Pastor s Report on the 73 rd Convention of the Kansas District, LC-MS

Transcription

1 Pastor s Report on the 73 rd Convention of the Kansas District, LC-MS Greetings NEK Partnership, in the name of our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As you know, each of our Synod s 35 Districts is required to meet in convention every three years to elect officers, conduct business and share information. In the process, we join together in worship, encourage each other in our respective walks in faith and enjoy each other s fellowship. Having just returned from the 73 rd Kansas District LC-MS Convention, the following summary of this year s District Convention is submitted The theme of this year s convention was Life Together in Mission, based on Philippians 1:3-5, in which the Apostle Paul writes, I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. One of the goals of this year s District Convention apparently was to maintain a focus on our Life Together in Christ and to highlight, in various ways, how the contributions we each provide in our partnership of congregations, circuits, district and Synod, all work together to glorify God and enhance the body of Christ to which we all belong as we seek to accomplish the Lord s will for all of us. District President s Report Rev. Peter Lange welcomed everyone in attendance to the 73 rd Kansas District Convention under the aforementioned theme. He noted that the Greek word that Paul uses for partnership is koinonia a fellowship or close relationship one that we Christians have first of all with God, through Christ, and then with each other, by virtue of being joined together in the body of Christ. This partnership or koinonia, is both in the Gospel, as it is established by our being joined together with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation, and it is also for the sake of the Gospel as our churchly union with Christ and each other moves out into the world through our vocations to serve as God s instruments to draw others into this saving life together with God. Thus, we gather in convention to review and celebrate our Life Together in Mission that we have shared during this past triennium and to look forward toward how we plan to build on this Life Together in Mission during the next triennium. In his address, President Lange went over the key resolutions that were adopted by the 2015 Kansas District convention through which the Kansas District leadership was given a charge for the triennium. He reported (1) that we are now working hand-in-hand with the Synod in support of missions throughout French-speaking West Africa, with an emphasis on Guinea, and that we have worked very hard with the Synod s Office of International Mission during this triennium to expand and formalize our commitment to the region in a new, written, and detailed agreement. (2) that we have made great strides in the entire area of missions during the past triennium by reinstating funding in the budget for an Assistant to the President for Missions and Stewardship and then calling the Rev. Dan Galchutt to fill that position, who working with the Board of Missions and the Board of Directors have undertaken many new initiatives during this triennium to encourage and lead the Kansas District in working together in mission. (3) that we have worked very diligently during this triennium to decrease the amount of time that congregations must wait on the district office while calling for pastors, and to communicate progress with congregational leaders and circuit visitors at key intervals during the pastoral call process. He states that currently, the amount of time that the ball is in the court of the district president during the pastoral call process is, on average, 10% of the total time of the average vacancy. (4) that much time has been spent during this last triennium discussing how we might further implement the Koinonia Project in the Kansas District. These discussions have led to the decision to make the Koinonia Project the topic of the fall Pastors Conference in 2018 in hopes that the Koinonia process might be expanded more widely in the district. And (5) that the Kansas District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is 160 congregations, 14 parochial schools, 45 preschools, 207 ordained ministers, 198 commission ministers, and approximately 55,000 baptized people

