Passionate Believers Spring 2011

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PassionateBelievers A publication of the South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod

Volume 1, Issue 1 • Spring 2011

Did you know?Did you know?Over 200 attendees learned a lot aboutOver 200 attendees learned a lot about

SWD that they didn’t know before at theSWD that they didn’t know before at the‘Passionate Leaders’ conference..‘Passionate Leaders’ conference.... see page 3see page 3



ume 1, Issue 1 • Spring 2011 Passionate Believers

maximizing, magnifying, multiplying ministries

Welcome

Passionate Believers is a quarterly

publication of Te Lutheran Church—

Missouri Synod congregations within theSouth Wisconsin District. It shares stories

about our partnership in the gospel and how

we work towards maximizing, magnifying

and multiplying the ministry that is done

with and through local congregations. If you

would like to submit ideas, stories, or letters

for the next publication, please send them to

[email protected] by May 1.

Our mission

Te South Wisconsin District empowers

life changing ministries of bold, passionate witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our vision

In a constantly changing world the SWD

discovers, celebrates and advances vibrant

models for growing discipleship, missional

leaders and church worker wholeness.

Our core valuesDiscipleship•Relationships•

Integrity • Diversity •Excellence•

in this issue:

‘Bread of Life’Easter outreach 7

‘World missions’in SWD map8–9

Prayer calendar10

Dominican Republicfounding congregation

12Stewardship13

Did you

know?

Did you know that we

have a new video on

our Youube channel?Visit youtube.com/ swdlcms to learn about

a variety of SWD

ministries including

Hmong, specific

ministry program, deaf,

chaplaincy, campus,

Free at Last, Hispanic,

African immigrant,

French-speaking

African immigrant and

Chinese ministry. Also

watch the latest from

the mission in Palmar

Arriba, Dominican

Republic, at youtu.be/ NsAxGCyqa8 .

Congratulations to

Our Redeemer,

Wauwatosa, whose girls’

basketball team won the

national championship54 to 38 over Prince of

Peace, Carrollton,exas.

he 64th annual

National Lutheran

Basketball ournament

of Champions was held

at Valparaiso University

March 26-29, 2011.

Seventy-two teams

from throughout theUnited States, each

representing a locally

based league, played for national titles

in three age divisions for boys and

girls. he tournament is sponsored by

the Lutheran Basketball Association of

America.

Tosa girls take national basketball championship

South Wisconsin District—LCMS

8100 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53222(414) 464-8100; In Wisconsin: (800) 793-3678

Web: swd.lcms.org • E-mail: [email protected]

Cover photo: Dr. Jerry Fair and Sabrina Brooks from Emmaus Lutheran School, Milwaukee, attend a sectional at the SWD “Passionate Leaders” conference at Lake Country Lutheran High School in Hartland February 26. Photo credit: Herman Strozier

Other Wisconsin teams that went to the

nationals included the boys’ teams from

Hales Corners Lutheran School and Our

Redeemer, Wauwatosa, and girls’ teams

from Grace, Menomonee Falls, and St. Paul,

Bonduel.



Passionate Believers Volume 1, Issue 1 • Sprin


Ididn’t know!” “Why didn’t I know?” Both

comments were heard again and again at

the “Passionate Leaders Conference” hosted

by South Wisconsin District staff at Divine

Redeemer, Hartland, Feb. 26, 2011. Te

picture on the cover of this newsletter is from

that event. Over 200 pastors and congrega-

tional members from across SWD gathered

to share with each other and learn about dif-

ferent aspects of our life together as Lutheran

Christians here in southern Wisconsin. Tere

were breakout sectionals on topics ranging

from governance to conflict, from health

benefits to retirement concerns, from congre-

gational revitalization to outreach.

Having led events like this in the past I find

that I always learn something, especially from

side conversations. Tis time it came from the

two comments above: “I didn’t know!” and

“Why didn’t I know?”

Te first came from a sectional leader from

Lutheran Church Extension Fund in St.

Louis. In a hallway conversation he said,“I didn’t know that the South Wisconsin

District was so diverse! I thought you were all

Germans up here.” An interesting comment,

to be sure.

In other discussions during the conference

and in the weeks that followed, I heard simi-

lar remarks from lay people who attended.

