speak of how God works through heavenly and earthly means, they never lose sight of God Himself. Neither should we. For with all the stones in our path, there is only one Rock, one Savior, One Hope; and He takes pleasure in those who hope in His mercy. (Ps. 147:11) I will never leave you, nor forsake you, He promises. (Heb. 13:5) Therefore, while we must look at our circumstances, let us look to our God. May we have hope in Him to look past our problems to the songs of joy that His faithfulness shall once again call forth from His believing people (Ps. 65:8b). We shall not be disappointed, for we conclude with Luther that our God would sooner tear the heavens apart than neglect those who believe on Him. So strengthen our faith, O LORD and be our Helper, just as you have been. Amen. In thankful service to Him Who has become our Salvation, we offer the following report: I. PERSONNEL A. Third Full-time Maintenance position: Much consideration has been given to the increasing maintenance burden that falls to just two full time workers Mr. Luther Sieg and Mr. Paul Heinze. Although half-time student help has been utilized in the past for certain jobs, the Board realizes that this does not get it done for a number of reasons. The decision was made to hire a third full-time man, the cost of which was included in the original budget for this school year. Due to the budgetary constraints faced by the CLC at this time, we have removed the cost of filling this position from the adjusted FY-06 budget. However, on the basis of the repeated appeal of our maintenance staff and the Administration (cf. ILC president s report to the Coordinating Council), the Board resolved to re-insert the cost of this position in the FY-07 budget. B. Faculty work-load, Spanish and German: By Convention resolution (2004) the Board of Regents have been directed to formulate a plan for reducing Faculty work-load and to report the specifics to the 2006 convention. The Convention also approved the addition of Spanish language courses to the curriculum, specifying that German courses should be retained as long as budgetary and Faculty resources are available. As part of an on-going effort to reduce the work-load of our Faculty the Administration continues to seek local members of the CLC who would be able and willing to teach part-time at ILC. At this time, the Board projects that the desired Spanish courses could be provided to ILC students within the next twothree years, without increasing the operations budget or the work-load of our Faculty. 8

9 II. CURRICULUM/ACADEMICS: A. Missiology Course: The recommendation of the Faculty that the current Missiology course be expanded by 1-2 periods in order to cover the content of evangelism/outreach study has been approved. The Faculty plans to offer the expanded course beginning in B. Pastoral Counseling: At the recommendation of the Faculty the Board has resolved that the seminary curriculum include a 2-credit course on pastoral counseling, beginning in the spring of 2008, as part of the Practical Theology course. III. STUDENT AID FUND: A. The Status of the SAF : The following information is from the Business Manager s SAF report to the Board of Regents on 9/27/05: Past due accounts from : As of 9/21/05 seven student accounts totaling $11, remains past due from the previous year (ending June 30, 2005). SAF Loan Accounts: Fifty-two current students have loans with a combined balance of $123,226. Twenty-one new loan schedules with a loan balance of $112,518 will be distributed with the end of September statements. The aggregate loan balance in the SAF is $536,230, of which $172,250 (32.1%) is for loans with past due payments. General concerns regarding the viability of the current SAF model: Half of the loans currently on a payment schedule are past due (more than 60 days behind in making payments). In general there does not appear to be a sense that this debt is a priority financial obligation. This situation cannot continue if we want to have an aid fund for students. In recent years increases in student room and board and tuition costs have resulted in ever greater demands on the SAF. Also during this same period the cost of the Multi-Student Discount (MSD) to the operations budget has been funded by the SAF. We have seen an increase in the number and amount of past due payments to the loan portion of the SAF. Recognizing that the SAF remains an important source of assistance to ILC students that must be continued and protected, the Board is considering several changes to the SAF policy for Convention action next summer. B. Adjusted budget for current year: The SAF began the current fiscal year with a balance of $40,630. There were 61 applications for work-study, totaling $37,600. (Last year there were 63 applications totaling $35,789). This amount is paid out of the Human Resources and Food Service portions of the ILC operations budget. A total of $30,204 was discounted to 27 applications for the multi-student discount. (Last year: 24 applicants totaling $25,800). There were 88 total applications in all areas except scholarships. (Last year: 85 applicants). Student loan awards of $88,148 for the school year were distributed at 80% of the requested loan amount. The amount of past due student accounts paid out from the SAF as revenue to ILC was: $15, Balance June 30, 2005: $ 40,630 Anticipated Receipts SAF Endowment Income $30,000 Student Loan Repayments (principal & interest) $70,000 Contributions $25,000 Total Receipts $125,000 Balance &Anticipated Receipts in FY06 $165,630 9

