2014 Lutherans Engage the World - November - December

LutheransENGAGE theWORLD

November ndash December 2014 Vol 3 Issue 2

MORETOGETHER

3

2

2 Radically Free to Serve

3 A Holy Calling

7 Beating the Bushes

888-THE LCMS (843-5267)wwwlcmsorg

November ndash December 2014 vol 3 no 2

inspire


Engaging the Church in the work of witness and mercy across the globe in our life together

LUTHERANS ENGAGE THE WORLD is published bi-monthly by The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod

copy 2014 The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod Reproduction for parish use does not require permission Such reproductions however should credit LUTHERANS ENGAGE THE WORLD as a source Print editions are sent to LCMS donors rostered workers and missionaries An online version is available (lcmsorglutheransengage) To receive the print edition we invite you to make a financial gift for LCMS global witness and mercy work Unless otherwise noted all photos are property of the LCMS

Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible English Standard Versionreg (ESVreg) copyright copy 2001 by Crossway Bibles a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers Used by permission All rights reserved

7

involve

engageinform

S TA F FMark D Hofman executive director mission advancementDavid L Strand executive director communicationsPamela J Nielsen executive editorErica Schwan manager design services Melanie Ave staff writerMegan K Mertz staff writerErik M Lunsford photojournaliststaff writerCarolyn A Niehoff designerChrissy A Thomas designer

6 10 Questions

10 Doing More Together

12 Auxiliaries Helping Extend the Gospel

15 Synod amp Tanzania Lutherans Partner to Spread the Gospel

16 RSOs Walking Together to Bear Mercy

19 Partnering in Mercy

21 Cutting Unnecessary Costs

E D I T O R I A L O F F I C E314-996-1215 1333 S Kirkwood Road St Louis MO 63122-7295lutheransengagelcmsorgwwwlcmsorglutheransengage

MORE TOGETHER It is both bane and blessing to serve in the

LCMS Communications department Bane in that we

are responsible for keeping abreast of the news and

information about the LCMSrsquo multiple ministries and

efforts to share the Gospel and communicating all of it

in a timely and engaging manner My colleagues and I

often go home fully spent

The blessing is that we are responsible for keeping

abreast of the news and information about the LCMSrsquo

multiple ministries and efforts to share the Gospel

and communicating all of it in a timely and engaging

manner My colleagues and I go home exhilarated and

thankful to be part of it all

From where we sit we have a pretty good view of the

work of the LCMS mdash and just between you and me that

view thrills me I love that in our name The Lutheran

ChurchmdashMissouri Synod we tell the world how we

relate to each other Synod means to ldquowalk togetherrdquo

and wow is God ever blessing that walking together

Universities colleges and schools global witness

and mercy work urban rural black Hispanic youth

life and health campus and worship ministries are

but a few examples of the amazing work going on in

partnership with parishes districts partner church

bodies Recognized Service Organizations and our two

mission-minded auxiliaries the LWML and LHM And

this is just the tip of the iceberg

In an age that worships individual achievement we

in the Church have a better way I know from where

I sit that we accomplish more together and sustain it

longer and more fully than any of us working alone

Thatrsquos the theme for this issue of Lutherans Engage the

World as we focus on stewardship and the many rich

partnerships we have in the LCMS

Join us in celebrating how God blesses and brings us

all together to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth

This is your story and itrsquos amazing

Walking with you for Christrsquos sake

Pamela J NielsenAssociate Executive Director

LCMS Communications

Cover image Shara Cunningham an LCMS career missionary in Kenya East Africa assists a woman to a van for transport to the hospital during a Mercy Medical Team clinic Cunningham is able to share the Gospel in Africa thanks to a network of support that includes individuals congregations Mission Central and groups like the Lutheran Womenrsquos Missionary LeaguePHOTO LCMS COMMUNICATIONSERIK M LUNSFORD

21

15

designate your gift here

The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod

St Paul really nailed it ldquoFor freedom Christ has set us free stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery hellip For you were called to freedom brothers Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh but through love serve one another For the whole law is fulfilled in one word lsquoYou shall love your neighbor as yourselfrsquo But if you bite and devour one another watch out that you are not consumed by one anotherrdquo (Gal 51 13ndash15)

In the midst of the Galatiansrsquo controversy over circumcision Paul gave the Church its seminal teaching on how Christians

should relate to each other in all matters not specifically commanded or forbidden by the Scriptures No man is an island No pastor is an island No layperson is an island No congregation is an island No district is an island No church body is an island

The Gospel gives us extreme freedom We are free from the Law There are very few prescriptions or rules in the Bible on just how we are all to relate to each other as members of the same confessional fellowship There are few laws about worship fewer about polity But the New Testament teaches over and over again that the Church is a body mdash in fact the mystical body of Christ ldquoIf one member suffers all sufferrdquo (1 Cor 1226) We are baptized into Christ (1 Cor 1213) All parts of the body are needed but they are different and serve different purposes ldquoThe eye cannot say to the hand lsquoI have no need of yoursquordquo (1 Cor 1221) And we all have different vocations or gifts for service to the greater body

Over the past decade and a half as Irsquove viewed (especially) many tribal cultures it has become evident to me that we American Lutherans have a very hard time working together as a body We are first and foremost individuals even rugged individualists ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo And so the description of the ancient kingdom of Israel is true all too often in the Missouri Synod ldquoEveryone did what was right in his own eyesrdquo (Judges 176) We very often get cross-ways with each other We have conflict within congregations between congregations within districts and even with partner churches

Luther summed up Paulrsquos teaching brilliantly in a tract called ldquoOn Christian Libertyrdquo (1520) Lutherrsquos two theses are as follows ldquoA Christian is a perfectly free lord of all subject to none A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all subject to allrdquo

Forgiven in Christ we are absolutely free We have a free conscience We are free to act according to that free conscience so long as itrsquos informed by Holy Scripture But freed in Christ we are servants of our

neighbor We self-impose limits for the sake of love and the well-being of our neighbor We are willing to use our radical freedom to serve and be ldquosubject to allrdquo Think about Christ washing His disciplesrsquo feet Think about His death ldquoThe Son of Man came not to be served but to serverdquo (Matt 2028)

And so it is with us In our homes in our congregations in our circuits and districts in this Synod and in its worldwide connections we are always cognizant of ldquothe greater goodrdquo for the sake of the Gospel We like to go it our own way And thank God He very often works such human failings for good Nevertheless we are called to be one body through one Baptism into one Lord And as yoursquoll see from this issue of Lutherans Engage the World what the Lord allows us to accomplish together is mind-boggling

Pastor Matthew HarrisonPresidentThe Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod

Radically Free

Serveto

2 lcmsorgLUTHERANSengage NovemberndashDecember 2014 lcmsorggivenowglobalmission

nspire

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Children to baptize Newcomers to catechize People in the pews who are glad to be in

church receiving the Lordrsquos grace and giving Him their praise Thatrsquos the mental picture we have of a thriving congregation We certainly donrsquot think of tense budget meetings stressed-out treasurers and being forced to choose between this or that ministry due to a lack of funds Yet after the Baptisms have gotten fewer and farther between and the attendance is suffering and folks are grumbling itrsquos often the ldquostewardship symptomsrdquo that force a congregation to face the fact that something needs to change So they set out on a stewardship project or a financial overhaul hellip but the solution is not financial because the problem is not really financial either

