Sundays

 

                                                         KING’S KONNECTION         September 2010

Pastor Mark’s Ponderings

“REPORT ON THE LC-MS CONVENTION”

Every three years the LC-MS meets in convention. The 64^th Convention convened July 10-17, 2010, in Houston, Texas. I served as Pastoral Delegate representing Circuit #30 (Austin North) of the Texas District. It was the longest LC-MS convention to date, lasting eight days with two additional days of pre-convention open forums. One hundred and sixteen resolutions and items of business were brought before the Convention. What follows is a summary of the convention business items along with some concluding comments. A more detailed report is available at church. I will also be reporting on the convention during the Adult Bible Class hour on Sunday, September 5. I present this summary categorically, not in any order of importance or significance.  

1.  Reports from President Kieschnick and Treasurer Kuchta

The opening reports of President Kieschnick and Treasurer Kuchta set the tone for the convention in stating we cannot continue doing the business of the church as we have been. The structure is broken and the money is declining. President Kieschnick delivered a strong, impassioned report reminding the delegates and guests that we need to be looking ahead, not back, as we engage in ministry. Dr. Kuchta provided the clearest view of the rationale and the financial impact of the restructuring process. Kuchta spoke in favor of restructuring because the LC-MS is in financial crisis, which can only be addressed in the manner in which we organize mission and ministry. 

2.  Synod Structure and Governance

The entire first day of the convention was spent debating nearly thirty resolutions presented by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance. Significant decisions included Resolution 8-08A, to realign national Synod ministries around two mission boards:  an Office of National Missions and an Office of International Missions. In an effort to streamline offices and improve efficiency in Synod, this resolution eliminated seven existing boards and two existing commissions (approximately 40 positions). 

Additionally, this resolution made all Synodical staff (with the exception of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations) accountable to an officer of the Synod. Current mission and ministry functions were reassigned to the two Mission Offices, the Synodical President, the Board of Directors, the districts, or other LCMS agencies. Delegates also adopted a resolution that enables every congregation to vote for the Synodical President and 1^st Vice-President through electronic means. Currently, individual congregations could only nominate candidates and the present/vice-presidents are elected by convention delegates. 

3.  Administration and Finance

These resolutions dealt with creating adequate funding of the mission of the Synod at all levels. Questions were addressed concerning in what ways, to what extent, and with what resources we will continue to ask the national Synod to be involved in leadership in mission and ministry. All resolutions presented by this committee were generally non-controversial and adopted.

4.  Missions

The mission of the LC-MS is “vigorously to make known the love of Christ.” It is the heartbeat of our existence and gives direction for our life as a church body. The formidable fiscal, spiritual, and human resources of our Synod must be focused intentionally and strategically on accomplishing God’s mission in our country and world that we “might win some” for Christ. All resolutions concerning missions were adopted. 

5.  District and Congregational Services

The primary focus of these resolutions are for the provision of proper and adequate resources to congregations and professional church workers of the LC-MS by the national Synod and its districts. All of these resolutions, but one, were adopted.

6.  Theology and Church Relations

These resolutions regarding our theology and our relationships with other church bodies promoted a great deal of discussion. Most dealt with the recent actions of the ELCA.  Many of these resolutions were never resolved. 

7.  Seminary and University Education

These resolutions addressed the recruitment and training of professional church workers.  Church workers particularly need to be identified and equipped for mission and ministry in a culture largely indifferent or even hostile to Christianity. Most of these resolutions were adopted.  

8.  Human Care

These resolutions dealt with how we express Christ’s love to others. Human care incorporates the larger picture of offering relief from suffering, especially in times of national or world catastrophe. All human care resolutions presented were adopted overwhelmingly.  

9.  Ecclesial Matters

These resolutions addressed matters of planning and administration, which should enhance the mission of the church.  All ecclesial resolutions presented were adopted.

