The convention is a time of inspiration, em- Michigan In Touch August/September 2006

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1 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your Love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints I do not wish, brother, that I may have some benefit for you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ." Philemon 4-7, 20 ver 900 delegates and guests gathered at Concordia University, Ann Arbor on June 25-28, 2006 for the 98 th Michigan District Convention under the theme taken from Philemon 4-7, 20 Celebrating God s Faithfulness: Redeemed Refreshed Ready. The delegates and guests were there to conduct official business, build a sense of fellowship as the Body of Christ, celebrate God s work during the past 125 years, and be challenged and inspired for greater service together. The Chapel of the Holy Trinity was filled to overflowing on Sunday evening as worshippers gathered to praise and give thanks through the sharing of the Word and Sacrament. The organ music, brass, and choir led the worshippers to join together and raise anthems of praise in the opening worship of the 98th Michigan District Convention. The service began with an inspiring processional with Synodical and District banners and crucifer as the congregation sang A Mighty Fortress is Our God. In his message, Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, president of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, drew from the text of II Corinthians 5 where Paul states: For Christ s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. God is making His appeal to the world through us and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. We are God s ambassadors, by grace, living for Him in a world that is characterized by harsh words, provoked anger, abuse, addiction, separation, divorce, and man s inhumanity to man. We are fortified for this life through Word and Sacrament. The convention is a time of inspiration, em- 6 Michigan In Touch August/September 2006

2 The vocal and brass choirs were directed by Mr. Brian Altevogt of Concordia University, Ann Arbor. Mr. Scott Hyslop (St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth) served as organist. The preachers included: Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick (LCMS Synodical President), Rev. Donald Neuendorf (St. Paul, Ann Arbor), Rev. Dr. Albert Collver III (Hope, DeWitt), Rev. Daniel Meckes (Faith, Bay City), Rev. C. William Hoesman (Michigan District President), Rev. David Fleming (Our Savior, Grand Rapids), Rev. Dr. John Heins (Former President of the Michigan District), and Rev. Farrukh Khan (People Of the Book Lutheran Outreach). Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick preaches at Opening Worship. The vocal and brass choirs were directed by Brian Altevogt of Concordia University. powerment, and motivation to share the message of reconciliation to the world. Jesus died for all is applicable in our lives inside and outside of the church and Christ commits this message to us wherever He sends us. May we all carry on, Redeemed Refreshed and Ready All eight worship services were main highlights to convention goers. The orders of service were taken from the new Lutheran Service Book (see article on page 32). Convention Committee member, Rev. Stephen Starke (St. John, Bay City), coordinated all of the services and penned the lyrics to the 125 th Anniversary Hymn. Rev. Dr. C. William Hoesman was re-elected as District President for a fourth term on the first ballot. Delegates elected four regional vicepresidents as follows: Rev. David P.E. Maier (Our Savior, Lansing); Rev. Dr. Wayne H. Wentzel (Faith, Grand Blanc); Rev. Michael J. Roth (St. Peter, Eastpointe); Rev. Dr. K. Frank Graves (Shepherd of the Lakes, Brighton). Other elections included Board of Directors members, Church Extension Board members, 2009 Convention Nominating Committee, and Circuit Counselors. A full Rev. C. William Hoesman pictured with wife, Barbara, after his re-election to a fourth and final term. election report is available on page 28 and will be published in the 2006 Convention Proceedings, due to be mailed in the Fall. Orders of business included the adoption of five new congregations which officially became members of Synod. They are: Heart of the Shepherd, Howell, Lightouse Lutheran, Pentwater; Open Arms, Belleville; Grace, Canton; Family of Christ, Alpine Township. Thirteen resolutions were presented, discussed and voted upon. Two resolutions which were discussed and passed included such things as increasing financial support for LCMS Professional Church Work Students and Programs and to encourage Each of Our Congregations to Register for Ablaze! Tabulation Project. A full listing of final resolutions can be found on-line at During sessions, delegates were introduced to two documents recently published by the District - Partners in Ministry: Michigan District 7

3 Ethical Conduct for Congregations and Partners in Ministry: Ethical Conduct for Professional Church Workers. These documents are also available on-line at Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, preached at the Opening Worship Service and gave the synodical report to the convention. In this report, he encouraged the assembly to take seriously the focus on One Mission, One Photo by Debby Fall Message, One People. He challenged the delegates to be faithful in their role as Christ s ambassadors to those who do not know Christ as their Lord and Savior. He also opened the floor for a time of Q & A, addressing questions regarding worship, outreach, getting along, his latest witness to a non- Christian, communion practices, the Ablaze! Initiative and its challenges, and nondenominational church growth. Rev. Joel Lehenbauer Photo by Debby Fall Rev. Dr. Joel D. Lehenbauer addressed the convention answering the What-Why-How of The Office of the Ministry/ Priesthood of Believers. This is a highly and somewhat hotly debated topic. Dr. Lehenbauer walked the assembly through some of C.F.W. Walther s teachings on church and ministry which the Synod has recognized as the definite statement on this issue under Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. He stated, Why then, is it so important that we understand what the Bible says about the relationship between the pastoral office and the priesthood of all believers? because a clear and unified understanding of this position will greatly enhance our efforts to carry out the Great Commission under God s grace and blessing, and a failure to understand and embrace this position will greatly hinder our ability to carry out God s mission in a unified and God-pleasing way. Dr. Lehenbauer s complete presentation can be read at Small Group discussion facilitated by Galan Walther followed Dr. Lehenbauer s presentation. In President Hoesman s address to the convention, he stated, In the early 1830s, Pastor Friedrich Schmid, a pioneer Lutheran pastor, arrived on a mission from Germany. His mission was to bring the Word of God to Michigan German immigrants and those native born who had not heard the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Schmid walked many miles all over southeastern Michigan reaching up into the thumb and the Saginaw Valley. Through him, the Lord Jesus laid a mission mindset that remains characteristic of the Michigan District today. From the 1830s until 1847, congregations were planted and ministry developed. In 1847, several Michigan congregations were among the charter members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). Initially, the LCMS was not divided into Districts. However, in 1855 the Northern District of the LCMS was organized, Photo by Linda Ekong 8 Michigan In Touch August/September 2006

