Key to District Codes

Transcription

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2 . Key to District Codes KEY TO POSITION CODES O Ordained minister C Commissioned minister L Lay person AT CNH CI EA EN FG IN IE IW KS MI MDS MNN MNS MO MT NE NEB Atlantic California-Nevada-Hawaii Central Illinois Eastern English Florida-Georgia Indiana Iowa East Iowa West Kansas Michigan Mid-South Minnesota North Minnesota South Missouri Montana New England Nebraska ND NJ NW NI NOW OH OK PSW RM S SD SW SE SO SI TX WY North Dakota New Jersey North Wisconsin Northern Illinois Northwest Ohio Oklahoma Pacific Southwest Rocky Mountain SELC South Dakota South Wisconsin Southeastern Southern Southern Illinois Texas Wyoming South Wisconsin District, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 0 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI -0 () -0 (00) - Fax () swd@swd.lcms.org Web: swd.lcms.org

3 Table of Contents District Maps... Congregations Listed by Circuit... Convention Agenda... Convention Committees... Administration Officers, Board of Directors, and Staff... Committees... Task Force on Realignment... Overtures... Committee and Department Reports Board of Directors... 0 Camp LuWiSoMo... Concordia University Wisconsin... Congregational Services Human Care and Older Adult... Schools, Youth and Family, Student Aid and Recruitment... Stewardship... Overtures... Constitutional Matters Committee... Finance... 0 Lutheran Church Extension Fund... Ministerial Health Committee... Miscellaneous Matters: Overtures... Missions and Evangelism... Overtures... Mission Funding Task Force... Nominations Committee... Nominee Biographies... President s Report on District Membership Statistics... Appendices Names and Cities of Voting Convention Delegates... Roberts Rules of Order Summary... Evaluation Form...

4 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Districts

5 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June 0 Circuit map CIRCUITS Metro South Shore Metro South Metro Southwest Metro West Metro Northwest Metro North Metro North Shore Ozaukee/Washington Horicon West Bend/Random Lake Sheboygan South Sheboygan Central Sheboygan North Plymouth Winnebago Berlin Marquette La Crosse Southwest 0 Madison North Madison South Oconomowoc Watertown Janesville Beloit Kenosha Racine

6 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Region map Circuits -... Central East Circuits -... Northeast Circuits -... West Circuits -... Southeast (CE) (NE) (W) (SE)

7 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June 0 Congregations by Circuit METRO SOUTH SHORE CIRCUIT Franklin Risen Savior Greendale Our Shepherd Greenfield Mt Zion Our Father Milwaukee Chapel of the Cross St. Stephen Oak Creek Grace METRO SOUTH CIRCUIT Milwaukee Divine Shepherd Grace Oklahoma Avenue St. Martini West Allis Emmanuel (Deaf) St. Paul Trinity METRO SOUTHWEST CIRCUIT Elm Grove Elm Grove Milwaukee Hmong Hope Hope New Berlin Blessed Savior Waukesha Beautiful Savior Christ the Life METRO NORTH CIRCUIT Menomonee Falls Grace Milwaukee Benediction Christ Memorial St. Peter-Immanuel Zion (International) Sussex Peace METRO NORTH SHORE CIRCUIT Brown Deer St. Paul Glendale St. John Milwaukee Gospel Holy Ghost Mission of Christ Shorewood Luther Memorial Whitefish Bay Our Savior OZAUKEE/WASHINGTON CIRCUIT Cedarburg First Immanuel Germantown Faith Grafton St. Paul Jackson Living Word Mequon Beautiful Savior Trinity-Freistadt West Bend St. John METRO WEST CIRCUIT Brookfield Brookfield Menomonee Falls Zion Milwaukee Bethany Mt. Olive Trinity Pewaukee Lamb of God Wauwatosa Our Redeemer Pilgrim METRO NORTHWEST CIRCUIT Brookfield Immanuel Milwaukee Beautiful Savior Berea Covenant Emmaus Mt. Calvary Sherman Park HORICON CIRCUIT Burnett Immanuel Zion Horicon St. John St. Stephen Mayville Immanuel St. John Waupun Pella WEST BEND/RANDOM LAKE CIRCUIT Adell Emmanuel Batavia St. Stephen Fredonia St. John New Fane St. John Random Lake Immanuel St. John West Bend Pilgrim St. Andrew

8 SHEBOYGAN SOUTH CIRCUIT Belgium St. Mark Port Washington St. John Sheboygan Christ Good Shepherd Trinity (Town Wilson) Waldo St. Thomas SHEBOYGAN CENTRAL CIRCUIT Cascade St. Paul Kohler Bethany Plymouth St. John Sheboygan Bethlehem Immanuel Our Savior Trinity Sheboygan Falls St. Paul SHEBOYGAN NORTH CIRCUIT Haven Grace Howard s Grove Trinity Manitowoc Redeemer Sheboygan Luther Memorial Our Redeemer St. Paul Two Rivers Good Shepherd PLYMOUTH CIRCUIT Brillion St. Bartholomew Chilton St. Luke St. Martin Elkhart Lake Grace Glenbeulah Zion Hilbert St Peter New Holstein Zion Potter Trinity WINNEBAGO CIRCUIT Fond du Lac Hope Menasha Trinity Neenah New Hope Peace North Fond du Lac Divine Savior Oshkosh Good Shepherd Hmong Lutheran Outreach Trinity The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin BERLIN CIRCUIT Auroraville Immanuel Berlin St. John Borth Trinity Omro Grace Poy Sippi Emmaus Ripon Messiah Weyauwega Christ Wild Rose Immanuel MARQUETTE CIRCUIT Hancock Grace Montello Trinity Neshkoro St John Zion Oxford St. John Packwaukee Trinity Princeton Calvary Wautoma Trinity Westfield Immanuel St. Paul Wild Rose St. Paul LA CROSSE CIRCUIT Adams Immanuel Dellwood United in Christ La Crosse Faith Lyndon Station St. Luke Necedah St. James New Miner St. Paul Onalaska Shepherd of the Hills Quincy St. John Tomah Good Shepherd Warrens St. Matthew West Salem Prince of Peace SOUTHWEST CIRCUIT Baraboo Our Savior Boscobel Hickory Grove Highland Christ Hillpoint St. Paul La Valle St. Paul Zion Loganville St. John Muscoda St. Peter Platteville Apostles Reedsburg St. Peter Richland Center St. Luke Wisconsin Dells Trinity

9 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June 0 MADISON NORTH CIRCUIT 0 Arlington St. Peter Madison Immanuel Our Savior (Deaf) St. Paul Portage St. John Sun Prairie Bethlehem Waunakee Bethlehem/Mission Hill MADISON SOUTH CIRCUIT Madison Calvary Christ Memorial Living Christ Mt. Olive Monona Monona Oregon Community of Life Stoughton Good Shepherd OCONOMOWOC CIRCUIT Hartland Divine Redeemer North Prairie St. John Oconomowoc Grace & Truth St. John St. Paul Pewaukee Shepherd of the Hills Sullivan St. John Wales Bethlehem WATERTOWN CIRCUIT Beaver Dam Peace Clyman Zion Hartford Divine Savior Lebanon St. Peter Reeseville Immanuel Trinity Watertown Good Shepherd BELOIT CIRCUIT Beloit Messiah St. John Trinity Clinton Christ Delavan Holy Cross (Deaf) Our Redeemer Lake Geneva Gloria Dei Sharon Triune Twin Lakes Hope KENOSHA CIRCUIT Burlington Our Savior East Troy Good Shepherd Kenosha Messiah Pleasant Prairie Good Shepherd Lamb of God Racine Chapel of the Cross Union Grove St. Paul Waterford St. Peter RACINE CIRCUIT Racine Christ the King Grace Holy Cross Primera Iglesia Prince of Peace Redeemer St. John Trinity Sturtevant Faith JANESVILLE CIRCUIT Center Zion Edgerton St. John Fort Atkinson Living Savior Hanover Immanuel Janesville Mt. Calvary Our Savior St. Paul

10 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin 0 LCMS South Wisconsin District Convention Agenda June -, 0 Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon All events take place in the Field House unless otherwise noted SUNDAY, JUNE, 0 :0 - : p.m. Registration :00 p.m. Opening memorial worship service at Chapel of Christ Triumphant Sermon: Rev. Dr. John Wohlrabe, second vice-president of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod SESSION I :0 to : p.m. DINNER :0 - : p.m. Opening Prayer Rev. Nathan Meador : - :0 p.m. Welcome and opening gavel Rev. Dr. John C. Wille, SWD president :0 - : p.m. Welcome to CUW Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry : - :0 p.m. Convention committee Quorum :0 - :00 p.m. Adoption of agenda and standing rules Rev. Dr. John Wille :00 - : p.m. Floor nominations for various offices Rev. Bryan Osladil : - : p.m. District President s report Rev. Dr. John Wille : - :00 p.m. Committee on Constitutional Matters Rev. David Totsky (Introduction of new congregations, pastors, and delegates serving new congregations since 0) :00 - :0 p.m. Committee : Elections (slate for District President) Rev. Bryan Osladil :0 - : p.m. Ballot for the District President : - :00 p.m. Synod report (Part One) Rev. Dr. Herbert Mueller :00 - : p.m. Closing Devotion Rev. Daniel Torkelson MONDAY, JUNE, 0 :0 - :00 a.m. Breakfast SESSION II :00 a.m. to :00 p.m. : a.m. Registration opens :00 - :0 a.m. Opening devotion Rev. David Paape :0 - :0 a.m. Approval of Minutes from Session I :0 - :0 a.m. Re-Circuiting Taskforce Rev. John Berg :0 - :00 a.m. Committee Minutes and Report of the Board of Directors :00 - : a.m. Re-Circuiting Taskforce : - :00 a.m. Bible study Rev. Dr. Andrew Bartelt, Concordia Seminary St. Louis :00 -: a.m. Committee Administration and Constitutional Matters : - : a.m. Committee Missions : - :0 a.m. Committee Miscellaneous :0 - :00 a.m. Special Guest Rev. Ted Krey, Latin America regional director and lead missionary in the Dominican Republic :00 - :0 a.m. Essayist Kevin Theriot, Alliance for Defending Freedom, First Amendment :0 - : a.m. Committee Elections (vice presidential ballot and ranking ballot) : - : a.m. Missions Rev. Peter Kelm, SWD Mission Executive : :00 p.m. Announcements LUNCH

11 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June 0 SESSION III :0 to :0 p.m. :0 - : p.m. Opening prayer Rev. Nathan Meador : - : p.m. Committee Elections : - :00 p.m. Committee Administration and Constitutional Matters :00 - :0 p.m. Essayist Kevin Theriot, Alliance for Defending Freedom. Question and Answer :0 - : p.m. Schools, youth and family ministry Mark L Heureux, SWD Education Executive : - :00 p.m. Committee Missions :00 - : p.m. Business manager Herman Strozier, SWD Business Manager : - :0 p.m. Committee Elections :0 - :0 p.m. Committee Parish Education :0 - :0 p.m. Committee Stewardship and Evangelism :0 - :0 p.m. LCEF and Stewardship Mrs. Diana Raasch, LCEF vice-president :0 - :00 p.m. Rich Robertson, LCEF president :00 - : p.m. Re-Circuiting Taskforce : - :0 p.m. Special Guest Mr. James Sanft, Concordia Plan Services :0 - :0 p.m. Committee Miscellaneous :0 - :0 p.m. Committee Elections :0 - : p.m. Special Guest Ms. Judy Paulson, LWML president SWD : - :0 p.m. Special Guest Doxology :0 - : p.m. Special Guest Place of Refuge, Trish Kagebauer : - :00 p.m. Special Guest Sonya Parson, Rebecca s Garden of Hope :00 - :0 p.m. Special Guest Camp LUWISOMO :0 - : p.m. Announcements : - :0 p.m. Closing devotion Rev. Robert Zick DINNER Gemütlichkeit! :00 p.m. Dinner reception / celebration of ministry at Trinity-Freistadt, Mequon W. Freistadt Rd., Mequon 0 TUESDAY, JUNE, 0 :0 - :00 a.m. Breakfast SESSION IV :00 to :00 a.m. :00 - :0 a.m. Opening devotion - Rev. Mark Meier :0 - : a.m. Approval of Minutes from Session II and III : - :00 a.m. Bible study Rev. Dr. Andrew Bartelt :00 - : a.m. Committee : Administration and Constitutional Matters : - :00 a.m. Synod report (part two) Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison :00 - : a.m. Re-Circuiting Taskforce : - :0 a.m. Missions Rev. Peter Kelm, SWD Mission Executive :0 - :0 a.m. Committee : Miscellaneous :0 - :0 a.m. Unfinished business :0 - :0 a.m. Announcements and closing gavel :0 - :00 a.m. Closing prayer Rev. Nathan Meador SESSION V :0 to :00 p.m. Closing worship with Holy Communion, including the installation of newly elected SWD officers Preacher: Rev. Dr. John C. Wille (Chapel of Christ Triumphant) LUNCH Walk humbly with our God

12 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Convention Committees GENERAL CONVENTION COMMITTEE O Rev. Nathan Meador, Chair Communications O Rev. Mark E. Wangerin Exhibits L Diana Raasch L Barb Slak Finance and site coordinator L Herman Strozier Hospitality C Roger Laesch C Gene Ladendorf Housing and campus L Jeff Bandurski Publicity L Peg Raabe Registration L Robin Mueller Technology L Todd Boettcher Worship C- Stephen Rosebrock Advisory C Mark L Heureux L Peg Raabe FLOOR COMMITTEES (Additional committee appointments pending at time of Workbook publication). Nominations O - Rev. Bryan Osladil, Our Redeemer, Sheboygan, Chair O - Rev. Adam Sorenson, Mt. Olive, Milwaukee O - Rev. Dennis Schueler, Trinity, Wisconsin Dells O - Rev. Daniel Torkelson, St. John, North Prairie O - Rev. David Totsky, Sherman Park, Milwaukee C - Dennis Vierk, St. Paul, Janesville C - Gene Ladendorf, Trinity Freistadt, Mequon C - Craig Toerpe, St. John, West Bend L - Christa Hegland, Lamb of God, Pleasant Prairie L - Ronald Kabitzke, Pilgrim, West Bend L - Michael Milbrath, Beautiful Savior, Milwaukee. Administration & Constitutional Matters O - Rev. William Kilps, Good Shepherd, Two Rivers, Chair O - Rev. Eric Skovgaard, Elm Grove, Elm Grove O - Rev. Jack Gilbert, St. John, Racine L - Carrie O Donnell, St. Paul, Oconomowoc. Parish Education O - Rev. Randy Raasch, First Immanuel, Cedarburg, Chair O - Rev. Jeffery Schubert, Divine Redeemer, Hartland C - Christopher Cody, Mt. Olive, Milwaukee L - Joel Olson, Our Savior, Whitefish Bay. Missions O - Rev. Dan Torkelson, St. John, North Prairie, Chair O - Rev. Timothy Sims, Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee O - Rev. Phillip Enderle, St. Matthew, Warren C - Jon Pickelmann, St. Paul, Oconomowoc L - Kathy Klatt, Brookfield, Brookfield L - Johnnie Fields, Mission of Christ, Milwaukee. Elections O - Rev. Doug Stowe, Divine Savior, Hartford, Chair O - Rev. Don Stein, Shepherd of the Hills, Onalaska L - Paul Reske, Mt. Olive, Milwaukee L - Myron Buss, Good Shepherd, Sheboygan. Miscellaneous O - Rev. Joseph Fisher, Pilgrim, West Bend, chair O - Rev. Kenneth Wieting, Luther Memorial, Shorewood O - Rev. David Ramirez, St. Paul, Union Grove L - Jeff Behrens, Bethlehem, Sheboygan L - Stephen Saunders, Our Father, Franklin L - Phil Gohr, St. John, Mayville. Stewardship & Evangelism O - Rev. Mark Wenzel, Peace, Beaver Dam, Chair O - Rev. Jason Zobel, Mt. Olive, Madison O - Rev. Charlie Brandt, Bethlehem, Sun Prairie L - Daryl Winston, Mission of Christ, Milwaukee L - Jed Frank, First Immanuel, Cedarburg L - Kyle Her, Hmong Hope, Milwaukee L - Malcom Morgan, Sherman Park, Milwaukee. Minutes & Report of the Board of Directors O - Rev. Chris Gugel, Good Shepherd, Sheboygan, Chair O - Rev. David Totsky, Sherman Park, Milwaukee L - Brian Seider, Zion, Menomonee Falls, Board Chair

13 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Administration OFFICERS President First Vice President Second Vice President Third Vice President Fourth Vice President Secretary Treasurer CENTRAL EAST & NORTHEAST C - Brad Jentsch, St. John, Random Lake CENTRAL EAST O - Rev. Mark Wangerin, Mt. Olive, Milwaukee L - John L. Powers, Our Savior, Whitefish Bay L - Bryan Seider, Zion, Menomonee Falls, chair NORTHEAST O - Rev. Darrel Bergelin, Trinity, Howards Grove L - Myron Buss, Good Shepherd, Sheboygan L - David Eberhardt, St. Paul, Grafton DISTRICT EXECUTIVE STAFF Diana Raasch, First Immanuel, Cedarburg Mark L Heureux, Our Redeemer, Wauwatosa Peter Kelm, First Immanuel, Cedarburg Herman Strozier, Mission of Christ, Milwaukee DISTRICT SUPPORT STAFF Robin Mueller Maryann Ostrenga Peg Raabe Barb Slak Karen Rayner OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND STAFF Rev. John C. Wille, St. John, West Bend Rev. David Paape, St. Paul Brown Deer, Central East Region Rev. Daniel Torkelson, St. John, North Prairie, Southeast Region Rev. Robert Zick, St. John, Fredonia, Northeast Region Rev. Mark Meier, Emmaus, Poy Sippi, West Region Rev. David W. Totsky, Sherman Park, Milwaukee Ralph W. Klevenow, Resurrection, Cary, NC 0 0 SOUTHEAST & WEST C - Michael Oldenburg, Divine Redeemer, Hartland SOUTHEAST O - Rev. Frederick Bischoff, St. Peter, Waterford L - Alan Beyer, Peace, Beaver Dam L - Greta Martin, St. Paul, Union Grove WEST O - Rev. Davin Jensen, Our Savior, Baraboo L - Jay Jaehnke, Shepherd of the Hills, Onalaska L - Edward Koss, Christ, Highland Stewardship, Lutheran Church Extension Fund Vice President Superintendent of Schools, Youth and Family Missions Business Manager Schools, Youth and Family Accounting Missions, Human Care, Older Adult Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Stewardship President s office

14 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin 0 0 ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS COMMITTEE (Appointed) Ordained Rev. Donald Fehlauer, St. John, Edgerton Rev. David Totsky, Sherman Park, Milwaukee, Chair Commissioned Ross Stueber, First Immanuel, Cedarburg Advisory Rev. Daniel Torkelson, St. John, North Prairie, Second Vice President Rev. Bryan Osladil, Our Redeemer, Sheboygan Vacancy FINANCE COMMITTEE (Appointed) Layperson Myron Buss, Good Shepherd, Sheboygan, Vice Chair Joel Groskreutz, St. Peter, Reedsburg Thomas Kuchta, Elm Grove, Elm Grove John Powers, Our Savior, Whitefish Bay, Chair Marvin Reitz, St. Paul, Brown Deer Jon Schumacher, Brookfield, Brookfield Advisory Diana Raasch, First Immanuel, Cedarburg, LCEF Vice President and Stewardship Ralph Klevenow, Resurrection, Cary, NC, Treasurer Herman Strozier, Mission of Christ, Milwaukee, Business Manager Rev. Randy Raasch, First Immanuel, Cedarburg MINISTERIAL HEALTH COMMITTEE (Appointed) Ordained Rev. Robert Goodwin, Grace, Menomonee Falls, Chair Commissioned Judy Schultz, Our Redeemer, Wauwatosa Layperson Rachel Roeglin, Divine Redeemer, Hartland Stephen Saunders, Our Father, Greendale Advisory Mark L Heureux, Our Redeemer, Wauwatosa, Education Executive Rev. John Wille, St. John, West Bend, President

15 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Task Force on Realignment To Realign the SWD Central East Regional Circuits WHEREAS, In recent years the South Wisconsin District has requested exceptions at Synod conventions due to circuits not meeting the requirements of Synod bylaw.; and WHEREAS, The SWD board of directors, at the recommendation of the District president appointed a task force to study the current circuit alignment and bring a recommendation to the th convention of the SWD; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod bylaws define circuits as consisting of a minimum of seven congregations and 00 communicant members; and WHEREAS, The proposal, if implemented will keep the same number of Circuits in the SWD District and bring a greater voting representation from the central city congregations of Milwaukee; and WHEREAS, The proposal, if implemented will bring congregations into the same circuits who are in closer geographical proximities to each other and in similar ministry contexts; and WHEREAS, This realignment will also continue to help some congregations to continue their involvement with cross cultural ministry; and WHEREAS, The Circuit Realignment Task Force has extensively researched the proposal for realignment and has sought widespread support, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the th Convention of the SWD accept and enact the proposed Circuit Realignment of the Central East Region of the SWD. To Realign the SWD South East Regional Circuits WHEREAS,In recent years the South Wisconsin District has requested exceptions at Synod conventions due to circuits not meeting the requirements of Synod bylaw.; and WHEREAS, The SWD board of directors, at the recommendation of the District president appointed a task force to study the current circuit alignment and bring a recommendation to the th convention of the SWD; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod bylaws define circuits as consisting of a minimum of seven congregations and 00 communicant members; and WHEREAS, The proposal, if implemented will bring congregations into the same circuits who are in closer geographical proximities to each other and in similar ministry contexts; and WHEREAS, This realignment will also continue to help some congregations to continue their involvement with cross cultural ministry; and WHEREAS, The Circuit Realignment Task Force has extensively researched the proposal for realignment and has sought widespread support, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the th Convention of the SWD accept and enact the proposed Circuit Realignment of the South East Region of the SWD.

16 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin To Realign the SWD West Regional Circuits WHEREAS, In recent years the South Wisconsin District has requested exceptions at Synod conventions due to circuits not meeting the requirements of Synod bylaw.; and WHEREAS, The SWD board of directors, at the recommendation of the District president appointed a task force to study the current circuit alignment and bring a recommendation to the th convention of the SWD; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod bylaws define circuits as consisting of a minimum of seven congregations and 00 communicant members; and WHEREAS, The proposal, if implemented will give keep the same number of Circuits in the SWD District and bring a greater voting representation from the central city congregations of Milwaukee; and WHEREAS, The proposal, if implemented will bring congregations into the same circuits who are in closer geographical proximities to each other and in similar ministry contexts; and WHEREAS, This realignment will also continue to help some congregations to continue their involvement with cross cultural ministry; and WHEREAS, The Circuit Realignment Task Force has extensively researched the proposal for realignment and has sought widespread support, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the th Convention of the SWD accepts and enact the proposed Circuit Realignment of the West Region of the SWD. To Realign the SWD North East Regional Circuits WHEREAS, In recent years the South Wisconsin District has requested exceptions at Synod conventions due to circuits not meeting the requirements of Synod bylaw.; and WHEREAS, The SWD board of directors, at the recommendation of the District president appointed a task force to study the current circuit alignment and bring a recommendation to the th convention of the SWD; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod bylaws define circuits as consisting of a minimum of seven congregations and 00 communicant members; and WHEREAS, The proposal, if implemented will give keep the same number of Circuits in the SWD District and bring a greater voting representation from the central city congregations of Milwaukee; and WHEREAS, The proposal, if implemented will bring congregations into the same circuits who are in closer geographical proximities to each other and in similar ministry contexts; and WHEREAS, This realignment will also continue to help some congregations to continue their involvement with cross cultural ministry; and WHEREAS, The Circuit Realignment Task Force has extensively researched the proposal for realignment and has sought widespread support, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the th Convention of the SWD accept and enact the proposed Circuit Realignment of the North East Region of the SWD

17 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Circuit Greendale Our Shepherd (0) Greenfield Mt. Zion (0) Our Father (0) Milwaukee Chapel of the Cross () Grace (0) Oak Creek Grace () Franklin Risen Savior () Circuit Milwaukee Divine Shepherd () New Berlin Blessed Savior () Wauwatosa Our Redeemer () Pilgrim () West Allis St. Paul () Trinity () Emmanuel Deaf () Circuit Brookfield Immanuel () Milwaukee Berea () Beautiful Savior () Hmong Hope (@ Berea) St. Peter-Immanuel () Mt. Calvary (0) Mt. Olive () Oklahoma Avenue () Sherman Park () St. Martini St. Stephen () Circuit Cedarburg First Immanuel () Milwaukee Bethany () Covenant () Emmaus () Gospel (0) Holy Ghost () Hope () Mission of Christ () Circuit Brookfield Brookfield () Elm Grove Elm Grove (0) Menomonee Falls Zion () Pewaukee Lamb of God () Pewaukee Shepherd of the Hills () Sussex Peace () Waukesha Beautiful Savior () Christ the Life Circuit Brown Deer St. Paul s () Glendale St. John s () Milwaukee Benediction () Christ Memorial Trinity (0) Shorewood Luther Memorial () Whitefish Bay Our Savior () Circuit Germantown Faith () Grafton St. Paul () Jackson Living Word () Mequon Beautiful Savior () Trinity () Menomonee Falls Grace () West Bend St. John s () Circuit Burnett Immanuel () Zion () Horicon St. John () St. Stephen () Mayville Immanuel () St. John () Waupun Pella () Circuit Belgium St. Mark () Batavia St. Stephen () Fredonia St. John () Kewaskum St. John () Port Washington St. John Random Lake Immanuel () West Bend Pilgrim (0) St. Andrew () Circuit Sheboygan Bethlehem () Christ () Good Shepherd () Immanuel () Our Savior () Town Wilson Trinity () Waldo St. Thomas () Circuit Haven Grace () Howard s Grove Trinity () Kohler Bethany () Sheboygan Luther Memorial () Our Redeemer () St. Paul () Trinity ()