10 Budget awards to date Student Grants $20, ) Student Loans $88,148 (@ 52 ) Student Scholarships $ 7,450 (@ 41 ) Multi-Student Discounts $30,204 (@ 24 ) Loans (Student Accounts FY 05) $15,597 GBO Allocation $10,500 Total Disbursements $172,099 **Scholarships are awarded on the basis of the prior year s academic achievement (G.P.A.3.5) IV. ILC IMPROVEMENT FUND UPDATE (IIF) We continue to be grateful for the offerings that fund necessary IIF projects. Since the last report we have covered the costs of emergency repairs to the South Hall Showers from the IIF budget at a cost of $17,510 for which the Board seeks approval at this time. list: These additional projects have also been completed since April and do not appear on the updated o Ude Housing remodeling $13,719 o Garage (517- $14,045 o Campus Network $ 4,958 Recently, we were informed by the president and the facilities manager that the Field House attic area (middle floor storage area and support of organ pipes) is not up to city building codes, and that an architect s plans are also necessary to upgrade this area. The total cost, which includes second floor office space for the Athletic Director, as well as showers for the referees, is projected at $23,400 (2 nd floor storage, organ $15,000; AD office/showers $8,000). We recommend that the Field House attic upgrade be designated as an IIF project. It is our hope that $5,000 may be trimmed from the total cost with the help of volunteer labor. We submit the following updated list: Proposed IIF projects (9/27/05) Projected Cost 1. Field House Attic $23, North Hall Shingling $ 5, Living Room (517 - Schierenbeck) $ 6, Co-Ray-Vac replacement $ 8, Paving of Ingram Drive $25, South Hall window replacement $18, Furnace Replacements a. Reim professorage $ 3,900 b. Birch (used Reim furnace) $ 1,230 c. J. Lau professorage $ 3, Ingram Hall / Facilities study $ 5, ADA(Administrative Discretionary Account) $10,000 TOTAL $110,130 Financial Status of the IIF Balance July 1, 2005 $ 35,241 Year to date Receipts $ +747 Year to date expenditures $- 31,894 Balance end of August 05 $ 4,094 Offerings needed for year: $106,783 Total Projected Revenue $110,130 10

11 Future Projects: Ingram Storm Windows Entrance Sign Ingram rotunda roof Field House roof $16,800, est.) Partial replacement of Field House siding (three $11,900, est.) V. ADJUSTED BUDGET FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR, budgets: The following is a summary of the adjustments to the current school year revenue and expenditure School Year Balance: Beginning of year Balance -$12,349 Disbursements in excess of budget -$19,199 (incl. Food service -$17,599) Unpaid Student Accounts -$32,433 End of Year Balance -$63, School Year: Balance from previous year: -$63,981 Revenue Budget Original projected revenue $1,184,500 Lost revenue from 5 less students -$33,870 than planned Other Revenue Changes -$ 9,700 Payment Student Accounts $32,433 (payments received after 6/30/05 for previous year) Revised Projected Revenue $1,173,363 Expenditure Budget Original projected expenses $1,184,500 Third maintenance position -$33,000 Medical Plan Savings -$21,000 (planned 10%, actual 2.1%) Revised projected expenses $1,130,500 Projected End of Year Balance: -$21,118 Revised enrollment Projection The projected revenue figures for the current school year were based on an estimated enrollment of 170 students (4/1/05) including 110 dorm residents. The actual enrollment as of September 27 is 165 students, with 105 (corrected) living in the dormitories. The following compensation increases remain: a salary increase of $50/month for the ILC Faculty; a 3.2% increase in salary for the ILC Staff; a 2.1% increase for medical insurance cost for Faculty and Staff 11