Tere was amazement at what we are getting

done together as the people of God in this

place, especially on the crosscultural front.Te comments have been, “I didn’t know!

Why didn’t I know that we are doing so

much in southern Wisconsin?”

Hence the reason for this new format to the

South Wisconsin News. We want people to

know what we are doing together, partners in

sharing the gospel of our Lord Jesus. As you

read this first issue you will catch a glimpse

of what we are accomplishing together both

in Wisconsin and beyond as we proclaim the

saving gospel of our Lord Jesus.

If you haven’t noticed, southern Wisconsin

is no longer a “northern European” com-

munity. From the smallest rural areas to our

metropolitan cities there are representatives

of nearly every nation, tribe, language and

people. ake a look at the center pages. It is

amazing as I look at that map of the world,

and as I see faces of people from those coun-

tries right here who are now hearing the good

news of our Savior’s forgiveness because of

what we are doing together as partners.

It’s a fantastic story to hear and to be a part

of! ogether right now we are reaching more

people groups here than we ever have before.

Read Rev. Dan McMiller’s article on page

two. Tere are people here from China to

Nigeria, from Venezuela to India, from the

Dominican Republic to Burma, from the

Congo to Mexico; and we are touching them with the gospel.

Te interesting part of this story is that I have

heard essentially the same comments—

“I didn’t know!” and “Why didn’t I know?”—

from within these crosscultural groups. Tey

had not heard the gospel before coming to

southern Wisconsin. Now they know how

our Lord Jesus suffered and died for our for-

giveness. Now they know what Jesus means

for sinners.

Along with the other 215 congregations

of our District, you and your congregation

empower these ministries with your prayers,

with your financial support and with your

partnership. On behalf of these ministries, I

thank you for your generosity. On behalf of

those who now know the joy of our Lord’s

Brothers and sisters in

our Lord Jesus

Rev. John C. WillePresident

forgiveness, I thank you! I give

thanks to our God for your faith-

fulness to him, for your partnersh

as we move forward as “passionat

believers...changing life.”

It is time for us to be the

confessional Lutheran Christiansthat our Lord has called us to be.

is time for us to be “bold witness

of the scriptural truths which we

believe. What our Lord Jesus says

to his disciples, he says to us: “Yo

will be my witnesses in Jerusalem

and in all Judea and Samaria, and

the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). W

are those witnesses here and now.

It is time for us to be passionate

believers engaging our neighbors with the gospel; passionate believe

pointing people to our Savior,

passionate believers sharing his lov

and forgiveness; passionate believe

living out our faith.

May our Lord bless you, his

Kingdom and our work together!





imes have changed! Some of us used to

think that “making disciples of all

nations” meant that a missionary would pack up and leave the comforts of the United

States, and move to some far-off foreign

country to preach the gospel. And this is

sometimes still the case. But more often

today “mission work” means welcoming a

new neighbor who may happen to be from

another country, helping a Hmong church

plant to advertise its services, holding a Bible

class in prison, helping an ex-offender get

a job, inviting an international student for

dinner, and the list goes on.o illustrate the scope of our worldwide

mission, we have provided a world map as

the center fold pages in this first issue of

Passionate Believers . Our little corner of the

world is the southern half of Wisconsin. Look

at how it reaches out in so many directions!

And note that those radiating lines are arrows

going both ways. People from many nations

are coming to us, but many also return to their

relatives back home again. Te Good News

of the gospel never returns void, but sows its

seeds in new ground, over and over again.

In the coming issues of Passionate Believers

we would like to introduce you to the

“world” missionaries of the South Wisconsin

District. You’ll be meeting Pastors Yia Vang

(Milwaukee), Blong Vang (Oshkosh) and

Faivneng Her (Manitowoc) who are our

local missionaries to the people of Laos and

Tailand. Our African neighbors from Nigeria,

Gambia, the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Ghanaand the Democratic Republic of the Congo

are being fed the gospel through Pastors Chris

Ikanih (Milwaukee), Bud Palmer (West Allis),

John Reinke (Madison) and Dan Schneider

(Brookfield) as well as Vicars Elijah Ndon,

Afam Ikanih, Ben Adetiba, and Gui Kasongo

Kabeo, all of Milwaukee.