18 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Circuit Adell Emmanuel ( Elkhart Lake Grace () Glenbeulah Zion (0) Cascade St. Paul (0) Plymouth St. John () Sheboygan Falls St. Paul () Sherman Center St. John () Circuit -- Brillion St. Bart () Chilton St. Martin () St. Luke () Hilbert St. Peter () New Holstein Zion (0) Potter Trinity (00) Manitowoc Redeemer () Two Rivers Good Shepherd () Circuit Fond du Lac Hope () Menasha Trinity (?#) Neenah New Hope () Peace () North Fond du Lac Divine Savior () Oshkosh Good Shepherd () Hmong Luth. Outreach (#?) Trinity () Circuit Auroraville Immanuel (0) Berlin St. John (0) Borth Trinity () Omro Grace () Poy Sippi Emmaus () Ripon Messiah () Weyauwega Christ (0) Wild Rose Immanuel (#?) Wild Rose St. Paul () Circuit Hancock Grace (#?) Montello Trinity () Neshkoro St. John () Zion () Oxford St. John () Packwaukee Trinity () Princeton Calvary (#?) Wautoma Trinity () Circuit -- Dellwood United in Christ () LaCrosse Faith () Neceedah St. James () New Miner St. Paul (0) Onalaska Shepherd of the Hills () Quincy St. John () Tomah Good Shepherd (#?) Circuit -- 0 Adams Immanuel () Baraboo Our Savior () Lyndon Station St. Luke (0) Portage St. John () Westfield Immanuel () St. Paul () Wisconsin Dells Trinity () Circuit -- Boscobel Hickory Grove (#?) Highland Christ () Hillpoint St. Paul () LaValle St. Paul () Zion () Loganville St. John (0) Muscoda St. Peter () Platteville Apostles () Reedsburg St. Peter (0) Richland Center St. Luke () Circuit 0 -- exception needed Arlington St. Peter () Madison Immanuel (0) Our Savior (Deaf) () St. Paul () Sun Prairie Bethlehem (0) Waunakee Mission Hill (Mission Start) Circuit Madison Calvary () Christ Memorial (0) Living Christ (00) Mt. Olive (() Monona Monona () Oregon Community of Life (#?) Stoughton Good Shepherd ()

19 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Circuit Hartland Divine Redeemer () North Prairie St. John () Oconomowoc Grace & Truth (#?) St. John () St. Paul () Sullivan St. John (0) Wales Bethlehem () Circuit Beaver Dam Peace () Clyman Zion () Hartford Divine Savior (0) Lebanon St. Peter () Reeseville Immanuel (0) Trinity () Watertown Good Shepherd () Circuit Center Zion () Edgerton St. John () Fort Atkinson Living Savior (?#) Hanover Immanuel (#?) Janesville Mt. Calvary () St. Paul () Our Savior () Circuit Beloit Messiah () St. John (0) Trinity () Clinton Christ (0) Delavan Holy Cross (Deaf) () Our Redeemer (0) East Troy Good Shepherd (00) Lake Geneva Gloria Dei (#?) Sharon Triune () 0 0 Circuit Burlington Our Savior (0) Kenosha Messiah () Pleasant Prairie Good Shepherd () Lamb of God (#?) Racine Chapel of the Cross (#?) Twin Lakes Hope (#?) Union Grove St. Paul () Waterford St. Peter () Circuit Racine Christ the King () Grace () Holy Cross () Primera Iglesia (0) Prince of Peace () Redeemer () St. John (0) Trinity () Sturtevant Faith ()

20 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Administration and Planning: Overtures OVERTURE -0 To Change Nominations Requirements for President and Vice-President Whereas, in past conventions there have been difficulties in obtaining a full slate of candidates for President and Vice President; and Whereas, floor nominations do not enhance the integrity of sufficient input from congregations and their respective regions in nominating candidates; therefore, be it Resolved, that Bylaw. of the South Wisconsin District be changed as follows:. Candidates for President and Vice-President a. The candidates for the office of President shall be the six men who receive the highest number of votes in the nominating ballot for that office a maximum of five ordained ministers (or greater, in the case of ties) receiving the highest number of votes on the nominating ballots of the congregations and agreeing to serve if elected. Only those candidates for the office of President who have received at least five votes on the nominating ballots shall be listed on the ballot of the district convention. All those receiving nominations shall be listed by the Secretary of the District in the convention workbook together with the number of votes each received. Even if there is only one candidate, the election must be by ballot. No nominations may be made on the floor of the convention unless no candidate results from the nominating process, nor are write-in candidates permitted. b. The candidates for the office of vice-president shall be the men who receive the three highest number of votes in the nominating ballot and ties for Vice-President of that region ordained ministers from each region receiving at least two votes on the nominating ballots from the congregations in that region and agreeing to serve if elected. They shall be listed on the ballot of the district convention. All those receiving nominations shall be listed by the Secretary of the District in the convention workbook together with the number of votes each received. Even if there is only one candidate, the election must be by ballot. No nominations may be made on the floor of the convention unless no candidate results from the nominating process, nor are write-in candidates permitted. Submitted by: Circuit Forum, January, 0 OVERTURE -0 Feasibility Study of Merging Two Seminaries Into One Whereas, student enrollment at both our seminaries is in general decline; and Whereas, average student debt of seminary graduates in increasing; and Whereas, the increased costs of a seminary education will discourage future enrollment; and Whereas, maintaining two seminary campuses (including faculty and student housing, educational/athletic facilities, and grounds) and maintaining two faculties and support staff is proving to be expensive beyond our means; and Whereas, the Lord summons us to be wise stewards of our resources; Be it resolved, that we urge the South Wisconsin District to memorialize synod to study the feasibility of merging two seminaries into one Respectfully by Circuit Forum

21 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June OVERTURE -0 To Memorialize Synod to Restore the LCMS Praesidium the Authority to Act in a Case of Discipline Should a District President Fail to Act in a Matter of Ecclesial Supervision. Pilgrim Lutheran Church, West Bend, WI Whereas, the Constitution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Bylaw. (i) of the LCMS Bylaws states: (i) Ecclesiastical supervision: The responsibility, primarily of the President of the Synod and district presidents, to supervise on behalf of the Synod the doctrine, life, and administration of its members, officers, and agencies. Such supervision, subject to the provisions of the Synod s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions, includes visitation, evangelical encouragement and support care, protection, counsel, advice, admonition, and, when necessary, appropriate disciplinary measures to assure that the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod are followed and implemented. Thus, ecclesiastical supervision is also the presenting, interpreting, and applying of the collective will of the Synod s congregations. Ecclesiastical supervision does not include the responsibility to observe, monitor, control, or direct the day-to-day activities of individual members of the Synod, whether in the conduct of their work or in their private lives (cf. Bylaw..). Further, those constitutional articles and bylaws pertaining to ecclesiastical supervision shall determine the full definition of ecclesiastical supervision. Whereas, LCMS Bylaw... and Bylaw... state: Powers and Duties Ecclesiastical... As the chief ecclesiastical officer of the Synod, the President shall supervise the doctrine taught and practiced in the Synod, including all synodwide corporate entities.... The President of the Synod has ecclesiastical supervision of all officers of the Synod and its agencies, the individual districts of the Synod, and all district presidents. Whereas, since the 00 Convention of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod enacted major changes in the LCMS Handbook, removing then Bylaw.. (b), which empowered the Synod President in concert with the LCMS Praesidium to act in a matter of ecclesial supervision when a district president failed to act. That former Bylaw reads; b. If the District President declines to suspend the member or fails to act within 0 days after receipt of the written complaint, the complainant may present the written complaint to the Praesidium of the Synod, which consists of the President and the Vice-Presidents of the Synod. If after investigation the Praesidium concludes that the facts form a basis for expulsion of the member under Article XIII of the Constitution, the Praesidium shall proceed in the same fashion as hereafter required of the District President. If the Praesidium determines not to proceed, it shall in writing so inform the complainant and the involved member, which shall terminate the matter. Whereas, there is still a need for the sake of consistent ecclesial and doctrinal supervision throughout the Synod, and where district presidents may fail to act, Be it resolved that the South Wisconsin District memorialize the 0 Convention of The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod to add the following Bylaw be added to the LCMS Handbook, Bylaw.... If the District President declines to fails to act in a matter of ecclesial supervision within 0 days after receipt of the written complaint, the complainant may present the written complaint to the President of the Synod who in consultation with the Vice-Presidents (the Praesidium) of The Lutheran Church-Missouri may take up the matter. (a) If after investigation the Praesidium concludes that the facts form a basis for expulsion of the member under Article XIII of the Constitution, the Praesidium shall proceed in the same fashion as hereafter required of the District President. (b) If the Praesidium determines not to proceed, it shall in writing so inform the complainant and the involved member, which shall terminate the matter. And be it finally resolved that the Commission on Handbook make appropriate changes elsewhere in the bylaws so that there are no conflicts with this..

22 0 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Board of Directors Regular Board Meeting Thursday, September 0, 0 Board Actions Nominations were sought for the position of SWD Board Chair: John Powers (declined) Bryan Seider M S C to close nominations for SWD BOD Chairman and cast unanimous ballot for Bryan Seider Nominations were sought for the position of SWD Board Chair: David Eberhardt (declined) Jay Jaehnke M S C to close nominations for SWD BOD Vice Chairman and cast unanimous ballot for Jay Jaehnke M S C to approve minutes of May, 0 meeting M S C to approve minutes of final session of the SWD Convention M S C to approve the amended Constitution and Bylaws of Mt. Olive, Milwaukee Abstention: Wangerin M S C to approve Constitution and Bylaws of Sherman Park, Milwaukee Abstention: Totsky M S C to receive Sherman Park Ev. Lutheran Church, Milwaukee as a member of the South Wisconsin District and to place this congregation in Circuit, thereby maintaining the Synod bylaw requirements for circuit composition. Abstention: Totsky M S C to reappoint Mark L Heureux, Education Exec M S C to reappoint Ralph Klevenow as Treasurer M S C to appoint Committee on Constitutional Matters composed of Rev. Don Fehlauer, Rev. Bryan Osladil, E. John Raasch, Ross Stueber, and Rev. Daniel Torkelson M S C to appoint John Powers, Myron Buss, Thomas Kuchta, Joel Groskreutz, John Schumacher, and Marvin Reitz to District Finance Committee M S C to authorize signing of the proposed 0-year lease as described on page of Timeline on University Bookstore with remaining terms, e.g., right of first refusal, building insurance, etc., to be ironed out Camp LuWiSoMo Dining Hall Building Project Resolution Amended and Approved by the SWD Finance Committee On September, 0 Whereas: Camp LuWiSoMo has been raising funds to build a new dining hall since 00 and, Whereas: The funds raised in this account currently amount to $, and, Whereas: there are additional matching donations committed to this project in the amount of $0,000 and, Whereas: the total funds currently committed to this project total $, and, Whereas: the bids received for this project of building the dining hall total $0,0 including a % contingency fee and, Whereas: the Camp LuWiSoMo facility needs to have a dining facility upgraded prior to operating youth camp in 0 in order to abide by the Waushara County Health inspector requirements and, Whereas: the Camp Board believes building this facility will also increase the revenues for operations at the camp and, Whereas: fundraising to offset the cost of additional fixtures necessary to supply the facility will continue to proceed during the construction process. Therefore be it Resolved that the South Wisconsin District be allowed to contract for construction of the dining hall at the Camp property, and be it further Resolved that all funds currently held in the Restricted Feeding His Flock account will be turned over to the title company selected as needed to distribute the funds and secure clearance of all title liens for this project, and be it finally Resolved that the Camp Board and the building committee agree that the total building cost will not exceed the funds available for this project. M S C to begin Camp LuWiSoMo Dining Hall Building M S C to request exemption for Circuit M S C to approve Salary Guidelines with a % recommended increase

23 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June 0 Board Monitoring: Secretary Secretary Totsky reminded the Directors of their responsibilities and the bylaw requirements for their offices President s Reports Received President Wille s printed report. President Wille highlighted Mission exec nominations are requested, Sept 0 deadline Financials Mr. Strozier presented the printed report of SWD Finances Mr. Strozier presented Reports of Camp LuWiSoMo finances Mr. Dittloff presented the LCEF report Update from Mission Executive Search Committee Received printed reports of Mr. Mark L Heureux Mr. Robert Mason Regular Board Meeting December, 0 Board Actions M S C to approve minutes of September 0, 0 meeting M S C to approve the amended Constitution and Bylaws of Divine Redeemer, Hartland; Divine Savior, Hartford; Good Shepherd, East Troy; Our Redeemer, Sheboygan; and St. Paul, New Miner M S C to approve Constitution and Bylaws of St. Matthew s, Warrens M S C to receive St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Warrens as a member of The Lutheran ChurchBMissouri Synod, the South Wisconsin District and to place this congregation in Circuit. Refinancing of loan for Waunakee property Whereas: The South Wisconsin District holds two loans on our property in Waunakee located at Woodland Dr. Waunakee, WI and Whereas: Loan number 000 matures on January, 0 and Whereas: The major portion of the original financing was covered by a Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) Specialized Ministry loan at an interest only rate of %, and Whereas: LCEF is offering us the ability to refinance this loan ($,000,000) at its current Cost of Funds and interest only, for a period of months Year : COF (currently.%) +.% resulting in a rate of.% Year : COF (currently.%) +.% resulting in a rate of.0% Year : COF (currently.%) +.00% resulting in a rate of.%, therefore be it RESOLVED: That the South Wisconsin District execute an extension and modification of the existing loan with LCEF as stated above. M S C to refinance the loan on the Waunakee property M S C to adopt the 0-0 SWD Budget as presented. M S C to adopt the 0 Financial plan for Camp LuWiSoMo as presented. Camp Resolution requesting exemption from SWD Board resolution that Camp pay down their principle indebtedness by % in 0 Whereas, Camp LuWiSoMo has held successful operations through 0, and Whereas, Camp LuWiSoMo is projecting a positive balance for our budget in 0, and Whereas, Camp LuWiSoMo is also projecting a $,000 cash balance as of --0, and Whereas, Camp LuWiSoMo is taking important steps toward attaining long term financial health through grant requests, and fund raising assistance, and Whereas, the camp dining hall project will no longer be a financial burden on our fundraising efforts, and Whereas, a sale of some of the land at camp would greatly increase the amount applied to our monthly principal payments, and

24 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Whereas, the voters of the South Wisconsin District in convention approved the separation of Camp LuWiSoMo from the ownership of the District, and Whereas, the camp continues to work on this separation from District ownership through our corporation agreement, 0(c), and RSO, and Whereas, there are promotional efforts that have started currently by visits throughout our district, and Whereas, the camp does not wish to jeopardize our emergency funds at this time by paying down the debt on our loan, and Whereas, the camp will have paid principal against our loan during our fiscal 0 year of $,., therefore be it RESOLVED, That the District board allow camp to continue operations without enforcing the requirement of the % debt reduction as spelled out in the December 0 board meeting. M S to exempt camp from % debt principal reduction payment M S to replace the resolved to read: Resolved, that the SWD Board of Directors waive the required % debt reduction for fiscal 0 as required by their December, 0 Board action and allow the Camp to continue operations with this waiver, and be if further Resolved that this waiver is only for the current year, and that all other terms and conditions of the December 0 action remain in effect. Motion withdrawn Whereas the District BOD adopted a resolution in December 0 which required Camp LuWiSoMo to make an annual payment to reduce its indebtedness by %, and Whereas the Camp Board has requested that such payment be waived to conserve its reserves for operations, now therefore be it Resolved that the SWD Board of Directors waive the required % debt reduction for fiscal 0 as required by the December 0 board action and allow the Camp to continue with this waiver, and be it further RESOLVED that this waiver is only for the current year; and all other terms and conditions of the December 0 action remain in effect M S C to exempt % payment to principal Camp LuWiSoMo resolution regarding Grant Requests Whereas, Camp LuWiSoMo currently is seeking additional funding sources to continue camp operations, and reach out to those that may not have opportunities to attend a youth camp by paying normal operational expenses, and. Whereas, Camp LuWiSoMo operates under the ownership of the South Wisconsin District- Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and Whereas, Camp LuWiSoMo has been reaching out to provide camp opportunities to individuals that may not have abilities to pay normal camp fees for experiencing a youth camp, and RESOLVED, that the South Wisconsin District hereby allows Camp LuWiSoMo to seek grants for the purposes of sustaining the camp operations, through grants after consultation with and approval by the District President M S to authorize the Camp to seek grants M S C to amend first whereas to end at continue camp operations, and M S C to adopt amended resolution Camp LuWiSoMo resolution regarding Bradley Foundation Grant Request Whereas, Camp LuWiSoMo currently is seeking additional funding sources to continue camp operations, and. Whereas, Camp LuWiSoMo operates under the ownership of the South Wisconsin District- Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and Whereas, Camp LuWiSoMo has been reaching out to provide camp opportunities to individuals that may not have abilities to pay normal camp fees for experiencing a youth camp, and

25 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June 0 RESOLVED, that the South Wisconsin District hereby allows the Camp LuWiSoMo Board to seeks grants for the purpose of sustaining camp operations, through the Bradley Foundation with the approval of the District President M S C to adopt Bradley Foundation Grant Request SWD Rostered Workers Housing allowance RESOLVED that the South Wisconsin District authorizes and establishes the following individual(s) housing allowance for the year 0; in the amount John Wille - % Mark L Heureux - % Of that person s annual compensation. (Housing allowance will be paid from February, 0 to January, 0) M S C to establish housing allowance for 0-0 To extend call for Missionary at Large M S to extend a call to the Reverend Alfonso Prada to serve as SWD Missionary at Large President s Reports The Board received President Wille s printed report Current SWD Financials Mr. Strozier presented the printed report of SWD Finances Current Financials for Camp LuWiSoMo Mr. Strozier presented Reports of Camp LuWiSoMo finances Received printed LCEF report Update from Mission Executive Search Committee Tim Dittloff s departure and search for replacement Vacancy in Development position Ratification of Board Advisory Delegate to LCMS Convention Delegate - Rev. Darrel Bergelin Alternate - Mrs. Greta Martin Received printed reports of Mark L Heureux District Missions LuWiSoMo Board Regular Board Meeting February, 0 Board Actions M S C to approve minutes of December, 0 meeting M S C to approve the amended Constitution and Bylaws of Beautiful Savior, Mequon and St. John Refinancing of loan for Waunakee property CERTIFICATE OF RESOLUTION BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS I certify that I am the duly qualified and acting Secretary of The South Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod ( the Borrower ), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin and as such I have custody of the books and records of said corporation; that on the Twenty-first day of February, 0, at :0 o=clock p.m., a duly called and constituted meeting of the Board of Directors of said corporation was held; and that upon motion duly made and seconded the following Resolution was adopted in accordance with the constitution and bylaws and articles of incorporation/charter of the corporation; WHEREAS, the Borrower signed two Notes (Note A - $,000, and Note B - $0,000.00) and a Mortgage dated as of May, 00, in favor of Lutheran Church Extension Fund-Missouri Synod (LCEF) for two loans from LCEF to the Borrower in the aggregate amount of $,0,000.00; and WHEREAS, subsequently the Borrower executed an Extension and Modification Agreement dated July, 0, recorded on August, 0 as Document # and re-recorded on August, 0 as Document #, extending the terms of Note A at variable rates until January, 0; and

26 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin WHEREAS, subsequently the Borrower executed an Extension and Modification Agreement dated July, 0, recorded on August, 0 as Document # and re-recorded on August, 0 as Document, extending the terms of Note B at a fixed rate until July, 0; and WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to borrow the aggregate sum of up to $,,. for the purpose of renewing its existing loan #000 (principal balance of $,.) and 0000 (principal balance of $,0.) with Lutheran Church Extension Fund-Missouri Synod; and WHEREAS, Lutheran Church Extension Fund-Missouri Synod has offered to make loans in such amounts to the Borrower; NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:. That the Borrower borrow the aggregate sum of up to $,,. from Lutheran Church Extension Fund-Missouri Synod which loan is to be evidenced by an Extension and Modification Agreements providing for interest rates and terms as determined by the loan approval letters.. That said loans be secured by the first Mortgage executed by the Borrower dated as of May, 00 and recorded May, 00 in Official Records of Dane County, Wisconsin, as Document No. 0, with respect to all of the real property owned by the Borrower described as follows: Lot, Certified Survey Map, recorded in Vol. of Certified Survey Maps, page, as #0, in the Town of Westport, Dane County, Wisconsin.. That the legal signers as specified in the Articles of Incorporation and/or the Constitution and Bylaws of the Borrower or, if not specified, the President and Secretary of the Borrower are hereby authorized, empowered and directed to execute, acknowledge and deliver on behalf of the Borrower one or more Extension and Modification Agreements as above provided, and said Officers are further authorized, empowered and directed to do all such acts and things to execute and deliver all such documents as may, in the discretion of said Officers be deemed necessary, proper or convenient to carry out and comply with the provisions and terms upon which said loan is being made to the Borrower and the same are hereby approved in all respects. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my name on this twenty-first day of February 0. M S C to approve Certificate of Resolution UW Chapel, Madison Air Rights M S C to decline offers from Catalyst Construction to purchase or lease air rights to UW Chapel property at this time [Buss : Jentsch ] Resolution that the 0 LCMS Convention be moved to 0 in honor of the 00 th Anniversary of the Reformation That the 0 LCMS National Convention be moved to 0 in honor of the 00th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation Whereas, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod National Convention is scheduled to meet in 0, and Whereas, the year of our Lord 0 is the 00th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, and Whereas, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod would save substantial resources that could be used to fund various missions and outreach by moving the convention back one year, therefore be it RESOLVED that the date for the National Convention of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod be changed to 0, and be it further RESOLVED that a national Thank-offering be gathered for the 0 Convention which will be designated to support seminary education. M S C to forward resolution to the LCMS Office of the President. To extend a divine call for Mission Executive M S C to strike policy... bullet points and M S C to extend a call to Reverend Allan Buss, Belvidere, IL to serve as Mission Executive

27 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Board Reports Secretary Secretary Totsky reported that overtures offered by the SWD Convention have been sent to and received by the Office of the President LCMS The Board received President Wille s printed report Mr. Strozier presented the printed report of SWD Finances Mr. Strozier presented reports of Camp LuWiSoMo finances Mr. Klevenow presented the printed LCEF report New SWD LCEF Vice President Diana Raasch will be starting March, 0 Received printed reports of Mark L Heureux District Missions LuWiSoMo Board Regular Board Meeting May, 0 Board Actions M S C to approve minutes of February, 0 meeting Receipt of Audit by Vrakas Blum Board Reports The Board received President Wille s printed report Mr. Strozier presented the printed report of SWD finances Mr. Strozier presented reports of Camp LuWiSoMo finances Mrs. Diana Raasch presented the printed LCEF report Received printed reports of Mark L Heureux District Missions LuWiSoMo Board Regular Board Meeting September, 0 Robert Gleason led the board in an overview of Policy Governance and the current Board Policy Manual. Three areas crucial for Policy Governance Board success:. Requires thoughtful consideration and action. Requires discipline to separate the how from the what. Requires focus on ends Discussion regarding possible means for policy review Policy Workgroup established Rev. David Totsky, chair Rev. Mark Wangerin Mr. David Eberhardt Mrs Greta Martin Board Action M S C to approve the minutes of the May, 0 Board meeting M S C to approve the amended Constitution and Bylaws of Zion, Menomonee Falls M S C to designate up to % of compensation as housing allowance, % salary. SWD Board resolution to refinance Camp LuWiSoMo's loan Whereas The South Wisconsin District has a LCEF Loan for Camp LuWiSoMo (loan #00) that will mature on January, 0. The current rate is.%, therefore be it Resolved it is the recommendation of the Finance Committee to begin the process of refinancing the loan at a rate of.% adjusted on an annual basis with a 0 year amortization. M S C Camp LuWiSoMo Resolutions To Continue Operations, Part-time/Volunteer Plan Matter not addressed at this time. No second

28 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin To Terminate Camp Director Board refused to act until/unless Camp Board provides necessary substantiation Camp Financials Mr. Herman Strozier presented the Balance sheet and the Income-Expense Report for Camp LuWiSoMo. As it stands, at present, they have a negative cash balance Camp Update, Financial and Operational Projections for 0 Mr Craig Hillman presented a summary of the past year s events at LuWiSoMo. 0 actual/forecast evaluation Financial Plan 0 record of June, 0 meeting with Mike Stapleton Concern regarding what to do with camp actual cash flow, revenue stream concerns about building new dining hall and possible failure to use concerns about camp director position process which would need to be followed in shutting down camp M S C to reaffirm the Board resolution concerning the camp finances passed /0/ [page 0] effective January, 0 Board Reports Secretary Totsky reported that in balloting conducted :00 a.m. July through :00 p.m. July, 0 the following resolution passed unanimously, with ballots cast. To Accept the Offer to Purchase 0 Acres of Land, Lot, Camp LuWiSoMo Whereas, the South Wisconsin District LCMS has received an unsolicited offer to purchase 0 acres of land which is currently part of Camp LuWiSoMo, and Whereas, the Camp Board has indicated that the sale of this section of land, marked A@ on the map, will have no impact on camp ministry, therefore be it Resolved that the SWD Board of Directors accept the offer of $, and that the President s office expedite this sale, and be it finally Resolved that the net profit of this sale will be applied to the LCEF loan for Camp LuWiSoMo M S C to ratify balloting Mission Hill Lutheran is merging with Bethlehem, Sun Prairie. Assets of Mission Hill "will be transferred to Bethlehem to manage for a future new congregation." Whereas Mission Hills Lutheran Church, Waunakee, Wisconsin has decided to merge and become part of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie, WI; and Whereas the Constitution of Mission Hills Lutheran Church provides that if the church closes, its remaining assets shall e transferred to the South Wisconsin District; ad Whereas the members of Mission Hills Lutheran Church desire to transfer such assets to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie; therefore be it Resolved that the South Wisconsin District hereby assigns any interest it may have in the remaining assets at closure of Mission Hills Lutheran Church, Waunakee, Wisconsin to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin M S C President's Report Rev. Dr. John C. Wille SWD Church Worker Salary Guidelines Increase for 0 Fiscal Year:.% Bethlehem, Milwaukee property after dissolution Property refused by District due financial risks involved in receiving the property Mr. Herman Strozier presented SWD current financials Received the written report of SWD Missions