12 The previously approved revenue increases remain: Tuition Increases: High $100/year (Increased to $2560/year) $200/year (Increased to $3580/year) $200/year (Increased to $2300/year) Room and Board Increase: $150/year/student (Increased to $2750) VI. CBP PROPOSAL FOR FY-07 As previously mentioned in this report, the Board of Regents feels compelled to appeal once again for the addition of a third man to our full-time maintenance team. Estimated cost of adding this position to the proposed budget is $35,000. This budget includes the following increases in worker compensation: $50/month increase in salary for ILC Faculty; A 2% increase in the salary for ILC Staff; A 8% increase in the cost of medical insurance Student cost increases: A 6% increase in tuition charges for all students; A $100/year increase in Room and Board; Revenue Student Revenue (165 / 105) $ 823, Other Revenue $ 64, CLC Subsidy $_ 337, Total $1,225, Disbursements GBO Allocation $ 54, Building and Grounds $ 135, Administration $ 11, Education $ 30, Human Resources $ 751, Student Housing $ 5, Instructional Expense $ 14, Kitchen/Food Service $ 153, Student Activities $ 63, Transportation $ 4, Total Disbursements $1,225, Respectfully submitted, The Board of Regents for ILC: Mr. Dave Aymond, Dr. David Menton, Pastor Ted Barthels, Secretary Pastor Vance Fossum, Chairman 12

13 CLC Board of Missions Report to the Coordinating Council September 28-29, 2005 Matthew 9:36-38 and 10:8b: But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest Freely you have received, freely give. As Jesus looked upon the crowds that followed Him and clamored for His attention, He was filled with compassion. He saw a swarming, sweaty, sinning mob filled with disease and demons and death. He saw in their faces the deep lines of anxiety, overwork, and family and health concerns. He saw in their eyes the search for something certain and concrete in life. He saw shepherd-less sheep, isolated individuals running in every direction, each one going his own way, uncentered, unfocused, climbing on each other s backs, sometimes even kicking and biting one another. The sight wrenched Him. But He didn't point, wag His finger, and tell the crowd to shape up and get their lives in order, or else. He knew they couldn't. He knows we can t. So instead, Jesus has compassion on them. He had compassion on us. He didn't see a hopeless heap of misguided humanity. He saw a harvest field ripe for the picking. Reflect on the compassion of Jesus the next time you are in a crowd. Say to yourself: "These are people for whom Jesus died; I am looking at part of the Lord's harvest field. Let this type of compassion wrench you-- feel the heartache as you consider the individual faces of those people who are lost and dying, in need of Jesus' preaching, teaching, and healing, and don't even realize it. Jesus looked on you with the same compassionate gaze from the right hand of God. Out of that compassion He gave everything He has and everything He is for you His Word, His Body and Blood, His death and resurrection. He bestowed His grace upon you through the Word and the Sacraments. Out of compassion, Jesus tells His disciples to pray. "Pray the Lord of the harvest that He would send workers into his field." Prayer is such a simple thing. Instead of wringing our hands we are much better off folding them in prayer. Pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers into the fields. Pray that the Lord would raise up from our midst men to be pastors. Pray for faithful shepherds who will feed and tend the lambs and sheep of God's flock. Pray that the Lord would raise up faithful parents to teach their children. Pray for our schools, our home-school families, our seminaries, our Bible classes, Sunday Schools and catechism classes. Pray that the Lord would send workers into His harvest field. Jesus compassion, His gut-wrenching love for us, led Him to the cross to die for our sins, and now that same compassion leads Him to send pastors to shepherd His Church. And He sends His Church into the world as His royal priesthood. Because of Christ s compassion we receive life. Because of Christ s compassion, we have received the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit in baptism as we are joined into Jesus' death and resurrection. We have received saving faith through the good news that in our crucified and risen Lord Jesus the kingdom of God has come to us. We have received the same body and blood that went into death on the cross and rose victorious from the grave on the third day in the sacrament of the Lord s Supper. The list could go on, but you get the point. We have received! We have received a lot. Now listen again to our Savior s encouragement: "Freely you have received; freely give." We have received so much and now we are sent in God's name to this dying world to proclaim the saving death of Jesus with our lips, with our lives, with our offerings, and with our prayers as we join together in sending forth the good news of salvation in name of our Savior, Jesus. The same compassionate Lord Jesus, who has worked for us and in us, will now work through us to proclaim the good news of His kingdom! 13