Hispanics come to southern Wisconsin

from Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico and

parts of South America. Many have foundthe peace the Lord gives through the work

of Pastor Germán Novelli (Milwaukee),

schooled in the seminary of the Lutheran

Church of Venezuela, now colloquized into

the LCMS and a pastor in our District. Our

Hispanic ministry is a two way street as Brian

and Jeanette Keller, members of Brookfield

Lutheran Church, serve as missionaries

to the Dominican Republic, building and

mentoring the construction of group homes

for the developmentally disabled as well asmuch-needed worship shelters for quickly

growing congregations, and also spent a good

deal of time on relief efforts in Haiti.

Meet Bessie Fick (many international

students have) who assists Pastor Ken

Wieting with UWM campus ministry.

Pastors Peter Kelm and Carl Lehenbauer

of rinity-Freistadt Lutheran Church in

Mequon have begun a mission outreach to

a group of Karenni refugees from Burma

who settled in Milwaukee. Our District also

partners with Dr. Alberto Garcia’s Cuban

Lutheran Fellowship and Rev. Sergio Fritzler,

president of the Lutheran Seminary in

Argentina, and Vicar Andre Solis, also of

Argentina. And learn of Pastors Larry Myers

and Eric Skovgaard of Elm Grove Lutheran

Church, who reach out to their Chinese

neighbors through the congregation’s Chinese

Fellowship ministry.

Look at the map in the center of the publica-tion and see how far the Lord is taking us!

Add to this the 70 countries we also support

in partnership with the LCMS. Let no one

hear you idly saying, “Tere is nothing I can

do!” Our good Lord has literally laid the na-

tions at our feet!

Passionate believers …

changing life

Rev. Dan McMillerMissions and evangelism

Candidate Elijah Ndon points out his homeland, Nigeria, at ast fall’s SWD ethnic folk fair t Pilgrim, Wauwatosa.





Trinity, Howard’s Grove, reaches

out with the bread of life

W ould you like paper or plastic? As

shoppers leave their local grocery store

in Howard’s Grove near Sheboygan on Sat-

urday, April 9, they will receive a special gift

and message about the “Bread of Life.”

Members of rinity, Howard’s Grove, are

handing out 500 loaves of freshly baked

bread as a community outreach. A sticker on

each package includes an invitation to Easter

worship services. Each family also will receive

a copy of the film, Road to Emmaus . Inside

the DVD case is information about the “way

to salvation” and brochures about the churchand school.

Te spark for the project came from rinity’s

vicar, Jason Duley, who is spearheading the

effort. He was inspired by the idea that Jesus

is the “bread of life.”

Upon approaching the grocery store, Duley

and Rev. Darrel Bergelin learned an average

of 500 households go through the store on

Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Testore management was very receptive to the

church’s idea, and is selling the loaves to

them at cost. Te bread will be baked fresh in

store that morning. eams of volunteers will

distribute loaves and DVDs in the entryway,

with staff replenishing racks of bread as they

are emptied.

Bergelin first viewed Road to Emmaus at

a circuit counselors’ meeting. Written

and produced by an LCMS filmmaker,

this Easter film follows the story of Jesus

and two companions on the Sunday of

the resurrection. Created to reach the

unchurched, the 30-minute film is a widely

used evangelism tool. Trough a special

arrangement with the producer, congregations

were able to purchase discounted copies in

bulk via the South Wisconsin District offi ce.

Of the 900 videos rinity

purchased, 500 are a

bonus addition to the

bread of life outreach. After services on April

10, all 300 families in

the church will receive

a DVD. Tey are asked

to watch the movie and

then pass it on to someone they know who is

without a church home, with an invitation to

Easter moring worship. Later as elders make

visitation calls, they will distribute DVDs to

absent families.

Te project cost of approximately $2000 was

not a budgeted expense. Te opportunity

to make a special gift was announced a few

Sundays after services. o date rinity’s

members have contributed about $2500.

“God’s people by nature have a heart for

missions,” Bergelin said. “But I am amazed at

how members responded.”

Tis unique evangelism outreach piqued the

interest of the Road to Emmaus producers.Tey plan to send a cameraman to record

footage of the bread and DVD giveaway.

“I am

the

bread

of

life.” John 6:35





into the marvelous light of his grace and

truth.