Instead itrsquos the other way around Revitalized stewardship comes from revitalized Christians people of God who see and understand the purpose for which God has set them on earth in a particular congregation family and community

Communicating this message is the task of LCMS Stewardship Ministry As part of the Office of National Mission Stewardship Ministry helps pastors and congregations teach the Word of God regarding one aspect of Christian sanctification imitating God in sacrificial generosity

The Rev HR Curtis coordinator for LCMS Stewardship Ministry and the Rev Nathan Meador assistant coordinator are both parish pastors practicing what they preach in their service to the Synod

ldquoWe know the struggles that pastors and parishes are facing in terms of financesrdquo says Curtis ldquobecause we both face them every day For me thatrsquos in a small church in a rural setting For Pastor Meador itrsquos in the setting of a large church and school with a huge staff The challenges are different but the biblical theology and practice are the samerdquo

Curtis says that the Lutheran approach needs to keep stewardship firmly placed within the pastoral and theological task ldquoStewardship doesnrsquot stand on its own itrsquos part of our sanctification And that means stewardship begins with Law and Gospel repentance and faith mdash and then moves toward educating people with the Word concerning the new Christian liferdquo

by Pamela J Nielsen with HR Curtis A Holy Calling

3NovemberndashDecember 2014 lcmsorgLUTHERANSengagelcmsorggivenowglobalmission

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One key concept for LCMS Stewardship Ministry is vocation God has given each of us a holy calling in the home in the Church and in society These holy callings give purpose to our lives and make a claim on our presence and our support

Stewardship Ministry gets this message out through the many resources it produces and the speaking engagements Curtis and Meador conduct throughout the year mdash as well as through specialized conferences and training sessions

At wwwlcmsorgstewardship pastors and congregational leaders will find all kinds of things to help them teach stewardship in a biblical manner The ldquoA-Z Stewardship Resourcerdquo collection includes everything from nuts and bolts advice for building a yearly stewardship emphasis to theological essays laying out the biblical case The most popular resources are the devotional and educational pieces designed to keep stewardship in front of the congregation throughout the year weekly devotional ldquoblurbsrdquo for the bulletin based on the lectionary readings

monthly newsletter articles and a monthly resource for stewardship leaders called StewardCAST

Online resources are a big help in leading the congregation but when it comes to training new leaders in the realm of stewardship nothing beats face-to-face contact Last spring Stewardship Ministry held the National Stewardship Leadership Conference and more such conferences are in the works Pastors and lay leaders from across the country were introduced to Stewardship Ministryrsquos approach and were challenged to be more intentional in teaching vocation stewardship and sanctification in their own ministry settings This fall both Curtis and Meador will be speaking at district conferences and at

a variety of other events The focus is on teaching pastors how to bring the Word of God to bear on stewardship in a faithful and godly way

ldquoChristians who understand the great purpose for which God has called themrdquo says Curtis ldquobecome joyful Gospel-motivated givers who see their local congregations for what they are colonies of the kingdom of Godrdquo

And who wouldnrsquot be excited about being part of the kingdom of God

Pamela J Nielsen is the associate executive director for LCMS Communications

The Rev HR Curtis is coordinator for LCMS Stewardship Ministryu Learn more wwwlcmsorgstewardship

ldquoChristians who understand the great purpose for which God has called them become joyful Gospel-motivated givers who see their local congregations for what they are colonies of the kingdom of Godrdquo mdash Rev HR Curtis

t A child is baptized at Ascension Lutheran Church St Louis Mo


t The Rev James Rust participates in a worship planning session at Trinity Lutheran Church St Louis Mo

p Participants sing during a worship service at St John Lutheran Church Sewards Neb

q Deaconess Lynnette Fredericksen leads the childrenrsquos choir at St Paul Lutheran Church Hamel Ill


CHURCH WORKERS

Showing amp Sharing

Godrsquos Loveby Melanie Ave


10 Qwith the Rev Dale Kaster

Questions

Acquiring residence permits setting up a home in a foreign land learning a new language petting a crocodile even dealing with a bout of malaria These are a few of the experiences the Rev Dale and Suzanne Kaster new LCMS career missionaries to Ghana have had since moving from Jacksonville Fla to the West African country on May 11 Despite the challenges Kaster says they have been continually blessed and he encourages LCMS members mdash both church workers and laypeople mdash to consider serving the Lord in Africa

nform

1Describe your work in GhanaThe work that brought us here was to

help the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana train men in the northern part of the country for the pastoral ministry To do that we have based ourselves in Tamale the largest city of northern Ghana Tamale used to have a Lutheran congregation that has since folded so I have been holding Lutheran worship here for the faithful and as an outreach to non-Christians and non-Lutherans alike

2What prepared you for this work Twenty-four years of parish ministry

in the States has been a huge factor Daily struggling with the Word of God and applying it to the lives of the hurting broken and sinful have helped me understand how life in the Church is a rich blessing of God imparting to us His grace for our every need hellip But without a doubt it is our daily prayers mdash asking for wisdom strength and grace to accomplish our task mdash that keeps us constantly ldquopreparedrdquo Added to these are the prayers of the many who have partnered with us as supporters

3 As a network-supported missionary (NSM) from where does your support come

NSM missionaries raise the funds needed to support their work through visits with parishes ministries and partners We have been blessed to have what we need and then some The monies needed to pay for our ministry come completely out of that account

4 What is the most extraordinary form of support yoursquove received

A young lady in Iowa was moved to offer all of her confirmation gift monies to our work through Mission Central She has since saved up other monies and donated them to our work

5 How does the Synod support you as a missionary

The most important thing is that the Synod encourages us through prayer It gives us much strength to know that those who supervise or work with us here are praying for us hellip Also the staff of the LCMS Office of International Mission helps us finance large items (car computer etc) They also make sure that we are not in any danger

6 What is most challenging about your work

No matter how long one lives with an ethnic group you never can fully understand their worldview and culture So when you take the universal message of salvation in Christ Jesus to them you need to make sure that they are being reached where they are Therefore you need to begin with the Small Catechism mdash

what is Law and what is Gospel what is sin and what is grace and most importantly who and what is our blessed Savior Jesus Christ

7 Most rewardingA young man who was driving our cab in

Accra [the capital city] was asking us about our faith He had attended a church that had not properly preached Christ I had an opportunity to share the cross of Jesus with him and how it delivered to him full forgiveness of his sins His response was ldquoFinally I get itrdquo Those things make the sacrifices here most endurable

8 What has surprised you about your new home

That when the rain comes down hard our floor slab actually leaks and we are OK with it

9 What do you miss from homeNot to be trite but our family and time with

them around the dinner table But we also miss the conveniences of the States fast food pre-made food a grocery store

10 What advice do you have for people who are considering missionary

serviceBe flexible Things change here from day to day You just have to trust it all to God who sees the whole picture

Megan K Mertz is a staff writer for LCMS Communications

Find a missionary to support wwwlcmsorgmissionarysupport

Follow the Kastersrsquo missionary journey wwwfacebookcomKastersinGhana

by Megan K Mertz

PHOT

OS D

ALE

KAST

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nspire

THE

ldquoWersquore willing and ready to go out

and beat the bushesrdquo The Rev Dr

Carlos Hernandezrsquos voice proves he

means business ldquoWe go into their

homes and ask them how we can

care for human beings with human

needs waiting for the Holy Spirit

to move themrdquo he explains ldquoAnd

often He does Whenever we share

the Gospel people say lsquoReally

Salvation by grace Itrsquos a free giftrsquo

Some people cryrdquo

PHOT

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by Adriane Heins

Beating Bushes

t The Rev Dr Carlos Hernandez director of LCMS Church and Community Engagement

Beating the bushes is easy because Hernandez director of LCMS Church and Community Engagement isnrsquot doing it alone Partnerships between congregations districts and the Synod are making in-roads across the country

ldquoBy invitation we assist districts or congregations that are interested Usually itrsquos a double partnership because the district is often already helping the congregationrdquo he explains