2 of God who gather around altars, pulpits, and fonts where Jesus Christ meets us until the end of the age, and where His saving Gospel is proclaimed clearly according to the confession of the Evangelical Lutheran Church all so that our own souls as well as many souls that are not yet part of this fold (John 10:16) may be ushered eternally into the courts of heaven. In closing he stated that as your servant leaders of the LCMS Kansas District, our mission is to support and encourage the members of the District in carrying out the mission Christ has given His Church. Convention Speaker Rev. Dr. Alfonso O. Espinosa, senior pastor of St. Paul s Lutheran Church of Irvine (CA) and vice-chairman of the LCMS Board for National Mission spoke to the real-life implications of the Synodical slogan Witness, Mercy, Life Together, which serves to illustrate how the church lives and works together to proclaim the Gospel and to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ in our congregations, communities and throughout the world. Rev. Dr. Espinosa reported that although when we stand back and look at these three prongs of the Christian faith (mercy, witness, and life together), it may appear that life-together is most instinctive, and therefore the easiest to live out; but, that premise is only partially correct. It is correct in the sense that life together has already been created for us in Christ! However, it isn t easy because our life together in Christ also calls us to daily drown the old man and rise up in the new so that we may confess Christ to all for whom He lived, died, and rose, and to demonstrate His compassion to a world in which love is growing increasingly cold. In three sessions he discussed the implications of our living-together in our congregations, our districts, and finally in the world. Our challenge is to live in Christ and through Him be unified to work with each other towards God s goals and not our own. To live in Him we must receive Him, through what is written and what is poured out...what is taught and what is eaten and drank. His Word and Sacraments create the faith required to receive it and with that faith we can live out our faith in mercy, witness and life together. Word s From Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, Synodical President Rev. Dr. Matt Harrison, President, LC-MS addressed our Kansas District Convention and spoke to the state of the Synod. He reported that the LC-MS, like all mainline denominational church bodies in America, are currently experiencing a downturn in Church attendance and growth, one which he attributes largely to cultural issues; but, also to attrition, and to the fact we in the post Baby Boom era are simply having smaller families. Although he offers things as no excuse for laziness or indifference, he encourages us all to stay focused and stay faithful to our mission as Church to share the Gospel...the Joy of Christ...with all whom we can, trusting that God s Church will prevail. In the face of a world that moves from one tragedy to the next, and in a church body full of saints who happen every one to be sinners too, President Harrison bids us to be like Paul, and to Rejoice always. He reminds us that St. Paul wrote these words to the Thessalonians, who had received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:6). He encourages us to be Joy:fully Lutheran. It might seem a pipe dream, but it isn t. The Gospel is a joyful message that takes sin away and produces joyful saints. This blessed Gospel of Christ s free forgiveness enlivens every teaching, every aspect of being Lutheran. Joy:fully Lutheran is not a program but a divinely wrought attitude, born of the Word of God, which brings repentance. To properly confront all the challenges facing the Church, including that of the demographic challenge of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, we must know the facts. If we don t know the facts that is, why we face what we face our response to our challenges will not only miss the target, they may lead us into unhealthy, unbiblical and negative attitudes that will only exacerbate those challenges, weaken our biblical Lutheran convictions and rob us of joy in Christ and each other. It is his joy to be part of the LC-MS, to be chosen to lead this church body

3 in the honor of a lifetime, he says. But like us, he some days has his challenges. When he does, he looks to St. Paul and to the record of facing challenges he left us in his Epistles. Paul s words in 1 Thessalonians 5: are his prayer for all of us: We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. Election Results PRESIDENT - Rev. Peter K. Lange VICE PRESIDENTS - First Vice-President Rev. Justin Panzer Faith, Abilene (Region 2); Second Vice- President Rev. Scott Snow Holy Cross, Wichita (Region 3); Third Vice-President Rev. Rick Rostek Immanuel, Norton (Region 4); and Fourth Vice-President Rev. Dr. Mark Schulz Trinity, Mission (Region 1) SECRETARY - Rev. David Meier St. Paul s, Junction City BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGIONAL LAY MEMBERS (one from each region) Region 1 - David Bruns Christ, Overland Park Region 2 - Richard Schotte Immanuel, Bremen Region 3 - Curtis Engelbrecht Trinity, Wichita Region 4 - Mark Wolters Redeemer, Atwood LAY MEMBER AT LARGE (3) Bruce Schultz St. John, Alma David Meisinger Grace, McPherson Marvin Schulteis Redeemer, Lawrence COMMISSIONED MINISTERS Jeremy Pera St. Paul, Clay Center Rick Hanebutt Hope, Shawnee Sue Kleber Holy Cross, Wichita DISTRICT NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE CLERGY Rev. Joshua Woelmer (Reg. 1) Zion, Vassar Rev. Alan Stahlecker (Reg. 2) St. John s, Lincolnville Rev. Stan Palmer (Reg. 4) Zion, Offerle & Our Redeemer, Kinsley COMMISSIONED MINISTER Jeremy Pera St. Paul, Clay Center SYNOD NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE CJ Cross Trinity, Salina REGIONAL LAY MEMBERS Region 1 - Marvin Schulteis Redeemer, Lawrence Region 2 - Richard Schotte Immanuel, Bremen Region 3 - Brent Ostgren Immanuel, Wichita Region 4 - Dave Bergmeier Holy Cross, Dodge City Curtis Engelbrecht Trinity, Wichita (alternate) CHAIR, CIRCUIT VISITORS Rev. Paul Tessaro St. Paul, Clay Center

