The Convention Theme of “Chosen for a Purpose” asks us to listen to the Lord God speaking through his prophet Isaiah to give His people 1. A Vision that “They are a Light to the Nations” and also 2. A chiding word that what they were concerned about, “preserving what they had and taking care of their own” was “Too Small a Thing.” I see this message speaking clearly and directly to us in our time as we carry on our ministry together in the congregations of New Jersey District and the LCMS.
My report lists the four desired outcomes adopted by the N J District Board of Directors. 1. To equip our people in Christian Leadership, Discipleship and servant ministry, 2. That church workers would be effective and healthy, 3. That each congregation is outreach oriented in reaching the unchurched, and last but not least, a 4th outcome added 5 years ago, That every congregation be involved in Social Ministry.
We all are living in historic times of change in so many areas of life. This has impacted congregations. This is most clearly seen in the Supplement to the Presidents report in the listing of changes in church worker statistics.
In a District with only 44 full time pastors, to have 7 pastors retire or leave office moving to candidate status in the last three years, plus two who were called to the church Triumphant and two resign from the roster of the LCMS, is indeed a significant change in itself. This was offset by the 16 new pastors entering the District. Ten of whom were coming to us as Seminary graduates, including 2 EIIT, Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology and 1 DELTO, Distance Education Leading to Ordination graduates. Therefore, in the last three years we have had significant transitions in pastoral leadership in almost one third of our congregations. Several of these changes are the direct result of how difficult congregational ministry has become in recent years in an increasingly secular culture, and the financial burdens facing congregations and church workers alike. In addition three congregations closed in those three years resulting in the dislocation of members and significant grief over the conclusion of those ministries.
All of that could make it easy to lose focus on the real mission we have together as member congregations of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The Mission Statement of the LCMS is:
In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world.
The key words after Word and Sacraments are ‘vigorously making known the love of Christ” in our home congregations, in the state, nation and around the world.
On the positive side, as I have visited the congregations of the N J District, I observed that overall they are doing a good job of loving and caring for one another. There is consistent nurturing of the faith, and strong Christian Education for all ages in many places. There is real care in Jesus Christ provided for church members. Many congregations openly speak of the “family” formed by the congregation members. On the other hand, my observation raises the question of, how hard is it to join and become a part of that family.” How earnestly is the “family” trying to grow by reaching its neighbors?
As member congregations of the LCMS in our District Conventions of 2003 and 2006 we endorsed the ABLAZE movement, to actively seek to reach 100 million people with the Gospel by 2017. How is that going in your congregations? In our 2006 District Convention we endorsed the Fan into Flame Campaign to raise the funds needed to accomplish ABLAZE goals in our congregations, District , Synod and around the world. Four of the five pilot congregations ran successful campaigns. Many individuals donated generously and a good beginning was made. Then the wheels came off. The Mission Leader Process developed by Mission Executive, Dr. Anthony Steinbronn is a direct result of those gifts, as are the funds needed to begin supporting the Congregation Revitalization Process.
I have now learned that just passing convention resolutions does not mean they will be actively pursued by every congregation. That is why you will hear several reports on aspects of the Congregation Revitalization Process as we participate in TCN, the Transforming Congregation Network of the LCMS. Now the District is working with individual congregations to turn around the mission focus from internal to external ministry. Currently 17 full time parish pastors, 40% of all full time pastors in the N J District, are involved in Learning Communities leading to beginning the Congregation Revitalization Process. Three Congregation Consultation Weekends and initial step, have been conducted. One congregation recently voted 80 – 4 to moved forward. Over the next year this will include Directive Coaching both for the pastor and congregation leaders. The N J District has trained the Consultants and the Coaches needed for this work. This is the main way that ABLAZE and Fan into Flame is at work in the New Jersey District.
Planting new congregations or having existing congregations look beyond the needs of its own members is only possible when the congregations of the District are healthy. That means, as our Mission Statement says, “responding to God’s Grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament,” is descriptive of congregational health. To have all that Grace coming into a congregation, and just staying there, with the people present is, “Too Small a Thing” as God said through Isaiah. Ancient Israel went into exile because of their idolatry. That is why Congregation Revitalization is so essential. Dr. Steinbronn will cover the Revitalization Process more fully in his report.
Congregations of the New Jersey District are to be involved in missions of compassion , mercy, and service in their communities as well - Social Ministry. On Friday, Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey will make a major presentation on its highly effective social ministry programs. It is so effective, I fear the danger of people thinking, “Social Ministry” that is what LSMNJ does for us. A main emphasis in my service on the LSMNJ Board of Trustees over the last three years is to Chair the Strategic Planning Committee. As a result, several years ago we initiated a new LSMNJ staff position to work with congregations to establish Community Partnerships. This person will help congregations assess congregation strengths and community needs and then develop together a ministry to address those needs. Connecting with a congregation’s community is a key emphasis in Congregation Revitalization.
I rejoice in the new partnership with LCMS World Missions, who has placed Rev. James Buckman as Mission Strategist in the Newark, NJ area to address reaching immigrant populations and revitalizing existing congregations. He will be installed at tonight’s worship service. Dr. Steinbronn will introduce him to you during his presentation.
Times are still changing. The challenges to ministry and mission are greater than ever. More importantly it signifies the abounding opportunities to reach people with the Gospel. They are right in the neighborhood of our congregations. I thank God for the variety of ways the congregations of the New Jersey District are vigorously making know the love of Christ in word and deed over the last three years. There is still so much more to do and so many unchurched people to reach.
In Dt.31:6, Moses spoke these inspired words to the Children of Israel after they had wandered 40 years in the wilderness, and just before entering the Promised Land.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified… for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you or forsake you.”
Let us go forward with the courage and Strength to be a Light to the Nations as those Nations are coming to live in New Jersey.
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