St Johnrsquos Lutheran Church Beardstown Ill is one such example of a lay-led joint venture ldquoThe congregation is in a community that has over the last 20 years become increasingly Hispanicrdquo says Hernandez ldquoThe members of the congregation said to the pastor lsquoWe really need to reach out to the growing Hispanic population in this townrsquo The pastor agreed but he also knew the church didnrsquot have much moneyrdquo

When the Rev Doug Evenson mentioned this obstacle one lay member took it as a challenge He simply asked ldquoHow much does it costrdquo recalls Hernandez Thatrsquos when the congregation ldquobrought up the idea of a partnership mdash both in terms of finances and as a mission development mdash between the congregation and the district and the Synodrdquo

The ball was already rolling Using the Synodrsquos Gospel Seeds model mdash where congregations focus on mercy finding out from their neighbors what human-care needs the church can help them meet which leads them to opportunities to bear witness to Christ mdash Hernandez and congregation members got to work ldquoYou canrsquot just put up a sign and say lsquoYrsquoall comersquordquo Hernandez says ldquoWhen I met with the congregation in Beardstown I asked them lsquoWhat Hispanics do you know Do you know Spanishrsquordquo

The congregation made a lengthy list of names and then started knocking on doors ldquoWe asked them lsquoWersquore from St Johnrsquos Wersquore reaching out to the Latino population What are some of the needs you see in our communityrsquordquo Hernandez recalls

Starting conversations through acts of mercy sets Lutherans apart from other

groups who knock on doors he notes ldquoWe start with mercy and then bear witness according to the Holy Spirit and then move to life together as He draws them into the Churchrdquo

What Do Lutherans BelieveThe congregation offered the Latino community the use of the gym which was no longer in use since the churchrsquos school

Pastors teachers deaconesses parish music directors and other church workers serve the Church in its vital ministries

ldquoLetrsquos partner Letrsquos reach out with the Gospel We have an enormous mission field Why shouldnrsquot werdquo mdash Rev Dr Carlos Hernandez


q Vicar Jason Gullidge (left) the Rev Doug Evenson (center) and children cheer during a break in the vacation Bible school action at St Johnrsquos Lutheran Church Beardstown Ill

PHOT

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closed Then the church started English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes ldquoPeople were drawn in quicklyrdquo Hernandez recalls

Then a woman from the community named Maria Guijosa offered her help both in translating and in locating local and county services families could use Before long ldquoSt Johnrsquos became a Hispanic center for people to inquire about human needsrdquo Hernandez says ldquoAnd then they started asking the same question they always ask What do Lutherans believerdquo

The Rev Pablo Dominguez pastor of a Hispanic mission in the LCMS Central Illinois District was quickly on the scene visiting every couple of weeks while simultaneously leading a Bible class Soon though the congregation members pushed for even more ldquoCan we get a vicarrdquo Hernandez recalls them asking ldquoWe need someone here for them every dayrdquo

And they did Jason Gullidge a vicar from Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne Ind who is still learning Spanish now assists with a variety of Hispanic ministry opportunities like hosting ldquoSunday school to our community and our members and every other Saturday a gathering similar to a church service (religious movies songs a message and a prayer) led by

Pastor Dominguezrdquo Gullidge says noting plans for more are in the works

Acts of MercyUltimately Gullidge and Evenson believe this partnership enables them to ldquoshare the Gospel of Christ through acts of mercy while helping with daily needsrdquo

The Central Illinois District is now putting funds on the table in addition to what the congregation gives while the Synodrsquos Hispanic Ministry staff members continue to offer time counsel and expertise

This tri-fold partnership ldquoallows new ideas to be shared resources to be increased and our work to be synchronized around the worldrdquo explains the Rev Bart Day executive director of the LCMS Office of National Mission ldquoAll of this means the Gospel is proclaimed to the ends of the earth and Lutheran churches grow as the Word is taught and the Sacraments are administered Walking together in our life together is a tremendous witness to the world of our shared missionrdquo

And as for that witness ldquoIrsquove never seen this much love and excitement in reaching out to Hispanics in all my yearsrdquo acknowledges Hernandez ldquoItrsquos an amazing thingrdquo

Adriane Heins is managing editor of The Lutheran Witness and editor of Catechetical Information

Learn more wwwlcmsorggospelseeds

PHOT

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ldquoOur need for funds to assist church workers has quadrupled especially during the recession Wersquore still feeling the effects of that Our need far exceeds what we budget When your church worker is in need the church suffers The church is in trouble if we donrsquot care for our workers in times of crisis I would challenge individuals and congregations to care for the workers of the church so that the clear proclamation of the Gospel is made through workers who arenrsquot burdened with economic concernsrdquo mdash Rev Dr Carlos Hernandez


PHOT

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nother opportunity for collaboration involves the care of the Churchrsquos workers ldquoA church may be small and canrsquot afford a pastor

anymore or a pastor has an illness These are financial crises and church workers are not immune especially since they donrsquot get a whole lot of money to start withrdquo explains Hernandez who also spearheads Soldiers and Veterans of the Cross two programs that provide emergency support and pastoral care for LCMS church workers active or retired based on financial need

ldquoItrsquos a team effortrdquo President Dwayne Lueck of the LCMS North Wisconsin District says referring to the way in which his district cares for its church workers especially those in financial or emotional crisis

Often the district and the Synod will go 50-50 on providing financial assistance to a worker in need ldquoIf a worker needs $3000 to cover medical bills not covered by insurance the North Wisconsin District pays $1500 and asks us if we can grant $1500rdquo explains Hernandez ldquoPresident Lueck has become really adept at watching for those kinds of issues Hersquos able to identify the needs and he responds quickly by saying lsquoHerersquos the situation Can you help us Can we work together Can we respond together to the need of this particular workerrsquordquo

And together they do often getting funding to the person in need in a week or less ldquoOnce we learn of the need there is great communication between my office as district president and the Synod office about how we can address the needrdquo Lueck acknowledges ldquoThere are generous people who have stepped forward with their financial gifts to assist workers at a difficult time in their lives We are asked to steward those gifts and together we are able to meet the concerns that arise The gift allows me to assist the workers of our district flock What a blessingrdquo

ldquoWe are always looking for partnersrdquo Hernandez agrees ldquoSo letrsquos partner Letrsquos reach out with the Gospel We have an enormous mission field Why shouldnrsquot we Why wonrsquot we We have such a wonderful gift in the gift of the pure Gospelrdquo

Taking Care of Church Workers

A

35 PARTNER CHURCH BODIES

Doing More Together SYNODWIDE ENTITIES

Concordia University System (CUS)wwwcusedu CUS provides for the education of pre-seminary students ministers of religionmdashcommissioned other professional church workers of the Synod and those desiring a Chris-tian liberal arts education and it coordinates the activities of the Synodrsquos colleges and universities