4 consisting of Michigan and Wisconsin. Then in 1874, there were changes. Wisconsin became an independent district, taking also the Upper Peninsula. As Wisconsin was leaving, Ontario became a part of the Northern District until 1878 when the Ontario District was established. That same year, the Lower Peninsula of Michigan was the only state/province in the Northern District. In 1881, the Northern District adopted the name Michigan District and it wasn t until 1967 that the eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula rejoined the Michigan District. A historical booklet has been put together which briefly summarizes the history of the Michigan District. Today, we celebrate the development of over 380 congregations and ministries and 235,000 members that comprise the Michigan District. The fact that every one of these congregations was once a mission start is a reflection from early history that continues into the present. This booklet is available by sending your name and address and $2 for shipping and handling to: Michigan District, LCMS; 3773 Geddes Road; Ann Arbor, MI Special events commemorating the 125 th anniversary were planned and implemented throughout convention. Vignettes, period attire, old-time photos, and a celebration dinner were all highlights of convention. The Board of Directors of the Michigan District, as the caretaker of the vision and mission of the District, has determined that two of the long term goals for the congregations of the Michigan District are: Intentional Mission Development and Recruiting, supporting, and deploying Professional Church Worker Students. While the Michigan District has been blessed for many years with wonderful pastors and teachers, within ten years there will be a shortage of professional church workers due to the staffing of new mission congregations as well as the retirement and death of the current workforce. Even though there are 235,000 individuals in over 375 congregations in the Michigan District, the need for intentional mission development to reach out to the lost with the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ is urgent today. There are many areas in the state in which 50% or more of the people are unchurched. It is in these areas that the District seeks to fulfill the goal of beginning new mission congregations. The Future is Now provides a unique opportunity for the congregations and members of the churches to provide a wonderful thank offering for the blessings received from our Lord. Each of us should rise to these continuing challenges, and make a difference for the future that can only happen through shared purpose and common goals. To disciple the saved and evangelize the lost has been a consistent message throughout the history of the Michigan District and its congregations. While our efforts to date are commendable, there are still people who do not know of the life-changing, saving grace of Jesus. Rev. Paul Werner, Missionary at Large for the Michigan District in 2005 summarized these thoughts when he said, After 125 years, we ve far from reached the people of Michigan. There are so many unchurched folks who don t know Christ, they would be lost forever unless we reach them with the Gospel. That is what the 125 year history of the Michigan District is about, bringing people to Jesus. Michigan District 9

5 Mr. Ronald Steinke, CEO of the Michigan District Church Extension, handed President Hoesman a check in the amount of $350,000 to cover all administrative costs and development costs so that every dollar that is donated will go towards the fund. He then presented a check in the amount of up to $1,000,000. For every $1,000,000 raised, CEF, will match it with $100,000. The Michigan District has a wonderful history of men and women who have answered the call of Matthew 9:37-38, Then he said to his disciples The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. In 2004, almost 200 Michigan District professional church work students attended our seminaries, universities, and colleges. Yet the need for Professional Church Workers at this time in the history of the Church cannot be overstated. Rev. Galen Gruelke from Heart of the Shepherd echoes those words, With more mission churches being planted and those reaching out to those that do not know Jesus Christ, we need more and more full time church workers. While we clearly need additional students, the financial support to assist those who have answered the call in past years has been far below the cost of tuition and expenses. In the past five years the support has averaged about $400 per student. The Future is Now campaign seeks to address these issues. With the anticipated shortfall of workers due to additional outreach opportunities with synod wide mission development, retirements and death the Michigan District through your support, wants to turn the tide for the next five years to encourage more men and women to follow the call the Lord offers. The Future in Now is a three-year campaign which targets raising $10,000,000 to directly support mission development and recruiting and supporting professional church work students. At the convention, the Michigan District Church Extension Fund (CEF) gave the Michigan District a check in the amount of $350,000 to completely cover the administrative costs of the campaign. CEF also presented a check that represented the amount of $1,000,000. For every $1,000,000 raised, CEF will match it with $100,000. Words fitting for the completion of this article come from President Hoesman as he concluded his address to the convention The Lord has great things in store for us in addressing the unique challenges at this juncture in the history of the Michigan District and our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. By His grace, when we pull up anchor Wednesday, we will continue our ministry voyage, with sails filled with the breath of the Spirit, moving forward in ministry, with sails yet to be unfurled, that we might gain in effectiveness. May our hearts rejoice at celebrating God s faithfulness, not only for 125 years past, but for 125 years to come! By His grace we are His Redeemed, Refreshed, and Ready church! Soli Deo Gloria! 10 Michigan In Touch August/September 2006

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