29 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Lutheran Church Extension Fund from Mrs. Diana Raasch Informed the Board about: Young Investors Club Educational Loan program Received the written report of Lutheran Schools from Mr. Mark L Heureux Regular Board Meeting December, 0 Board Action M S C to approve the minutes of the September, 0 Board meeting M S C to approve the amended Constitution and Bylaws of Emmaus, Poy Sippi M S C to adopt the 0-0 SWD Budget as presented M S C to forward % of net income from 0-0 operations to Synod unrestricted. [Wille : Jensen] Mr. Bill Durling made a presentation on Camp LuWiSoMo. Enter Executive Session Exit Executive Session M S C to adopt the 0-0 LuWiSoMo Budget Camp LuWiSoMo Resolution # to District Board of Directors Whereas: Camp LuWiSoMo currently is operating without a called director and; Whereas: The camp has been offered the services of a full time unpaid General Manager. This position could be referred to as our director and; Whereas: This position is not a called position, the camp board would like to continue operations with this director in charge of day to day operations as was approved in the SWD convention and; Whereas: This director will continue to report to the camp board and; Whereas: This director will operate the camp under the approved budget and; Whereas: All other items concerning the powers of this director will follow the structure approved in the SWD convention and; Whereas: Theological support will be rendered by Rev. Mark Meier local pastor in Poy Sippi that will be the official advisor of the camp for assuring doctrinal accuracy in our programming; therefore be it Resolved that the position of director hereafter known as General Manager of LuWiSoMo will be William Durling. M S to adopt M S C to amend last whereas to Theological oversight will be rendered by...pastoral advisor M S C to amend powers to responsibilities in nd last whereas M S C to amend last whereas to be a resolved M S C replace the final resolved to read resolved that the Camp LuWiSoMo Board may retain William Durling as General Manager after the District President gives his approval M S C to adopt amended resolution Final amended resolution reads: Camp LuWiSoMo Resolution # to District Board of Directors Whereas: Camp LuWiSoMo currently is operating without a called director and; Whereas: The camp has been offered the services of a full time unpaid General Manager. This position could be referred to as our director and; Whereas: This position is not a called position, the camp board would like to continue operations with this director in charge of day to day operations as was approved in the SWD convention and; Whereas: This director will continue to report to the camp board and; Whereas: This A director will operate the camp under the approved budget and;

30 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Whereas: All other items concerning the responsibilities of this director will follow the structure approved in the SWD convention; therefore be it Resolved: that theological oversight will be rendered by the Reverend Mark Meier, Sr. local pastor in Poy Sippi who will be the pastoral advisor of the camp, assuring doctrinal accuracy in its programming; and be it further Resolved: that the Camp LuWiSoMo Board may retain William Durling as General Manager after approval by the District President. Camp LuWiSoMo Resolution # to District Board of Directors Whereas: Camp LuWiSoMo has currently been making regular monthly payments of interest and principal against the existing camp debt and; Whereas: The District Board approved a resolution in December of 0, which stipulated a reduction of this debt by % each year and; Whereas: The District voters in Convention during June of 0 approved the transfer of the camp property without any mention of additional payments to the debt before the transfer takes place and; Whereas: The effect of the additional expense of reducing this debt further encumbers the camp in its operational expenses and; Whereas: The Camp has already reduced the debt in the past year by over $,000 through principal payments and a special donation and; Whereas: The camp board is currently working on the budget for 0, and direction is necessary in order to complete this budget; therefore be it Resolved that the resolution from the December, 0 district board meeting concerning the requirement of debt reduction by an additional % over expenses be hereby dismissed, and be it further Resolved that Camp LuWiSoMo is hereby allowed to continue operations under the resolution requirements of the 0 District convention. M S to adopt Question called M S F to adopt M S C to designate housing allowances for SWD Rostered Workers as 0% Rev Peter Kelm 0% Mr. Mark L Heureux % Rev John Wille Offer to Purchase. acres of Camp LuWiSoMo land M S C to decline offer from Steve and Julia Johnson Board Reports Secretary Totsky reported that in balloting ending Oct the Motion to execute a reduction in force for the LuWiSoMo Camp Director passed - ending Oct the motion to sell approximately acre and/or combined acre parcel of Camp LuWiSoMo property. With members of the SWD Board eligible to vote, the results are as follows: Offer vote Offer votes No Sale votes M S C to ratify balloting Rev. Dr. John C. Wille presented his written report In addition he informed the board about Sept 0, 0 LCMS presidential visitation recent housing allowance ruling Mr. Herman Strozier SWD current financials Camp LuWiSoMo financials presented by Herman Strozier presented Mrs. Diana Raasch presented the LCEF report She informed the Board about New Programs

31 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Educational Debt Consolidation Loans for Pastors YI Club (Young Investors Club) Received the written report SWD Missions from Rev. Peter Kelm Lutheran Schools from Mr. Mark L Heureux Regular Board Meeting February, 0 Board Action M S C to approve the minutes of the December, 0 Board meeting To Reject Camp lands offer to purchase Resolution to reject all sales of land: M S C to reject any and all offers to purchase Camp LuWiSoMo land and give President Wille the authority to negotiate the termination of the listing agreement Resolution to accept the Rev. Richard Boeck, Jr as a board member Whereas: Camp LuWiSoMo operates with a board of voting members and, Whereas: The member that has held the position of Ordained NE Region on the Board of Directors has resigned the current position and, Whereas: The camp board pursues to keep as many members as possible on the board in order to continue obtaining a successful quorum at each meeting and, Whereas: The Rev. Richard Boeck, Jr. from Horicon was the second in line during the elections at the recent SWD convention in 0 for the above mentioned position and, Whereas: Rev. Richard Boeck, Jr. has agreed to accept the position of board member on the LuWiSoMo Board of Directors, Therefore be it Resolved That the name of Rev Richard Boeck, Jr. be approved as the replacement to serve the camp board for the unexpired term of the Ordained NE Region for the Camp LuWiSoMo Board of Directors, and be it further Resolved That this appointment will be made effective as of --0. M S C 0 District Convention proposed dates June -, 0 M S C to set the date for the 0 District Convention as June -, 0 to be held at CUW Board Reports President's Report Rev. Dr. John C. Wille presented his written report Mr. Herman Strozier presented SWD financials Mr. Herman Strozier presented Camp LuWiSoMo financials Received Mrs. Diana Raasch LCEF report printed Received Rev. Peter Kelm s SWD Missions written report In addition he reported the German Novelli, Sr. (Primera Iglesia) has accepted a call Received Lutheran Schools written report from Mr. Mark L Heureux Regular Board Meeting May, 0 Board Actions: M S C to approve the minutes of the February, 0 Board meeting M S C to approve the amended constitutions and bylaws of Lutheran Chapel of the Cross, Mt. Pleasant; St. Paul Lutheran Church, Madison; Messiah Lutheran Church, Ripon; Trinity Lutheran Church, Oshkosh; Peace Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam; and Monona Lutheran Church, Monona Audit Presentation by Mrs Brenda Brandt of Vrakas/Blum presented the results of the Annual Audit M S C to receive the audit

32 0 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Board Reports Mr. Herman Strozier presented SWD Financials Mr. Herman Strozier presented Camp LuWiSoMo Financials Received Mr. Ralph Klevenow s report of LCEF Received the written report of SWD Mission. Rev Kelm stressed: four Spanish language congregations HOC baptisms POBLO SOS Center summer program We Do Missions handout Received Lutheran Schools - Mr. Mark L Heureux noting possible opening of three schools in coming years Regular Board Meeting September, 0 Board Education LCMS st Vice President Herbert Mueller was present to conduct the triennial visitation in response to Res. -0A (LCMS Convention, 0). He distributed District Visitation: 0-0 Documents and Data. He began by seeking input regarding the state of the district and synod. What is appreciated? What s going well? What are the challenges? Going well Prison ministry Educational ministry Collegiality Concern Campus ministry Following some discussion, attention turned to statistics contained in the literature provided by the LCMS Office of the President. The Rev. Mueller distributed LCMS Office of National Mission: Strong Faith, Fervent Love folder Lutherans Engage the World, and Lutheran Witness Board Actions: M S C to approve the minutes of the May, 0 Board meeting M S C to nominate the Rev. David Totsky for consideration for this position on the Commission on Handbook Board Reports President's Report The Board received President Wille s written report, he noted LCMS Praesidium visit development of district Strategic Direction vacancy situation in district resignation of Dr. Sohn from Commission on Handbook It was reported that the Finance Committee had discussed. Waunakee Property prepared for sale. President Wille, Herman Strozier, and Ralph Klevenow will be visiting Camp LuWiSoMo to discuss Camp property, and several other issues. Dealt with internal controls issues cited in the audit Mr. Herman Strozier presented SWD financials Mr. Herman Strozier presented LuWiSoMo financials Received Mrs. Diana Raasch s written report of LCEF Received the SWD Missions Report of Rev. Peter Kelm Received the Lutheran Schools Report of Mr. Mark L Heureux Regular Board Meeting December, 0 Board Actions: M S C to approve the minutes of the September, 0 Board meeting

33 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June M S C to approve the amended constitutions and/or bylaws of Our Savior, Burlington; Our Savior, Whitefish Bay; Pilgrim, Wauwatosa; St. John, Horicon; and St. Matthew s, Warrens M S C to approve the 0- budget for the South Wisconsin District M S C to establish the Housing Allowances for rostered workers as requested by workers Board Reports The Board received President Wille s written report, he noted Passionate Leaders Conference Closing on Camp LuWiSoMo property transfer set for 0// Joint SWD and NWD Circuit Visitors Meeting Mr. Herman Strozier presented the SWD Financials Mr. Herman Strozier presented Camp LuWiSoMo Financials Received Mrs. Diana Raasch s written report of LCEF, October, 0 Presented information on ConnectPLUS program Church worker educational debt consolidation program Estate and Wills Planning program Received the written report of SWD Missions from Rev. Peter Kelm German Novelli, Jr. ordination/installation at Grace, Milwaukee Moses Thao to be ordained and installed in Hmong ministry Received the written report of Lutheran Schools from Mr. Mark L Heureux Highlighted Kohl Fellowship Program Michael Oldenburg National Distinguished Principal recipient Regular Board Meeting February, 0 Board Actions M S C to approve the minutes of the December, 0 Board meeting M S C to approve the amended constitutions and/or bylaws of Faith, Germantown and Zion, Clyman Proposed Overture to Call Dr. Matthew Becker to Repentance Implore the Rev. Paul Linnemann to Exercise Ecclesiastical Supervision and Thank and Encourage President Matthew Harrison Rationale At the recent North Dakota District Convention, Synod President Matthew Harrison was questioned about the status of the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker, a rostered and ordained member of the Synod and a professor at Valparaiso University. President Harrison reported to that convention that the results of a complaint filed against Dr. Becker have left him remaining in good standing as a member of the Synod. This was confirmed by Dr. Becker: The matter of the case against my teaching was terminated by three LCMS circuit counselors from the Great Northwest (whose identities are unknown to me), who acted at the behest of the NW District President. After reviewing all of the available evidence, they concluded that it is perfectly acceptable for an LCMS pastor to make a public argument in favor of the ordination of women to the pastoral office and that such a public argument is not grounds for expulsion from the roster of pastors in the LCMS. accessed -0-0 Some days later, President Harrison posted the following to the Witness, Mercy and Life Together blog on the Synod s website, not referring to the Becker Case specifically, but speaking in general, When a public teacher on the roster of Synod can without consequence publicly advocate the ordination of women (even participate vested in the installation of an ELCA clergy person), homosexuality, the errancy of the Bible, the historical-critical method, open communion, communion with the Reformed, evolution, and more, then the public confession of the Synod is meaningless. I am saying that if my Synod does not change its inability to call such a person to repentance and remove such a teacher where there is no repentance, then we are liars and our confession is meaningless. I do not want to belong to such a synod, much less lead it. I have no intention of walking away from my vocation. I shall rather use it and, by the grace of God, use all the energy I have to call this Synod to fidelity to correct this situation. - accessed -0-0 Dr. Becker filed an official dissent regarding the synod s practice of restricting the office of pastor only to men and from the synod s position of interpreting the first two chapters of Genesis to mean that God created the

34 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin universe over the course of six twenty four hour days, and that the natural law of evolution must be rejected. The Commission on Theology and Church Relations responded to Dr. Becker s dissent, which not only exposed his false teaching on those subjects, but also revealed his rejection of the inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures. The Commission wrote, Dr. Becker s dissent does not provide a sufficient scriptural or confessional basis to support his claim that the doctrinal position of the Synod is in need of revision on the issue of the ordination of women to the pastoral office or on the issue of creation and evolution. The theological basis for the CTCR s determination is the evidence provided in Dr. Becker s essays that he is operating on the basis of an understanding of the authority and interpretation of Scripture that is at odds with the Lutheran Confessions (see, for example, the Preface to The Book of Concord; FC Ep Summary, ; FC SD Summary,, 0; Ap XXIII, ; Ap VII, ; Ap XII,, etc.) and the scripturally and confessionally-based position of the Synod as set forth in the Brief Statement (see paragraphs -) and A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles (see especially The Infallibility of Scripture and Historical Methods of Interpretation ). Statements such as the following in Dr. Becker s essays reflect a view of and approach to Scripture that are clearly incompatible with the Synod s doctrinal position on the authority and interpretation of Holy Scripture, - accessed -0-0 the Commission quoted Dr. Becker and then responded, Of course a figurative interpretation of Genesis - (not to mention the many other passages in Scripture that speak of God as creator, of the world as God s creation, and of the new creation) does entail a revision of the traditional creationist manner of articulating the doctrines of creation, anthropology, and sin, and many Christians are deeply uncomfortable with such a prospect. This discomfort is at least as great as the discomfort many th-century Christians must have felt in view of the revision to traditional teaching that the Copernican Theory entailed. As then, however, so also now: such modification would not necessarily undermine an orthodox understanding of creation, human beings, sin, and grace. For example, scientific data about the reality of physical death in the animal and plant kingdoms prior to origin of human beings (e.g., fossils of animals that lived long before the origin of human beings) must lead those who interpret the Bible in light of scientific knowledge to restate the nature of God s good creation prior to the advent of human sin (e.g., such a good creation must have included the reality of death prior to the existence of human beings) and the character of the historical origin of sin (e.g., the advent of sin is to be traced to the first hominids who disobeyed God s will but not necessarily to their having eaten from a tree in an actual place called the Garden of Eden several thousand years ago). (SLM, ) Statements such as these by Dr. Becker speak for themselves in conveying his understanding of the authority and interpretation of the Scriptures. As noted above, this understanding is clearly incompatible with the Synod s doctrinal position on the authority and interpretation of Scripture. For this reason, the Commission affirms once again its determination that Dr. Becker has not provided sufficient basis for his claim that the position of the Synod is in need of revision, and expresses once again its conviction that Dr. Becker is in dissent from the position of the Synod not only on the specific issues of the ordination of women to the pastoral office and the issues of creation and evolution, but also on the more foundational position of the Synod on which these positions are based: namely, the authority, infallibility, and faithful interpretation of the Holy Scriptures themselves. The CTCR therefore appeals to Dr. Matthew Becker, by the mercies of God, to reconsider his dissent and to reexamine, on the basis of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, his positions on the authority of Scripture and the two issues concerning which he has expressed dissent, even as the Synod expects him to honor and uphold the doctrinal positions of the Synod. - accessed -0-0 While the CTCR appealed to Dr. Becker by the mercies of God to reconsider his positions on the basis of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, it is clear that he has not done so. In addition to those matters, Dr. Becker contends that the Lutheran Confessions themselves contain theological ambiguity and error, to wit, the Athanasian Creed. As stated by comments on his blog in discussion with two pastors of the Southern Illinois District, The Rev. BT Ball February, 0 at :PM Dr. Becker- Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic faith. Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally...this is the catholic faith; whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved. Do you confess that to be true or not?

35 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Pastor Benjamin Ball St. Paul, Hamel, IL Matthew L. Becker February, 0 at :0 PM Pr. Ball, The Athanasian Creed errs when it implies that one is saved by a mental work of believing this creed's humanly-devised dogmatic statements faithfully and firmly. No Eastern Orthodox Christian will accept all of the formulations within this historic western creed. Many statements in it need careful clarification. Its conclusion is simply incorrect. The Athanasian Creed muddles the gospel at precisely this point. Pr. H. R. February, 0 at : PM Dr. Becker, Members of our Synod agree to accept the Athanasian Creed "without reservation" (Art. II of our Constitution). We are pretty up front about that and have been for a long time. Perhaps it came up at your ordination. If it didn't (for example, if you wrote your own ordination vows and didn't use the ones in the TLH or LW Agenda), it certainly did when you signed the Constitution. I understand that you have deeply held convictions that run contrary to this Confession of the faith. But I struggle to understand why you continue to put yourself forward as a representative of our Synod when you so clearly do not hold to our Confession on so many weighty issues. It is not as though you are struggling with one or two peripheral issues, unsure of where you stand, or sure the Synod has erred in its stance on life insurance or gambling. You just flat out [sic] deny what we require our ministers to swear to at their ordination. I'll give you this: it's bold. +HRC Matthew L. Becker February, 0 at : PM HRC, I was ordained on July,. In that service I was asked the following question, among several: Do you accept the three Ecumenical Creeds...as faithful testimonies to the truth of the Holy Scriptures, and do you reject all the errors which they condemn? I answered affirmatively. The three creeds (only one of which is truly ecumenical) are faithful testimonies to the truth of the Holy Scriptures, that is, the doctrinal truth of the Scriptures. I reject the errors that the three creeds condemn. They are faithful witnesses to the doctrinal truth of the Scriptures, but they are not without theological ambiguity and error. Our ordination vow is strictly limited to the doctrinal teaching of the Holy Scriptures, that is, the doctrine of the gospel and all its articles. THAT doctrine of the gospel, the doctrine of faith, is contrary to the kind of legalistic approach to dogma and confessional writings that you and Pr. Ball and other LCMS pastors seem to be asserting. Pastors who serve churches of the Augsburg Confession are not bound to many items that are taught or asserted in the confessional writings. This includes the concluding paragraph of the Athanasian Creed. That paragraph, literally understood, is contrary to the doctrine of the gospel. Our quia vow is to teach in accordance with the doctrinal content of the Holy Scriptures, as that content is exhibited in the historic confessions. I continue to preach and teach in accordance with my ordination vow, and I ask God to help me. - accessed -0-0 Dr. Becker has stated regarding homosexuality, I too affirm the authority of the Scriptures, but the seven biblical texts that are frequently cited on the issue of homosexuality are not directly pertinent to the st-century discussion because some of them condemn specifically homosexual rape, deal with questions of clean and unclean that are not normative in the Christian community, do not take into account issues like sexual orientation, and presuppose that all would agree with a particular interpretation of what nature teaches.

36 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Both heterosexual and homosexual persons are expected to express sexual intimacy within publicly accountable, lifelong, and monogamous relationships. This has long been the expectation for heterosexual couples, and therefore is an appropriate expectation for homosexual couples as well. I recognize that the unity of the church is based on one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, and that within this unity, faithful members may disagree on individual items of theology and Christian ethics. accessed -0-0 Synod Bylaw.. states, Each district president, in accordance with the Constitution of the Synod, shall supervise the doctrine, the life, and the official administration on the part of the ordained or commissioned ministers who are members through his district or are subject to his ecclesiastical supervision. As such, the President of the Northwest District of the LCMS, the Rev. Paul Linnemann, is charged with the ecclesiastical supervision of Dr. Becker. While Dr. Becker s public teaching, writing and dissent are publicly known, there is no public evidence that President Linnemann has exhorted Dr. Becker to repentance for his false doctrines. Dr. Becker, an Ordained member of the Synod, has publicly advocated for the ordination of women to the Pastoral Ministry. He has participated in the installation of an ELCA clergy person. He has taught that committed homosexual relationships are not sinful. He rejects the inerrancy of the Bible. He does not affirm the creation account in the Scriptures as a historical event. President Linnemann as the ecclesiastical supervisor of Dr. Becker is to assist the Synod at large with fulfilling its first objective which is to Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph. :-; Cor. :). WHEREAS: The Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker, an Ordained member of the Synod, has publicly advocated for the ordination of women to the Pastoral Ministry. He has participated in the installation of an ELCA clergy person. He has taught that committed homosexual relationships are not sinful. He rejects the inerrancy of the Bible. He does not affirm the creation account in the Scriptures as a historical event, and WHEREAS: Dr. Becker is a member of the Northwest District of the LCMS under the ecclesiastical supervision of the Rev. Paul Linnemann, and WHEREAS: It is the President of the Synod s duty to see to it that all District Presidents act in accordance with the Synod's Constitution, to admonish all who in any way depart from it, and, if such admonition is not heeded, to report such cases to the Synod, (Article XI.B.) and WHEREAS: The President of the Synod has and always shall have the power to advise, admonish, and reprove. He shall conscientiously use all means at his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in all the districts of the Synod, (Article XI.B.) and WHEREAS: We confess, All this has been said regarding secret sins. But where the sin is quite public so that the judge and everybody know it, you can without any sin avoid him and let him go, because he has brought himself into disgrace, and you may also publicly testify concerning him. For when a matter is public in the light of day, there can be no slandering or false judging or testifying; as, when we now reprove the Pope with his doctrine, which is publicly set forth in books and proclaimed in all the world. For where the sin is public, the reproof also must be public that every one may learn to guard against it. (Large Catechism, th Commandment, para.), and WHEREAS: Our Lord Jesus Christ said, I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (St. Luke :). Therefore, let it be RESOLVED: That those with public knowledge of the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker s false and divisive doctrines call him to repentance, and RESOLVED: That in faithfulness to God s Word and in Christian love the Southern Illinois District of the LCMS in convention call the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker to repentance of his false and divisive doctrines and that this be communicated to him through the Southern Illinois District Secretary, and let it be further RESOLVED: That the South Wisconsin District implore the Rev. Paul Linnemann, President of the Northwest District, to exercise ecclesiastical supervision of Dr. Becker, if he is not already doing so, seek Dr. Becker s repentance for false teaching, and lacking such repentance, begin the process of Dr. Becker s expulsion from the Synod in accordance with the Synod s Constitution and Bylaws, and that this be communicated to the Rev. Linnemann by the South Wisconsin District President and let it be further RESOLVED: That the South Wisconsin District encourage President Matthew Harrison to exhort President Linnemann to do his duty for the sake of our common confession of faith and our walking together as members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and be it further RESOLVED: That the President of the South Wisconsin District, on behalf of the South Wisconsin District,

37 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June thank President Matthew Harrison and commend him for his faithful leadership of the Synod, and give him such encouragement, and be it finally RERESOLVED: That the Convention Chaplain lead the Convention in prayer for a godly resolution to these matters. M S C to forward this overture on behalf of the SWD Board of Director to the SWD District for consideration at the 0 SWD Convention Divine Redeemer Loan request M S C to approve refinance of a loan in the amount of $. million for Divine Redeemer Abstain: Oldenburg Late grant request for 0 Retired Pastors Conference [Attached] M S C to seek grant from Siebert Lutheran Foundation Board Reports Secretary Rev. David Totsky Reported the receipt of a letter from st Vice President Herb Mueller thanking the Board for their time and participation in the Presidium visitation in September. The Board received President Wille s report, he noted Completion of the requirements imposed by Res. -0A from 0 SWD Convention Nominations M S C M S C to Rev John Berg and Gary Bertels for CUS for interim appointment to nominate to Eric Preus for LCEF member at large Waunakee restart installation on March Met with Synod staff re: 0 Synod Convention in Milwaukee President Harrison reported that all internal debt has been repaid On the verge of sending more missionaries overseas than the LCMS has ever had Mr. Herman Strozier presented SWD Financials Mr. Herman Strozier presented Camp LuWiSoMo Financials Received Mrs. Diana Raasch s report of LCEF Credit Union through LCEF has been chartered Received the written report of SWD Missions from Rev. Peter Kelm noted new Hispanic video Received the written report Lutheran Schools Mr. Mark L Heureux noted state voucher program is proposed for expansion Camp LuWiSoMo During the fourth session of the rd Convention of the South Wisconsin District, June -, 0, the delegates passed Res -0a (Proceedings, p. -) authorizing the Board of Directors to transfer all assets and liabilities of Camp LuWiSoMo, to a new Camp LuWiSoMo corporation when All corporate and tax exempt filings are completed The new corporation receives LCMS Recognized Service Organization status Pays costs associated incurred in the property transfer Pays off the remainder of the LCEF loan(s) held by the SWD Agrees that all restricted fund, unless re-designated by the donor, will be held and used only for the purposes designated Having met these requirements, on January, 0 all assets and remaining liabilities of the camp were transferred to the new Camp LuWiSoMo Corporation. However, as stipulated by Res -0a, if Camp LuWiSoMo Corporation ceases operations as a Lutheran camp or decides to sell the property or any portion thereof at any time within five years following the transfer, the South Wisconsin District shall have the right of first refusal to take the property or portion of the property put up for sale at no cost to the District.