10.  Praesidium Elections

   Postion               Name                                                    Current Position

President             Matthew Harrison (53.8%)          Director, LCMS World Relief & Human Care

1^st VP                  Herbert Mueller (52.8%)               President, Southern Illinois District

2^nd VP                 John Wohlrabe (51.7%)              Pastor, Concordia Lutheran, Geneseo, IL

3^rd VP                  Paul Maier (56.7%)                      Professor, Western Michigan University

4^th VP                  Daniel Preus (50.3%)                   Pastor, Hope Lutheran, St. Louis, MO

5^th VP                  Scott Murray (50.1%)                   Pastor, Memorial Lutheran, Houston, TX

Summary and Comments

The general tone of the Convention was contentious and unsettling.  While the theme was “One People Forgiven” I left feeling our church body is not a united people and we lack the ability to truly forgive and accept one another.  It was well noted that our church body’s in-fighting has been a great detriment to our Christian witness over the last thirty-five years. Correspondingly, our Synod has also been in membership decline over the last thirty-five years.   

Before the convention, the President of the Synod and the LC-MS as a whole needed to be in our prayers. The same is true after the convention.  With the exception of Paul Maier, there was a complete leadership change in the Praesidium, in the various Board of Directors, and in the Board of Regents of our universities and seminaries. We should remember in our prayers President Kieschnick and his staff as they transition out of office and President-elect Harrison and his staff as they transition into office. The different opinions expressed at the convention on a number of issues have not disappeared. Just as President Kieschnick inherited a church split on some issues, so President-elect Harrison inherits a church split on issues. An election will not and does not change this fact. While the future of God’s Kingdom is not in jeopardy; unfortunately, perhaps the same can not be said of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.  We need to pray for our church body and especially for our leaders.

Most delegates left the Convention feeling disappointed about some aspect of the church business. People who were against the restructuring left disappointed that many things from the Blue Ribbon Task Force were adopted. Most votes on the various resolutions and elections were close, leaving those on the short end feeling disappointed. The political tone of the convention discouraged people from talking to each other as sides were decided and action taken. The divisiveness in our synod was undeniably obvious. Interestingly, the divisiveness is not theological, but rather ideological and practical. 

In summary, the convention was unpredictable and, at times, exhibited a schizophrenic atmosphere. Many of the structural changes the current administration was advocating were adopted; then the current administration was voted out of office.  The new administration is now saddled with the challenge of administrating the Synod under a new structure that they did not support.  The impact on congregations these significant structural and ideological changes implemented by this Convention remain to be seen.  May God give us the grace and fortitude to be faithful servants of His Church in these uncertain times!

Pastor Christopher’s Contemplations

Faithfulness

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;

I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,

not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

                                                                                                                    Matthew 5:17-18 

            Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets is no small feat. There are many iotas and dots that can occupy your attention, even if it’s for just a short while.  Forget for a moment about the big stuff: the virgin birth, proclaiming justice to the Gentiles, and so on.  There are all kinds of little things needing fulfilled: fleeing to Egypt as a child, living in Galilee as an adult, riding into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey. They simply won’t pass away until everything is accomplished.

            Well, Jesus accomplished every iota and dot, every little thing needing fulfillment.  He did it all. “It is accomplished,” he said from the cross before his last, dying breath. He wasn’t lying, he wasn’t being dramatic, he wasn’t giving false hopes to those reading the Gospel of John 2,000 years later.  He accomplished everything, which is exactly what he was sent by God to do.  He was faithful in doing what God sent him to do—and still is doing today, by the way.

Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

      Revelation 2:10c

            These words of our Lord are a simple invitation to imitate him: being faithful until death—because being faithful can only kill you, something only he knows very well.  You will not be rewarded by this world for being faithful. Jesus was faithful in every respect, and death was his reward at the hand of God himself.  Yet, Jesus’ faithfulness ultimately knew of the promise of resurrection, and thus ultimately passed through death itself to life immortal.

