SED Convention Day 2: State of the District and Q&A on the Synod

Day 2 of the convention is underway and we have heard a report from Pres. Diefenthaler on the state of the district, had a question and answer session with Pres. Kieschnick, and approved a couple of bylaws.

Here are some things of note…

First, from Pres. Diefenthaler, he spoke about the 70th Anniversary of the district and that the same core mission of the district remains almost the same as it was in the beginning, and that is it is a mission truly given to us from God and that the same urgency still exists. In 1939, it was the looming war. Today, it is economic uncertainty. The bottom-line is that the grace that comes from Jesus Christ still needs to be shared with the community.

Diefenthaler stated that the Ablaze! goals are well on the way to being met. By Oct. 31, 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Church, the Southeastern District is looking to meet certain goals in prayer, faith-sharing moments, mission teams, outreach, etc. As I become more aware of these goals, I will share them with Trinity.

The president also was extremely proud of the fact that 118 congregations and 166 major donors, at a nearly 50-50 split, contributed close to $5.9 million to Ablaze! This is just short of the $6 million goal, but well beyond the $2 million that many said was the most possible.

Diefenthaler also explained the motives to change the staff at the district and that there are three full-time in-house directors for Mission Development, Congregational Outreach, and Stewardship and Finance. There are also three deployed facilitators to help with urban outreach, spiritual life, and church transformation. The motive to change is to have a staff that meets the following question: What kind of staff does the district need to meet mission goals by 2017?

which leads to a question for not only the district, but also us at the congregational level: What decisions do we need to make today to ensure the implementation of our mission tomorrow?

While the district has also upped its tithing to LCMS, it has implemented a salary freeze, cut travel expenses, and has gone to some business practices for some cost savings. It is their goal to demonstrate responsible stewardship.

Second, just a couple notes form Pres. Kieschnick’s Q&A:

He said that the single greatest threat to the synod from within are who is eligible to receive holy communion and the role of women, particularly with respect to ordination. He also said that from outside the synod it is a shift from being Biblical, Evangelical Lutherans in a churched country to exisiting “in a society that is indifferent, if not downright hostile, to the Christian faith.”

He addressed the issue of same-gender marriage and homosexuality and that the recent hate-crimes legislation passed in Congress may pose a challenge to our church as we continue to refuse to marry homosexuals.

“Culture is a huge challenge as we continue to be faithful and evangelical,” said Kieschnick. “But we must continue to speak the truth in love and do whatever it is to remain faithful in the face of criticism and harrassment.”

Regarding the service of women as voters, layleaders, council members, etc. He said that the LCMS does not prohibit a woman’s franchise nor ability to serve, accept in cases where they supervise ordained ministers.

“I do not believe LCMS will change it position on the ordination of women,” he said.

However, he also mentioned that congregations are welcome to express there dissent though congregational assemblies and regional gatherings, stating that a synodical convention does not always present the best location to discuss differing theological perspectives. within the by-laws of the LCMS, processes of dissent do exist.

Finally, Pres. Kieschnick is excited about three documents from the Council on Theological and Church Relations which will discuss Male and Female relations, the Environment, and inter-Christian relationships (something the council has been working on since 1981).

To conclude Pres. Kieschnick reminded the convention that God has given us all the ability communicate the “unsearchable riches of Christ” within our congregations and community.