38 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon

39 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Congregational Services HUMAN CARE AND OLDER ADULT Rev. William Wagner, Committee Chair The purpose of the human care emphasis is to bring healing to those social ills that may disrupt the life of the congregation and community and to help prevent such ills as may be disruptive in the life of the congregation and community. In regard to these needs, the South Wisconsin District provides help to our individuals, congregations and communities in the following ways: CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM) Our South Wisconsin District CISM team responded to several critical incidents involving congregations and schools of our district during the past triennium. Our team is comprised of educators, emergency services chaplains, a psychologist, and parish nurses. Several members have left the team and we appreciate their services and dedication. New members have also been added. Training will be provided for new members in the process of Critical Incident stress management. Members presently serving are, Rev. William Wagner, team coordinator, Rev. Jack Fish, Rev. Richard Boeck, Rev. David Emmrich, Rev Steven Thomas, Rev. Don Hackbarth, Mr. Terry Schmeckpeper, Mr. Jon Pickelmann, Ms. Debra Hamman, RN, and Pres. John Wille. The team does not charge for its services to our churches and schools and is supported by private contributions and is not included in the district budget. DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM Praise to God that our district has experienced no major natural or manmade disasters in the past triennium. Our team continues to meet quarterly to prepare and respond when a situation should arrive. We have attended the synodical sponsored national training events in St. Louis and the international training in Ft, Wayne in the fall of 0. The team has conducted several LERT trainings (Lutheran Early Response Training) for congregations and circuits of the district. We have also conducted Is Your Congregation Ready? trainings. Our informational display has been available at LWML conventions and district sponsored events. A grant was requested from the SWD LWML for the purpose of purchasing a trailer and tools to respond to disasters both local and throughout the country. We invite congregations and circuits to request our team to do a LERT training or congregation preparedness training. OLDER ADULT MINISTRY The purpose of older adult ministry is to assist congregations in their task of encouraging and nurturing older adults to fully develop and utilize their Christian faith, talents and spiritual gifts in ministry within their congregation, their communities, and The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod as a whole. We continue to host annual gatherings and retreats in the spring relating to current issues and interests led by church and community professionals, and welcome members and friends of our congregations to join us. This ministry also plans and hosts the combined North and South Wisconsin District retired pastors, wives and widows retreat each fall. An average of 0 servants of the cross gather to grow in faith, better understand the changing landscape of pastoral and church ministry today, and share their experiences in a relaxed setting in the north woods. If we can be of help to you in starting or rejuvenating your older adult ministry programs in your congregation, please let us know.

40 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Congregational Services SCHOOLS, STUDENT AID/RECRUITMENT, YOUTH AND FAMILY Mark L'Heureux, Education Executive SCHOOL MINISTRY Nurturing the faith of children is a high priority for congregations in the South Wisconsin District. Congregations operate childcare programs and freestanding preschools, elementary schools, and high schools. Mr. Mark L Heureux has served as Education Executive of the South Wisconsin District for the past two years. He is an advisory member on the committees for the Professional Church Workers Conference, North/South Wisconsin Teachers Conference, fall administrators conference, new worker orientation and Firm Foundations professional development program. The Funding Academy, along with an admissions counselor workshop has been hosted in the SWD the past two years. Other events include the Lutheran Schools Night at Miller Park. He is assisted by three Regional Superintendents, an Early Childhood Consultant and an NLSA Commissioner: Vacant - Dells/Janesville Mr. Roger Laesch - Milwaukee County/Waukesha County/Racine Mr. Gene Ladendorf - Milwaukee North/Outer City/Central City/Rock River Mr. David Jording - Sheboygan/Winnebago Mrs. Linda Kennell Early Childhood Consultant for the South Wisconsin District-LCMS Mr. Terry Hubbard NLSA Commissioner The regional superintendents attend regularly scheduled principal meetings in their region each year and meet with the administrators in their regions on a regular basis. Mr. L Heureux, Mr. Laesch and Mr. Ladendorf also represent our schools on the Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools. Mr. L Heureux also frequently visits elementary and high schools in the district. He has conducted various workshops, as well as board and individual worker consultations. Mr. L Heureux prepares call lists to congregations for positions filled by commissioned ministers. Mrs. Kennell consults with preschool and childcare programs as needed. She also conducts site visits and assists with workshops. NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL ACCREDITATION (NLSA) Since, the South Wisconsin District has been a part of the National Lutheran School Accreditation process. The purpose of NLSA is to measure the quality of the educational program of Lutheran schools. The result of that measurement is to help these good schools become even better schools. The NLSA process is demanding. A rigorous evidence based self-study process is followed by a site visit. The combination of insights gained through the internal self-study and the recommendations from the external site visit team enables the school to develop its own selfimprovement model. NLSA accreditation is valid for five years and may be renewed. Mr. Terry Hubbard continues to serve as the SWD Commissioner for NLSA, and serves as the chair for the District Accreditation Commission. Schools currently accredited or are in-process: St. John, Berlin First Immanuel, Cedarburg St. John, Glendale Martin Luther Lutheran High School, Greenfield Divine Redeemer, Hartland Trinity, Hilbert/Rantoul Living Word Lutheran High School, Jackson St. John, Mayville Zion, Menomonee Falls Concordia University School-Granville, Milwaukee Mt. Calvary, Milwaukee Northwest, Milwaukee St. Martini, Milwaukee St. Paul, Oconomowoc St. John s, Portage Trinity, Racine Immanuel, Sheboygan Trinity, Sheboygan Lebanon, Watertown St. Paul, West Allis Immanuel, Brookfield Elm Grove, Elm Grove St. Paul, Grafton Our Father s, Greenfield Lake Country Lutheran High School, Hartland St. Stephen, Horicon St. Paul s, Janesville Grace, Menomonee Falls Trinity, Mequon Milwaukee Lutheran High School, Milwaukee Mt. Olive, Milwaukee Sherman Park, Milwaukee St. Peter/Immanuel, Milwaukee Trinity, Oshkosh St. John, Racine St. Peter s, Reedsburg St. Paul, Sheboygan Good Shepherd, Watertown Our Redeemer, Wauwatosa St. John, West Bend

41 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Schools which are candidates for accreditation in August, 0: St. John, Berlin First Immanuel, Cedarburg Lake Country HS, Hartland LSSES, Milwaukee St. John, Plymouth St. John, Portage St. John, Racine St. Peter, Reedsburg Concordia, Sturtevant St. Paul, West Allis St. John, West Bend LUTHERAN SPECIAL SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (LSSES) We praise God for the fifty-six years of service Lutheran Special School and Education Services has brought to children with learning difficulties in the South Wisconsin District. LSSES is an independent Lutheran school in the South Wisconsin District serving children with learning difficulties. In addition to operating two elementary selfcontained classrooms on the campus of Milwaukee Lutheran High School, LSSES has resource rooms at Mt. Olive, Milwaukee; Mt. Calvary, Milwaukee; Our Redeemer, Wauwatosa; St. John s, Glendale; a school-to work/guidance counselor at Milwaukee Lutheran High School; an art therapist, a part-time visual art consultant and two teacher consultants, who serve pre-school high school students and their teachers anywhere in the South Wisconsin District. LSSES also hosts an annual Before School Workshop for 0+ teachers of the District, as well as sponsoring workshops and classes on working with children who have learning difficulties for all schools and teachers in the District. For more information about LSSES programs and services, please call Judy Schultz, Administrator, at LUTHERAN URBAN MISSION INITIATIVE (LUMIN) LUMIN Schools is a network of six urban elementary schools located in Milwaukee and Racine, all of which were financially distressed (and in one case, closed) before joining the network. All schools have been financially stabilized, more than $ million has been invested in the expansion and/or renovation of school buildings, enrollments have increased and numerous professional and administrative jobs have been created. LUMIN Schools now serve more than,00 students, virtually all of whom come from low income families that participate in state voucher programs. LUMIN Schools offer a traditional Christian education that features rigorous academics, character development and faith formation. The network has earned system accreditation by AdvancEd, National Lutheran Schools, and Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools; and also enjoys partnerships with the Center for Urban Teaching, Partners Advancing Values in Education, and Schools That Can Milwaukee. A centralized administrative team supports the network with a variety of business, academic, and human care and health services. LUMIN Schools are well-known for developing Christian learners and leaders in Southeast Wisconsin s urban communities. LUTHERAN SCHOOL COUNSULTING SERVICES (LSCS) Lutheran School Consulting Services (formerly SSAC) provides diagnostic services designed to strengthen and revitalize Lutheran elementary schools that are experiencing problems or wishing to go to the next level in ministry so that the mission of sharing Christ with children and their families can be more effectively accomplished in that place. TEACHER MENTORING Over the past three years, we have offered a New Teacher Mentor Program. Data has shown that mentoring programs are valuable and beneficial to new teachers in their first year of teaching. This "intentional" mentoring program is designed to assist and resource new teachers who may be considered "at risk" within the first weeks of school. With a hands-on approach and personal intentionality, our hope would be to take good teachers that have been well prepared and give them the personal and professional confidences to be productive and efficient, as well as help build them a system of support as related to the school's mission. Our teachers are our most valuable resource - we can't expect everything they needed to know has been accomplished in a four year program. Pending approval, District support for Level A is $,000 and Level B is $00.

42 0 0 0 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin FIRM FOUNDATIONS This is the fourth year for a combined Professional Development with our elementary and high schools. Topics have included Understanding Poverty (/), Common Core State Standards and st Century practices (/) and Curriculum Mapping (/ and /). The goal and purpose of these events is to provide alignment of programs and staff of our schools to attract, retain and serve the greatest number of students and families for the greatest period of time for our school ministries. Over 0 educators have participated in this event each year. SWD ENROLLMENT Level Special Ed Child Care/Freestanding Preschools,,, School Pre-Kindergartens,,0, Kindergarten 0 First Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade Ninth Grade 0 Tenth Grade Eleventh Grade Twelfth Grade 0 Grand Total,0,, Early Childhood Totals,0,, K- Totals,,,0 High School Totals,,, Total Educational Ministries in South Wisconsin: 0 Freestanding preschools and child care programs Elementary schools ( also have preschool programs not included above) Lutheran High Schools LUTHERAN SCHOOL CHANGES SINCE 0 CONVENTION August 0, Concordia University School-Pilgrim Campus, Wauwatosa opens August 0, Sherman Park, Milwaukee (transferred from English District) June 0, Christ Memorial Lutheran School, Milwaukee closes June 0, Emmaus Lutheran School, Milwaukee closes September 0, Lord s Little Lambs Christian Preschool, West Salem closes August 0, Immanuel Day Care, Sheboygan closes October 0, St. Peter Child Care, Hilbert closes EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMITTEE The Early Childhood Committee supports ministry to young children and their families in our congregations and schools. The committee sponsors three major annual programs to nurture, support, encourage and empower early childhood administrators and educators. These programs include the Early Childhood Literacy Festival (co-sponsored with CUW), Teaching the Faith Workshops and a Certification in Lutheran Early Childhood Teaching (co-sponsored with CUW). They also produce mailings of information and resources for early childhood educators. Early Childhood Committee members include Mrs. Marcia Milam (Chair), Mrs. Stacy Gehrke, Mrs. Ellyn Heicher, Ms. Laura Mortag, Mrs. Michelle Pingel, Ms. Amanda Schneider, Ms. Joanne Webb, Mrs. Linda Kennell, Dr. Candy Seider and Mr. Mark L Heureux. TEACHER/ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR RECEPIENTS 0 Admin Rosalie Meier, St. Paul, Grafton HS John Ellenberger, Milwaukee Lutheran High School Elem Jennifer Comfort, St. John s, Glendale

43 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June EC Kathryn Oldenburg, Divine Redeemer, Hartland EC Michelle Pingel, Bethlehem, Sheboygan 0 Admin Lori Kilps, Good Shepherd Preschool, Two Rivers HS none Elem Rebecca Rohde, Divine Redeemer, Hartland EC Kimberly Hoffman, St. John s, Racine 0 Admin Scott Boris, Christ the Life, Waukesha HS Rob Seder, Lake Country LHS, Hartland Elem Casey Miller, First Immanuel, Cedarburg EC Cheryl Witek, Trinity, Menasha HEARTS FOR JESUS Each year a recipient for Hearts for Jesus offerings is selected on a rotation of local, national and international levels. While February is the traditional month for this effort, many schools emphasize it for a longer period of time. Below is a report on the first two years of this triennium. The third year offerings have not yet been received at press time. 0- Dominican Republic Concordia Lutheran School, Palmar Arriba $,. 0- Lutherans for Life $,.0 0- CPTLN - $,. (as of //) SWD SCHOOL MINISTRY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SWD School Ministry continues to have an active presence at Concordia Lutheran School in Palmar Arriba. Since our established relationship with Concordia in 0, we have sent five teams of teachers to conduct professional development for their teachers. While we ve experienced hurdles along the way, we have learned as much from them as they have from us. Last month, Concordia hired a new administrator who is currently working with Ruth Pollex, who is a missionary supported by some of our SWD congregations, to work on strategic planning for future teacher training events. CUEnet TEACHER COLLOQUY PROGRAM This continues to be a popular option for teachers trained outside the Concordia University System to become certified as Ministers of Religion Commissioned. The program consists of courses offered on-line followed by an exit interview at CUW. In the past triennium the following SWD teachers have been added to the roster of synod through this process: Deanne Boyce Alison Brueggemann Jennifer Comfort Ashley Gassau Belinda Gehri Steven Gerner Amy Gromowski Elise Herzberg Danielle Jackson Lisa Jaeger Jon Jenks John Meulendyke Sandra Naegeli Matthew Pankow Gary Petersen Kimberly Roethel Lynne Van Wagoner CONFERENCES The last Professional Church Workers Conference was held in November 0 at the Olympia Resort, Oconomowoc. We will continue to hold the North/South Wisconsin Districts Teachers Conference every three years. STUDENT AID AND RECRUITMENT Each year, the district is able to distribute money to modestly assist students from the South Wisconsin District who are entering full-time church work professions. Generous grants from the SWD LWML and several foundations make these awards possible. 0/0 $,. seminary students/ college students 0/0 $,0. seminary students/0 college students 0/0 $,. seminary students/ college students

44 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY This past triennium efforts continued to be made to develop networks that will enable congregations to support and encourage one another in the various arenas of youth and family ministry. On a quarterly basis the Parish Pros meet for collaboration and ministry support (information regarding meetings are available on the District s website). Over you and adults from SWD attended the 0 National LCMS Youth Gathering in San Antonio, TX. Over 0 attended the Live Loud State Youth Gathering held in Wisconsin Dells in 0. Every June, youth and families spend the day at Noah s Ark waterpark in Wisconsin Dells and join together for fellowship and an all-you-can eat lunch. Planning for the 0 State Youth Gathering is underway. Congregational Services STEWARDSHIP Diana Raasch, Stewardship Executive The South Wisconsin District has a Stewardship Taskforce. Rev. Dr. John C. Wille, President of the South Wisconsin District, designed this group. The members include: Rev. Dr. John C. Wille President South Wisconsin District Rev. Nathan Meador Senior Pastor St. John s Lutheran Church & School, Plymouth, WI Assistant Coordinator, Stewardship Ministry LCMS Office of National Mission Rev. Charlie Brandt Senior Pastor Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sun Prairie, WI Rev. Wayne Schroeder Pastor Emeritus Our Redeemer Lutheran Church & School, Wauwatosa, WI Rev. Jason Schockman Pastor Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, West Salem, WI Mr. Darryl Winston Congregation President Mission of Christ Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI Diana S. Raasch, M.B.A., CGP LCEF District Vice President Stewardship Executive South Wisconsin District The taskforce meets regularly to discuss timely topics, resources, and new initiatives. The Stewardship Taskforce is tasked with the responsibility of assisting congregations, pastors, and lay leaders with guidance as to where to go for stewardship assistance, how to design a continuous culture of stewardship in their congregation, provide presentations, and maintain the District Stewardship website, Some of the stewardship options available to congregations, pastors, and lay leaders include: 0 A-Z Stewardship Resources Collection (LCMS) LCEF s Consecrated Stewards Workshops covering Stewardship Did you know that Stewardship is Biblical? Gift & Estate Planning in the congregational setting Gift & Estate Planning consultations with individual households Others as requested Passionate Believers Conference (annual District conference in Jan. or Feb.) New in the Fall of 0 a series of stewardship topics offered at the District office and other regional locations

45 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Parish Education: Overtures OVERTURE -0 Board of Regents of our University System Whereas, the universities and colleges of our Synod continue to be blessed by God and are growing in their enrollment of student and faculty; and Whereas, Effective boards of regents must exercise an increasing level of governance and leadership while remaining faithful to the mission and needs of the LCMS; and Whereas, the universities and colleges of our Synod which are located throughout our Synod can best understand the unique opportunities and challenges that they face in their location; and Whereas, Synod in convention in 00 (Resolution -0) carefully considered the composition of the boards of regent of our colleges and universities and adopted the current composition of the boards of regents; and Whereas, the qualifications for serving on the boards of regents is spelled out carefully in the bylaws of Synod (...); and Whereas, All members of the board of regents are to be members of a congregation of the LCMS; and Whereas, The maximum number of members of the board of regents is seventeen with the majority of those members to be elected by the district conventions and synod convention (four elected in national conventions, four elected in the district convention, plus the president of the district in which the institution resides); and Whereas, the District President serving as a voting member of the board of regents is charged to represent the Synod in his district (..); and Whereas, the current board of regents members demonstrate commitment to the mission and purpose of the respective institution, knowledge regarding the region in which the institution is located, commitment to allocating time, talent, and treasure to the institution, assisting with the identification and encouragement of donors, and maintaining the Lutheran heritage and confession of the institution; and Whereas, each board of regents is best able to assess its own unique needs and identify and appoint individuals who best meet those needs; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention gives thanks for the service to those who are serving the church on the various boards of regents of our colleges and universities; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm the current bylaws governing the election and responsibilities of the boards of regent of our colleges and universities, which provide for equal voting privileges of elected and appointed regents. Submitted by: Circuit

46 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Committee on Constitutional Matters Members of the CCM The Rev. Donald Fehlauer, St. John, Edgerton The Rev. Bryan Osladil, Our Redeemer, Sheboygan Dr. Ross Stueber, First-Immanuel, Cedarburg The Rev. Daniel Torkelson, SWD nd Vice-President (Advisory), St. John, North Prairie The Rev. David Totsky, Sherman Park, Milwaukee, SWD Secretary, Chair Vacancy According to the 0 District Bylaws, the CCM is charged with the responsibility to: a. Examine the content and the language of the reports, overtures and resolutions to the District asking for changes or amendments to the District Bylaws, or which in any manner affect the District and the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod; b. Be represented at the meetings of the floor committee appointed to consider the constitutional matters at the Conventions of the district; c. Interpret, within the limitations of synod bylaw, the bylaws unique to our district and resolutions of the district in cases of controversy. Its opinion shall be binding unless overruled by the district; d. Shall examine the constitution and bylaws to ascertain that they are in harmony with Holy Scripture, the Confessions, and the teachings and practices of the Synod in order that any necessary changes may be made by the congregation, and e. Interpret and give opinions in regard to congregational Constitutions and Bylaws when requested by congregations, the District President, or the Board of Directors. The past triennium the CCM has worked with a large number of congregations who were in the process of revising and/or amending their constitutions and bylaws. Over thirty of our congregations submitted changes to their organizational documents within the past triennium and all have been addressed and answered about / of those submitted have been forwarded on to the South Wisconsin District Board of Directors for final approval, while the remainder have been returned to the congregations with requests for changes or clarification. In addition, the CCM has gone through the South Wisconsin District Bylaws to bring them up to date with Synod changes enacted at the National Convention.. Revising your Constitution and Bylaws Congregations intending to revise their constitution or bylaws should consult with the District Secretary for information and resources available. Of particular interest should be the LCMS Guidelines for Constitutions and Bylaws for Lutheran Congregations available online at The suggested process for revising your constitution and bylaws is:. Contact the District Secretary. Establish a committee within your congregation to begin the review. Present the new constitution and bylaws or any revisions to District CCM prior to presentation to the Voters' Assembly for its approval: All constitutions should have a. The date of revisions/adoption clearly listed b. A "date page" at the end, indicating the date(s) of any revisions, additions or deletions c. A page for signatures of officers and/or voting members if so called for by the constitution. submit a "congregationally approved" copy to the District CCM for their files. Please be aware that though the CCM strives to handle these reviews in the most efficient manner, the review process can take a minimum of six months from receipt of the documents until final approval by the SWD Board of Directors. A key factor in expediting the process is the time frame within which the congregation responds and/or acts on recommended or required changes. A number of congregations, some even from the previous triennium, have received suggestions and have not, yet, responded. It needs to be noted that it is the approval of Constitutions and Bylaws by the District Board of Directors that fulfills the "Approved Constitution and Bylaws" condition for acquiring and maintaining membership set in Article VI of the Constitution of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Documents Forwarded to Board of Directors in the Last Triennium

47 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Congregation Location Board Approval Beautiful Savior Mequon 0//0 Chapel of the Cross Mt. Pleasant 0//0 Divine Redeemer Hartland //0 Divine Savior Hartford //0 Emmaus Poy Sippi //0 Faith Germantown 0//0 Good Shepherd East Troy //0 Messiah Ripon 0//0 Mt. Olive Milwaukee //0 Monona Monona 0//0 Our Redeemer Sheboygan //0 Our Savior Burlington //0 Our Savior Whitefish Bay //0 Peace Beaver Dam 0//0 Pilgrim Wauwatosa //0 St. John Horicon //0 St. John Portage 0//0 St. Matthew Warrens //0 St. Paul Madison 0//0 St. Paul New Miner //0 Trinity Oshkosh 0//0 Trinity Wisconsin Dells //0 Zion Menomonee Falls 0//0 Ready to Go to Board for Approval (CCM Waiting for Final Clean File Copy) Congregation Location Christ the Life Waukesha Covenant Milwaukee Divine Redeemer Hartland Luther Memorial Shorewood CURRENT LIST OF SWD CONGREGATIONAL CONSTITUTIONS AND BYLAWS ON FILE Location Congregation BOD Appr d Copy in District Files Platteville Apostles Nothing on File Mequon Beautiful Savior 0 0 copy on file Milwaukee Beautiful Savior 00,, 00 copies on file Waukesha Beautiful Savior 00,, 00 copies on file Milwaukee Benediction 0, 00copy on file Milwaukee Berea 0 copy on file Kohler Bethany 00, 0, 00 copies on file; revision Milwaukee Bethany, copy on file Milwaukee Bethlehem 0,,, copies on file Sheboygan Bethlehem 0, 00 copy on file Sun Prairie Bethlehem 00, copies on file Wales Bethlehem 0 copy on file New Berlin Blessed Savior 00,,, 00 copies on file Brookfield Brookfield Princeton Calvary 00, 00 copies on file Madison Calvary Chapel 00, 00 copies on file Whitewater Calvary/University Chapel 00, 00 copies on file Milwaukee Chapel of the Cross 00, 00 copy on file Mount Pleasant Chapel of the Cross 0 0,, 0 copies on file Clinton Christ copy on file Highland Christ 00 copy on file Sheboygan Christ copy on file Weyauwega Christ (West Bloomfield) 0,, 0 copies on file Milwaukee Christ Memorial 0 0 copy on file Fitchburg Christ Memorial (Madison) 00, 00 copies on file

48 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Waukesha Christ the Life,,, 00 copies on file Racine Christ The King, copies on file Oregon Community of Life 00 00, 00 copy on file Milwaukee Covenant 0, 0, 0, 00copies on file Hartland Divine Redeemer 0,, 00, 0 copies on file Hartford Divine Savior 0,, 0 copies on file North Fond du Lac Divine Savior 00,, 00, 00 copies on file Milwaukee Divine Shepherd, copies on file Elm Grove Elm Grove 00, 00 copy on file Adell Emmanuel No Bylaws West Allis Emmanuel (Deaf) NOTHING ON FILE Milwaukee Emmaus, copies on file Poy Sippi Emmaus 0,, 00, 0copies on file Germantown Faith 0, 0 copy on file La Crosse Faith 00,, 000, 00 copies on file Sturtevant Faith,, copies on file Cedarburg First Immanuel 00, 00, 00copies on file; Endowment Fund Lake Geneva Gloria Dei copy on file East Troy Good Shepherd 0 00, 0 copy on file Oshkosh Good Shepherd 0,, 00 copies on file; Amendments Pleasant Prairie Good Shepherd copy on file Sheboygan Good Shepherd 00, copies on file Tomah Good Shepherd 00, 00 copies on file Two Rivers Good Shepherd 00 0,, 00copies on file Watertown Good Shepherd 00, 00, 00 copy on file Stoughton Good Shepherd by the Lake copy on file Milwaukee Gospel, copies on file Elkhart Lake Grace 00,, 00 copies on file Haven Grace 00, 00, 00 copies on file Menomonee Falls Grace copy on file Milwaukee Grace,, 000 copies on file Oak Creek Grace,, copies on file Omro Grace,, copies on file Racine Grace,, copies on file Deerfield Grace (Hancock) copy on file Boscobel Hickory Grove copy on file Milwaukee Hmong Hope NOTHING ON FILE Oshkosh Hmong Lutheran Outreach copy in file Racine Holy Cross 00, 00 copies on file Delavan Holy Cross (Deaf) NOTHING ON FILE Milwaukee Holy Ghost, 00 copies on file Fond du Lac Hope copy on file Milwaukee Hope 0, copies on file; no copy on file Twin Lakes Hope copy on file Adams Immanuel 000, 000 copies in file Brookfield Immanuel 00,, 00 copies on file Burnett Immanuel Hanover Immanuel 00, 00 copy on file Madison Immanuel 00,, 00 copies on file Mount Morris Immanuel copy on file Random Lake Immanuel NOTHING ON FILE Reeseville Immanuel 00, 00 copies on file Sheboygan Immanuel, copies on file Westfield Immanuel, copies on file Auroraville Immanuel (Berlin) copy on file Mayville Immanuel (Town of Theresa), copies on file Kenosha Lamb of God 00, 00 copies on file Pewaukee Lamb of God 0, copies on file Madison Living Christ 0 NOTHING ON FILE