Concordia Publishing House (CPH)wwwcphorg CPH the ofcial publisher of the LCMS offers more than 8000 products for use in Christian congregations schools and homes

Concordia Plan Services (CPS)wwwconcordiaplansorg CPS is the benets provider for more than 6000 LCMS congregations schools universities seminaries and other organizations in the United States and in mission elds worldwide

Concordia Historical Institute (CHI)wwwlutheranhistoryorg CHI maintains the ofcial archives for records of the LCMS and its agencies congregations and workers

Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)wwwlceforg LCEF facilitates faith and the reaching out to others with the Good News through investments loans and services that help build transform and keep our church vital

The LCMS Foundationwwwlfndorg The LCMS Foundation provides Lutheran donors with charitable expertise and opportunities to ensure that families are provided for and beloved ministries are supported

AUXILIARIES

International Lutheran Laymenrsquos League (LLL)wwwlhmorg As the ofcial menrsquos auxiliary of the LCMS the LLL is the governing body for Lutheran Hour Ministries a Christian outreach ministry

Lutheran Womenrsquos Missionary League (LWML)wwwlwmlorg As the ofcial womenrsquos auxiliary of the LCMS the LWML encourages and equips women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and to support global missions

THE LCMS

Congregations and SchoolsIndividual Christians are joined together around the Word and Sacraments within the congregation Congregations the basic units of the Synod have joined together to form the Synod and relate to one another through it There are 6136 congregations and 2255 Lutheran schools

DistrictsThe Synod divides itself into districts and authorizes its districts to create circuits Districts and circuits are includ-ed among the component parts of the Synod There are 35 LCMS districts

AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS

2255 LUTHERAN SCHOOLS

SY

N

OD W I D E E N T I T I E

S

10

CO

LL EG E S A N D U N I V E

RS

I TI E

S

ldquoI thank my God in all my remembrance of you always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until nowrdquo

(Phil 13ndash5)

wwwlcmsorgpartnerchurch There are 35 church bodies worldwide with which the LCMS is in altar and pulpit fellowship

RECOGNIZED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS (RSOs)

wwwlcmsorgrso The LCMS works with 325 RSOs mdash including 175 organiza-tions and 150 schools mdash to extend its mission outreach education and social ministry These independent organiza-tions agree to foster the mission and ministry of the LCMS and to ensure that their programs and services are in harmony with the doctrine and practice of the LCMS

TH

E L

UTH

ERAN CHURCHmdashMISSOUR

I SY

NO

D

2 S E M I N A R I E S

INTERNATIONAL LUTHERAN COUNCIL (ILC)

wwwilc-onlineorg The ILC is a worldwide association of established confes-sional Lutheran church bodies that exists for the purpose of encouraging strengthening and promoting confessional Lutheran theology and practice centering in Jesus Christ both among member churches and throughout the world










AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

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by Megan K Mertz

Throughout The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synodrsquos (LCMS) history its two auxiliaries mdash the International

Lutheran Laymenrsquos League (LLL) and the Lutheran Womenrsquos Missionary League (LWML) mdash have played a vital role in extending the ministry and mission of the LCMS

In their own unique ways these two organizations provide the support resources and staff to increase the reach of the Gospel both at home and around the world

One example the creation of a self-sustaining Lutheran church body in Korea

That was the goal of the LCMS when it sent three American missionaries and a Korean pastor to Seoul South Korea in 1958

Soon others joined the mission effort walking together to share the Gospel among

Auxiliaries Helping Extend the Gospel

a people still struggling to recover from the devastation of war

Lutheran groups in the United States sent material aid to the countryrsquos widows orphans and blind

In 1959 the LLL established an office in the LCMSrsquo mission headquarters By 1962 ldquoThe Lutheran Hourrdquo was being broadcast in Korean on eight radio stations and 80 individuals were enrolling in the LLLrsquos correspondence courses every day

In 1971 God blessed the work of these partners when the Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK) became an independent church body in altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS

During the next two decades the LWML gave $357000 in grants to support a multi-ministry center new church plants construction of a dormitory at the LCKrsquos seminary and scholarships for seminary students

Herersquos a brief history of each auxiliary and its impact on the Synod

International Lutheran Laymenrsquos LeagueIn June 1917 a group of 12 laymen attending the Synod convention in Milwaukee met together to discuss the perplexing problem of the Synodrsquos $100000 debt mdash a staggering sum at the time In one evening they pledged $26000 and came up with a plan mdash later blessed by the convention mdash to deputize lay delegates to reach each district and congregation to raise the additional funds

Six months later despite the uncertainties of World War I the newly formed LLL delivered $114000 to the Synod and the debt was wiped out

From this extraordinary beginning the LLL went on to raise $27 million to fund a pension plan for professional church

A History of the Synodrsquos Auxiliaries

1917LLL founded in Milwaukee

1930First broadcast of ldquoThe Lutheran Hourrdquo

1940LLL opens first international ministry center (Philippines)

1942LWML founded in Chicago

1943LWML publishes first issue of Lutheran Womanrsquos Quarterly



workers and their widows and orphans The interest from this endowment fund continues to help retired church workers today as the LCMS Veterans of the Cross Fund

Next the LLL turned its focus to supporting Gospel proclamation through the establishment of KFUO Radio and equipping laymen to serve the Church In 1930 it began a weekly radio program called ldquoThe Lutheran Hourrdquo which is now the longest-running

Christian outreach broadcast in the world airing on 1400 stations across the United States and Canada

Today the LLL carries out media outreach through Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) in St Louis LHM currently has ministry centers run by local staff in 34 countries These centers carry out LHMrsquos mission of ldquoBringing Christ to the Nations mdash and the Nations to the Churchrdquo through mass media ministries including radio and TV programming the Internet dramas music Bible Correspondence Courses printed materials and other culturally relevant programs

ldquoLHM provides a significant and high-profile voice for the Gospel and the LCMSrdquo said LCMS President Rev Dr Matthew C Harrison ldquoRev Gregory Seltz is an outstanding preacher and we are blessed as a church body to have him as the Lutheran Hour speaker Additionally LHM provides

1945LWML gives first mission grant ($15000 for Christ Church for the Deaf Cleveland Ohio)

1948LWML accepts first international members

1952LLL and the LCMS create first Lutheran TV show (ldquoThis Is the Liferdquo)

1967First LWML Sunday celebrated

LHM currently has ministry centers run by local staff in 34 countries These centers carry out LHMrsquos mission of ldquoBringing Christ to the Nations mdash and the Nations to the Churchrdquo

Above Lutheran Hour Ministriesrsquo international ministry work includes holistic outreach Pictured here LHMmdashLebanon cares for Syrian refugee families in Lebanonrsquos Bekaa ValleyTop On Pentecost 1959 Dr Won Yong Ji (right) confirmed seven adults and baptized six more This was the beginning of Immanuel Seoul the first congregation of the Korean Lutheran church

1971LWML publishes first ldquoMustard Seedsrdquo mini-Bible studies for women employed outside of the home

PHOT

OS T

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UTHE

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WIT

NESS

LUT

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N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

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UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

M

ISSI

ONAR

Y LE

AGUE

CON

CORD

IA H

ISTO

RICA

L IN

STIT

UTE

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nform


a Gospel voice worldwide in many far-flung places The reach is astoundingrdquo

Lutheran Womenrsquos Missionary LeagueIn July 1942 just weeks after World War IIrsquos Battle of Midway more than 100 women from 15 LCMS districts met in Chicago for the inaugural convention of the LWML This new national womenrsquos organization was more than a decade in the making

