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.

The SED Convention of the LCMS opened today in Norfolk, VA.

President John Diefenthaler has been re-elected by the convention to serve another three-year-term.

Of note, Pres. Diefenthaler is proud of the mission work being done in the district and the growth being shown. However, he reiterated that mission work begins with the congregation. Something we at Trinity are very mindful of.

We also heard from LWML and Lutheran Hour Ministries/Lutheran Laymens League.

LWML reiterated that 3/4 of donations stay for mission work within the district. They also reported that all of LWML contributed $80 million to the LCMS. They suggested there be a “mitebox” Sunday every quarter.

LHM/LLL brought forward a very interesting statistic regarding families attending church. If it is the child that is interested, 3% of families attend. If it is the wife that is interested, 17% of families attend. If it is the husband that is interested, 93% of families attend. I’d be interested to know where they found that statistic and what constitutes attendance, etc.

Chesapeake Community of Hope is now, officially, a new congregation! Congratulations! They were one of three to be introduced.

Rev. Thomas Zhender of Lutheran World Mission reported on the Ablaze! movement. What interested me was in addition to what you might consider traditional mission work in Asia, South America and Africa, there is also mission work here at home and in Eurasia. The Eurasia work is being done to bring folks back to their Christian heritage and tradition.

Personally, I am sitting at a table with some lovely folks from NC, MD, and VA. Altogether, there are three laypersons, myself included, and four pastors.

We were led today in worship (which included the election of president), by LCMS president Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick. Perhaps the greatest thing I recall from his proclamation is that even in great difficulty and tragedy, calling on the name of Jesus as our salvation provides us refuge and strength. It was truly a spirit-filled message.

One of the things that strikes me about this convention is the wonderful mix of music between traditional hymns and contemporary praise. All for the Glory of God. The two forms can definitely be mixed.

Finally, I am being introduced to “Listening Prayer.” What it does is help focus and direct decision-making. Hopefully, I can learn enough about this and we can implement it at our own council and voters meetings. It’s very powerful. From what is reported by the district, they use it at district meeting and it does not slow meetings down, but actually speeds things up because more folks allow the Holy Spirit to guide them and bring clarity to their decisions. Having only just briefly been exposed to this, I can say the I believe it.

All congregant members are invited to review the budget for the church and school Sunday Apr. 26 and provide their feedback.

The following week, on May 3, we will be reviewing, voting and approving the yearly spending plan.

Be sure to check your issue of the Trinitarian for the budgets.  Otherwise, shoot me an email at president@trinitylutherannorfolk.org and I’ll send you a copy.