49 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Jackson Living Word, 00 copies on file Sheboygan Luther Memorial copy on file Shorewood Luther Memorial Chapel,, 000 copies on file Beloit Messiah 00, 000, 00 copies on file Kenosha Messiah,, 00 copies on file Ripon Messiah 0 0,, 0 copies on file Waunakee Mission Hill 00, 00 copy on file Milwaukee Mission of Christ copy on file Monona Monona 0,, 0 copies on file Janesville Mt. Calvary 00,,, 00 copies on file Milwaukee Mt. Calvary 00 0,,,, 00 copies on file Madison Mt. Olive copy in file; Bylaws Milwaukee Mt. Olive 0,, 0 copies on file Greenfield Mt. Zion copy on file Neenah New Hope copy on file Milwaukee Oklahoma Ave. 00, 00, 00 copies on file Greenfield Our Father copy on file Delavan Our Redeemer 0 0 copy on file Sheboygan Our Redeemer 0,,, 00, 0 copies on file Wauwatosa Our Redeemer 00 0,, 00 copies on file Baraboo Our Savior copy on file Burlington Our Savior 0,,, 00, 0 copies on file Janesville Our Savior 0 0, copies on file Sheboygan Our Savior 00,,, copies on file Whitefish Bay Our Savior 00, 00 copies on file Greendale Our Shepherd NOTHING ON FILE Beaver Dam Peace 0,, 00, 00, 0 copies on file Fort Atkinson Peace 00,, 00 copies on file Neenah Peace copy on file; (Newer undated copy on file) Saukville Peace, copies on file Sussex Peace, copies on file Waupun Pella 00,, 00 copies on file Wauwatosa Pilgrim 0,,,, 00, 0 copies on file West Bend Pilgrim, copies on file Racine Primera Iglesia Luterana /Spanish CPH guidelines, 00 transl. copy on file Racine Prince of Peace copy on file West Salem Prince of Peace copy on file Manitowoc Redeemer 00,,,, 000, 00 copies on file Racine Redeemer,,, 000 copies on file Franklin Risen Savior, copies on file Onalaska Shepherd of the Hills 00 0, 0,, 00 copies on file Pewaukee Shepherd of the Hills, 00 copies on file Milwaukee Sherman Park 0 0 copy on file Madison Silent (Deaf) copy on file West Bend St. Andrew copy on file Brillion St. Bartholomew, copies on file Necedah St. James 00, 00, 00 copies on file Ashippun St. John copy on file Beloit St. John 00,, 00 copies on file Berlin St. John 00, 00 copy on file Edgerton St. John copy on file Fredonia St. John copy on file Glendale St. John 00,, 00 copies on file Loganville St. John 00,, 00 copies on file

50 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Mayville St. John, 0, copies on file North Prairie St. John 00,,, 00 copies on file Oxford St. John copy on file Plymouth St. John, copies on file Port Washington St. John copy on file Portage St. John 0, 0 copy on file Racine St. John 00, 0, 000 copies on file Sherman Center St. John, copies on file Sullivan St. John Newer undated copy in file West Bend St. John 00,, 0 copies on file Quincy St. John (Adams) copy on file Horicon St. John (Browns Corner) 0,, 0 copies on file Crystal Lake St. John (Neshkoro) copy on file Kewaskum St. John (New Fane) 00, 00 copy on file Chilton St. Luke copy on file Lyndon Station St. Luke copy on file Richland Center St. Luke 00 00copy on file Belgium St. Mark 00 copy on file Milwaukee St. Mark 00, 00 copies on file Chilton St. Martin 00,, 00 copies on file Milwaukee St. Martini, 0, copies on file* Warrens St. Matthew 0 0, 0 copies on files Boaz St. Paul NOTHING ON FILE Brown Deer St. Paul 00,,, 00, 00 copies on file Cascade St. Paul 0 0, copies on file Grafton St. Paul 0,, 0 copies on file; Cemetery Regs Hillpoint St. Paul copy on file Janesville St. Paul, copies on file La Valle St. Paul copy on file Madison St. Paul 0, 00, 0 copies on file Oconomowoc St. Paul 00,,, 00 copies on file Sheboygan Falls St. Paul 00,, 0,, 00 copies on file Sheboygan St. Paul copy on file Union Grove St. Paul, copies on file West Allis St. Paul 00,,, 00 copies on file Wild Rose St. Paul copy on file Westfield St. Paul (Neshkoro) copy on file Necedah St. Paul (Town of Miner) 0 0 copy on file Arlington St. Peter, copies on file; Endowment Fund Hilbert St. Peter 00 copy on file, 00 Amendment Lebanon St. Peter NOTHING ON FILE Muscoda St. Peter 00, 00 copy on file Reedsburg St. Peter 00,,, 00 copies on file Waterford St. Peter,, copies on file Milwaukee St. Peter-Immanuel, copies on file Horicon St. Stephen,, copies on file Milwaukee St. Stephen, copies on file Adell St. Stephen (Batavia),, copies on file Concord St. Stephen (Watertown) copy on file Waldo St. Thomas 0 0 copy on file Beloit Trinity 00,,, 00 copies on file Howards Grove Trinity 00, 00 copies on file Menasha Trinity 00, 00, 00 copy on file Milwaukee Trinity copy on file Oshkosh Trinity 0,, 0, 0 copies on file Pickwick Trinity copy on file Racine Trinity copy on file Reeseville Trinity copy on file

51 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June 0 0 Sheboygan Trinity,,, copies on file Wautoma Trinity 00, 00 copy on file West Allis Trinity,, copies on file Wilson Trinity 00,,, 0,,, 00 Wisconsin Dells Trinity 00,,, 00 copies on file Borth Trinity (Berlin) copy on file Mequon Trinity (Freistadt) 00,, 000 copies on file Montello Trinity (Mecan) NOTHING ON FILE Hilbert Trinity (Rantoul /Potter), copies on file Sharon Triune, copies on file Dellwood United In Christ, copies on file Milwaukee University Lutheran Chapel Burnett Zion copy on file Clyman Zion 0 0 copies on file Glenbeulah Zion copy on file La Valle Zion copy on file Menomonee Falls Zion, copies on file Neshkoro Zion,, 000 copies on file New Holstein Zion 0, 0 copies on file Center Zion (Evansville), 00 copies on file

52 0 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Finance Herman Strozier, Business Manager Members of the Finance Committee at end of triennium: Mrs. Diana Raasch, LCEF V.P., First Immanuel, Cedarburg (On Call Advisory); Mr. Joel Groskreutz, St. Peter, Reedsburg; Herman L Strozier, SWD Business Manager, Mission of Christ, Milwaukee (Advisory); Mr. Tom Kuchta, Elm Grove, Elm Grove; Mr. John Powers, Our Savior, Whitefish Bay (Chair); Mr. Jon Schumacher, Brookfield, Brookfield; Mr. Marvin Reitz, St. Paul s, Brown Deer; Mr. Myron Buss, Good Shepherd, Sheboygan; Rev. Randy Raasch, SWD First Vice President (Ex-Officio), First Immanuel, Cedarburg and Ralph Klevenow, SWD Treasurer, Resurrection, Cary, NC. ACCOUNTING METHODS The District continues to use generally accepted accounting principles, prominently centered in the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS),, and accounting for Not-for-Profit Organizations. As such, the financial statements are presented accordingly. SFAS focuses on the accounting of Contributions Received and Contributions Made. Contributions are recognized as support when they are received or unconditionally pledged. SFAS focuses on the reporting and presentation of unrestricted, temporarily restricted, and permanently restricted net assets. SFAS focuses on the reporting of investments. District investments are reported at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses included in the statement of activities. The South Wisconsin District (District) is one of geographic districts of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (Synod), encompassing congregations in south Wisconsin. The District is a not-for-profit Wisconsin corporation without capitol stock organized to provide spiritual and financial support to member Lutheran churches in the South Wisconsin District. The District relies on donations from congregations for most support. These donations are subject to fluctuations in economic status of the area in which the congregations are located. Monthly interim financials are presented to the executive staff for their monitoring of incurred expenses versus budget allocations. The Financials are also reviewed in detail by the District Finance Committee, in addition to summary reporting to the District Board of Directors. The district treasurer Ralph Klevenow reviews the District financials once completed by the Business Manager. Vrakas, Blum & CO., S. C., Certified Public Accountants, conducted an annual audit and clean opinions were issued at the end of each audit period. The Finance Committee, Treasurer, and Business Manager reviews and implements as many of the suggested process and accounting changes received from Vrakas, Blum in their Letter to Management. OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS The South Wisconsin District office has continued with Option HDHP as an IRS-qualified high deductible health plan that is compatible with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). Increased our Synod support in 0 from % to % District Office/Facilities upgrade The District continues to have an excellent working relationship with University Book Store personnel at our Campus Ministry property in Madison. Camp LuWiSoMo Major debt reduction SOS revitalization Exhibits II, III, and IV show the breakdown of SWD income sources and how that income is used in the various ministries.

53 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June $,00,000 $,000,000 $,00,000 $,000,000 $,00,000 $,000,000 $00,000 $ YEAR ACTUAL DOLLARS Investments % Revenues from District Congregations Real Dollar Giving After Inflation Chart provided by Vrakas/Blum-Certified Public Accountants 0 SWD Anticipated Revenue Sources Approx.. million Other % EXHIBIT I EXHIBIT II Congregations 0%

54 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Ecclesiastical Services % South Wisconsin District LCMS Summary Total 0 Budget Business Office % Property mgt % Congregational Services % Debt Service/Capital Expenditures % Prison Chaplaincy % Urban/Multicul tural % Schools/Youth and Family % EXHIBIT III Synod Intentions % Campus Ministry % Missions and Evangelism % 0 Breakdown of SWD Mission & Outreach EXHIBIT IV Deaf Ministry %

55 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June 0 SWD Salary Schedule January, 0 December, Suggested Salary Schedule Pre-School & Daycare Workers (hourly rate) EXHIBIT V

56 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The South Wisconsin District Statements of Financial Position January 0 and 0 The certified public accounting firm of Vrakas Blum has prepared audited financial reports. These reports are available at The South Wisconsin District office, 0 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee.

57 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June SWD Statement of Activities for the Month Period Ending January 0 The certified public accounting firm of Vrakas Blum has prepared audited financial reports. These reports are available at The South Wisconsin District office, 0 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee.

58 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin SWD Statement of Activities for the Month Period Ending January 0 The certified public accounting firm of Vrakas Blum has prepared audited financial reports. These reports are available at The South Wisconsin District office, 0 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee.

59 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Lutheran Church Extension Fund Diana Raasch, Vice President The concept of "church extension" began back in 0 when members of several congregations raised $00 to start a new congregation in a neighboring community. This sharing of God's blessings and investing to expand Lutherans' ability to share the Gospel continues now through Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). Why Do We Exist? We exist for the sole purpose of empowering ministries in Kingdom work. Our goal each day is to identify opportunities to share our resources in order to expand God's kingdom. We want more people to hear and believe, be baptized, grow in the Word and join together in God's saving grace and the gift of eternal life. Whom Do We Serve? We are an organization that serves our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) partners in the United States and around the world. We have more 0,000 investors, including individuals, LCMS ministries and entities, Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs), businesses and partner churches. Our loan department serves LCMS ministries and rostered church workers, providing customized loans including mortgages, construction loans, lines of credit, debt consolidation and education debt repayment loans. What Do We Do and How Do We Do It? With a dedicated staff in the national office in St. Louis, joined by the talented employees in the district offices and volunteers in congregations and schools, LCEF empowers ministry through a total asset portfolio of $. billion. Through the dollars invested by more than 0,000 individuals, congregations, schools, organizations and businesses, LCEF assists ministries with customized loans and ministry support services that help leaders respond to growth and community needs. We provide personal loans to rostered church workers those dedicated servants who are on the front lines of ministry. As of June 0, 0, LCEF s loan portfolio consisted of: % congregational loans; % educational ministry loans; and % rostered church worker residential, personal and educational debt repayment loans. The remaining loans are to the LCMS and LCMS-related entities, including RSOs. Loans disbursed during fiscal 0 totaled $. million. LCEF s Ministry Support services help ministries develop clarity in understanding what God is calling them to do. Once there is clarity, then resources can be effectively aligned and action flows naturally, keeping ministry in motion. Over the last 0 years, LCEF s Capital Funding Services has helped ministries raise close to $00 million. Laborers For Christ another ministry of LCEF has saved congregations $ million, which has enabled them to put funds to ministry that might have otherwise been spent on construction and renovation. Financial Summary God truly blessed LCEF with strong financial results in fiscal year 0 (July, 0 through June 0, 0). Our operating income for that period was $. million with net income of $. million. As a result of this solid performance, LCEF allocated $. million for distribution to the districts and Synod, and other ministries within the Synod. Liquidity (cash and investments divided by outstanding notes and support dollar payables) was strong at.% and our capital-to-asset ratio improved to.%. The loan delinquency rate of.% has returned to prerecession levels, and loan approvals and commitments are increasing. LCEF continues to manage its resources prudently while seeking to be the best stewards possible in all that we do. A Special Message to South Wisconsin District Congregations From LCEF President/CEO Richard C. Robertson Dear Ministry Partner: It is an honor to have this opportunity to share with you highlights of the LCEF ministry. We have made significant strides in creating products that meet the unique needs of the LCMS. We recognize many LCMS ministries have been hesitant in recent years to engage in large capital projects or to expand outreach efforts due to the volatile economic

60 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin climate. This hesitancy is not unfounded. However, God presents us with opportunities to engage in Kingdom work every day and we cannot be complacent the mission is too important. We look forward to discussing ideas and sharing insights to help ministries examine their potential and to offer LCMS members opportunities to support the plans ministries may embark upon. LCEF s new products include: Young Investors (Y.I.) Club: The Y.I. Club offers young people a way to learn about saving and Christian stewardship while having fun. Available to children up through age, investments earn premium rates and extra credit to their investment for good grades and community service. They also enjoy special gifts and age-appropriate newsletters. Investing now makes it easy for young people to learn habits that last a lifetime. In spring 0, up to three scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors that are Y.I. Club investors. ConnectPLUS: ConnectPLUS offers new LCEF investors the opportunity to connect with us, support LCMS ministries and benefit from our competitive financial services. This two-year term note can be started with just $00, allows for additional investments of at least $ and helps fund custom loans and ministry support services. PartnerPLUS: For those already invested with LCEF, we invite you to extend your partnership and add a two or four-year term note to your LCEF portfolio. It too can be started with just $00 of new funds (no transfers from other LCEF investments), allows for additional investments of at least $ and has competitive rates on both terms. IRAs and organizational investments allowed. SMART Loans: Having a strong Lutheran education network is important. LCEF partners with many LCMS early-education, elementary and secondary schools, as well as the Concordia University System, providing loans to support expansion and operations. In response to the growing needs in the competitive education market, we developed a streamlined approval and funding process for schools, called SMART Loans. These loans have no interest for the first months and are a good option for financing technology and building upgrades. Education Loan Repayment Program for Rostered Church Workers: Finances should not be a barrier to those called to the ministry. Rostered church workers can incur a substantial amount of education debt by the time they take their first call. LCEF s Educational Loan Repayment Program helps LCMS ordained ministers and commissioned workers to consolidate existing school debt. Loans can also be made to congregations or ministries on behalf of the called worker. Immeasurably More: God desires your members to align their resources with a response of generosity. Guiding you through the Immeasurably More process, your professional Lutheran consultants will invite your members to put their faith in motion and experience the tremendous joy of generous living and giving. LCEF offers tailored capital campaigns based on Immeasurably More, from Eph. :0-. We serve the LCMS exclusively because we know you we are you. We are also excited to continue other activities such as sponsorships. LCEF is a financial supporter of the LCMS movie project, The First Rosa: Teacher, Confessor, Church Planter, slated for a 0 release. We partnered with the LCMS in the financing because we believe in the importance of sharing the inspiring story of the incredible Lutheran educator and church planter, Rosa J. Young. LCEF s National Student Marketing Competition for Concordia universities and colleges is in its fourth year. The staff works hard to provide marketing, communications, business and accounting students with a unique educational experience. The benefit to LCEF is the reverse mentoring the students provide as they share their research and creative ideas. In addition to the benefit of the experience, the teams also take home a monetary award for their schools. We know we are stronger working together as one, so we can continue to provide hope and peace to more people through the Gospel. That has been a cornerstone of the church extension concept since it began in 0. We pray you will walk with us and continue to support the work of LCEF and the LCMS. I encourage you to find out more at lcef.org or call Wishing you God s richest blessings, Richard C. Robertson 0

61 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Ministerial Health Committee During the last three years the ministerial health committee has continued to provide support and advisory comment on relational or ministerial difficulties for teachers, pastors, schools and congregations presented to us by the District President and the District Education Executive. We have also worked towards a plan of preventative health and maintenance of good health for all church workers that we hope to move forward with in the coming years. We continue to be aware and proactive in the needs of our church workers in this ever increasing demanding and changing world. The committee serves by appointment of the District President and is as follows: Rev. Rob Goodwin, Chair, Grace, Menomonee Falls Dr. Rachel Roeglin, Director of Christian services, Cornerstone Counseling Services Dr. Stephen Saunders, Professor, Marquette University Graduate program in Psychology Mrs. Judy Schultz, Lutheran Special Schools, Milwaukee Mr. Mark L Heureux, District Education Executive Rev. John Wille, President Miscellaneous Matters: Overtures OVERTURE -0 The LCMS Continues to Defend our Religious Liberty Whereas, Jesus said to the disciples, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew :-); and Whereas, the Lord said unto Abram, I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. (Genesis :); and Whereas, United States of America was deeply shaped by Christian moral truths; and Whereas, this nation s founders agreed that civil authorities could encourage and promote Christianity; and Whereas, the Bill of Rights prohibits Congress from prohibiting the free exercise of religion; and Whereas, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance (Psalm :); therefore be it Resolved, that the LCMS continues to defend our religious liberty, particularly the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment; and be if further Resolved, that we acknowledge and work in an apolitical way with those allies who are defending our religious freedoms; and be it further Resolved, That petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. ( Timothy :) Submitted by: Circuit Forum, November, 0 OVERTURE -0 To respect the authority of the Biblical record of the continuous history and age of the earth Whereas: it has been historically customary to use the genealogies in Genesis and to approximate the age of the earth (re: The Concordia Bible with Notes, CPH, and editions prior consistently as well as current editions published by Creation Science groups); and Whereas: the doctrinal review process at CPH allows statements that obscure the reliability of Scripture with statements such as, Everything that has happened since creation to the time of Abram is considered to be prehistory;

62 0 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin therefore, we cannot actually place the time of the stories of Cain and Abel and Noah on a timeline. (Growing in Christ, Fall 0, Middle Grades Teachers Guide [Sunday School Curriculum], page ); and Whereas: such statements are widely disseminated and trusted by our layity without critical evaluation; and Whereas: our congregations are pledged to The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only rule and norm of faith and of practice (Constitution of the LCMS, Article II); and Whereas: the Bible is the Divinely revealed record of history leaving no time prehistoric; therefore be it Resolved: that statements discrediting the Biblical record of the history and age of the earth no longer be allowed to pass doctrinal review. Respectfully submitted to Emmaus Lutheran Church, Poy Sippi the Circuit Forum OVERTURE -0 To Establish a Task Force for Ministry to and with People with Disabilities Whereas, Our Lord ministered to the needs of all people and asks His followers to emulate His example; and, Whereas, All people includes individuals with disabilities those who are blind or visually impaired, deaf, or hearing impaired, have developmental disabilities, live with severe mental illnesses (currently about percent of the total population), which significantly limit major life activities; and Whereas, The Son of God embarked on a ministry of mercy and restoration for those who live on the margins of life, that they too might hear that their sins are forgiven by Him who shows mercy and restores body, soul, spirit and thus all people were welcomed and participated in the Body of Christ; and Whereas, People with disabilities are often faced with physical and attitudinal barriers to full participation in worship, education, fellowship and service activities, with many church members having difficulty in accepting people with disabilities, identifying their needs, and providing ways to welcome them into their congregations; and, Whereas, The removal of physical and attitudinal barriers significantly enhances the spiritual, emotional and social life of people with disabilities, and is a sign of Christian love and hospitality to all; and Whereas, People with disabilities are able to make positive contributions to parish life lived under the cross; Therefore be it resolved, that the South Wisconsin District establish a Disability Ministry Task Force modeled after the LCMS Disability Ministry Task Force, and under the supervision of the President of the South Wisconsin District; And be it further resolved, that the South Wisconsin District Disability Task Forces (DTF) be established for an initial year term and thereafter, through convention resolution, be considered for renewal of a year term at every convention; And be it further resolved, that the President of the South Wisconsin District appoint members to the DFT from members of the South Wisconsin District with representation by people with disabilities, and including professionals in the areas of spiritual life supports, medical care, education, building design, law, and others as needed, to give pertinent information to congregations and church workers that they may provide excellent services to people with disabilities; And be it finally resolved that the DTF address the following (including by not limited to):. A mission statement for the work of the task force;. A congregational self-assessment tool to assess the needs of people with disabilities;. Plans and guidelines to address physical, attitudinal, and other barriers in churches;. Suggestions whereby people with disabilities can more fully participate in the life and ministry of the congregations;. Provide a list of available resources which will help individuals with disabilities, their families, and congregation member s network with nearby agencies and other families with disabilities.

63 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Request financial support from LCEF and other synodical auxiliaries (e.g. LWML s mission mite grants) to provide funds necessary to make physical changes to existing buildings to improve services for meeting the needs of people with disabilities. Submitted by: St. John Lutheran Church, Portage, WI OVERTURE -0 To publicly call Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker to repentance Whereas, Holy Scripture warns, Matthew :(ESV) Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves, and Whereas, Holy Scriptures warns, Romans :-(ESV) I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. And Whereas, Holy Scripture warns, Timothy :-(ESV) For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. and Whereas, Holy Scripture declares, Timothy :-(ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. and Whereas, the CCM has ruled, While the filing of dissent does not constitute a case for removal, the member is required to teach and practice in accord with Synod s stated confessional position during the dissent process. If the member fails to honor and uphold the stated confessional position of Synod during the dissent process, the member becomes subject to disciplinary action due both to the violation of the doctrinal position of Synod and the offense against the other members of Synod created by such failure (Constitution Art. XIII ). In such case it is incumbent upon the ecclesiastical supervisor of the member to exercise disciplinary action against the member who fails to teach and act within Synod s stated confessional position, whether apart from or during the dissent process (Bylaws..;..;..). ( and Whereas, Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker has filed dissent yet continues to publicly teach and promote false doctrine including woman s ordination, having published articles on his own blog, and on Daystar where he published an article titled A Case for Female Pastors and Theologians in which he states: There is no legitimate biblical or dogmatic rationale for why the LCMS should now prohibit women from serving as theologians and pastors in the church. ( ) and Whereas, Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker continues to publicly teach and promote false doctrine including, participating while vested in the installation of Charlene Rachuy Cox at Valparaiso; ( and Whereas, Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker continues to publicly teach and promote false doctrine including, acceptance of homosexuality and homosexual marriage, having written on his blog Transverse Markings: One Theologian's Notes titled Further Sign of LCMS Times ( Whereas, Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker continues to publicly teach and promote false doctrine including, promoting a figurative interpretation of Genesis and stating in his post The Scandal of the LCMS Mind Scientific data about the reality of physical death in the animal and plant kingdoms prior to origin of human beings (e.g., fossils of animals that lived long before the origin of human beings) must lead those who interpret the Bible in light of scientific knowledge to restate the nature of God s good creation prior to the advent of human sin (e.g., such a good creation must have included the reality of death prior to the existence of human beings) and the character of the historical origin of sin (e.g., the advent of sin is to be traced to the first hominids who disobeyed God s will but not necessarily to their having eaten from a tree in an actual place called the Garden of Eden several thousand years). ( Whereas, Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker has stated that he has three goals for the LCMS all of which are contrary to the Scriptures and the positions of Synod (

64 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin () to encourage members within the synod to think differently about two issues, namely, (a) the synod's understanding of Scripture that insists that only qualified men may serve as pastor in the synod; and (b) the synod's understanding of Scripture that requires one to interpret the creation accounts in Genesis to be literal, historical descriptions of what God did in the not-too-distant past over the course of six actual -hr. days ("six-day creationism"); () to have the synod change its position that restricts the office of pastor only to men; () to have the synod reject "creationism" in favor of a more robust doctrine of creation, one that sets forth a theological understanding that better accords with the language and genre of these Genesis texts and that better accords with what people today know to be true and valid about the natural history of our planet. Whereas, President Matt Harrison stated on Witness Mercy Life together blog ( When a public teacher on the roster of Synod can without consequence publicly advocate the ordination of women (even participate vested in the installation of an ELCA clergy person), homosexuality, the errancy of the Bible, the historical-critical method, open communion, communion with the Reformed, evolution, and more, then the public confession of the Synod is meaningless. I am saying that if my Synod does not change its inability to call such a person to repentance and remove such a teacher where there is no repentance, then we are liars and our confession is meaningless. I do not want to belong to such a synod, much less lead it. I have no intention of walking away from my vocation. I shall rather use it and, by the grace of God, use all the energy I have to call this Synod to fidelity to correct this situation. Therefore, Be it resolved that the SWD in convention request the Synod in convention to publicly call Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker to repent and recant or remove him from the clergy roster of Synod. Pilgrim Lutheran Church, West Bend, Wisconsin OVERTURE -0 To Call the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker to Repentance, Implore the Rev. Paul Linnemann to Exercise Ecclesiastical Supervision and Thank and Encourage President Matthew Harrison Rationale At the recent North Dakota District Convention, Synod President Matthew Harrison was questioned about the status of the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker, a rostered and ordained member of the Synod and a professor at Valparaiso University. President Harrison reported to that convention that the results of a complaint filed against Dr. Becker have left him remaining in good standing as a member of the Synod. This was confirmed by Dr. Becker: The matter of the case against my teaching was terminated by three LCMS circuit counselors from the Great Northwest (whose identities are unknown to me), who acted at the behest of the NW District President. After reviewing all of the available evidence, they concluded that it is perfectly acceptable for an LCMS pastor to make a public argument in favor of the ordination of women to the pastoral office and that such a public argument is not grounds for expulsion from the roster of pastors in the LCMS. accessed -0-0 Some days later, President Harrison posted the following to the Witness, Mercy and Life Together blog on the Synod s website, not referring to the Becker Case specifically, but speaking in general, When a public teacher on the roster of Synod can without consequence publicly advocate the ordination of women (even participate vested in the installation of an ELCA clergy person), homosexuality, the errancy of the Bible, the historical-critical method, open communion, communion with the Reformed, evolution, and more, then the public confession of the Synod is meaningless. I am saying that if my Synod does not change its inability to call such a person to repentance and remove such a teacher where there is no repentance, then we are liars and our confession is meaningless. I do not want to belong to such a synod, much less lead it. I have no intention of walking away from my vocation. I shall rather use it and, by the grace of God, use all the energy I have to call this Synod to fidelity to correct this situation. - accessed -0-0