14 HOME MISSIONS Avg. Sunday Attend. Pastor Atlanta, GA 27 N. Mayhew Batavia (Chicago), IL 27 D. Baker Calgary, AB, Canada 24 S. Karp Detroit, MI 22 W. Schaller Grand Rapids, MI 16 T. Holland Ketchikan, AK 18 D. Fuerstenau Live Oak, FL 22 K. Stewart Mapleton, ND 29 Matt Gurath North Port, FL 25 P. Larsen Sioux Falls, SD 29 Mark Gurath Tacoma, WA 25 P. Naumann Vernon, BC, Canada 28 D. Reim Weslaco, TX 28 (Vacancy) Zion, Lawrenceville (Atlanta) GA: Pastor Nathanael Mayhew writes: We continue to thank the LORD for the many blessing He has showered on His small flock here in the Atlanta area. In the past several months we were blessed to know that faith was created and strengthened in a newborn through baptism. The LORD also led one woman to complete her adult instruction and to be received into membership here at Zion. An even greater blessing was when the LORD took our eldest member to be with Himself in heaven, adding one more member to the church triumphant there...we continue to have many visitors join us for services We have had several CLC families transfer here because of the opportunities that are available in the Atlanta area Recently we have begun mailing out letters to people who have just moved to the area, with a flyer that communicates the Gospel, and tells a little bit about our church. We pray that the Holy Spirit would bless this effort of sharing the Lord Jesus with our community. Ascension, Batavia, IL: The congregation has been worshiping in their new facility for six months now. There have been numerous visitors and contacts in the fast-growing surrounding neighborhood. Two new members have been gained through instruction and confession of faith. Pastor Baker reports that since the only two neighboring churches are ELCA and a liberal LCMS group, Ascension is the only conservative Lutheran voice in the area. This year the congregation organized its own Vacation Bible School, using the TVBS model. With the help of a neighboring CLC teacher, it was a successful program. Mount Zion, Detroit, MI: The congregation continues to worship at a Weight Watcher s facility. Pastor Schaller has ongoing contacts through a couple who operate a foster care facility. He conducts a weekly chapel and Bible study there, attended by 5-8. Pastor Schaller has six instruction classes, involving eight people. One of these classes resulted from contacts made through the TVBS program in Detroit, which was attended by 25 children. Pastor Schaller writes: I don t know how we would have made some of the contacts we have without this (TVBS) ministry. Grace, Live Oak, FL: The congregation has been worshiping in their fellowship hall for some time, in order to make interior renovations of their church, which are nearly complete. Pastor Stewart reports that there is one family in instruction classes. Otherwise, the membership and attendance has remained stable. Rock of Ages, Grand Rapids, MI: Pastor Timothy Holland serves Rock of Ages, which now meets in a hotel meeting room. They had moved to a new area of town from their former location in a storefront, in order to begin outreach in a different neighborhood. The congregation suffered a loss when one of their regularly-attending families moved north, and will now be attending Our Savior s, Cadillac. While visitors are frequent, they are usually people who are staying temporarily in the motel where the services are held. 14

15 Holy Truth, Ketchikan, AK: Pastor David Fuerstenau reports that the congregations receives regular repeat visitors, but that they are mostly WELS and ELS members who reside in Ketchikan, and have not shown interest in membership at Holy Truth. Outreach is conducted through print media, and through the pastor s regular contacts with unchurched neighbors. Pastor Fuerstenau makes regular visits to about 10 CLC members living in Anchorage, about every other month. St. Paul, Vernon, BC: Pastor David Reim writes: Things are going well here in Vernon. We had a special four-week Bible study during the month of August where we had one visitor attend. He seems quite interested in our church We also had a great boost in September. One family that we had in VBS has come and is very interested...the congregation is in the process of forming a Mission Society. We would very much appreciate suggestions of things our group can discuss and do in the congregation We have moved our place of worship. We had hoped to be able to use a Seventh Day Adventist church for our services, but that fell through. Instead, we are meeting in a community building called The People Place. Resurrection, Calgary, AB: Pastor Steven Karp conducts both a German and English service each Sunday. The majority of the congregation speaks German as a first language. A weekly Seniorentag meeting for senior citizens draws about 13 participants. A German devotional, Gott is fur uns, is distributed for outreach purposes, as well as the English Meditations devotional. CLC, North Port, & Bethany, Coral Springs, FL: Pastor Paul Larsen reports that the congregation s annual winter snowbirds have been arriving early this year, boosting the congregation s fall attendance. Following last year s hurricane Charlie, extensive repairs to the church roof were completed, the church s pipe organ was rebuilt, with most