The mission of the organization delegates agreed was ldquoto assist each woman of The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod in affirming her relationship with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry to the people of the worldrdquo An important component of this was to gather funds for mission projects not covered by the Synodrsquos budget

The LWML encouraged its members to save their pennies nickels and dimes in ldquoMite Boxesrdquo a practice that was common among Lutheran women in the 1900s Through these voluntary offerings the

1987LWML adopts first $1 million mission goal

1992LLL establishes Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) as the overall identity for its outreach programs

1993First broadcast of LHMrsquos ldquoWoman to Womanrdquo radio program

1995LHM begins broadcasting its ldquoOn Main Streetrdquo TV program

LWML has provided more than $100 million for Christian outreach at home and abroad

Medicine Bibles Church buildings Respite for missionary families Care for the disabled and orphaned These are just a few of the many projects in 42 countries that the LWML has supported with its ldquomighty mitesrdquo during its 72-year history

ldquoWe are truly blessed by the LWMLrdquo said Harrison ldquoThe LWML offers profound encouragement in Christ for thousands of women of the Missouri Synod Through a simple device called a lsquoMite Boxrsquo these faithful women have provided millions of dollars for the proclamation of the Gospel and the advance of the Lutheran church all over the world The organization encourages women to learn leadership skills while deepening their knowledge of and joy in Christrdquo

Learn more about Lutheran Hour Ministries wwwlhmorg

Learn more about the Lutheran Womenrsquos Missionary League wwwlwmlorg


2009LHM begins the Menrsquos NetWork

What Is an Auxiliary The Synodrsquos two auxiliaries have a special relationship with the LCMS that is like none other The 2013 Handbook of the Synod states that an auxiliary

bull Is ldquonational in scope and voluntary in membershiprdquo

bull Identifies ldquowith the Synodrdquo but is not ldquopart of the Synodrsquos constitutional structurerdquo

bull Operates with ldquofreedom and self-determination as a ministryrdquo while complying with Synod Bylaws

bull Coordinates ldquoplans and programs with those of the Synod through regular sharing and contactrdquo

bull Is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization and

bull Has a membership made up of baptized members of LCMS or partner church congregations (Bylaw 6121)

p LWML members tie lap quilts for distribution to shut-in members of St Peter Lutheran Church Vincennes Ind

PHOT

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MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

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At nearly 20000 feet above sea level Tanzaniarsquos Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and not too far from its peaks therersquos a high point for LCMS international partnership efforts

Through a 12-year partnership with the LCMS Mid-South District one Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) diocese grew into two and now a growing number of clergy for the newest diocese receive theological training with the help of Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne Ind

ldquoThe Mid-South District began a relationship with the East of Lake Victoria Diocese (ELVD) of the Lutheran church in Tanzania in 2002 at the recommendation of the mission board of the LCMSrdquo said Bob Allen the districtrsquos mission director ldquoThe focus of this partnership was an evangelism effort to the Sukuma people of the Lake Victoria regionrdquo

An estimated 60 percent of the Sukuma tribersquos roughly 5-8 million members hold to indigenous pagan beliefs Yet tens of thousands have been receptive to the Gospel which the Mid-South District helped deliver in part by providing Bibles translated into Kiswahili (Swahili) the official language of Tanzania

In recent years the number of churches and sub-congregations in the region went from 120 to 372 seven more mission training centers supported by the district were added the number of ordained clergy grew from 25 to 45 and most notably the number of baptized

PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

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HINK

STOC

K

Christians in the diocese increased from 37500 to over 100000

ldquoFrom the growth of the ELVD and because of its size in land mass the diocese was split into two dioceses in the fall of 2012 mdash the ELVD and the South East of Lake Victoria Diocese (SELVD)rdquo said Allen ldquoIn May 2014 Pastor Emmanuel Makala was consecrated as bishop of the new dioceserdquo

ldquoAs a result of mission work by LCMS missionaries from neighboring Kenya and short-term mission trips sponsored by the Mid-South District Bishop Emmanuel Makala was led to seek further theological education in the LCMSrdquo said the Rev Dr Timothy Quill director of Theological Education for the Synodrsquos Office of International Mission (OIM) Quill also is a professor and dean of International Studies at the seminary in Fort Wayne

In his OIM role Quill works with the Rev Dr Albert Collver III LCMS director of Church Relations and director of Regional Operations for the OIM and with OIM regional directors and the Synodrsquos seminaries In 2012 Collver met with the Mid-South District and worked out a partnership in which funds were raised to enable Makala to enter the Doctor of Ministry program at Concordia Theological Seminary Makala has now completed all of his course work and is nearing completion of his dissertation as a result of district mission work and the Synodrsquos Global Seminary Initiative coming together

At Makalarsquos request Quill and others from the Fort Wayne seminary helped establish

a two-year pilot program to train about 30 pastors and deaconesses Some Fort Wayne seminary faculty members also helped write a 16-course curriculum for the school

ldquoThe city of Shinyanga is a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Lake Victoria Another 45 minutesrsquo drive into the bush takes you to the Bishop Makala Training Center The school provides a two-year residential program training leaders for the fast-growing SELVDrdquo said Quill ldquoMost of the classes are taught by visiting LCMS professors The first graduation will take place in March of 2015 and plans are underway for a new class in the fall of 2015rdquo

Both Allen and Quill are in awe as the Holy Spirit works in the region

ldquoWhat we have seen in Tanzania during the years of this partnership has been a tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is leading people to respond to the Word in a way that is experienced in few places in the world todayrdquo said Allen

Roger Drinnon is the manager of editorial services for LCMS Communications

Learn more wwwlcmsorgtanzania

by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT

Synod amp Tanzania Lutherans Partner to Spread the Gospel

Mount Kilimanjaro

Pastor Deus Medard of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania performs a Baptism

nform


by Melanie Ave

To Pastor Donald Wilke it made perfect sense

It was the early 2000s and he was the chaplain at the Good Shepherd Community which provides a full range of care for older adults at two Minnesota locations Sauk Rapids and Becker The nonprofit organization is a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod (LCMS)

At the time Wilke held chapel services every Sunday at Good Shepherd which

about 100 people regularly attended But he had an idea So he went to Good Shepherd CEO Bruce Glanzer and its board of directors with a question

With 450 people living on campus why not start an LCMS church on-site at Good Shepherd

The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd was established in 2003 at Good Shepherd in Sauk Rapids It is believed to be the only LCMS congregation located at a long-term care center

ldquo RSOs serve by showing the mercy and compassion of Christrdquo

mdash Deaconess Dorothy Krans director LCMS Recognized Service

Organizations (RSOs)

Recognized Service Organizations Walking Together to Bear Mercy

nform

PHOT

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IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

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PHOT

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INKS

TOCK

What Are LCMS Recognized Service OrganizationsTo extend its mission outreach education and social ministry the LCMS works with independent nonprofit organizations known as Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs) Organizations granted RSO status agree to foster the LCMS mission and ministry and to act in harmony with LCMS doctrine and practices RSOs operate ministry programs that reach out with mercy and love to help those who are suffering poor sick or lonely by addressing human social economic educational and spiritual needs