65 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Dr. Becker filed an official dissent regarding the synod s practice of restricting the office of pastor only to men and from the synod s position of interpreting the first two chapters of Genesis to mean that God created the universe over the course of six twenty four hour days, and that the natural law of evolution must be rejected. The Commission on Theology and Church Relations responded to Dr. Becker s dissent which not only exposed his false teaching on those subjects, but also revealed his rejection of the inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures. The Commission wrote, Dr. Becker s dissent does not provide a sufficient scriptural or confessional basis to support his claim that the doctrinal position of the Synod is in need of revision on the issue of the ordination of women to the pastoral office or on the issue of creation and evolution. The theological basis for the CTCR s determination is the evidence provided in Dr. Becker s essays that he is operating on the basis of an understanding of the authority and interpretation of Scripture that is at odds with the Lutheran Confessions (see, for example, the Preface to The Book of Concord; FC Ep Summary, ; FC SD Summary,, 0; Ap XXIII, ; Ap VII, ; Ap XII,, etc.) and the scripturally and confessionally-based position of the Synod as set forth in the Brief Statement (see paragraphs -) and A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles (see especially The Infallibility of Scripture and Historical Methods of Interpretation ). Statements such as the following in Dr. Becker s essays reflect a view of and approach to Scripture that are clearly incompatible with the Synod s doctrinal position on the authority and interpretation of Holy Scripture, - accessed -0-0 the Commission quoted Dr. Becker and then responded, Of course a figurative interpretation of Genesis - (not to mention the many other passages in Scripture that speak of God as creator, of the world as God s creation, and of the new creation) does entail a revision of the traditional creationist manner of articulating the doctrines of creation, anthropology, and sin, and many Christians are deeply uncomfortable with such a prospect. This discomfort is at least as great as the discomfort many th-century Christians must have felt in view of the revision to traditional teaching that the Copernican Theory entailed. As then, however, so also now: such modification would not necessarily undermine an orthodox understanding of creation, human beings, sin, and grace. For example, scientific data about the reality of physical death in the animal and plant kingdoms prior to origin of human beings (e.g., fossils of animals that lived long before the origin of human beings) must lead those who interpret the Bible in light of scientific knowledge to restate the nature of God s good creation prior to the advent of human sin (e.g., such a good creation must have included the reality of death prior to the existence of human beings) and the character of the historical origin of sin (e.g., the advent of sin is to be traced to the first hominids who disobeyed God s will but not necessarily to their having eaten from a tree in an actual place called the Garden of Eden several thousand years ago). (SLM, ) Statements such as these by Dr. Becker speak for themselves in conveying his understanding of the authority and interpretation of the Scriptures. As noted above, this understanding is clearly incompatible with the Synod s doctrinal position on the authority and interpretation of Scripture. For this reason, the Commission affirms once again its determination that Dr. Becker has not provided sufficient basis for his claim that the position of the Synod is in need of revision, and expresses once again its conviction that Dr. Becker is in dissent from the position of the Synod not only on the specific issues of the ordination of women to the pastoral office and the issues of creation and evolution, but also on the more foundational position of the Synod on which these positions are based: namely, the authority, infallibility, and faithful interpretation of the Holy Scriptures themselves. The CTCR therefore appeals to Dr. Matthew Becker, by the mercies of God, to reconsider his dissent and to reexamine, on the basis of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, his positions on the authority of Scripture and the two issues concerning which he has expressed dissent, even as the Synod expects him to honor and uphold the doctrinal positions of the Synod. - accessed -0-0 While the CTCR appealed to Dr. Becker by the mercies of God to reconsider his positions on the basis of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, it is clear that he has not done so. In addition to those matters, Dr. Becker contends that

66 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin the Lutheran Confessions themselves contain theological ambiguity and error, to wit, the Athanasian Creed. As stated by comments on his blog in discussion with two pastors of the Southern Illinois District, The Rev. BT Ball February, 0 at :PM Dr. Becker- "Whoever desires to be saved must, above all, hold the catholic faith. Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally...this is the catholic faith; whoever does not believe it faithfully and firmly cannot be saved." Do you confess that to be true or not? Pastor Benjamin Ball St. Paul, Hamel, IL Matthew L. Becker February, 0 at :0PM Pr. Ball, The Athanasian Creed errs when it implies that one is saved by a mental work of believing this creed's humanly-devised dogmatic statements "faithfully and firmly." No Eastern Orthodox Christian will accept all of the formulations within this historic western creed. Many statements in it need careful clarification. Its conclusion is simply incorrect. The Athanasian Creed muddles the gospel at precisely this point. Pr. H. R. February, 0 at : PM Dr. Becker, Members of our Synod agree to accept the Athanasian Creed "without reservation" (Art. II of our Constitution). We are pretty up front about that and have been for a long time. Perhaps it came up at your ordination. If it didn't (for example, if you wrote your own ordination vows and didn't use the ones in the TLH or LW Agenda), it certainly did when you signed the Constitution. I understand that you have deeply held convictions that run contrary to this Confession of the faith. But I struggle to understand why you continue to put yourself forward as a representative of our Synod when you so clearly do not hold to our Confession on so many weighty issues. It is not as though you are struggling with one or two peripheral issues, unsure of where you stand, or sure the Synod has erred in its stance on life insurance or gambling. You just flat our [sic] deny what we require our ministers to swear to at their ordination. I'll give you this: it's bold. +HRC Matthew L. Becker February, 0 at : PM HRC, I was ordained on July,. In that service I was asked the following question, among several: Do you accept the three Ecumenical Creeds...as faithful testimonies to the truth of the Holy Scriptures, and do you reject all the errors which they condemn? I answered affirmatively. The three creeds (only one of which is truly ecumenical) are faithful testimonies to the truth of the Holy Scriptures, that is, the doctrinal truth of the Scriptures. I reject the errors that the three creeds condemn. They are faithful witnesses to the doctrinal truth of the Scriptures, but they are not without theological ambiguity and error. Our ordination vow is strictly limited to the doctrinal teaching of the Holy Scriptures, that is, the doctrine of the gospel and all its articles. THAT doctrine of the gospel, the doctrine of faith, is contrary to the kind of legalistic approach to

67 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June dogma and confessional writings that you and Pr. Ball and other LCMS pastors seem to be asserting. Pastors who serve churches of the Augsburg Confession are not bound to many items that are taught or asserted in the confessional writings. This includes the concluding paragraph of the Athanasian Creed. That paragraph, literally understood, is contrary to the doctrine of the gospel. Our quia vow is to teach in accordance with the doctrinal content of the Holy Scriptures, as that content is exhibited in the historic confessions. I continue to preach and teach in accordance with my ordination vow, and I ask God to help me. - accessed -0-0 Dr. Becker has stated regarding homosexuality, I too affirm the authority of the Scriptures, but the seven biblical texts that are frequently cited on the issue of homosexuality are not directly pertinent to the st-century discussion because some of them condemn specifically homosexual rape, deal with questions of clean and unclean that are not normative in the Christian community, do not take into account issues like sexual orientation, and presuppose that all would agree with a particular interpretation of what nature teaches. Both heterosexual and homosexual persons are expected to express sexual intimacy within publicly accountable, lifelong, and monogamous relationships. This has long been the expectation for heterosexual couples, and therefore is an appropriate expectation for homosexual couples as well. I recognize that the unity of the church is based on one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, and that within this unity, faithful members may disagree on individual items of theology and Christian ethics. - accessed -0-0 Synod Bylaw.. states, Each district president, in accordance with the Constitution of the Synod, shall supervise the doctrine, the life, and the official administration on the part of the ordained or commissioned ministers who are members through his district or are subject to his ecclesiastical supervision. As such, the President of the Northwest District of the LCMS, the Rev. Paul Linnemann, is charged with the ecclesiastical supervision of Dr. Becker. While Dr. Becker s public teaching, writing and dissent are publicly known, there is no public evidence that President Linnemann has exhorted Dr. Becker to repentance for his false doctrines. Dr. Becker, an Ordained member of the Synod, has publicly advocated for the ordination of women to the Pastoral Ministry. He has participated in the installation of an ELCA clergy person. He has taught that committed homosexual relationships are not sinful. He rejects the inerrancy of the Bible. He does not affirm the creation account in the Scriptures as a historical event. President Linnemann as the ecclesiastical supervisor of Dr. Becker is to assist the Synod at large with fulfilling its first objective which is to Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph. : ; Cor. :). WHEREAS: The Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker, an Ordained member of the Synod, has publicly advocated for the ordination of women to the Pastoral Ministry. He has participated in the installation of an ELCA clergy person. He has taught that committed homosexual relationships are not sinful. He rejects the inerrancy of the Bible. He does not affirm the creation account in the Scriptures as a historical event, and WHEREAS: Dr. Becker is a member of the Northwest District of the LCMS under the ecclesiastical supervision of the Rev. Paul Linnemann, and WHEREAS: It is the President of the Synod s duty to see to it that all District Presidents act in accordance with the Synod's Constitution, to admonish all who in any way depart from it, and, if such admonition is not heeded, to report such cases to the Synod, (Article XI.B.) and WHEREAS: The President of the Synod has and always shall have the power to advise, admonish, and reprove. He shall conscientiously use all means at his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in all the districts of the Synod, (Article XI.B.) and WHEREAS: We confess, All this has been said regarding secret sins. But where the sin is quite public so that the judge and everybody know it, you can without any sin avoid him and let him go, because he has brought himself into disgrace, and you may also publicly testify concerning him. For when a matter is public in the light of day, there can be no slandering or false judging or testifying; as, when we now reprove the Pope with his doctrine, which is publicly set forth in books and proclaimed in all the world. For where the sin is public, the reproof also must be public, that every one may learn to guard against it. (Large Catechism, th Commandment, para.), and

68 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin 0 WHEREAS: Our Lord Jesus Christ said, I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (St. Luke :). Therefore, let it be RESOLVED: That those with public knowledge of the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker s false and divisive doctrines call him to repentance, and RESOLVED: That in faithfulness to God s Word and in Christian love the South Wisconsin District of the LCMS in convention call the Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker to repentance of his false and divisive doctrines and that this be communicated to him through the South Wisconsin District Secretary, and let it be further RESOLVED: That the South Wisconsin District implore the Rev. Paul Linnemann, President of the Northwest District, to exercise ecclesiastical supervision of Dr. Becker, if he is not already doing so, seek Dr. Becker s repentance for false teaching, and lacking such repentance, begin the process of Dr. Becker s expulsion from the Synod in accordance with the Synod s Constitution and Bylaws, and that this be communicated to the Rev. Linnemann by the South Wisconsin District President and let it be further RESOLVED: That the South Wisconsin District encourage President Matthew Harrison to exhort President Linnemann to do his duty for the sake of our common confession of faith and our walking together as members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and be it further RESOLVED: That the President of the South Wisconsin District, on behalf of the South Wisconsin District, thank President Matthew Harrison and commend him for his faithful leadership of the Synod, and give him such encouragement, and be it finally RESOLVED: That the Convention Chaplain lead the Convention in prayer for a godly resolution to these matters. South Wisconsin District Board of Directors

69 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Missions and Evangelism Rev. Peter Kelm, Executive for Congregational Services After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! (Revelation :-, ESV) Eternity, by God s grace, is going to be a multicultural thing. The South Wisconsin District, by God s grace, is becoming more and more of a multicultural thing. Praise God! In His amazing plan, our gracious God continues to bring people from the nations to our own little corner of the Midwest. And because the Word of God does not return void, but accomplishes the purposes for which He sent it, the people of these nations are coming to faith in Christ Jesus, are being baptized into the family of God, and are joining us in the Church while we wait for Jesus to come again and usher in the new heavens and the new earth. All of the demographers tell us that the day is coming when our United States will see Anglos as a minority. We don t doubt it. Rather, we see it happening all around us. And it s not just in our big cities. It s not just Milwaukee and Madison and Racine-Kenosha that are experiencing increases in their ethnic communities. Sheboygan, for instance, has a population that is % Hispanic and % Asian (mostly Hmong)! Rural communities that once noticed Hispanics as migrant farm workers are now noticing them as permanent residents and new neighbors. Public schools all over our District are becoming melting pots and our own LCMS schools are welcoming more neighbors from other parts of the world. Below you will see updates of how the Lord is blessing these many outreach efforts to the nations. In many cases, these congregations are growing, maturing, and facing the new challenges of ministry, challenges that all of our congregations are facing. But, of course, our God cares about all people, not just new immigrants and ethnic minorities. Our suburbs and rural areas area filled with families and individuals who increasingly have no connection to any church. Our congregations are shrinking. More than 0% are plateaued or declining in worship attendance. This isn t unique to SWD, of course. But it has hit some of our congregations particularly hard. And yet, we are called to proclaim the Gospel to this culture that seems less and less interested in truth. One effective way to reach new believers is to start new ministries, new satellites, and new churches. In the 0s, SWD was known for aggressive, effective church planting. The culture has changed; the challenges seem much greater today. But President Wille continues to remind us that this is the time to plant! Hispanic Ministry CPTLN ( Cristos Para Todas Las Naciones or Christ for All Nations) is collaboration between Lutheran Hour Ministries, the South Wisconsin District, and four of our congregations that continue to see more and more opportunities to reach out with the Gospel to Hispanics. Pastor German Novelli, Jr. was installed in December as Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church on Milwaukee s south side. He comes to us from Venezuela, and he has the unique calling to serve a mostly Anglo congregation while making significant efforts to reach the Hispanic population all around the congregation. This past year, Grace welcomed its first Hispanic elder! A couple miles down the street, Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran Church, led by Pastor Tim Sims, is growing its Hispanic outreach as well. Pastor Sims has learned Spanish, and leads a Spanish service each Sunday. The group is small, but growing. Also on the south side of Milwaukee, Pastor Alfonso Prada, a Venezuelan pastor with a decade of experience, is leading St. Martini. For almost two years, he has served the remaining Anglo members, while also reaching out to the students and families of the school, a LUMIN school that has nearly 00 kids, most of whom are Hispanic. In Racine, Edmundo Rosales, an immigrant from Mexico, has begun studies at the Center for Hispanic Studies at the St. Louis Seminary. This distance program allows him to continue in his job, help serve the congregation (Primera Iglesia, or Santa Cruz because she meets at Holy Cross Lutheran Church), and study for ordination. Hmong Ministry SWD is blessed with four Hmong pastors. Blong Vang continues to serve Hmong Outreach in Oshkosh, which meets at Trinity. Faivneng Her serves Hmong Hope, which moved in 0 from Hope in Milwaukee to Berea on the northwest side of the city. As more Hmong move out further in Milwaukee, and into the suburbs, this location has proven to be ideal for the growing congregation. Pastor Moua Vang is a bi-vocational pastor serving at Benediction in Milwaukee, and recently-ordained Moses Thao serves the Hmong Lutheran community that meets at Redeemer in Manitowoc.

70 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin As many our Hmong brothers and sisters have now been in the U.S. for several decades, the challenges that face the next generations of immigrant communities are very real. Kids and grandkids become fluent in English, and adapt much more to American culture. Our Hmong churches are intentionally bringing younger members into leadership positions to help with these challenges. Another challenge is funding. Our two newest Hmong pastors, Moua Vang and Moses Thao, are bi-vocational pastors. This is very sustainable model. Blong Vang and Faivneng Her continue to receive significant support from SWD, but as funds to SWD have decreased dramatically, that support will need to continue to decrease as well, especially as our Hmong brothers and sisters grow in their financial support of their pastors and ministry. House of Correction/Free At Last One of the great stories to come out of SWD Missions in the last decade is the ministry of Rev. Afam Ikanih at the House of Correction in Franklin. Hundreds (that s not a misprint!) of inmates have been baptized in the last several years. Four worship services are held in the HOC weekly. Bible classes, Baptism classes, and individual counseling have all increased as Pastor Ikanih has been entrusted with more responsibilities and opportunities by the leadership at HOC. Several SWD congregations, including especially Shepherd of the Hills in Pewaukee, have helped in many ways with this ministry. This is one of those ministries that can never be self-sustaining in the classic sense obviously the inmates can t financially support the ministry of their dear pastor! This is why we re so grateful for SWD congregations and their mission support. The Free at Last ministry focuses on these men when they are released. Through work at Mission of Christ Lutheran Church, Pastor Ikanih and Patrick Batom provide a variety of services and referrals for the daunting task for these men of living as a disciple of Jesus while re-entering society. Great stories of men that Pastor Ikanih reached at HOC and then becoming a part of Mission of Christ keep coming out. Praise God! A Missionary Support Team (MST) helps guide this ministry both inside and outside of the HOC. Pastor Ikanih has been helped in the past by fellow Nigerian, Rev. Elijah Ndon. However, Elijah is now focusing on Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, which called him as pastor last year. As I m writing this, we re investigating possibilities to get Pastor Ikanih some part-time assistance in his vital work at the House of Correction. POBLO People of the Book Lutheran Outreach is a ministry started in Detroit to help LCMS congregations reach out to their Muslim neighbors. It has expanded to help with outreach to Hindus and Sikhs as well (primarily from India). In SWD, Praveen and Priya Manuel, a married POBLO missionary couple, have been working with Brookfield Lutheran Church to reach the large population of Indians in Waukesha. Through ESL classes, sewing classes, and opportunities to learn about one another s cultures, the Gospel has been shared with many who don t know Christ. Just recently, Brookfield Lutheran and Senior Pastor Rob Mrosko hosted a wonderful panel discussion with recent immigrants from India. The panel discussion included a marvelous confession of faith in Jesus Christ from an Indian woman who was introduced to Jesus through this ministry. Praise God! Ebou Faye, another POBLO missionary, works with Mt. Calvary and Bethany churches in Milwaukee, primarily reaching Somalis through ESL, sewing classes, and other outreach efforts. Ebou, who grew up a Muslim in West Africa, is a great witness to those brought up in Islam. Karenni Ministry Outreach to the Burmese ethnic minority, the Karenni, is a beautiful example of what congregations who work together in the name of Jesus can accomplish in reaching the nations with the Gospel. Begun six years ago, this outreach ministry to immigrants from refugee camps in Thailand, started when Trinity-Freistadt adopted a Karenni family settled in Milwaukee through Lutheran Social Services. That adoption led to amazing opportunities to share the Word of God, and the Spirit has moved in the hearts of the growing Karenni community as dozens have been baptized and confirmed, some of whom used to be Buddhists. Pastors Carl Lehenbauer and Josh Russert, and Vicar Daniel Vang from Trinity, work with Pastor David Zeuschner (Chapel of the Cross - Milwaukee) where the community meets for worship. Pastor Phil Hillenbrand and his Beautiful Savior congregation in Mequon have been involved from the beginning, as Pastor has helped lead worship and his members have led ESL classes, Sunday school, and Vacation Bible School. Recently, Pastor Tom Kaul of Faith in Germantown has joined to help as well. In 0, Trinity-Freistadt invited the Karenni children to attend Lutheran school through the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. More than 0 students take the bus to Trinity every day, where they thrive in the small-class, and Christ-centered environment of Trinity Lutheran School (so much better than over-crowded Milwaukee public schools!) SWD helps this ministry with a small grant, but it is mostly the work of caring pastors and members who have seen that all nations can be reached right next door!

71 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Campus Ministry Last year, renovations to the SWD property on the UW-Madison campus were completed. This new space has a beautiful sanctuary and space for ministry for undergrads and international students. Under the leadership of Rev. Jason Zobel and Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, a great partnership with the campus ministry has flourished. SMP Vicar Dan Anderson will be ordained later this summer. His ministry has seen a great increase in undergrads worshipping on a regular basis. In addition, Judy Tang continues ministry to the large international student population. Her ESL classes, Bible classes and social events for students far from home (many from China), has led to numerous opportunities to share the Gospel. At Luther Memorial Church in Shorewood, Pastor Ken Wieting, current Vicar Zachary Marklevitz and Bessie Fick continue with ministry that serves congregation, undergrads, and a growing number of international students and scholars. Recently, the campus ministry has established a presence at MSOE in addition to UWM. With support from local congregations, including especially Our Savior in Whitefish Bay, Luther Memorial also receives financial support for its varied ministries. Faith in La Crosse, close to both UW-La Crosse and Viterbo University, has long been a center for student ministry. Recently, Bessie Fick and I held a meeting with pastors and members from area churches to discuss the possibility of more intentional outreach to the growing international student population there. Plans are underway to begin that emphasis in the fall. African Immigrant Ministry Did you know that SWD has five pastors who were born in Africa? Chris Ikanih, Afam Ikanih, Elijah Ndon and the recently ordained Dr. Ben Adetiba are all from Nigeria. Kasongo Gui Kabeo is from the Congo. The International Lutheran Church of Zion, which meets at Benediction in Milwaukee, is Pastor Kabeo s congregation, made up mostly of French-speaking immigrants from Africa. It was chartered as an LCMS congregation in 0 and continues to make great strides not only in reaching out to new immigrants in Milwaukee, but also helping to support the fledgling Lutheran Church in the Congo (Gui has made several trips there, along with Rev. Dr. Ron Mudge of CUW). In addition, Gui has been working with a group of newer African immigrants in the Appleton area, in conjunction with the North Wisconsin District. SWD helps with salary support for Pastor Gui, along with a solid group of suburban congregations (Immanuel-Brookfield, Trinity-Freistadt, St. Paul-Grafton and St. John s-west Bend). Pastor Chris Ikanih and Pastor Ben Adetiba (Bethany) and Elijah Ndon (Holy Ghost) reach out to African immigrants in congregational settings that include African Americans and Anglos as well. Deaf Ministry One of the hardest hit areas of ministry since funds to Districts have dramatically decreased in the last few decades is deaf ministry. Since most deaf congregations will never be able to be self-supporting (given their size and limited financial resources), many Districts have simply given up on their support of this work. And yet, the deaf continue to be one of the most unchurched of all people groups (up to 0%!). We are blessed to have not one, but two deaf pastors serving in SWD. Pastor John Reinke (Madison) and Pastor Bud Palmer (West Allis) serve not only their own deaf congregations, but regularly travel in and out of Wisconsin to provide training and resources for the deaf. Though we no longer are able to support them fully (approximately 0% in 0), we are grateful that they have reached out to donors for support of this vital work. In addition, they have added several deaconesses, trained through the Deaf Institute of Theology at the St. Louis Seminary, to help them in their work. Urban Ministry As you can see, SWD supports cross-cultural ministries in a number of different contexts in Milwaukee. More challenging has been finding models of support for urban congregations that are struggling to survive. The landscape of ministry in Milwaukee has changed dramatically in the last decade. Once home to some of the largest LCMS congregations in all of Synod, Milwaukee has closed LCMS congregations in the last decade (including Bethlehem, Walther Memorial and St. Mark s since the last convention). As German Lutherans moved to the suburbs, city congregations have struggled to serve those Anglos who remained, while also reaching the African Americans, Hispanics, and immigrant populations that moved in. Ten years ago, nine SWD congregations in Milwaukee averaged more than 0 in worship. In 0, only two congregations (Mt. Olive: and Covenant: ) averaged more than 0 in worship. A number of congregations are only able to support part-time pastoral ministry. If current trends continue, and there is no reason to believe that they won t, we will continue to close churches for the foreseeable future. Despite those declining numbers, together we do support various ministries in the Milwaukee urban setting. We help Bethany Lutheran Church with some salary support for Pastor Chris Ikanih, a small stipend to help Pastor Elijah Ndon at Holy Ghost, and some infrastructure funds for the re-opened SOS Center (who does Christ-centered after-school

72 0 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin tutoring using the Rebecca s Garden of Hope model, and summer programs for children) at th and North. While we would love to provide more financial support to more congregations, it s simply not possible (given the drastic reduction in mission dollars from congregations to District in the last decade). Furthermore, we are beginning to realize that a model that depends on District funds for congregational survival is neither wise nor sustainable. Many of our urban congregations are quite small and simply cannot support a full-time pastor with a full-time salary and benefits. Though combining churches and strategically closing churches are possibilities, they are obviously challenging for many reasons. All that said we are not giving up on urban ministry or urban outreach. As the people of God we have a responsibility to bring Word and Sacrament into the urban setting. The challenge is how best we can do that in a way that honors our Lutheran identity, and in a way that cares for the whole person. In a very real sense urban ministry is about Witness, Mercy, and Life Together. All of this has led to our recent conversation with, and an emerging partnership with LINC-Houston (an LCMS Recognized Service Organization or RSO). LINC is an LCMS model for doing urban ministry that has spread to more than cities across the U.S. Since the middle of 0, a task force of Milwaukee area pastors and laypeople has been meeting with Rev. Mark Junkans, the LCMS pastor who heads LINC-Houston. He has been sharing with us a model for urban ministry that utilizes bi-vocational pastors and church workers who have come from the communities they serve. Houston has seen nearly 0 Word and Sacrament ministries planted since 000 using this model. It uses a number of Bible training and pre-seminary training programs, then also utilizes the SMP (Specific Ministry Pastor), EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology), and Hispanic Studies Programs of our Seminaries. These distance training programs leading to ordination allow developing pastors to stay in their communities while studying for ordination. Until ordination, they are supervised by a local pastor. This program is very similar to what Rev. Dan McMiller, former SWD Mission Exec, and Rev. Dr. Harold Tomesch have done in the past to raise up ethnic pastors in our District. In the coming months, we will reach out to congregations and granting organizations to find funding for an LCMS pastor who will be called by LINC-Houston to start a LINC chapter in Milwaukee, which, God-willing, will become its own 0c and RSO in the future. Please keep this endeavor in your prayers. Partnership in the Dominican Republic SWD continues a great relationship with the LCMS World Mission work in the Dominican Republic. Along with the English District and Bethesda ministries, SWD has partnered to more effectively help that new and growing mission field to reach more and more people. SWD mission teams have traveled to the DR from numerous congregations to help with building projects, mercy ministry initiatives, and outreach efforts. We ve also sent a number of principals and administrators of our LCMS schools to help with the growing Lutheran elementary school in Palmar Arriba. Through MOST ministries, SWD congregations have the opportunity to sign up before others for mission trips. ( Under the leadership of Rev. Ted Krey, the work in the DR is expanding, as deaconesses, theological educators and support personnel have been added to keep up with the increasing opportunities. Praise God for this work!