of the cost covered by insurance. The members also contributed long hours of hard work. They are thankful that, so far, the Lord has spared them in this year s hurricane season. Pastor Larsen continues to make a monthly trip to Coral Springs, where several CLC families gather for worship. Berea, Sioux Falls, SD: Pastor Mark Gurath writes: The Lord has continued to bless this small group of believers with much growth. We have been encouraged to have a higher than usual summer attendance. We have also been blessed with new members by way of adult instruction, even while some long-time members have become inactive. The ebb and flow in congregational life continues, and the Lord blesses us through it all. Recently, we had a service which numbered 43 persons, 5 of which were visitors. We welcome the prospect of someday having the problem of not having adequate seating and facilities. We continue to look for ways to expand our current facility, or to relocate and build a free standing church. The Lord will guide us and bless us as He sees fit. We are working on this relocation effort less formally for the time being, having taken our property off the active market. Our contract with an agent has expired. We continue to keep in mind the Catholic Church next door, which has made a formal offer on our property in the past. Ascension, Tacoma, WA: The spirit among the members of Ascension Lutheran remains upbeat, as they minister to the greater Tacoma area, 34% of whose residents are not affiliated with any Christian church. Attendance at services remained good during the summer. Pastor Paul Naumann currently has one adult instruction class, and is beginning confirmation class with two students. The congregation had earlier seen success through a mass mailing program, which was financed by a special contribution. They now plan to repeat this program by mailing to 9,000 nearby residents, which will be financed by the congregation as a whole. Shepherd of the Valley, Weslaco, TX: Pastor Daniel Fleischer of Corpus Christi, TX continues to serve as vacancy pastor. The congregation is eager to begin working with their first full-time pastor. They look forward to having a consistent, Sunday morning worship schedule. They desire to reach out both to their immediate neighbors, and would also like to establish an outreach ministry in nearby Mexico. Pastor Roland Gurgel of Jamestown, ND has most recently received the call to Weslaco, and the congregation is awaiting his decision. 15

16 Gift of God, Mapleton, ND: Having installed their first full-time pastor, Matthew Gurath, the congregation has taken the favorable step of beginning Sunday morning worship services, which were formerly held Sunday evenings. Sunday worship is at 9:00 a.m., with Sunday School and Bible Class at 10:15. Pastor and Mrs. Gurath, along with their young son, Jed, are living in an apartment in Fargo for the time being. Gift of God has sent two mailings to the 300 residents of Mapleton, introducing the congregation to the community and inviting them to services. A difficult decision -- It is sometimes the painful task of the Board of Missions to discontinue funding for certain parts of our mission program. The reason for this, first of all, is a matter of conscientious stewardship. It is our obligation to apply the resources the Lord has entrusted to us in areas that show potential for growth. As a Board, we do not measure this primarily by an increase in membership numbers, but rather by gauging the opportunity for outreach with the Gospel, particularly to the unchurched. Where these opportunities are few, even after we have supported a congregation for some years, there comes a time when we must bring synodical support to an end, in order to apply those funds elsewhere. Current budgetary restraints, due to a shortfall in the CLC General Fund for this fiscal year, also play a part in the situation we face at this time. There are two mission congregations for whom we will soon be discontinuing synodical support. They are Resurrection of Calgary, Alberta, and Rock of Ages of Grand Rapids, MI. The pastors and congregations have been informed that monthly subsidy will continue only through January of It is not up to the Mission Board to make decisions regarding the calls of these pastors, or the future of the congregations, apart from the withdrawal of funding. We fervently pray that the Lord will see to the spiritual needs of those members who have faithfully and consistently supported the Lord s work in their congregations. Traveling Vacation Bible School The TVBS program had another successful season this past summer, due to the Lord s blessing on the volunteer work of more than 50 youth, a dozen chaperones, the TVBS Committee, and many local congregational members where the VBS programs were being held. Eleven congregations were served this summer through the program, with flier teams distributing promotional material, as