LCMS RSOs can

bull Issue calls for ordained and commissioned ministers on the LCMS roster

bull Use the LCMS logo

bull Apply for loans through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund

bull Seek LCMS grants

bull Participate in the Concordia Health Plan and

bull Participate in the LCMS Group Purchasing Agreement

ldquoThe church on a Sunday morning is fullrdquo Glanzer said ldquoWe have to remove dividers in the back just to make room for everybodyrdquo

Good Shepherd is but one of the many examples of LCMS RSOs doing ldquogood worksrdquo said Deaconess Dorothy Krans director of LCMS RSOs

ldquoItrsquos been such a blessing for the residents because hellip many people in that age group have been worshiping their whole life and they are no longer able to go to churchrdquo she said ldquoThey can now take part in it just like at their home congregations Itrsquos such a blessing for that facilityrdquo

EXTENDING MERCY LOVERSOs mdash independent nonprofit organizations mdash extend the mission and ministry of the LCMS The LCMS currently has more than 320 RSOs working in various areas including ethnic ministries youth disabilities retreat centers aging counseling veterans education and immigration

When an organization receives RSO status after an application and review process

it agrees to foster the LCMS mission and ministry and to act in harmony with LCMS doctrine and practices Organizations must re-apply every five years to retain their status RSOs have the ability to call ordained and commissioned ministers on the LCMS roster use the LCMS logo participate in the Concordia Health Plan and obtain loans through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund

RSOs Krans said help the LCMS extend its reach by offering mercy and love to meet the needs of those who are suffering poor sick or lonely ldquoRSOs serve by showing the mercy and compassion of Christrdquo she said

SERVING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NORTH DAKOTAFor another LCMS RSO the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in North Dakota helping children and their families is at the heart of what it does

Established in 1952 as a mission of the LCMS North Dakota District to serve neglected and deprived boys the ranch is now the largest Lutheran social-service agency in the state


PHOT

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IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

Established in 1952 as

a mission of the LCMS

North Dakota District

the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now

the largest Lutheran

social-service agency

in the state

PHOT

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AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH

Each day the ranch serves 107 boys and girls ages 10 to 18 It offers residential and shelter care on its main campus in Minot ND a residential program in Bismarck ND and residential programs in Fargo It also serves children in grades four through 12 in day-treatment programs offered through its private nationally accredited Dakota Memorial School

When the agency celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2012 it had served 30000 children in 36 states throughout its history

ldquoOur mission is to serve at-risk children and their families in the name of Christrdquo said Gene Kaseman Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch president ldquoWe are truly faith-basedrdquo

It is that approach he said that greatly improves the ranchrsquos success For every child who comes to the ranch he or she receives four evaluations one of which is a spiritual assessment

The Lutheran understanding of Law and Gospel mdash determining right from wrong and forgiving others mdash permeates the ranchrsquos approach with children many of whom are seeking services at a low point in their lives Kaseman said

The faith-based approach makes a big impact he said adding ldquoIt gives us some greatly improved outcomesrdquo

In the 1980s one of the teen boys the ranch served was Ian Harr Some 30 years later Harr sent a letter of gratitude to Kaseman and the ranch for helping him

Despite the troubled times that brought him to the ranch Harr explained in his letter he found a caring and nurturing environment and he began a spiritual

journey thanks in large part to the ranchrsquos chaplain Harr was led to Christ and today describes himself as ldquoan active Christian in my community churchrdquo

After leaving the ranch Harr said he finished high school graduated from college and became a certified public accountant and vice-president of a publicly traded international real estate services company

ldquoI now have a daughter of my own who is about the same age now that I was when I was in Minot and I take pride in being able to teach her some of the same life lessons I learned at the ranch such as honesty integrity and the value of working hard toward a goalrdquo he wrote ldquoI cannot express the depth of my gratitude to the ranchrdquo

HELPING OLDER ADULTS IN MINNESOTA Good Shepherd Community is sponsored by 17 LCMS congregations which also provide representatives to the organizationrsquos board of directors

At Good Shepherdrsquos Sauk Rapids facilities located on 30 acres some 600 people are served It offers a wide range of care for the elderly ranging from independent living to a skilled nursing facility Its on-site church is but one of the RSOrsquos attributes

In 2007 Good Shepherd opened a second location in Becker which offers 69 units of apartments assisted living and memory-care units It is attached to Grace Lutheran Church by a community center which is shared

Glanzer said all services at both Good Shepherd locations are provided from a Christian perspective addressing a personrsquos mind body and spirit

In 2011 Good Shepherd revamped its entire approach in its skilled nursing rooms It converted from an institutional model to a household model

It now has 154 private rooms with their own private bathrooms and only four shared rooms The rooms are divided into eight households with their own individual decor to better resemble a personrsquos private home Each household has its own nursing team dining room kitchen and spa

Instead of a set breakfast time for all residents they can now choose to eat between 730 and 9 am Bath time is when the residents prefer it

ldquoWe went from a set routine to patient-centered carerdquo Glanzer said ldquoWe used to say Tuesday at 2 is bath time Today itrsquos lsquoWhen would you like your bath Mrs Jonesrsquo We work it in We now have some people who want it in the morning Some people say lsquoI sleep better at night Can I have it in the eveningrsquordquo

Glanzer said Good Shepherdrsquos shift to a household model is a career highlight for him

ldquoPeople donrsquot like to be in a nursing facilityrdquo he said ldquobut if you need to be in one this is the place you want to berdquo

Melanie Ave is a staff writer and the social media coordinator for LCMS Communications

Learn more wwwlcmsorgrso


t Children from the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranchrsquos Bismarck ND campus write what they are most thankful for on a paper hands tree

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

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PHOT

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AKOT

A BO

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ND G

IRLS

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CH

Mercy It is what connects the LCMS to three independent Lutheran organizations mdash Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Lutheran Services in America and Lutheran World Relief

The LCMS has a special partnership with these organizations and provides annual grants to each one allowing the LCMS to extend its reach and to walk together with them in bearing mercy

The Rev John Fale associate executive director of LCMS Mercy Operations said the LCMS and the three organizations complement one anotherrsquos strengths and weaknesses The organizations have unique capacities that go beyond the realm of the LCMS

The LCMS Fale said values its collabora-tive relationships with Lutheran Immigra-tion and Refugee Service Lutheran Services in America and Lutheran World Relief

ldquoMercy is at the heart of what they dordquo he said ldquoThatrsquos really the connection Our proclamation accompanies the mercy component that they bringrdquo

Herersquos a bit of information about each organization its annual funding from the LCMS and what each chief executive has to say about working with the LCMS

LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICE (LIRS) mdash $140000Founded in 1939 and based in Baltimore LIRS is the second-largest refugee resettlement agency in the United States It is nationally recognized for its leadership in advocating for refugees asylum-seekers unaccompanied children immigrants in detention families fractured by migration and other vulnerable populations and for providing services to migrants through over 60 grassroots legal and social-service partners across the United States

Learn more wwwlirsorg

by Melanie Ave

Partnering

LUTHERAN SERVICES IN AMERICA (LSA) mdash $140000Based in Washington DC Lutheran Services in America is a nationwide network of more than 300 Lutheran health and human services organizations LSA members serve a broad range of people mdash children youth and families seniors people with disabilities veterans the homeless and those recovering from disasters mdash and provide a spectrum of services

Learn more wwwlutheranservicesorg

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF (LWR) mdash $630418Lutheran World Relief in Baltimore works to improve the lives of smallholder farmers and people experiencing poverty in Africa Asia and Latin America both in times of emergencies and for the long term With the financial support of US Lutherans and other donors LWR strengthens communities through programs in agriculture climate and emergency support