73 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June 0 0 Missions: Overtures OVERTURE -0 To Identify and Oppose Instances of the Incursions of Accessions to Islamic Claims of Superiority in the Civil Laws of the United States of America Whereas, the congregations of the LCMS accept without reservation the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and practice (Constitution, Article II); and Whereas, the teachings and practices of Islam are in direct opposition to our faith and teaching (re: Infidels now are they who say, Verily God is the Messiah, Son of Mary. The Qur an, Sura, ); and Whereas, one of the stated duties of the LCMS is to Provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, and other church workers in the performance of their official duties and the maintenance of their rights (emphasis added) (Constitution of the LCMS Article III, ); and Whereas, many sects of Islam are dedicated to the overthrow of democratic governments by violent and other means, which constitutes sedition and treason here in the United States of America; therefore, be it Resolved, that the LCMS dedicate resources to opposing the incursions of Islam in our legal system; and Finally be it resolved, that the members of the LCMS be kept informed of the defense of our faith in the legal and political spheres by appropriate agencies of the Synod (i.e., Free to Be Faithful). Circuit Forum

74 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Mission Funding Task Force The 0 convention of the SWD called for the president of the district to appoint a task force to develop a process by which current and future missions of the District can apply and receive adequate financial support for their ministries. Currently, our mission funding is highly individualized. There are still several congregations which have been grandfathered in from the old Missionary at Large system, although their funding from the district has often been decreasing. New funding has been individualized according to the needs and opportunities of the situation and the financial status of the district. As we met, it became obvious that the biggest hurdle to new mission funding is the decrease in undesignated mission giving to the district by congregations over the past several decades. The actual revenue from district congregations is about the same today as it was in. In deflated dollars it only has about ¼ of the buying power that it had at that time. Today we are about $ million below the peak of undesignated income in 000. There are simply not the direct funding dollars available, which there were in the past. On the other hand, the interest in funding missions directly is a growing trend. Today almost all synod missions are funded directly by supporting congregations and individuals. There are potentially thousands of dollars available in direct funding, both from congregations and individuals. Some of this is already being done, although we have also encountered challenges with direct funding. In addition, there are funds available to congregations through grants from a variety of organizations, such as the Siebert Foundation, Thrivent, Wheat Ridge, and LCMS Human Care. Because of this dynamic, we are in a state of flux as we as a district work together to carry out local missions. There needs to be a balance between directly funding missions from the undesignated gifts of congregations and acting as a facilitator to build partnerships to carry out this work. We also see the need for ministries to work through the district representatives, so that things are done decently and in good order. The following suggested process is intended to do these things,. It encourages congregations and other entities of SWD to look for opportunities to do new ministry,. It uses the staff of SWD to assist them in finding support for their new project, which could be direct support, linking them with other congregations and even individuals or helping to connect them with granting organizations.. It is intended to build relationships between the congregations and entities that receive support and those which are giving support. Here is a suggested process:. Congregations or other ministries would speak with the district representative to discuss their plan and need for support from or through SWD.. A Partnership Grant application would be requested.. The mission executive would respond within 0 days of the application and inform the congregation how SWD can help. It may: a) Approve an amount from the District budget for the project. b) Act as a facilitator to find supporters, which will directly give a portion or all of the funding needed. c) Direct the congregation to other sources of income such as the granting foundations or other entities. d) Kindly inform the congregation that their application has not been approved.. Congregations and individuals would be encouraged to be direct supporters of ministries. Every effort will be made that the relationship is not just financial, but that a bond in ministry is created that each part may be a blessing to the other.. Ministries which receive support through the district will give quarterly financial and ministerial reports.

75 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Committee on Convention Nominations District MEMBERS Rev. Bryan Osladil, chair Gene Ladendorf Craig Toerpe Christa Hegland Michael Milbrath Rev. Daniel Torkelson Ronald Kabitzke Rev. Dennis Schueler Dennis Vierk Rev. Adam Sorenson Rev. David Totsky, advisory There were three vacancies on the committee. A. NOMINATIONS FOR THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH WISCONSIN DISTRICT SWD Bylaw..a states The candidates for the office of President shall be the six men who receive the highest number of votes in the nominating ballot for that office. Thirty-three District congregations submitted nominations for the office of District president. Of these thirty-three ballots, one ballot was invalid, submitted after the deadline of March, 0. There were thirty-two valid nominations. The men, all of whom are ordained, nominated for the office of District president were as follows: John Wille Randolph Raasch (declined) Peter Bender (declined) David Paape (declined) Daniel Torkelson (declined) Kenneth Wieting (declined) Randolph Raasch, Peter Bender, David Paape, Daniel Torkelson and Kenneth Wieting have declined to allow their names to stand for consideration for this office. Since there is only one name remaining from congregational nominations, the District bylaw requirements have not been met for this ballot, additional nominations for this office shall be secured in accord with Synod bylaw The convention shall have the right to alter each slate at the proper time by amendment. a. The amendment procedure shall include merely a motion, a second, and a vote on the amendment, deliberately excluding verbal characterizations and discussion of the motion (except for the chair to ascertain that he requirements have been met as to eligibility, consent, and the filing of the biographical form.) b. Delegates making nominations from the floor shall have secured prior written consent of the candidates they wish to nominate. c. Such delegates shall immediately submit to the Secretary of the synod this document and written pertinent information concerning their nominee(s) as detailed in Bylaw... d. After all such amendments have been voted on, the convention shall ratify the slate of candidates prior to each election. B. NOMINATIONS FOR THE OFFICES OF VICE PRESIDENT (BY REGION) SWD Bylaw..b states: The candidates for the office of Vice President of a region shall be the men who receive the three highest number of votes in the nominating ballot and ties for Vice President of that region. In the nominating process for vice president, twenty-eight congregations submitted nominations. One ballot was invalid due to the lack of the name of the nominating congregation; one was postmarked after the deadline for nominations; and one was disqualified due to nominating individuals from regions other than that in which the congregation was located. However, the nomination for an individual from another region could become a valid nomination if the regional re-alignment resolution is passed. There were a total of twenty-five nominating ballots for the office of vice president. Central East Nine congregations submitted nominations for the office of vice president from the Central East Region. The men nominated and the number of nominations received for the office of District vice president were as follows:

76 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin David Paape Peter Bender Donald Hougaard Larry Myers The four men listed above received the highest number of votes and are eligible and willing to be placed on the ballot. They become our slate of candidates for this office. If the regional re-alignment resolution passes the following name may also be added to the ballot since the nomination by a congregation of the region was received by the nomination submission deadline. Randolph Raasch Northeast Eight District congregations submitted nominations for the office of vice president from the Northeast Region. The men nominated and the number of nominations received for the office of District vice president were as follows: Robert Zick Darrell Bergelin William Kilps M. Douglas Peters Randolph Raasch The five men listed above received the highest number of votes and are eligible and willing to be placed on the ballot. They become our slate of candidates for this office. West Six congregations submitted nominations for the office of vice president from the West Region. The men nominated and the number of nominations received for the office of District vice president were as follows: Mark Meier Dale Bahls (declined) Charles Brandt (declined) Jeffrey Meyer (declined) Jason Zobel Dale Bahls, Charles Brandt, and Jeffrey Meyer declined to allow their names to be considered for this office. The remaining men above are eligible and willing to be placed on the ballot. Since only two names submitted through the congregational nomination process remains, the District bylaw requirements have not been met for this ballot. Additional nominations for this office shall be secured in accord with Synod bylaw..., noted above. Southeast Four District congregations submitted nominations for the office of vice president from the Southeast Region. The men nominated and the number of nominations received were as follows: Daniel Torkelson Jeffery Schubert Since only two names were submitted through the congregational nomination process, the District bylaw requirements have not been met for this ballot. Additional nominations for this office shall be secured in accord with Synod bylaw..., noted above. C. ELECTION OF CIRCUIT VISITORS (0-0) Circuit # Region Counselor (elected at forum) Metro South Shore Rev. Karl Fabrizius Metro South Metro Southwest Rev. Eric Skovgaard Metro West Rev. Wayne Schroeder Metro Northwest Rev. Richard Raabe

77 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Metro North Rev. David Flegel Metro North Shore Rev. Kenneth Wieting Ozaukee/Washington Rev. Philip Hillenbrand Horicon Rev. Daniel Seehafer West Bend/Random Lake Rev. Christopher Seifferlein Sheboygan South Rev. Christian Gugel Sheboygan Central Rev. John Berg Sheboygan North Rev. Bryan Osladil Plymouth Rev. Peter Peitsch Winnebago Rev Marvin Ahlborn Berlin Rev. Richard Bartholomew Marquette Rev. Gary Schultz La Crosse Rev. Phillip Enderle Southwest Rev. Thomas Reeder, Jr. 0 Madison North Rev. Charlie Brandt Madison South Oconomowoc Rev. Thomas Wink Watertown Rev. Mark Wenzel Janesville Rev. Carl Seeger Beloit Rev. Ed May Kenosha Rev. Sean Smallwood Racine Rev. Neil Carlson D. NOMINATIONS FOR OTHER ELECTED POSITIONS In addition to soliciting and compiling nominations for the offices of District president, regional vice-presidents and circuit visitors (as presented above), the committee on convention nominations District is responsible for. Requesting recommendations and, consequently, nominating candidates for the other offices and positions to be elected at the convention,. Gathering the consent of and biographical information on all the candidates, and. Presenting the slates and the collected information to the delegates at the convention. The call for nominations and recommendations went to District congregations in October 0. In the information received by congregations, it was recommended that nominations and recommendations to the committee be made using the District website (swd.lcms.org) or the District fax line (--00), but postal service was also acceptable. Nomination and recommendation forms for the various offices were posted on the website for download, thus keeping mailing and printing costs for the District to a minimum. Hard copies could be requested from the District office and received by mail. The committee solicited recommendations for the positions of District secretary; the board of directors; the committee on convention nominations District; and Concordia University Wisconsin board of regents. While some congregations and individuals responded to the call for recommendations, there were several offices for which no recommendation was received. There were also many offices for which only one recommendation was received, although the committee is constitutionally required to provide two nominees for each open position. In future, please help your committee provide you with full slates by volunteering and recommending persons to serve. Incumbents, if eligible, were given first consideration on the slate. The names of those whose years of service would take them past the constitutional limit of twelve consecutive years in the same position were not put in nomination. The committee did not give any special consideration to those whose names were received in multiple recommendations. The bylaws require the committee on convention nominations to nominate twice the number of candidates to be elected for each open position. However, bylaw..d states, The District Convention reserves the right to nominate candidates directly from the floor whenever it deems it necessary or advisable. Please note, a nomination from the floor requires:. A first and a second (in writing);. Consent of the one being nominated (in writing);. The nominee s biographical information (in writing, but preferably electronically); and. All of the above then presented to the District secretary before the name may be put into nomination. Forms for floor nominations may be secured from the District secretary.

78 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin Once the slate of candidates is complete, it must be approved by the District convention before the election takes place (bylaw..c). The nominees slated by the committee for the various positions to be filled by election are as follows: Office of District Secretary elect one pastor to a three year term Rev. David Totsky, incumbent Board of Directors South Wisconsin District The elected and voting members of the board of directors shall consist of sixteen voting members and shall be constituted as follows: a. The president of the District; b. The secretary of the District; c. Four ordained ministers (on the District roster, one from each region); d. Two commissioned ministers (on the District roster, each representing a different combination of regions); and e. Eight lay persons of the District (two from each region). The remaining three vice-presidents, assistant secretary and treasurer are advisory members to the board of directors. Representation on the board is limited to not more than one voting member from any congregation. District personnel and others may attend the board of directors meeting as requested by the board or District president (bylaw.). Two ordained ministers elect one from each region to a six-year term Southeast Northeast Rev. Daniel Torkelson Rev. Darrel Bergelin, incumbent Rev. Douglas Stowe Rev. Joseph Fisher One commissioned minister elect one to represent the combination of regions to a six-year term West and Southeast Doug Jacoby Four lay persons elect one for each position indicated to a six year term Central East Northeast Southeast West Ron Kabitzke Greta Martin Committee on Convention Nominations District Bylaw.: The Committee on Convention Nominations consisting of twelve () members one ordained minister, one commissioned minister, and one lay person from each of the four regions shall be elected by the District convention. Three ordained ministers elect one from each region to a six-year term Central East Southeast Northeast Rev. Adam Sorenson Rev. Dan Torkelson Rev. Bryan Osladil, incumbent Rev. Steven Voigt Rev. M. Doug Peters Four commissioned ministers elect one from each region to a six-year term Central East Northeast West Southeast Jeff Fick Craig Toerpe, incumbent Doug Jacoby Jonathon Pickelmann Duane Graf Gene Ladendorf Dave Burgess Three lay persons elect one from each region to a six year term Southeast West Northeast Carolyn Blum Ron Kabitzke, incumbent

79 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June Board of Regents Concordia University Wisconsin Notes from the 0 Synod Handbook: Bylaw..., The Board of Regents of each college and university shall consist of no more than voting members:. One ordained minister, one commissioned minister, and two lay persons shall be elected by the geographical district in which the institution is located..... members may serve a maximum of three consecutive three-year terms and must hold membership in a member congregation of the Synod.. Not more than two of the elected members shall be members of the same congregation. One ordained minister from the South Wisconsin District elect to a three-year term Rev. Nathan Meador, incumbent Rev. John Berg One commissioned minister from the South Wisconsin District elect to a three-year term Dwayne Jobst Two lay persons from the South Wisconsin District elect to a three-year term Position I Position II Robert Pieters William Feld Robert Denkert Richard Laabs Respectfully Submitted, Committee on Convention Nominations Rev. Bryan Osladil, chair E. BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION OF THOSE NOMINATED (NOMINEES NOT LISTED HERE MAY BE FOUND IN TODAY S BUSINESS) BENDER, Rev. Peter Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: CE; Education: Concordia University-Chicago; Concordia, Ft. Wayne; Degrees: B.Mus..Ed ; MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: Pastor, St. Paul and Trinity Lutheran, Boone and Dayton, IA, -; Pastor, Peace Lutheran Church and Academy, Sussex, WI, -; founder of Peace Lutheran Academy, Sussex, preschool through grade eight Lutheran School (); founder and director of the Concordia Catechetical Academy, an auxiliary of Peace Lutheran Church, promoting Luther s Small Catechism and faithful catechesis in the church-atlarge, publishing catechetical materials used throughout the country and overseas and hosting an annual symposium on catechesis -; author of Lutheran Catechesis: A Comprehensive Guide to Catechesis for a Lutheran Congregation and Family (Catechist and Catechumen Editions), Old Testament Catechesis (Catechumen and Catechist Editions), New Testament Catechesis (Catechumen and Catechist Editions); General Editor for the Lutheran Catechesis Series; District/circuit: SWD Committee on Constitutions, -; Synod: Lutheran Service Book, Agenda Committee, (Baptismal Rites, Confirmation and Membership Rites, Pastoral Care Companion) -0; author of chapters on the Baptismal Rite, Confirmation Rite, and First Communion Rite in upcoming companion to the Lutheran Service Book; Adjunct Professor, CUW, 0; Adjunct Professor in Catechetics, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, 0-; Community: A hopeless, but ever optimistic Cub fan; Present congregation: Peace Lutheran Church and Academy, Sussex; Hopes for the District: It is my hope and prayer that the Lord would renew the pastors, church workers, and congregations of the South Wisconsin District to be faithful stewards of the Gospel and Sacraments of Christ for the sake of the church and the community at large. At the heart of the church s evangelism efforts and mission is the work of preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins in Jesus name (Luke ). Reaching the lost, making disciples, and equipping the faithful to live out their faith in Christ within their vocation happens in no other way than through the rigorous teaching of God s Word that centers in Jesus who gave His life for the salvation of the world. I am also deeply concerned that pastors and church workers receive the pastoral care that they need so that they can be faithful and strong in the struggle against the forces of darkness and unbelief. We cannot give the comfort and renewing strength of the Gospel to others unless we, as church workers, first receive it for ourselves. 0

80 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin BERG, Rev. John Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: NE; Education: CUW, Concordia, Ft Wayne, IN; Degrees: BA Pre-Seminary/Music; MDiv; Experience and activities: Congregation: Pastor: Concordia Lutheran Church and Student Center, Vermillion, South Dakota -; Lamb of God, Pleasant Prairie, WI -0; Trinity Evangelical, Sheboygan, WI 00-; Music Teacher/Choir Director, Christ Lutheran Academy, Kenosha, WI 000-0); District/circuit: Circuit Counselor South Dakota District LCMS -, Circuit Counselor # SWD 00-0; LWML Zone Counselor South Dakota District, Student Aid and Recruitment SWD; Re-Circuiting Committee SWD; Synod: Delegate to three LCMS conventions, Floor Committee Synod Convention; Community: Wisconsin Right to Life; Veritas Society; Present congregation: Trinity, Sheboygan; Hopes for the District: It is my prayer that the South Wisconsin District would continue to "Walk humbly with our God" as we teach the faithful God's Word in its truth and purity and administer his sacraments according to his institution. I pray that that we would continue to reach out to the lost of our communities with Gospel of Jesus Christ and be a light in a dark and dying world never compromising our Lutheran confession. I pray that we would also be known as being a merciful and caring church to all the different people that we meet in our congregations, schools, colleges and neighborhoods. BERGELIN, Rev. Darrel Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: NE; Education: Concordia, Ft. Wayne, IN; Concordia, Springfield, IL; Degrees: MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: Grace, Uniontown and Zion, Longtown, MO -; Trinity, Howards Grove, -; District/circuit: SWD board 00-; circuit counselor 000-0; District LWML pastoral advisor 0-; MO District LLL pastoral advisor ; Southeast MO Lutheran Family and Children s Services advisor; Synod: LCMS convention delegate,,, 00, 0; Community: Present board chairman Sheboygan Lutheran HS, member of LHS Board for years, as vice-chair, as chair; chaired numerous LHS committees executive, call, dedication, education, and constitutional review; Present congregation: Trinity, Howards Grove; Hopes for the District: My hopes for the District are that all of us, as congregations and people, put Christ ahead of everything else. That we as a District continue to remember that our purpose is to spread the Christ-centered message that the Savior died on the cross for our sins, His blood alone washes sin away, and because of that we are forgiven and have the free gift of eternal life in heaven. It is my hope that the District continues to do everything in its power to carry this out with a sense of urgency in the most effective and efficient manner. BLUM, Carol Age: ; Occupation: Retired as Business Service Counselor; currently full-time volunteer; Region: SE; Education: University of Wisconsin Whitewater; Degrees: BBA, Major--Human Relations (HR), Minor--Sociology; Experience and activities Congregation: Parish Media Team Coordinator 00-; PR Chairman -0; church Facebook page editor (current); new member interviews 0s-0; delegate to several LWML district conventions; Board of Evangelism 0s; SS/VBS teacher 0s; newsletter editor 0s-0s; various anniversary/special event committees; choir member -; Prayer Tree Coordinator 0s-0s; homebound visitor 0s-0; District/circuit: Volunteer Coordinator 00-); LWML: District President 00-0), District Planner -0), District Renewal Committee Chairman 00-0, Executive Committee and BOD member -0, PR Chairman for several retreats, speaker, writer; congregational delegate to district LCMS convention 0s); LWML zone PR Chairman; speaker at LCMS District Ablaze! Seminar; Lutheran Hour Ministries "Living for Tomorrow" Southeast Regional Coordinator ; Wisconsin Lutherans for Life Secretary 0s; Synod: LWML 0-; Vice President of Organizational Resources, Executive Committee & BOD, Brand Project Task Force, Governance Committee, Visioning Committee, Interdepartmental Committee, Assembly of Leaders; Mission Ministry Vision Consultant 00-); Associate Editor, Lutheran Woman's Quarterly magazine 00-; News Editor, Lutheran Woman's Quarterly Community: Mission trips 00-0 to Latvia (English camp), Puerto Rico (eyeglasses), Kyrgyzstan (women's retreat); Lutheran Radio Choir 00-); Wisconsin Right to Life Ed. Fund, Secretary and VP 0s; University Lake School 0s-0s, Parents Board President and Secretary, Board of Trustees, PR chairman for annual rummage sale; volunteer at a school for special children; Cub Scout den mother; college student government; foreign student tutor; business fraternity; Present congregation: Divine Savior, Hartford; Hopes for the District: It is my hope that we, as the men and women of the South Wisconsin District LCMS, will prayerfully use our God-given gifts and talents to spread the Good News of Jesus as Savior of all; that we serve joyfully, with dedication, respect and a heart for the lost. Whether this is in our everyday lives, through the congregation, the circuit, the district or the Synod, it is my prayer that the greater good (salvation) is always uppermost in our list of priorities. "Walk humbly with our God," the convention theme, sums it up: if we prayerfully walk with the Lord and listen to His direction, we will be enabled to serve with confidence and love, putting others before ourselves, and God before all.

81 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June BURGESS, Dave Age: ; Occupation: Executive Director Racine Lutheran High School; Region: SE; Education: Concordia Univ. Chicago; Degrees: BA, MA ; Experience and activities Congregation: Elder, Board of Education president, Church Council; Present congregation: Our Father s, Milwaukee; Hopes for the District: I would hope that the Lord Jesus would continue to be at the center of all that is done. I would also like to see the SWD mentor future leaders in our churches and schools. DENKERT, Robert Age: ; Occupation: Certified Public Accountant; Region: CE; Education: UW Whitewater; Degrees: BBA ; Experience and activities Congregation: Congregational treasurer 00-; member of Foundation Board 00-; member Mission & Ministry Council, 00; Executive Dir. of congregaton 00-0; acting treasurer 00; member of Board for Parish Ed ; worship elder -; Worship Choir -; member and chairman Board of Elders -; District/circuit: Convention lay delegate 00, 00, 0, 0; lay delegate to circuit forums; Community: Delegate to LHSAGM 00-present; member of Martin Club 0-; coordinated Samaritan s Purse Shoebox Ministry; member Amer. Institute of CPAs and presenter at healthcare accounting conferences; board for local Children s Miracle Network Telethon; Present congregation: Immanual, Brookfield; Hopes for the District: My hope for the SWD is that we build on our heritage of Lutheran education in our congregations, child cares, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities and seminaries. Through these institutions, we need to help individuals and families to understand vocation so they can reach out to their communities to share the message of Eph. :-. As part of this, we need to remember that God gave the duty of instruction first to the head of the household and to help parents in this task. To that end, we need to continue to uphold God s design of marriage and family reflecting the relationship of Christ and his church. FELD, William Age: ; Occupation: Owner/President - D&G Transportation, Inc.; Region: CE; Education: Ripon College, UW-Madison; Degrees: BA ; MS -Supply Chain Management; Experience and activities Congregation: First Immanuel, Cedarburg, WI, Board of Christian Education 00, Small Group Facilitator Training 00,Small Group Leader 00-, Board of Lay Leaders 00- (Secretary 00 & Congregation Chair 0-), Board of Elders 0-; Living Word Lutheran High School, Jackson, WI: Board of Directors 0-; Concordia University-Mequon: Foundations Board 0-; Community: Sponsor various local sports teams (racing/softball/football/volleyball), NPR, BigBrothersBigSisters, FIL & LWLHS Auction events, Sponsor Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Sponsor Grafton Blues Festival, Donate to local food bank and various local congregations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Donate and volunteer for local parades and community events; Present congregation: First Immanual, Cedarburg; Hopes for the District: All people in the SWD will realize the importance and value of providing an affordable, Christian-based, Christ-centered education to families. By virtue of this awareness and the contribution of time, talents and treasures to this effort, the educational path from pre-k thru post-grad that exists locally will become THE model for communities and countries throughout the world. Blending traditional and non-traditional (e.g., on-line courses, international curriculum and degree/diploma offerings, revenue generation, etc.) approaches will keep us on the cutting-edge and attract students from all backgrounds and nationalities and introduce them to Jesus. In addition, we will attract and retain the brightest and most talented instructors as well as visionary leadership. Balanced, motivated and inspired servant-leader graduates will remain connected to, involved with and passionate about this educational experience and help to promote and support these efforts from across the world for future generations. FICK, Jeffrey Age: ; Occupation: Principal; Region: CE; Education: Concordia-Milwaukee, Concordia-Chicago, IL; Degrees: AA 0, BA, MA 000; Experience and activities Congregation: LCMS Educator all levels ; LCMS School Administrator ; Church organist -, VBS Director, Adult Bible study leader; District/circuit: IDW Board of Directors, IDW Christian Education Committee, IDW representative for Nonpublic Schools Iowa Legislation, Mission trip to Indonesia with IDW and LWR 00; Synod: NLSA visiting team member, captain, consultant 0 ; Community: Springfield Lutheran High School board -; Iowa Alliance of Choice in Education Advisory member; Present congregation: Elm Grove Lutheran, Elm Grove; Hopes for the District: My hope for the SWD is that the district will continue in its mission to make disciples of all nations. The district, by the by provider of the Holy Spirt is to do the will of our Lord Jesus Christ by preaching the Word of God to the whole world. We as a district and church must devote ourselves to do what the Lord has commanded: unite in worship, administer the sacraments, practice fellowship with one another, witness to all people, help each other grow in the Word, and serve the needs of all people in Christian love.

