2021 District Convention Updates
A Warm Welcome to our New District President!
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Rev. Steve Gewecke was elected as the new LCMS New Jersey District President! He will take over for President Steinbronn who officially retires at the end of August this year after serving three terms as DP.
Rev. Gewecke previously served as the 1st VP to our district as well as Pastor to St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hopewell Township, NJ for over thirty years. He is very much looking forward to serving as our new District President! |
New Vice Presidents
Rev. Deric Taylor (1st VP) - Our Savior Lutheran Church, Fair Lawn, NJ - previously 2nd VP
Rev. Craig Lutz (2nd VP) - Holy Faith Lutheran Church, Oak Ridge, NJ - first term
Rev. Philip Ressler (3rd VP) - Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Old Bridge, NJ - first term
Additional Elections
Rev. Tim Drawbaugh was elected as Secretary, Mr. Chris Koerner as Treasurer, and the newly elected Circuit Visitors are as follows: Rev. Robert Holsten, Rev. Nathan Schultz, Rev. Eric Rieker, Rev. Chris Sadlo, Rev. David Small, and Rev. Christopher Schonberg.
Other Highlights
Resolution 21-02: Rev. Casey Kegley introduced this resolution ‘To Make Disciples of All Nations’, so that congregations make a renewed commitment to make disciples of all nations using resources available through the district and other sources and joyfully share their stories of discipleship with their members and District. This included a change in wording of “...through their proclamation of the Gospel,” to “...through their witness to the Gospel.” This motion passed with 95.38% to 4.62% (62 to 3).
Resolution 21.04: Rev. Matt Hass introduced this resolution to encourage New Jersey District Congregations to Respond to the Growing Opioid Crisis in the State of New Jersey. He noted that it is not only a physical battle but a spiritual one (Romans 8:22). Motion passed by a show of hands.
Resolution 21-05: Ecclesiastical Supervision is best handled by an ecclesiastical supervisor who lives in the midst of those whom he has been elected to supervise since he knows the church worker and the congregations that are being supervised; moreover, this ministry of ecclesiastical supervision has been expressly conferred only upon him in Article XII 7 and Bylaw 4.4.5. It is the premise of this resolution that Bylaw 2.14.5.a-e, when it grants the power and authority to the Synod President to suspend a Member of Synod as a “suspending ecclesiastical supervisor,” contradicts Articles XI A.1; XI B.1-3; XII 7; XII 8 and Bylaw 3.3.1.1.b of the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws. This motion passed with 87.3% to 12.70% (55 to 8).
The Synodical Report was given by Rev. Chris Esget, who also delivered the Convention Sermon on Friday evening, based on Acts 2:41-47.
Resolution 21.04: Rev. Matt Hass introduced this resolution to encourage New Jersey District Congregations to Respond to the Growing Opioid Crisis in the State of New Jersey. He noted that it is not only a physical battle but a spiritual one (Romans 8:22). Motion passed by a show of hands.
Resolution 21-05: Ecclesiastical Supervision is best handled by an ecclesiastical supervisor who lives in the midst of those whom he has been elected to supervise since he knows the church worker and the congregations that are being supervised; moreover, this ministry of ecclesiastical supervision has been expressly conferred only upon him in Article XII 7 and Bylaw 4.4.5. It is the premise of this resolution that Bylaw 2.14.5.a-e, when it grants the power and authority to the Synod President to suspend a Member of Synod as a “suspending ecclesiastical supervisor,” contradicts Articles XI A.1; XI B.1-3; XII 7; XII 8 and Bylaw 3.3.1.1.b of the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws. This motion passed with 87.3% to 12.70% (55 to 8).
The Synodical Report was given by Rev. Chris Esget, who also delivered the Convention Sermon on Friday evening, based on Acts 2:41-47.