District conventions: about our Father's business
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
Last week, all twelve districts of the synod held their biennial district conventions. These meetings took place in Seattle in the Pacific Northwest District, in Tampa in the South Atlantic—and in all districts between.
District conventions serve several important purposes. The delegates from congregations throughout the synod meet to hear reports on progress that has been made since the last meeting of the synod convention in July 2007. Included in those reports are updates on finances, descriptions of new ministry efforts, and reports on the efforts made to carry out the directives of the last convention. In addition, district conventions typically provide a setting to look ahead to the opportunities and challenges before us in the coming months. They are also a time for the grass-roots members of our synod to provide early advice and input for decisions that will come before the next convention in 2009.
Several topics occupied the attention of delegates in all district conventions. The preliminary report of the Ad Hoc Commission was discussed in a variety of ways. All district conventions were asked to provide reaction and advice for the commission as it works to prepare its final recommendation to the synod convention next summer. Each district approached the discussion in its own way, and the reaction provided to the commission will also come in a variety of formats. One thing was consistent, however. Discussion and debate in all districts was varied, lively, and brotherly. The Ad Hoc Commission looks forward to analyzing the reactions and incorporating district feedback in its final report.
The Year of Jubilee debt retirement offering was also discussed at all district conventions. The support for this effort to retire the synod's capital debt seems to be widespread and enthusiastic. Delegates across the country joined in prayer that God would bless this effort to eliminate the synod's long-term capital debt—not for the purpose of simply being "debt free," but to enable us to utilize our precious resources in the best possible way.
These conventions are more than just meetings. They are evidence of how God works to build his kingdom through weak and fallible human beings, how he graciously gives us the opportunity to serve, and how he uses the time and talents of his people to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
Filed Under: Ad Hoc Commission, Convention, District, Year of Jubilee
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