4 CIRCUIT VISITORS (Elected in 2017 at circuit forums and ratified by this District Convention) Region 1 Circuit 1 Rev. Michael Dunaway Circuit 2 Rev. Jason Boetcher Circuit 3N Rev. Joel Schultz Circuit 3S Rev. James (Andy) Keltner Circuit 4 Rev. Don Haselhuhn Circuit 6 Rev. Jon Bruss Region 2 Circuit 7 Rev. Paul Tessaro Circuit 8 Rev. Larry Boye Circuit 9 Rev. Clark Davis Circuit 12 Rev. Dale Dumperth Region 3 Circuit 5 Rev. Dan Ramsey Circuit 10 Rev. Thomas Harmon Circuit 11 Rev. Tom Johnson Region 4 Circuit 13 Rev. Luke Brown Circuit 15 Rev. Michael Schmidt Circuit 16 Rev. Warren Prochnow RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT CONVENTION. Committee #1 Witness The resolution ( ) To Encourage Kansas District Congregations to Support Mission Work Through the Eugene Schmidt Memorial Mission Fund (201-3) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Kansas District Congregations to Use Synod Outreach Materials (195-11) The resolution ( ) To Support Lutheran Mission and Mercy Work in Guinea and West Africa (201-5) The resolution ( ) To Prioritize New Models and Resources for Small, Struggling and/or Isolated Congregations (197-11) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Congregations to Work Together to Plant Churches (187-21) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Congregations to Develop Long-Term Funding Strategies, as amended (160-43) Committee #2 Mercy The resolution ( ) To Affirm the Sanctity of Life (195-2) The resolution ( ) To Support the Well-Being of Professional Church Workers and Their Families (189-10) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Greater Use of the District Retreat Center in Herington by Congregations, Schools and Workers (199-6) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Congregations to Increase Support for Church Worker Scholarship Fund and Educational Loan Repayment (196-7) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Pastors and Congregations to Provide Christ-Centered, Compassionate Care to Those with Mental Illnesses and Disorders, as amended (178-27) Committee #3 Life Together The resolution ( ) To Strengthen Church Worker Marriages and Households (200-7) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Congregations to Welcome Visits from Their Visitor (206-4) The resolution ( ) To Support Catechesis in the Home and Through the Family, as amended (199-11) The resolution ( ) To Recommend and Encourage the Use of Concordia Publishing House (CPH) Curriculum in Kansas District Preschools and Early Learning Centers (Adopted by voice vote) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Congregations to Use Synod, District and LCEF Stewardship Resources (Adopted as amended by voice vote) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Congregations to Use Kansas District Salary Recommendations in Their Compensation Planning (176-12) The resolution ( ) Encourage Congregational Participation in the Church s Plan with Concordia Plan Services (140-50)

5 The resolution ( ) To Foster Active Participation in the Koinonia Project Through the LCMS Kansas District Among Pastors, Laity and Congregations (193-15) Committee #4 Convention Resolutions The resolution ( ) To Approve Standing Rules for the 2018 Convention of the LCMS Kansas District (207-1) The resolution ( ) Kansas District Bylaws Revisions (167-30) The resolution ( ) To Celebrate and Give Thanks to God for the 125th Anniversary of Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska (Adopted by voice vote) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Congregational Training of Leaders for Ministry with Children, Youth and Adults (174-21) The resolution ( ) To Emphasize Cheerful and Generous Giving in Daily Vocations, as amended (Adopted by standing vote) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Colloquy or Other Educational Tracks for Non-Rostered Teachers to be Inculcated into Lutheran Theology (175-17) The resolution ( ) To Encourage Support for the Proposed Startup of Concordia Academy: A Lutheran Liberal Arts Education in Wichita, Kansas (Adopted by voice vote) The resolution ( ) To Study and Recommend Strategies in the Advancement of Congregation-based Older Adult Ministries in the Kansas District LCMS (Adopted by voice vote) Omnibus Resolutions The resolution (Omnibus A) to refer identified overtures to administrative unit listed (Adopted by voice vote) The resolution (Omnibus C) to respectfully decline listed overtures for reasons given (Adopted by voice vote) RESOLUTIONS WHICH FAILED OR WERE REFERRED AT CONVENTION The resolution ( ) regarding the Placement of Seminary Candidates, as amended (Failed ) The resolution ( ) To Require Recipients of Kansas District Scholarships to Complete Financial Education Prior to Receiving Funds, as amended, to be referred to the Board of Stewardship (Adopted by voice vote) Registration Opens 9:00 a.m. Floor Committees report to assigned rooms 9:30 a.m. Floor Committee Open Hearings until 11:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Floor Committees Executive Session as necessary 1:30 p.m. Convention Opening (Sunflower Ballroom) 1:35 p.m. Convention Devotion Rev. Dave Schemm, Fourth Vice-President (Region 1) 1:50 p.m. Introductions and Orientation Rev. Peter Lange 2:00 p.m. Call to Order Introduction to Voting Process Elections Committee Adoption of Convention Standing Rules 2:30 p.m. District President s Report 2:45 p.m. Elections Committee (Election of President) 2:50 p.m. Greetings Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Rev. Bart Day 2:55 p.m. Message LCMS Foundation (video) 3:00 p.m. BREAK (snacks and beverages available) 3:15 p.m. Essay 1: Life Together for Congregations Rev. Dr. Alfonso O. Espinosa 4:00 p.m. Convention Video: Kansas District Mission Grants 4:10 p.m. Resolutions Witness Floor Committee 4:55 p.m. Announcements and Prayer 5:00 p.m. Dinner on your own 5:00 5:10 p.m. Floor committee chairs caucus with District President (Bison Room)