Learn more wwwlwrorgPHOT

OS I

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RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

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ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

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MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform

ldquo From the visionary leadership of board members who are LCMS to the hospitality shown by local congregations the LCMS is an integral part of our mission as Lutherans to welcome the stranger in Christrsquos name Together the LCMS and LIRS have brought a Christ-centered perspective to ministry with new Americans created new programs and resources engaged congregations in life-changing mercy work and influenced systemic changerdquo

mdash Linda Hartke president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

ldquo Because of our deep and abiding relationship with The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod Lutheran Services in America is a thriving network of Lutheran social-ministry organizations that touches one in every 50 Americans with Godrsquos love and mercy each year Together we extend Godrsquos mercy here in the United States serving homeless youth vulnerable seniors the unemployed those displaced by natural disaster the chemically addicted the medically fragile and many others in communities across the country The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod is a guiding force a partner in faith and a critical ally as we expand the reach of Godrsquos love and mercy to His most vulnerablerdquo

mdash Charlotte Haberaecker president and CEO of Lutheran Services in America

ldquo LWR deeply values our partnership with the LCMS Working together in the ministry of mercy we are able to help so many of our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering It is thanks in part to this partnership that LWR was able to reach 78 million people in 35 countries in 2013 and deliver $143 million worth of quilts and kits to more than 841000 people The Lutheran Malaria Initiative is a wonderful example of cooperationrdquo

mdash Daniel Speckhard president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief

The LCMS is joining in Giving Tuesday mdash a day set aside for giving back mdash with a special effort to increase the capacity of its Global Mission Fund Gifts to the Global Mission Fund are immediately directed Mission Fund are immediately directed wherever they are needed most in the worldto carry out the churchrsquos Witness Mercy Life Together ministry You can help

ldquoAs each has received a gift use it to serve one another as good stewards of Godrsquos varied gracerdquo

1 Peter 410 ESVV

wwwlcmsorgGivingTuesday

GIVE GRACIOUSLY GIVE GLOBALLYDEC 2 2014

Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday

THE WITTENBERG PROJECT is restoring a place where Lutherans mdash and especially those who donrsquot yet know our Savior Jesus Christ mdash can gather learn and confess Now your Bible study menrsquos or womenrsquos fellowship or other church group can join The Wittenberg Projectrsquos Reformation 500 Club

Commit to raising just $500 over the course of the coming year

It could be through group offerings bake sales or a designated donation mdash you decide

Submit photos and stories to the LCMS at wwwthewittenbergprojectorg

Make The Wittenberg Project YOUR grouprsquos outreach project for 2014-2015 Visit wwwthewittenbergprojectorg for more details

nvolve

Two years ago giving to the Global Mission Fund was promoted as a new efficient way to support our Synodrsquos Witness Mercy Life Together work We made a commitment to steward your gifts wisely and we strive to maximize the ldquodeployablerdquo portion of every gift

Thousands of people across the LCMS combined their gifts through the Global Mission Fund last fiscal year and supplied more than $4 million in agile immediately deployable mission funding Irsquom pleased to share that the fundraising costs for the Global Mission Fund were nearly 5 percent lower than other more restricted giving options Only unrestricted gifts to the Synod cost less to solicit and acknowledge

year ago I wrote an article about ldquodeployable dollarsrdquo

(Lutherans Engage the World September-October

2013 issue) November is Stewardship Month in the

LCMS so letrsquos take a look at how we are doing at stewarding

donations for the sake of deployable dollars

AThose precious Global

Mission Fund gifts supplemented more tightly restricted dollars and allowed our national and international mission teams to adequately fund urgent and effective work If a project didnrsquot have sufficient designated funds to initiate or continue work leaders were able to draw from the Global Mission Fund Wersquore learning because you joyfully responded to the idea of giving Synod workers the chance to collaboratively utilize a unique type of donation to fund board-approved work

But there is more we can do together to be wise stewards of the Gospel using the blessings God entrusts to us

When Godrsquos people in the LCMS donate to the vital

national and international work of the Synod we often see checks made payable to specific programs or even certain funds The problem is that this requires extra processing steps and the extra steps increase our bank fees which are charged as fundraising expenses

If starting today each gift sent to us would be made payable to ldquoThe LCMSrdquo (or ldquoThe Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synodrdquo) and the designation of the gift (Global Mission Fund for example) was instead written on the memo line donors could help save the Synod as much as $40000 in annual bank fees We could push those saved dollars out to do meaningful mission work Under a multimillion-dollar budget $40000 may not sound like all that much money but the principle mdash stewardship mdash is at stake

Last year the Synodrsquos fundraising overhead as reported to the Board of Directors was 133 percent and only 96 percent of all

donations (if district support is included) While either is a respectable percentage we can do better It requires that we work together We pray you will continue to walk with us on this important stewardship journey

Wersquore learning to better manage every single gift we receive We actively solicit the kinds of gifts that cost less to raise and manage without compromising work in the field We are making hard choices on your behalf to maximize the impact you can have on peoplersquos lives through the Gospel And wersquore nowhere near finished with shifting to best-practice fundraising I like the stewardship path wersquore on and I pray you do too

Irsquom eager to hear your thoughts and continue the conversation Drop me a note at LutheransEngagelcmsorg

In ChristMark Hofman

Mark Hofman CFRE MBA is the executive director of LCMS Mission Advancement

STEWARDrsquoS|CORNER

Cutting Unnecessary Costs

Giving Tips You can help us minimize required fundraising and administrative overhead Herersquos how

1 Talk to us Help LCMS Mission Advancement understand the kinds of things you like and want to support

2 Make gifts payable to ldquoThe LCMSrdquo (or ldquoThe Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synodrdquo) and use the memo line on checks (or a note) to restrict your gift for a specific ministry missionary or project

3 If you donrsquot use a checkbook make gifts using any of these methodsbull Make a secure donation using a major credit or debit card at wwwlcms

orggivenow or by calling our Donor Care Line at 888-930-4438

bull Use your bank or credit unionrsquos online bill payment feature This also is a great option for setting up recurring gifts or making regular payments to fulfill a pledge

bull Complete forms available from Mission Advancement to have gifts automatically withdrawn from your account using electronic funds transfer (EFT)




YOU CAN HELP BRING HISTORY TO LIFEThe script is ready to go casting is done and filming is underway for the first documentary about the life of Dr Rosa Jinsey Young mdash ldquothe mother of black Lutheranism in central Alabamardquo Born in an ordinary town in rural Alabama Young was anything but ordinary She was instrumental in founding and promoting 30 Lutheran elementary schools and 35 Lutheran congregations in Alabamarsquos Black Belt Itrsquos time to hear her full story

The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod is producing a movie about Young that will enlighten the church about her remarkable history encourage a new generation of professional church workers and inspire the establishment of new Rosa J Young Academies an educational process to start new schools in the LCMS using the same model Young used in starting Lutheran schools all across Alabama

Learn how you and your congregation can be a part of supporting this mission and telling this story at wwwlcmsorgthefirstrosa

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONUS POSTAGE PAID

Burlington WIPermit No 12

3

2

2 Radically Free to Serve

3 A Holy Calling

7 Beating the Bushes

888-THE LCMS (843-5267)wwwlcmsorg

November ndash December 2014 vol 3 no 2

inspire


Engaging the Church in the work of witness and mercy across the globe in our life together