            In this way, although the fruit of faithfulness has a glossy-finished skin, it proves to be quite bitter to the taste.  Yet, the most bitter and sour also prove to be the most rewarding and the most beautiful.  They transcend all our anticipations and limitations, and bring us to a life that exceeds the present reality.  So it is with faithfulness, with the Spirit’s continual guidance.

40 Days of Purpose

In the Spring of 2005 King of Kings congregations engaged in the “40 Days of Purpose” journey.  It was a journey that helped identify who we, as Christians and as a congregation, are in the eyes of God.  The 2005 campaign was very successful. 

Today many of our people were not present here in 2005 or did not participate in the earlier campaign. We are presenting a variation of the “40 Days of Purpose” journey again this Fall. For six weeks (September 7 through October 18) we will journey through “40 Days of Purpose.” The events of the Campaign will give us opportunities to not only learn about God’s five purposes for our lives, but to commit to new practices that will help us live out the five purposes from day to day. 

Let me share with you an overview of “40 Days of Purpose”:  This is a spiritual growth campaign, not a fundraising campaign. It explores God’s five purposes for every person’s life, answering the question, “What on earth am I here for?”

“40 Days of Purpose” is for every person in our church.  It includes daily reading from The Purpose-Driven Life book by Rick Warren. Copies are available at church for $5.00.  Each Sunday’s sermon will address the theme of the week which participants will be reading daily. The Sunday morning Bible Class hour led by Pastor Mittwede (9:30-10:30am) will have large and small group discussions about reflections from the past week’s reading.

On Sunday, September 6, we will start our “40 Days of Purpose” journey.  To participate in the journey, Read The Purpose-Driven Life (a chapter a day), attend Sunday morning worship, and attend the Sunday morning Bible Class. 

In Romans 5 we are reminded that while we were yet sinners – Christ died for us.  He did not leave us all alone but came to us and gave His life for us to set us free from our sins.  However, we are not only sinners saved by a loving God.  We are His body!  We are His Church! As 1 Corinthians 12 says, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” In this body, we all have different parts and all the parts are important.   

“40 Days of Purpose” is His Church fulfilling God’s agenda in His world. Nothing brings more glory to God than having His Church, His people, fulfilling His Purposes. Because “40 Days of Purpose” is about God’s Kingdom, it is much bigger than any individual. We must work together “to serve God’s purpose in our generation” (Acts 13:36). Please don’t miss out on this opportunity. May “40 Days of Purpose” be rich in blessings for each of us individually and for us as a congregation corporately. 

 

                                              The “40 Days of Purpose” Schedule
                                              WEEK 1:         SEPTEMBER 6-12

                                    THEME:       “WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR?”

                                    READING:      THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE” (CHAPTERS 1-7)

                                    WEEK 2:        SEPTEMBER 13-19

                          THEME:       “YOU WERE PLANNED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE”

                                    READING:     THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE” (CHAPTERS 8-14)
                                   
                                    WEEK 3:        SEPTEMBER 20-26

                   THEME:      “YOU WERE FORMED FOR GOD’S FAMILY”

                           READING:    THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE” (CHAPTERS 15-21)

 

                                   WEEK 4:        SEPTEMBER 27-0CT0BER 3

                            THEME:       “YOU WERE CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST”

                          READING:     THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE” (CHAPTERS 22-28)

 

                                  WEEK 5:        OCTOBER 4-10

                THEME:       “YOU WERE SHAPED FOR SERVING GOD”

                        READING:     THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE” (CHAPTERS 29-35)

 

SERMON SUBJECTS

 

 

 

SARAH SAYS

Everything is changing

 

This fall our Elementary Sunday school is changing a little bit, well actually a lot 

 

First off, we are changing where we do the opening.  Elementary opening now will be in Room 3 in the office wing (across from my office).  There will be skits, songs, and so much more. 

