Bishop’s Blast
Keeping you informed…
 
Ready or not…
If August was “I’m not ready yet” (see last month’s blog) then September is “Ready or not here it comes.” By “it” we, of course, mean the busyness of September ministry. For all of us September has hit, if not literally at least figuratively, like a hurricane. Here at the DO (District Office) the month started with renovations on the office (painting came first and floors are being scheduled), a coaches training event, Council of Presidents orientation, Council of Presidents Meetings, and a spattering of other meetings. In the midst of all this, we paused to be with our dear brother Phil and his family as we mourned the passing of wife/mother/friend Barbara (please continue to keep them in your prayers). I venture to say that your list of things was/is just as long, if not longer. Now we look at the calendar and are shocked to see it is already the second half of the month! Ready or not, it came.
Through it all God is gracious. He is with us in the storm and by his word is calming the turbulent seas. His word spoken to us and through us is used by him to create and sustain faith. Yes, September requires some extra from us as we ramp up after the summer lull, but this is also our joy. We are serving our Lord. God bless you in your Fall ministries.
 
A friendly welcome
I would like to encourage all of our congregations to make a special effort in giving a friendly welcome to members and visitors on Sundays and at all of our events. As I have visited our congregations I have not always been received that way. It is rather disconcerting when, after entering the church, someone looks at me and turns away without saying a word. Now, maybe it is because I am wearing a collar and I am a strange and unexpected sight. I hope so, but my fear is that this happens with visitors who are not wearing a collar!
As we all know, first impressions are critical to welcoming guests. Guests are nervous wondering what this place will be like and if they are truly welcome to be there. A simple smile and hello can make all the difference in the world. Surprisingly, even though our members are the hosts they are sometimes shy and uncertain when they encounter a guest. I have heard some rather defensively say, “Well what if I make a mistake, what if they are not really a visitor but a member?” Well, so what? Member or guest, we should always be free and generous with a smile and hello.
This should all go without saying. As a pastor I always asked our visitors if they were greeted warmly. And if I ever heard of a tepid welcome you can bet there was an announcement the next Sunday about remembering to welcome warmly our guests. No one was excused; everyone was expected to share the love of Christ with a smile and hello. If more conversation can follow, great! But at least a smile and hello. Pastors, leaders, let’s work hard to help make our congregations a place were everyone is welcomed warmly.
 
Installation
It is with great joy that we gathered to welcome a new pastor into our midst. Rev. Jon Dunbar was installed at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hopewell Township on August 28th. Our pastors do a great job of encouraging one another and this was again the case as many were present for the installation. Welcome Jon! We look forward to getting to know you better and working with you for God’s kingdom.

50th Anniversary
This year it is with great joy and thanksgiving that we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our District. In 1972 the old Atlantic District was separated into three separate Districts; the New England, the Atlantic, and the New Jersey District. To remember and celebrate the focused ministry of the New Jersey District we will have a service of thanksgiving on Saturday October 29th at 3:00 pm at the Princeton University Chapel, Princeton University. Our hope is to have 500 worshippers gather (that’s just 10 from each congregation!) Three of our four living past and present District Presidents will be with us and the current District Presidents from Atlantic and New England will bring greetings.
Our theme is Christ: Our Past, Our Present, Our Future. We will remember, give thanks, and pray for God’s blessings on the ministry of the NJ District. We anticipate the joined voices of the congregation, the choir, and the special organ music all in the very special setting of the University Chapel. The worship folder will include a listing of our congregations and a brief history of the District. After the service there will be a reception in the courtyard outside the chapel. In the end it should be a wonderful day. We encourage you to come and bring at least 10 people from your congregation to help us reach that 500 in attendance mark.
To God be the glory!
 