well as teaching teams that went to conduct the classes themselves. We give thanks that more than 15,000 accident-free miles were traveled, 45,000 fliers were delivered, and many children were served with the Gospel, both CLC members as well as non-members. In addition to the trips which were planned from Eau Claire, there were also volunteers who originated in Saginaw, Sleepy Eye, Mankato, and Milwaukee. Pastor Paul Tiefel, who leads the TVBS Committee, writes: I see first-hand the evidence of how this program is a blessing to our synod in so many ways. It promotes fellowship on a wider basis. And how shall one measure the scattering of the seed through fliers and the sowing of it in TVBS classrooms? Let s end where we began in thanking the God of our salvation who has blessed TVBS with so many gifts and, through TVBS, has blessed us and our fellowship greatly. FOREIGN MISSIONS CLC Foreign Statistics -- Information is current to August 8, 2005 CLCI, India souls served by 80 pastors with attendance at Bible Institute of 32 BELC, India 7066 souls served by 157 pastors ELCC, Congo 1990 souls served by 24 pastors and 18 assistants Ghana 25 souls served by one pastor Kenya 145 souls served by 2 pastors and 2 assistants NCLC, Nigeria 780 souls served by 16 pastors with attendance at the Bible Institute of 7 LCEA, Tanzania 793 souls served by 9 pastors and 3 assistants/evangelists, with attendance at the St. Peter's Seminary of 10 CLCEA, Tanzania 819 souls served by 12 pastors and 7 assistants Togo 35 souls served by one pastor and one assistant Total souls served: more than 18,600 16

17 Second Foreign Missionary The Board of Missions remains committed to fielding a second foreign missionary to work with Pastor David Koenig in India. However, shortfalls in the General Fund have already been a factor in our decision to discontinue funding two stateside CLC missions, and the annual cost of sending a second missionary to India is in the area of $45,000. In addition, Pastor Koenig has not yet completed his own move from Efa, Nigeria to India. We do not fully know what our longer-term budgetary commitment will be there, with our first resident missionary on site. Therefore we have resolved to postpone the calling of a second man until our April meeting, and we have requested a level of CBP funding which will allow for a second missionary, without any further cuts in other areas of our mission work. NCLC The Nigerian Church of the Lutheran Confession will now face the challenge of becoming more independent, now that Pastor Koenig s regular residence will be in India. In late November, Pastor Koenig will be in Efa to help with preparations for making this transition. The seminary has seven students enrolled, under the teaching staff of Pastor Patrick Udo and Pastor Edwin. Vacation Bible School programs continue to be very popular with the local children. Recent seminary graduate Johnny Patrick is seeking to establish a Christian congregation in the northern, Muslim part of the country. Current monthly budget support: $730. Mission Board Visitation to Africa Two members of the CLC Mission Board, Pastor Bruce Naumann and Mr. Larry Hansen, will be visiting our CLC affiliates in Kenya, Tanzania, and the Congo between October 24 and November 18, in connection with Missionary Koenig s travels there. The purpose of the visit is to become better acquainted with the leaders and pastors of these church bodies, to encourage them by our active involvement and interest, and learn how we may best help them to bring Christ to their African neighbors. Please pray for the safety and success of this trip. LCEA, the Lutheran Church in East Africa Led by Pastor Jesse Angowi, this church body is centered in Himo, near the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. There are 10 young men enrolled at St. Peter s Theological Seminary. Your MDF offerings, along with volunteer help from CLC members, made the opening of the seminary possible. Regular monthly support from the Missions budget enables the seminary to operate. Current monthly budget support: $475. CLCEA, the Church of the Lutheran Confession East Africa The twelve pastors in this group were formerly part of the LCEA, under Pastor Angowi. There was an organizational parting of the ways between the two groups, though this was not a matter of doctrinal disagreement. Both groups report that they are agreed in doctrine, and the CLCEA, led by Pastor Jeremiah, intends to have its young men trained for the pastoral ministry in Himo. Details about the reasons for the organizational split will be investigated during the upcoming Mission Board visitation. The CLCEA has requested a declaration of fellowship with the CLC-USA, which will be considered at this summer s Convention. Etago, Kenya The main Etago congregation is a bumpy 8-hour ride north of Kenya s capital, Nairobi. The church was founded from scratch following some correspondence and a visit by Pastor Koenig, a few years ago. The congregation has steadily grown, and has completed a church building, with MDF help. About 90 AIDS orphans receive Christian instruction before their regular school day at this church, in buildings supplied through Project KINSHIP. The Etago church has also sponsored a nearby 17