LUTHERANS ENGAGE THE WORLD is published bi-monthly by The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod

copy 2014 The Lutheran ChurchmdashMissouri Synod Reproduction for parish use does not require permission Such reproductions however should credit LUTHERANS ENGAGE THE WORLD as a source Print editions are sent to LCMS donors rostered workers and missionaries An online version is available (lcmsorglutheransengage) To receive the print edition we invite you to make a financial gift for LCMS global witness and mercy work Unless otherwise noted all photos are property of the LCMS

Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible English Standard Versionreg (ESVreg) copyright copy 2001 by Crossway Bibles a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers Used by permission All rights reserved

7

involve

engageinform


6 10 Questions















































LCMS Communications


21

15













Radically Free

Serveto


nspire

PHOT

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CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

D










nspire

PHOT

O L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

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LUN

SFOR

D

PHOT

O L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

D


















CHURCH WORKERS

Showing amp Sharing




Questions


nform

























by Megan K Mertz

PHOT

OS D

ALE

KAST

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nspire

THE













PHOT

O L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

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by Adriane Heins

Beating Bushes















PHOT

O J

ASON

GUL

LIDG

E












PHOT

OS L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

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PHOT

O J

ASON

GUL

LIDG

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A









AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D













AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D






by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

S L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

M

ISSI

ONAR

Y LE

AGUE

CON

CORD

IA H

ISTO

RICA

L IN

STIT

UTE

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K

nform

























PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

UE







PHOT

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CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

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ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

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AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

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ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

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AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve





































involve

engageinform


6 10 Questions















































LCMS Communications


21

15













Radically Free

Serveto


nspire

PHOT

O L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

D










nspire

PHOT

O L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

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PHOT

O L

CMS

COM

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ALE

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PHOT

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CMS

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ICAT

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6136 CONGREGATIONS


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N


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(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

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THE LCMS



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35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


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10

CO


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I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

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by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

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UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

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INIS

TRIE

S L

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WOM

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PHOT

OS L

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PHOT

OS L

CMS

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-SOU

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by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

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LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

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INKS

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the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



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PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

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PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

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O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









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Showing amp Sharing




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by Megan K Mertz

PHOT

OS D

ALE

KAST

ER


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THE













PHOT

O L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

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by Adriane Heins

Beating Bushes















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O J

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THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


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10

CO


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I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

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AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

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by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

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PHOT

OS L

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ARY

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PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

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ICT

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CKT

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by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

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LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

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RAN

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O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









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CHURCH WORKERS

Showing amp Sharing




Questions


nform

























by Megan K Mertz

PHOT

OS D

ALE

KAST

ER


nspire

THE













PHOT

O L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

D

by Adriane Heins

Beating Bushes















PHOT

O J

ASON

GUL

LIDG

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OS L

CMS

COM

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ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

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D



PHOT

O J

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AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

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AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D






by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

S L

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WOM

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ONAR

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L IN

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CKT

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K

nform

























PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

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UE







PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve






















































CHURCH WORKERS

Showing amp Sharing




Questions


nform

























by Megan K Mertz

PHOT

OS D

ALE

KAST

ER


nspire

THE













PHOT

O L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

D

by Adriane Heins

Beating Bushes















PHOT

O J

ASON

GUL

LIDG

E












PHOT

OS L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

D



PHOT

O J

ASON

GUL

LIDG

E








A









AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D













AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D






by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

S L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

M

ISSI

ONAR

Y LE

AGUE

CON

CORD

IA H

ISTO

RICA

L IN

STIT

UTE

ISTO

CKT

HINK

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K

nform

























PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

UE







PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve






































nspire

THE













PHOT

O L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

D

by Adriane Heins

Beating Bushes















PHOT

O J

ASON

GUL

LIDG

E












PHOT

OS L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

D



PHOT

O J

ASON

GUL

LIDG

E








A









AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D













AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D






by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

S L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

M

ISSI

ONAR

Y LE

AGUE

CON

CORD

IA H

ISTO

RICA

L IN

STIT

UTE

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K

nform

























PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

UE







PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve


















































PHOT

O J

ASON

GUL

LIDG

E












PHOT

OS L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

D



PHOT

O J

ASON

GUL

LIDG

E








A









AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D













AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D






by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

S L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

M

ISSI

ONAR

Y LE

AGUE

CON

CORD

IA H

ISTO

RICA

L IN

STIT

UTE

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K

nform

























PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

UE







PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve
















































PHOT

OS L

CMS

COM

MUN

ICAT

IONS

ERI

K M

LUN

SFOR

D



PHOT

O J

ASON

GUL

LIDG

E








A









AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D













AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D






by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

S L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

M

ISSI

ONAR

Y LE

AGUE

CON

CORD

IA H

ISTO

RICA

L IN

STIT

UTE

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K

nform

























PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

UE







PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve













































AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D













AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D






by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

S L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

M

ISSI

ONAR

Y LE

AGUE

CON

CORD

IA H

ISTO

RICA

L IN

STIT

UTE

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K

nform

























PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

UE







PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve













































AUXILIARIES



THE LCMS



AUXILIARIES

35 DI S T R I CTS

6136 CONGREGATIONS


SY

N


S

10

CO


RS

I TI E

S


(Phil 13ndash5)




TH

E L

UTH


I SY

NO

D






by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

S L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

M

ISSI

ONAR

Y LE

AGUE

CON

CORD

IA H

ISTO

RICA

L IN

STIT

UTE

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K

nform

























PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

UE







PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve






































by Megan K Mertz





































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

S L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

M

ISSI

ONAR

Y LE

AGUE

CON

CORD

IA H

ISTO

RICA

L IN

STIT

UTE

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K

nform

























PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

UE







PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve



















































PHOT

OS T

HE L

UTHE

RAN

WIT

NESS

LUT

HERA

N HO

UR M

INIS

TRIE

S L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

M

ISSI

ONAR

Y LE

AGUE

CON

CORD

IA H

ISTO

RICA

L IN

STIT

UTE

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K

nform

























PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

UE







PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve





























































PHOT

OS L

UTHE

RAN

WOM

ENrsquoS

MIS

SION

ARY

LEAG

UE







PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve











































PHOT

OS L

CMS

MID

-SOU

TH D

ISTR

ICT

ISTO

CKT

HINK

STOC

K












by Roger Drinnon

WITNESS|MOMENT


Mount Kilimanjaro


nform


by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve






































by Melanie Ave











nform

PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK

PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve





































PHOT

O IS

TOCK

PHOT

OTH

INKS

TOCK


LCMS RSOs can

















PHOT

O D

IGIT

AL V

ISIO

NTH

INKS

TOCK




the Dakota Boys and

Girls Ranch is now



in the state

PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


























PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve






























































PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH


PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve






































PHOT

O D

AKOT

A BO

YS A

ND G

IRLS

RAN

CH









by Melanie Ave

Partnering





OS I

STOC

K L

UTHE

RAN

SERV

ICES

IN A

MER

ICA

LUTH

ERAN

WOR

LD R

ELIE

F

MERCY|MOMENT

in Mercy

nform









1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve







































1 Peter 410 ESVV



Giving Tuesday

GivingTuesday






nvolve





































nvolve





































2014 Lutherans Engage the World - November - December

Documents

Transcript of 2014 Lutherans Engage the World - November - December