Church Worker Appreciation
October is Church Worker Appreciation Month. President Harrison has written to all of our Synodical congregations and schools encouraging them to show thanks for the gift of pastors and other church workers. I would like to join him in encouraging you in this effort. A card or note of thanks and appreciation can mean a lot. Tell you pastor why you appreciate him. I always loved being with my people so it was very special when a group of leaders took Cheryl and I out to dinner (or even breakfast). Being a part of their lives on a casual basis and hearing a simple word like “Thank you for being our pastor” lifts and energizes the spirit. Your pastor and church workers will be better pastors and church workers when you thank and encourage them.
 
 
Small Church Clarity and Coaching Update
Our second round of Small Church Clarity has just begun this month focusing on the churches in the central and southern portions of our District. These churches will be meeting for four sessions in September, October, November and January. As with the first round, they will finish with a Master Plan for ministry for the next year. In addition, they will produce a publicity piece to hand out to visitors and at outreach events. We pray for God’s blessings on the seven churches participating.
We have now trained six coaches to work with those congregations involved with the Small Church Clarity. Coaches are not advisors or consultants (telling the congregations what to do) but rather those who guide congregations into greater diligence and deeper thinking to overcome barriers and remain on task. We pray these efforts will result in kingdom growth in these congregations.
 
Conclusion
As always, your District stand ready to help in as many ways as possible. The real ministry happens with you at the congregational level but we pledge to come along side of you for encouragement, support, and guidance whenever we can. Together we pray that God will grant a new season of growth among us.

God bless you,
​Bishop/President Gewecke

I’m Not Ready Yet!
For me August has always been “I’m not ready yet month.” Maybe that is because in my immediate
family I have fours birthdays and an anniversary to celebrate or perhaps it is because we traditionally
took our family vacation in August. Whatever the reason, I was never ready for August to turn into
September and always sought to cherish the last days of summer.

Perhaps you are feeling the same way whether or not you have family birthdays and a pending vacation.
The more relaxed pace of July and August is a welcome break and the thought of ramping it up again
may come with some feeling of hesitancy.

This is all quite normal and in fact, as we talked about last month, it is good for us to slow down a bit
and rest. But I also found, as the month crept toward September, that my hesitancy turned into
anticipation and then into excitement and finally eagerness. By the Tuesday after Labor Day the burners
were on full blast.

OK, we’re not there yet, I know. We are still mourning the passing of August and clinging to the last days
of the slower pace. But can’t you feel just a tinge of the excitement of full-blown ministry again? I pray
that you feel the joy of serving and the anticipation of the ministry September will bring. Pastors, church
leaders, use some of this August time to do some planning. Get ahead of the schedule. Yes, enjoy a
more relaxed pace but do it with an eye toward the joy of increased ministry in September.

Congregational Music and Singing
I would like to share with you something that has been on my heart for a number of months now and
may prove helpful. It is regarding the music and singing in our churches. We love to sing and as I visit our
congregations I have noted how this joy abounds. But I have also noted how some of the upper range
notes can be difficult for people to reach.

Why? In talking with the Music Director of the church where I used to serve, he shared how he has
noticed the same phenomenon. He believes this happens partly because, as we grow older, our voices
loose range but also because the average range of people has lowered from 50 years ago. The result is
that more people have problems reaching the higher notes.

The solution? Well, what if we lowered the music a bit? As we continued the conversation, the Music
Director said that when he plays he simply takes the music down a half step, or in some occasions a
whole step! At least for me, that made a difference. I could once again reach the D in the

Pastoral/Assistant’s part of Divine Service II, This Is the Feast! And I suspect it makes it reachable for
many of you in the congregation response that uses the same words and notes or in the many hymns
that are set quite high.

Such an adjustment is not without its challenges. Musicians must review each piece of music to
determine if that piece needs a change and if so, how much. There are decisions to be made and extra
work. In addition, not all musicians can make the change. If you are working with an electronic organ
then using the modulator can make it easy. Other organs that do not have this feature might require
greater skill that some organist may not possess. So, this solution may not be possible in all situations.
Honestly, I am not a musician and I have little expertise in this subject. So please forgive me if I am not
expressing things musical in the best way. But I hope you understand the subject I am raising. What I am
suggesting is that pastors and musician have a meaningful discussion about the situation in your
congregation. Perhaps it is not a problem. Great! But if you can make singing better, more accessible
and joyful for the people of your congregation then it is worth the discussion.