 

After opening the students will break into 3 groups or teams.  Each group will go to a different learning center.  There are 3 learning centers. Over a 3 week time period, the groups will experience each learning center.  The learning centers are Bible Story and Me, Service project, and an Interdisciplinary area.  The Bible Story and Me will walk through a Bible story and teach how the story effects  everyday life.  Students will also learn monthly Bible verse.  The Service project will also review the Bible story for that unit and work on a service project that supports the story from that unit or the 6 week theme.  The interdisciplinary learning center will focus on using different learning styles to understand the Bible story better. 

 

Yes, you read correctly our elementary students will focus on 1 Bible story for 3 weeks.  The goal is to have them not just learn the major characters of the Bible, but also more about their lives, society, and how God’s love and grace is constant and never changes. 

 

If you would like to learn more about the new Sunday school program, come on Sunday, September 5^th and you can walk you through the new program and how it will work, and then all Sunday school students are asked to join us for Rally Day on September 12th, where we will be “Gearing up with GOD”, picking our team names and decorating team pennants.  If you have any questions please feel free ask me.

 

Pastor Richard’s

OUT REACH OUTPOST

Ideas and encouragement for your personal outreach and gospel sharing with the people around you.

 

There’s an ad campaign by a wireless communication company whose theme is “Why just talk?”   The idea is to promote the various other features of their service including texting, face booking and “tweeting”.  You don’t have to “just talk” with people.  There are so many other options for communication. 

 

My response to the question “why just talk?” is kind of simple:  Because I like the sound of your voice.    I prefer talking on the phone with someone, or even better yet, in person with them rather than texting and the like.   Those are not bad ways of communicating, but they can seem to be less personal. 

 

A personal relationship, and personal communication with someone seems almost necessary for gaining the ability to share the gospel of Jesus with them.  

I encourage you to look for such opportunities to share with them, but to do so “voice to voice”.  Seek to talk personally with them.   A voice proclaiming the good news of Jesus is a beautiful sound!  

 

I’m reminded of a verse from a hymn about God’s strong, effective and beuatiful sounding Word: 

 

Give us lips to sing Thy glory, Tongues Thy mercy to proclaim, throats that shout the hope that fills us, mouths to speak Thy holy name.

Alleluia!  Alleluia!  May the light which thou dost send fill our songs with alleluias, alleluias without end!     LSB - 578

Be Seen – Be Heard

(and may it be your voice that is heard!)

Keep on meeting and talking to new people at church!!!

 

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Studies
Date	Topic	Teacher	Location
9/12 – 10/10	Purpose Driven Life	Pastor Richard Mittwede	Fellowship Hall
9/19 – 11/7	Christianity 101	Pastor Mark Dankis	Shepherd’s Room

 

PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE: Beginning on September 12^th, the adult Sunday School topic will be on discussing “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. This will be a much smaller version of the larger program of study of this book. The large and small group discussions will take place Sunday mornings in the fellowship hall. Pastor Richard will lead the 7-week series study and what this book can mean for Lutheran Christians.

 

RALLY SUNDAY is the time of year when we emphasize the importance of Christian education for both adults and children. This year Rally Sunday is on September 12. This is an excellent time to re-enroll children in our Sunday School program. Sunday School meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (between the worship services). The new Sunday School year also begin on September 12.

 

CHRISTIANITY 101 is an introductory adult class to the teachings of Christianity.  The class meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (between the worship services) beginning on Sunday, September 19.  This eight-week class, taught by Pastor Dankis, covers the teachings and practices of the Lutheran Church and the mission and ministries of King of Kings.  The class carries no obligation; however, it is preparatory for church membership.  Any interested KOK visitors and current KOK members are welcome to attend.  The class meets in the Shepherd’s Room   (next to the Sanctuary).  Please call the church office for more information. 

 

JUNIOR CONFIRMATION CLASSES

The Junior Confirmation Classes are now meeting on Sunday Evenings from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.  If you have a Child or know a child in 6^th, 7^th, or 8^th grade you would like to enroll in the Confirmation Program, please call the church office.