18 daughter congregation. Our Mission Board visitation team will meet with Pastor Enosh and others at Nairobi, in late October. Current monthly budget support: $75. ELCC, Eglise Lutherienne de Confession du Congo Led by Pastor Mutombo Muzakuza, the ELCC is seeking to equip their people with tracts, catechisms, and hymnals in French and Swahili. Much progress has been made in this regard, most recently with the printing of 500 Swahili catechisms in the U.S. Half have been shipped, with the remainder soon on the way. Church registration with the government is an ongoing project, along with a plan for the purchase of land for farming as a self-help endeavor. Current monthly budget support: $150. BELC, India The Lord continues to astonish us with an increase in opportunities for expansion in the BELC. Pastor Koenig reports that there are 46 independent pastors in the Sri Kalahasti and Chittoor districts who are asking to be trained. The proposed FY07 mission budget includes $ a month to cover the expenses for pastor Bhasker to live in Sri Kalahasti, where he will preach, teach pastoral training classes, and oversee the work in these two districts. With nearly 160 pastors working in eight districts, serving 7066 souls and vigorously reaching out with Gospel to non-christians, it is a blessing and a privilege for us to be actively assisting in these efforts. While we are working diligently to assist in the work of training pastors for the spread of the Gospel we only scratch the surface of what could be done. Pastor Koenig consistently reports that he says no or not yet to more requests than he recommends. It has been the policy of the CLC not to pay salaries to the pastors of our sister church bodies overseas. In the BELC we do provide an annual gift of rice in July, and a small gift of money at Christmas. These gifts have been funded through the MDF in years past, but beginning in FY07 these gifts will be a part of their annual subsidy. There is a limit to what can be done with limited resources and manpower. As a longer-range plan, we hope to provide a full-time pastoral Bible college in Nagalapuram and Nellore, since the current monthly seminar approach falls short of the need for fully-trained pastors. This is in accord with the main thrust of our overseas efforts, which is to train indigenous pastors and leaders to spread the Gospel. However, it is a major undertaking, and will require much careful planning and thought. There is also the consideration of the need for sponsorship for as many as 40 to 50 students through KINSHIP. We praise the Lord that He has lead so many young men to desire extensive training in the Word that they might prepare to serve Him in the fulltime ministry. Current monthly budget support: $1300. Church Building in India Recommendations have been reviewed and approved for the construction or completion of eleven church building in India. Since these church buildings are capital improvements, they will be supported through the MDF, as funds are made available. The cost of these eleven church building projects totals $10,970. Each individual project ranges in cost from $561 for a roof to $1,300 for the construction of an entire church building. The structures are really nothing more than a 16 X 40 clay brick shell of a building with a permanent metal sheet roof, but they are a great improvement over the thatched roof, bamboo structures that are commonly in use. In the years to come the congregation will continue to improve and finish the buildings with plaster, paint, wooden window shutters, an altar, pulpit, etc., as their own offerings permit. CLCI, India The annual budgetary subsidy for the CLCI was raised by $1,000 beginning in July of 2005, to assist in the spread of the Gospel through their ever-expanding Gospel outreach events. For the past several years the members of the CLCI have offered their financial support to field a team of evangelists made up of CLCI pastors, seminary students, and volunteers, in addition to Pastors V.S., Jyothi, and Nireekshana Benjamin. These Gospel outreach events are conducted over a three to five day period in the tribal areas of South India. Meeting tents are set up with a generator to provide lights, music, and loudspeaker. Nireekshana reports that several thousand heathens have heard the Gospel through these events. We pray that with the increased financial support the CLCI will reach many more with the lifegiving message of the Gospel. The seminary now has 32 students enrolled in the pastoral training program. These men dedicate themselves to fulltime study of the word for three years. Through Project 18