God bless your worship together. And I would be interested in how your discussions go or if you have
other ideas.

IMD, Small Church Clarity Update
This month marks the fourth and final session of our initial offering of Small Church Clarity (I-80
Corridor). We had a high participation and retention rate for the four sessions. We are excited for these
congregations as they get ready to implement their ministry plans in September and the coming year.
The wonderful thing is that, not only do they have a ministry plan for the coming year, but they also
have learned a process by which they can repeat and adapt their plan for future years. We are
anticipating blessings for these congregations in both the shorter and longer terms.
A second Small Church Clarity will start in September. This one will be held at churches along the I-195
Corridor for our central and southern congregations. The invitations have been sent and seven
congregations have made a commitment to participate! There is still time for others to join but I will
need to know asap since the start date is only a month away.

Coaching Update
The NJD Coaching Network is up and running!
This month we are training coaches for our network. Scott Gress Leadership, Consulting, and Coaching
has been contracted to do the training. The Atlantic District has been invited to send candidates to this
training as well. We expect nine from NJ and three from Atlantic to complete the reading, webinar, and
in-person training this month. Monthly online sessions will continue the training into next year.
As a result, coaches will be available for our pastors and congregation who desire ongoing support as
they participate in and complete Small Church Clarity and NJD University. Coaches do not bring their
own agenda to a coaching session. That agenda is set by the pastor and determined by the needs of the
pastor and congregation. The purpose of a coach is to help the pastor and congregation to continue

moving ahead with their goals and priorities. The anticipated outcome of this coaching network is that
our pastors and congregations, in the midst of the busy lives that we live, be able to stay focused on
ministry priorities and accomplish more of those priorities.

We anticipate a great blessing for and greater ministry from our pastors and congregations.

Deacon Training Update
We are now enrolling students in the NJD Congregational Lay Deacon training. Classes for our first
cohort begin the evening of Tuesday September 13 th . The class offering is Interpreting the Scriptures.
This is a great way for our deacons in training to begin. They will learn the rules (yes, there are time
tested rules) for faithful interpretation of the Scriptures that will be a foundation for their studies and
proclamation of the gospel throughout the time of their service.

Please understand that classes are online. This of course eliminates the travel time and should make
scheduling and participation easier. The cost is $150 for a 4 week/8 hour class and $300 for a 8 week/16
hour class. Interpreting the Scriptures is an 8 week/16 hour class.

We are also allowing individuals to register and take this first class without being officially accepted into
the NJD Congregational Lay Deacon Program since the timeline between the establishment of the
program and the first class is so short. It is expected that those desiring to enter the program will
complete the enrollment requirements (nomination letters from congregation and pastor) as soon as
possible.

Please contact me if you have questions or I can help.

LWML Convention
It was a joy to spend a recent Saturday morning with the ladies of the NJD LWML. They obviously have a
wonderful time being together and furthering the mission of the LWML. I am always impressed by both
the District and national missions they adopt. I refer you to their article to see the goals they have
adopted for the coming year. I also encourage you to support their chapter activities in your
congregation.

Installation
We are eagerly looking forward to the installation of another pastor here in NJ. Rev. John Dunbar
accepted the call to St. Peter, Hopewell Township. He has arrived in NJ, is in the process of settling in
with his family, and will be installed on Sunday August 28 th at 3:00 pm. Pastors and people of our
congregations are invited to attend. LCMS clergy are invited to vest with red stoles and participate.

Conclusion
So, while it is still August I look forward to another birthday party and hope to sneak in another visit to
the shore. But along with you I have an eye toward September and the Tuesday after Labor Day. As the
days pass, the blessed anticipation of September ministry grows. May God use you in powerful ways for
his glory. Fire up!

God bless you,
Bishop/President Steve