82 0 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin FISHER, Rev. Joseph Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: NE; Education: CU-Chicago; Concordia, Ft. Wayne, IN; Degrees: BA 0; MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: Associate pastor -; senior pastor -; Adjunct professor of Theology, CUW 0-; District/circuit: Chairman of Pastor s Conference Planning Committee -; Board of Dirctors Concordia Bible Institute, SWD Communication Task Force 00-; Pastoral Adv. of Wisconsin Lutherans for Life 00-0; Synod: Delegate Synod Convention 00, 0; Community: Work with State Assembly and Governor of Wisconsin to get law passed allowing clergy to bring wine for communion in State prisons and County jails 00-00; Present congregation: Pilgrim,West Bend; Hopes for the District: My prayer for SWD is for us to truly be Synod (walking together) in this District and Synod, as the Psalmist says, Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! For true unity is a gift of God found only through His Word. This unity is possible through study, open discussion and prayer. As we attempt to sort out the imaginary differences from the actual differences. So with one voice we may boldly and faithfully confess the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all our neighbors in Wisconsin and throughout the world. To aid us in this loving work God has richly blessed us with the best educated church professionals in the world. We in SWD are especially blessed with CUW and all the Lutheran day care, pre-schools, elementary and high schools in our District. And if that were not enough God has graced us with talented and faithful lay people who desire nothing more than to faithfully reach a lost and dying world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. GRAF, Duane Age: ; Occupation: Principal, St. Paul, West Allis; Region: SE; Education: Concordia-St. Paul, MN; Concordia River Forest; Degrees: BA; MA; Experience and activities Congregation: Principal of St. Paul s Lutheran School, Church Council, Board of Christian Ed., Planning Committee, Call Committee; District/circuit: Served on the Mission Board, Chairman of the Mission Board, served on Finance, served on the Superintendent s Cabinet, served on the Chaplaincy Committee; Community: Served on the 0 Census Committee of West Allis, attended Thanks & Giving Breakfast in West Allis each year for years, participated in the West Allis Ala Carte Event for years; Present congregation: St. Paul, West Allis; Hopes for the District: That the SWD would be bold in its mission to disciple all generations as they proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. There are a great number of people who live in our congregational communities who need to continue to grow in their faith as well as those who still do not know Jesus Christ as Lord that need to be reached. The children are members of the Christian Church today and are also the church of the future and future leaders in our church. We need to support our parents and families in reaching and teaching the truth to their children as well as raising up pastors, teachers, and other servants of Christ to minister to one another and reach souls for Christ. As leaders we remain faithful to the Holy Scriptures and proclaim the pure Gospel until our Lord and Savior returns. HOUGARD, Rev. Donald Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: CE; Education: Valparaiso; Concordia, Ft. Wayne, IN; Degrees: BA ; MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: Christ Lutheran Church, Harrow, ON -; Benediction Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI -, Evangelische Andacht Radio Program, -present; District/circuit: Circuit Counselor, 00 present; Convention Floor Committee Chair - 00, 00, 0; Synod: LCC Convention Delegate and Floor Committee Member, ; LCMS Convention Delegate, 00, 00 Community: Community Policing Chairman, Harrow, ON; APOR Board of Directors; LSSES Board of Directors; Present congregation: Benediction, Milwaukee; Hopes for the District: I love the three-fold synod emphasis, "Witness, Mercy, and Life Together" because our world is in desperate need of all three. We have been the church in which the Gospel predominates. In a world filled with guilt and hopelessness, we are privileged to share that call of Christ, "Come unto Me..." Our district has been a leader in mercy ministry, including the Lutheran Home, LCFS, Bethesda, prison and hospital chaplaincy, and campus and youth ministry. While many of these ministries continue and new ministries have emerged such as APOR and SOS, the needs of so many should arouse our hearts with compassion. Many of our oldest congregations are in the poorest areas of the city, giving us perfect opportunities to reach out with the mercy of Christ. There was a time when we could fill the Milwaukee arena for Reformation festivals, and worship was the place to be on Sunday morning. Today even the members of our congregations often don't have a deep connection with each other, let alone with their brothers and sisters in Christ throughout this district. Yet, there is no greater bond than that which we have in Christ, when we worship with, pray for, care for, and even laugh with each other in Christ.

83 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June JACOBY, Douglas Age: ; Occupation: Lutheran School Principal; Region: W; Education: CUW; Illinois State Univ. Degrees: BA, MS ; Experience and activities Congregation: I have been a Lutheran teacher for years; served as a Lutheran principal or assistant principal for of the years; Community: I am very involved with the congregational life at St. John s Portage; I have led the main Sunday Bible Study during our vacancy time; I love to golf, and I love teaching God s children; Present congregation: St. John, Portage; Hopes for the District: I think everything begins with Christ. I would hope that I could bring a Lutheran teacher s perspective to the meetings. I think our Lutheran schools are a true treasure to our Church at large. Lutheran schools share Christ with families and are often key components in people coming to know Jesus. I would be excited to be a part of the process. I always enjoy spending time with people who are dedicated to our Lutheran Church. JOBST, Dwayne Age: ; Occupation: Principal, Lake Country Lutheran High School; Region: SE; Experience and activities Congregation: Youth Director -; Bible Study leader -; Worship leader -; Worship Assistant -; District/circuit: Board of Evangelism EN -; SWD Teachers Conference committee; SWD Church Workers Conference committee; Synod: CUW Board of Regents 00-0; CUW Board of Regents Advisory 00-; Synod Blue Ribbon Funding the Mission; Community: Elyria Jaycees; Present congregation: Brookfield Lutheran, Brookfield; Hopes for the District: I pray that the South Wisconsin District will help connect more and more people to Jesus. I look forward to the challenge and the opportunity to serve the Master Teacher within our Church and in service to Concordia University Wisconsin as a member of the Board of Regents. KABITZKE, Ronald Age: ; Occupation: Retired; Region: NE; Experience and activities Congregation: Choir; Elder, -0, 0-; Lutheran Brotherhood/AAL Branch/Chapter President, Thrivent Coordinator; District/circuit: Convention Delegate, 00, 00, 00, 0; Camp LuWiSoMo Board of Directors, 00-0; Nominating Committee, 00-; Synod: Convention Delegate, 00, 00, 0; Community: Chairman, German Fest Church Service, 0-; Newburg Fire Dept. Firefighter/EMT, -; Village of Newburg Trustee, -, Planning Comm. Traffic Comm.; Present congregation: Pilgrim, West Bend; Hopes for the District: Psalm says it very well. KILPS, Rev. William Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: NE; Education: Concordia College, Milw.; Concordia River Forest; Concordia, Fort Wayne; Degrees: BA ; MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: Pastor serving at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Marengo, WI, -; Trinity Lutheran Church, Glidden, WI, -; Zion Lutheran Church, East Moline, IL, -; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Two Rivers, WI, -; District/circuit: nd Vice President of Central Illinois District; Board of Directors, Central Illinois District; CID Floor Committee Chairman for Education; CID Circuit Counselor; SWD Floor Committee Chairman for Congregational Services; Synod: Synodical Reconciler; Synod President's Dialogue Panel with RIM; Doctrinal Reviewer; three-time Synodical delegate. Community: Doxology graduate; Doxology chaplain; chairman of Good Shepherd Lutheran Grade school in East Moline, IL; articles published in Logia and Lutheran Witness; Present congregation: Good Shepherd, Two Rivers; Hopes for the District: My hope for the South Wisconsin District is that, together, we would be a leader in the Synod, providing faithful congregations and pastors along with exceptional schools and teachers through whom the Word of God may be faithfully proclaimed and taught. I am sincerely grateful for the parochial education that I received here in this District through my formative years! I pray that we would continue to "lift high the cross," boldly sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and, in the words of the Augsburg Confession, "that for the future, one pure and true religion may be embraced and maintained by us, that as we all are under one Christ and do battle under Him, so we may be able also to live in unity and concord in the one Christian Church." LAABS, Richard Age: ; Occupation: President and CEO of Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative, Inc. (LUMIN); Region: SE; Education: UW-Milwaukee; Degrees: BS in Business Administration ; Experience and activities Congregation: Member of Grace, Men. Falls for yrs.; served two terms as congregation president, four terms on board of directors (two as pres.), chairman of endowment committee, chairman of strategic planning committee; chairman of the school board; District/circuit: Contracted by the District to lead the turnaround of Concordia University School after Nazareth church closed in 00; Synod: None other than activities related to NLS accreditation for all schools in the LUMIN network; Community: Numerous activities related to parent/school choice programs; board member of School Choice Wisconsin; founder, past president and board member of the Choice Schools Association;

84 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin member of various committees and frequent witness providing testimony to legislators; former chairman, board member and volunteer of the year of the North Suburban YMCA; former youth sports coach; Present congregation: Grace, Menomonee Falls; Hopes for the District: My hope for the District is that it continues to be a force and expands its influence in terms of sharing the Gospel message in the Southeast Wisconsin urban communities it serves. Our cities represent a large mission field filled with unbelievers who are potentially lost in this world and the next. The District and LUMIN have collaborated for years and are changing lives in urban communities. May God continue to bless our respective ministries as the constituents we serve are literally dealing with life and death issues. LADENDORF, Gene Age: 0; Occupation: LCMS Administrator and Teacher; Region: NE; Education: Concordia University St Paul; Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; Degrees: BA ; MSED Experience and activities Congregation: Sunday School Superintendent -; Day School School Teacher - ; Administrator -; -; -0; 0-; District/circuit: SWD Superintendent of Schools -; Seminary Interview Committee; Convention Committee; Reconciler Board for Lutheran Special School -; 00-; Synod Representative to Council for American Private Education 000-; Reconciler; Professor Concordia, Bronxville -; Community: Wisconsin Association of Nonpublic Schools BOD -; Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools BOD 00-; Review Panel - Kohl Scholarship and Fellowship program 00-; Present congregation: Trinity-Freistadt, Mequon; Hopes for the District: Strengthen mission and ministry to all cultures of the District; Identify cooperative opportunities with foreign missions; Support churches and schools of the district through the assistance of experienced professionals; Identify and expand all levels of Christian education in the District; Make the best use of all funds for which the District is responsible; Plan and prepare effective programs and activities to enhance the ministries of churches and schools; Promote a spirit of cooperative and collegial relationships among congregations and schools. MARTIN, Greta Age: ; Occupation: Retired elementary school teacher public and Lutheran; Region: SE; Experience and activities Congregation: Sunday school teacher and superintendent; music director; VBS director; Christmas program coordinator; LWML member and officer; ladies guild; altar guild; cochair of Benefits for Loving Our Neighbor events; church choir and chime choir director; District/circuit: Circuit delegate to national convention; co-chair of Benefit for Pastor Debt Reduction; SWD Board of Directors; Synod: Delegate to Synod conventions; attendee at Synod conventions; attendee at Annual Symposia in Ft. Wayne, member of Lutheran Concerns Association; member of Lutheran Mission Association/MN; associate member of Association of Confessing Evangelical Lutheran Congregations; Community: Member and assistant director, secretary and performance coordinator of local women s barbershop chorus (Sweet Adelines International); substitute teacher in area schools; Present congregation: St. Paul, Union Grove; Hopes for the District: It would be a gracious blessing from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, if the South Wsconsin District of the LCMS would/could continue on the confessional path it is now on, ever seeking to witness and not ashamed to be counted for Christ both in the church and in the public square. MEADOR, Rev. Nathan Age: ; Occupation: Senior Pastor; Region: NE; Education: CUW; Concordia, St. Louis, MO; Degrees: BA ; MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: Pastor, Trinty and Zion, Sheldon and Gilman, WI -; Zion, Town of Easton, WI -0; Zion, Staunton, IL 00-0; St. John, Plymouth 00-; District/circuit: NWD volunteer teachers conference comm. chair 000, 00; SID District board for congregational support 00-0; SID circuit counselor 00; SID stewardship task force 00-0; SWD stewardship task force 00-; CUW Board of regents 0-; convention planning comm. chair 0, 0; Synod: Concordia Seminary Alumni Council -0; convention delegate 00, 00; National Youth Gathering task force 00-0; Office of National Mission Assistant Coordinator for Stewardship 0-; Community: President, Sheldon Area Community Club ; Treasurer, Staunton Area Clergy Association 00-0; Fire Fighter/Chaplain, Staunton, IL Volunteer Fire Department; Present congregation: St. John, Plymouth; Hopes for the District: The current direction of the SWD is strong. Under the current leadership we have become far better stewards of our current resources and at the same time have expanded our view of ministry beyond our own community. There are unique challenges as we go forward that need to be met by faithful commitment to Scripture and Confession and bold leadership. It has been my privilege to be a part of this so far. I seek to continue that role as the Lord and the members of the SWD see fit.

85 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June MEIER, Sr., Rev. Mark Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: W; Education: CUW; Concordia, Ft. Wayne, IN; Degrees: BA; MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: King of Glory, IDE -00; Christ & St. Peter, Highland & Muscoda, 000-0; Emmaus, Poy Sippi 00-; District/circuit: Editor IDE Newsletter -, SWD BoD 00-0, SWD rd Vice President 00- & th VP 0-; Synod: Pastoral delegate Houston Convention 0 and St. Louis 00; Community: Chaplain Poy Sippi Volunteer Fire Department, Pastoral Advisor to Camp LuWiSoMo, Inc., Financial Officer of Emmaus Mercy Meals (currently a Committee of Emmaus Lutheran Church, Poy Sippi); Present congregation: Emmaus, Poy Sippi; Hopes for the District: The blessings we enjoy here in the SWD are many and great. With these blessings comes great responsibility. Our Lord is a generous and hard Master Who does not want us to hide our talents. No matter what we have from the past, our future involves great risks and danger. The decisions we make must still be based in love and faith, not fear of failure. I value and appreciate President Wille's leadership as well as that of President Harrison. Their application of the Scripture and the Confessions to our current environment is in the best tradition of our Synod. My hope is that the SWD will continue to be a leader among the districts in Christian boldness and Christian compassion. Each of our congregations contributes to our strength with their prayers and offerings. Each of our pastors contributes with the talents and efforts we put forward out of gratitude for the grace we receive and the duty of our Calling. A district has the multi-faceted responsibility of listening to the pastors, congregations and the direction of the Synod. At the same time we cannot forget that above all we are serving our Savior and the souls in the pews while empowering us all in seeking the lost. Preserving the unity of the Body of Christ in good health makes us more effective in our witness to this fractured world. They will know we are disciples of Jesus Christ if we have love for one another (John :). Sometimes true love is tough but it always cares. My hope is that the SWD always cares for the lost and for the one true holy catholic Church. How else can we be ready for His return? MYERS, Rev. Larry Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: CE; Education: Concordia Senior College; Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO; St Louis University; USAF Academic Instructor School; USAF Air War College; Degrees: BA ; MDiv ; MA ; Experience and activities Congregation: Elm Grove, Elm Grove -; Milwaukee Lutheran High School 0-; Trinity, Frankfurt/Main, Germany 0-; Chaplain, United States Air Force Reserve -0; retired with rank of Colonel; District/circuit: Vice Pres. SWD Central East, & Advisory, SWD Bd. of Dir. 00-0; SWD CISM Team 00-: Circuit SWD Pastors Conf. Plng. Committee 00-0; Synod: LCMS Liaison with India Ev. Luth. Church 0- : Adjunct, CUW -; LCMS CTCR interim Staff -0; Asst. Prof. Concordia Seminary, St Louis -; Asst. Prof. Concordia Lutheran College of Texas -; DSMP-LCUSA Field Service Pastor 0-; Asst. Prof. Concordia College, St Paul, MN -0; Missionary, Lutheran Church in Korea -; LCMS Doctrinal Reviewer -00; Community: th Air Refueling Wing/0th Airlift Wing community council 00-, Exec Comm. 00-;chair 0-; Whitnall Park Rotary Club -, president 00-0; American Legion Stenz-Greisell-Smith Post, Brookfield; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, New Berlin; Present congregation: Elm Grove, Elm Grove; Hopes for the District: Confessional Lutheran identity and integrity that include a balance of financial solvency and mission outreach. As it pertains to Concordia University Wisconsin: Confessional Lutheran identity and integrity in all respects, encompassing all colleges and departents (not just theology). OSLADIL, Rev. Bryan Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: NE; Education: Concordia, St. Paul; Concordia, Fort Wayne; Degrees: BA ; MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: Pastor at Grace, Haven, WI -; at St. John's/Emmanuel, Sherman Center/Adell, WI -0); at The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Sheboygan, WI 00-; District/circuit: District Human Care Comm.; SWD Asst. Secretary; District Committee on Constitutional Matters 00-; Circuit Visitor for Circuit 00-; Synod: Convention Delegate ; Community: Presenter for Chemical Dependency Unit at area hospital; Sheboygan Area Lutheran High School Board Member/Board Chair, Football Coach; Member of area Reformation Rally Committee; Pastoral Advisor for -PRAY. Present congregation: The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Sheboygan; Hopes for the District: It is my hope and prayer that the SWD might continue to be a blessing to the Church at large, that it might offer strong leadership when called upon, that it might be a model for others to follow in these changing times, and that it might continue to be a place of care and concern for God's people in these challenging times.

86 The Workbook of the th Convention of the South Wisconsin PAAPE, Rev. David Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: CE; Education: Concordia Jr. College, Milw.; Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne; Concordia, Ft. Wayne, IN; Degrees: AA ; BA ; MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: St. Paul, Woodland, IN -; Zion, Menomonee Falls -0; Immanuel, Sheboygan 00-0); St. Paul, Brown Deer 00-; District/circuit: Lutheran Laymen s League Pastoral Advisor; LWML Pastoral Advisor; SWD s Pro-Life Committee; SWD Board of Directors; Gospel Communication Clinic presenter; Circuit Counselor (two circuits); Vacancy pastor; Professional Church Workers Conference Committee; SWD Hispanic Task Force; SWD VP Central East Region ( nd term); Synod: Synodical Convention (X); District Life Coordinator; Community: MLHS Association Board of Directors; Sheboygan Lutheran Hispanic Task Force 00-0; A Place of Refuge Ministries of South Wisconsin, chair. -; Present congregation: St. Paul, Brown Deer; Hopes for the District: I see the role of vice-president as that of supporting our District President and serving the congregations and pastors of the Central-East Region at his direction. My hope and prayer for the SWD is that we will remain true to our doctirnal heritage. That means that we will be faithful in proclaiming the Word of God in its truth and purity and administering the sacraments according to Christ s direction. This is the foundaiton for God s plan for His Church, making disciples. I pray that our District will live out our synod s emphasis on Witness, Mercy and Life Together in a winsome manner that impacts countless souls. PETERS, Rev. M. Douglas Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: NE; Education: MSU, Concordia, Fort Wayne; Degrees: BA in Social Sciences; MDiv Experience and activities Congregation: Sole pastor of Luther Memorial, Sheboygan, 0-; Community: Second career pastor who spent years in Insurance, Financial Services industry prior to attending the seminary; Present congregation: Luther Memorial, Sheboygan; Hopes for the District: My hope for the SWD is that it assist the congregations of the District remain confessionally and distinctly Lutheran in their practice and confession. The gifts Christ Jesus freely gives through the Divine Service and Liturgy are exactly what this dying world is in need of. Clear preaching of God s Law and Gospel, the right administration of the Sacraments and mercifully caring for those who God has placed into our lives, within our vocations is the salve our Lord has provided for this broken and sinful world. My hope is that we diligently remain confessional. PICKLEMANN, Johnathan Age: ; Occupation: Principal/teacher; Region: SE; Education: Concordia Univ., NE; Degrees: M.Ed 00; Experience and activities Congregation: Principal and teacher at St. Paul Luth. School, Oconomowoc 0-; Principal and teacher at St. John s Luth. School, Midland MI 00-; Teacher/athletic dir. at Bethlehem Luth. School, Saginaw, MI 00-0; Teacher/computers and th gr. at Peace Luth. School, Saginaw, MI; District/circuit: SWD District Disaster/Crisis Response/CISM team 0-; MI District Principals Conference Comm. 0-; Synod: Lutheran Education Association LEADNet team member ; MI District Rostered Delegate to Synodical Convention 0, 0; Community: Saginaw Township Fire Depr. Firefighter (volunteer) 00-; MI Hunter Safety Instructor 00-; Thrivent Board member 00-; Present congregation: St. Paul, Oconomowoc; Hopes for the District: My hope for the SWD is to be a leader amongst the LCMS in all regards. I also hope that I can be a part of God s work here in the SWD as the mission and vision for the District is moved forward. PIETERS, Robert Age: 0; Occupation: CEO, The Lutheran Home, Inc.; Region: SE; Education: Valparaiso University; Degrees: BA in Accounting/English; Experience and activities Congregation: currently at Divine Redeemer, Hartland: BOD, Stewardship comm. Choir; Previous at Grace, Men. Falls: BOD, School Board, Capital campaign co-chair; District/circuit: Finance committee member/chairman; Synod: Member LCMS Foundation ( yrs); Community: Current: Chair, BOD-Community Memorial Hospital, Men. Falls; Previous: BOD-Froedtert Health (holding company), Finance committee, Investment committee; Present congregation: Divine Redeemer, Hartland; Hopes for the District: To expand the Kingdom, reaching the lost and inactive, invigorating church membership, ensure fair compensation of all church workers, grow elementary and high school education, reach and retain confirmands and young adults with better messaging and programming, reach out to more minorities, maximize value of District properties, grow District endowment.

87 District of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, - June RAASCH, Rev. Randolph Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: NE; Education: Concordia Univ.-Ann Arbor, CUW, Concordia, St. Louis, MO; Degrees: AA ; BA ; MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: Associate pastor, Oinnacle Lutheran, Rochester, NY -; associate pastor, First Immanuel, Cedarburg -; senior pastor -; District/circuit: SWD District VP 00-; Circuit Visitor -0; SWD Board Chair 00-; SWD Finance Committee 00-;SWD seminary interview comm. -0, 0-; SWD Evangelism comm. 0-; EA District board for parish services -; EA board mission services -; EA evangelism comm. -, chair -; Rochester Lutheran MissionSociety, Board of Dir. -; Synod: LCMS President s Strategy Summit 00; LCMS President s Vision Conference 00; LCMS Convention Delegate 00; LCMS Convention Floor Committee 00; Community: Adjunct professor, Dept. of Theology 0-; The Lutheran Home Foundation, Board of Dir. 00-; Cedarburg Police Dept. Chaplain 00-; Lutheran Counseling and Family Services of WI, Board of Dir. -0; Columbia-St. Mary s Hospital, Mequon, on-call chaplain -0; Wisconsin Special Olympics, Celebrity Comm. and volunteer -0; Ozaukee County Jail chaplain -0; CUW Alumni Comm. 0-; 0; Concordia Bioethics Institute, Advisory Comm. 00-0; Present congregation: First Immanuel, Cedarburg; Hopes for the District: I believe the South Wisconsin District can be effective in two areas. First, having grown up in the City of Milwaukee, I remember thriving LCMS congregations and schools. We need to focus our attention on reaching the people in the city with the Good News of Jesus Chrsit. Second, families must be reestablished as the primary place where the Christian faith is fostered. Our district can offer leadership and resources to assist our congregations in these area. SCHUBERT, Rev. Jeffery Age: ; Occupation: Senior Pastor; Region: SE; Education: Concordia Jr. College, Milwaukee; Concordia Sr. College, Ft. Wayne; Concordia St. Louis; Degrees: AA ; BA ; MDiv ; Experience and activities Congregation: St. Paul Lutheran Church & School, Royal Oak, MI, Vicar -0; Faith Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE -; Trinity-Freistadt Lutheran Church & School, Mequon -; District Office Milwaukee -; International Center of the LCMS -0; Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church & School, Hartland 00-; District/circuit: SWD of the LCMS (District Office, Milwaukee): Education, Youth, District Communications, and Strategic Planning Executive serving several District Presidents during the years through. During that time, I was involved with the restructuring of District operations and regions, as well as serving as interim Lutheran Schools executive, and a number of other projects and requests from the District President and the District's Board of Directors; Synod: The International Center of the LCMS (St. Louis, MO): Served as the National Director of Family beginning in until the Board for District & Congregational Services called me to serve as the Unit Executive for District & Congregational Services, where I managed a very large staff responsible for national youth ministry; child ministry; schools ministry; family ministry; and stewardship/outreach until 00; Community: Organized and operated a community foodbank (Detroit, MI); participated in the Crop Walk (Lincoln, NE); served as security for Jimmy and Rosalind Carter's Habitat for Humanity project (Milwaukee); pastoral involvement in a variety of "servant Saturdays" in the Lake Country area; Present congregation: Divine Redeemer, Hartland; Hopes for the District: My continued hope and, more importantly, prayer, is that the South Wisconsin District's congregations, schools, and people remain faithful to God's Word and continue to demonstrate fidelity to the Lutheran faith as expressed in our Confessions. Remaining true to our mission, I pray that together we remain bold and courageous witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our changing and challenging world. The SWD empowers life changing ministries of bold, passionate witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and does so with exemplary leadership and commitment to the truth of God's Word. My hope is that we not only continue to build on our past successes, but that we likewise endeavor to extend our missional outreach through discipleship, diversity, integrity, and excellence. As your regional vice-president, I am fully committed to do just that with God's guidance and blessing. SORENSON, Rev. Adam Age: ; Occupation: Pastor; Region: CE; Education: Concordia Univ.-River Forest; Concordia Ft. Wayne; Degrees: BA 00; MDiv 00; Experience and activities Congregation: Sole Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Gordon, NE from 00-; Associate Pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Milwaukee from 0-.; District/circuit: Pastoral advisor for the Pine Ridge, NE LWML Zone, 00- ; Mission Funding Task Force, 0; Present congregation: Mt. Olive, Milwaukee; Hopes for the District: My hope is that the SWD would continue to grow in faithfulness and strive to promote true unity in Christ and His Word so that our witness and mercy to the world may be emboldened.