6 5:00-5:10p.m. Advisory pastors caucus with District Secretary (Pioneer Room) 7:00 p.m. Convention Worship (Sunflower Ballroom) Host Congregation: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Norton, KS Sermon Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison 9:00 p.m. President s Reception with Thanksgiving for Debbie Crites Service to the District (Shawnee Room) FRIDAY, JUNE 8 Exhibits open 7:15 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 a.m. Deluxe Continental Breakfast (Sunflower Foyer) 8:30 a.m. Convention Devotion Rev. Justin Panzer, Second Vice-President (Region 2) 8:45 a.m. Greetings Lutheran Laymen s League/Lutheran Hour Ministries, Tim Voelker 8:50 a.m. Greetings Lutheran Women s Missionary League, Brenda Piester 8:55 a.m. Convention Video: Koinonia 9:00 a.m. Resolutions Life Together Floor Committee 10:00 a.m. BREAK (beverages available) 10:15 a.m. Elections Committee (Elections of Vice-Presidents; Commissioned and Regional Lay Members of the Board of Directors) 11:00 a.m. Synod President s Report Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison Noon Announcements and Prayer 12:05 p.m. LUNCH (Delegates Luncheon Buffet in the Emerald Ballroom) Circuit caucuses for CV elections as necessary (to be announced) 1:00 p.m. Q & A with Synod President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison 1:30 p.m. Essay 2: Life Together for Districts Rev. Dr. Alfonso O. Espinosa 2:15 p.m. Greetings Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs 2:25 p.m. Message Mission Central (video) 2:30 p.m. Ratification of Circuit Visitors 2:35 p.m. Resolutions Mercy Floor Committee 3:00 p.m. BREAK (snacks and beverages available) Visit Exhibits (Shawnee Room) 3:30 p.m. Commemoration of the Faithful Departed Rev. Scott Snow, First Vice-President (Region 3) 3:50 p.m. Resolutions Mercy Floor Committee Resolutions Convention Resolutions Committee Elections Committee (Election of Nominations Committee Members and At-Large Board of Directors Positions) Unfinished Business from Witness and Life Together 5:50 p.m. Announcements and Prayer 6:00 p.m. Dinner on your own 6:00 6:10 p.m. Floor committee chairs caucus with District President (Bison Room) SATURDAY, JUNE 7 Exhibits open 7:15 a.m. 10:30 p.m. 7:15 a.m. Deluxe Continental Breakfast (Sunflower Foyer) 7:30 a.m. CV/VP Breakfast Meeting (Election of CV Chair; Pioneer Room) 8:30 a.m. Convention Devotion Rev. Rick Rostek, Third Vice-President (Region 4) 8:45 a.m. Convention Video: West Africa 8:50 a.m. Essay 3: Life Together for the World Rev. Dr. Alfonso O. Espinosa 9:35 a.m. Resolution: Concordia University Nebraska 9:45 a.m. Unfinished Business (Omnibus Resolutions) 10:15 a.m. BREAK (beverages available)

7 10:30 a.m. Unfinished Business 11:30 a.m. District President s Closing Remarks 11:40 a.m. Installation: Board of Directors and Circuit Visitors 11:55 a.m. Convention Conclusion / Adjournment Once again I feel humbled and honored to represent the four congregations comprising the NEK Partnership and to be a part of the Kansas District, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. My thanks to Pastor Kilgo, Michael Bachelor, Carol Walter, and Wes Duesing for devoting their time to review and discuss the business that was to be discussed at convention and forming the consensus that helped Carol in her inquiries and vote castings. A special thanks to Carol for her faithful service as the chosen Lay representative of the Partnership. I d also like to thank Michael Bachelor for allowing me to submit his name in nomination for a seat on the Kansas District Board of Directors. Although Mike didn t win the seat vied for this time around, I pray he will run again and thereby continue to demonstrate his faith and level of love and commitment to the Church by echoing the words of Isaiah (6:8): He am I, send me. In Christ, Pastor Mike or cwa @aol.com