Look at 1 John 1:7.But if we walk in the light, as he is in the

light, we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us

from all sin.

How is it we are saved? In what or whom

alone can we boast?

As recipients of God’s marvelous grace, with

whom do we share a new relationship, this

new status?Tough we are one in Christ, that doesn’t

mean we’re all the same. We have different

talents, gifts, and abilities as Paul reminds

us in Romans 12:4-5: For as in one body

we have many members, and the members

do not all have the same function, so we,

though many, are one body in Christ, and

individually members one of another.

With the various gifts God offers and the vast

diversity we manifest, yet there is an evenmore marvelous unity we possess as God’s

people, the church.

Look at Ephesians 4:4-6 and Acts 2:42.

Tere is one body and one Spirit—just as

you were called to the one hope that belongs

to your call—one Lord, one faith, one bap-

tism, one God and Father of all, who is over

all and through all and in all.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’

teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of

bread and the prayers.

With the diversity of gifts and talents,

what do we share in common? What is it that

holds us together, and shapes or forms our

life together in word and deed?

We, the people of God, the church,

grounded in the pure teaching of the Word

and the proper administration of the

Sacraments (AC VII), have a unity that

transcends and outlasts all others. Ours is a

unity of faith. Tere are no divisions or

factions. No group is any more important

than another. No one’s above another, but we

all are under Christ who is Lord of all.

And at the same time, we’ve been given a

mission. We have a task to complete.

Working together, sharing a common burden,

we reach out to the world to proclaim the

pure gospel. We strive to let the word of

God, both Law and Gospel, be heard

everywhere. We work together that many

more may come to know the truth of the

gospel and the salvation which is ours

through Christ. Rejoicing in the unity of

faith, in all we do—in works of mercy, inbearing witness to Christ and the Gospel,

and in our life together—we are “eager to

maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond

of peace” (Eph 4:3), bearing witness to the

marvelous grace of God that extends even to

sinner/saints like us.



MexicoMexico

Venezuela/Brazil/ArgentnaVenezuela/Brazil/Argentna

“World Missions” in the South Wisconsin District“World Missions” in the South Wisconsin District

“Therefore go and make disciples“Therefore go and make disciples

of all natons, baptzing them in theof all nat ons, bapt zing them in the

name of the Father and of the Sonname of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit, and teachingand of the Holy Spirit, and teaching

them to obey everything I havethem to obey everything I have

commanded you. And surely I amcommanded you. And surely I am

with you always, to the very end ofwith you always, to the very end of

the age”the age” (Mathew 28:19-21).(Mahew 28:19-21).

Cuba/Hait/Dominican RepublicCuba/Hait/Dominican Republic





SWD missions weekly prayer calendarSo that even more people will come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the South Wisconsin District is committed to be “passionate believers…changing life,” reaching out to people both inside and outside of the church. We invite you to partner with us in prayer, asking that the Holy Spirit will bless the ministries and those who are involved with them as they share the good news of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

Week of April 3 – Remember Pastor Bud Palmer and Pastor

John Reinke this week as they serve a vital and growingministry among our deaf communities and theirfamilies in our District. Often forgotten because of theirsilence, these people need our prayers and assistance asmuch as any other handicapped children of God.

Week of April 10 – Now that spring is in the air, let us pray for safety from the dangers that spring weather can oftenbring. Our District’s Disaster Relief eam reminds usthat this is ornado Awareness Week. Pray that if we facedisaster and great loss, that this may give opportunity toshare God’s love and our faith in him with others.

Week of April 17 – As Jesus made histriumphal ride into Jerusalem on thisPalm Sunday, pray that the salvationhe won there is not ours alone, but itis our responsibility of love to share with all people. Let us humbly ask the Lord to bless the many missionsof our District as we support those who reach the nations in our own

back yard.

Week of April 24 – He is risen indeed!Hallelujah! Pray that our joy in theassurance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection will renew in us the zeal to serve him in all that w e think, say and do in ourefforts to share this wonderful news with others.

Week of May 1 – Prayerfully approach God’s throne this week on behalf of Pastor Germán Novelli and the spreadof the gospel through our District’s Hispanic ministry

in areas of Racine and Milwaukee. Pray that the light of God’s Word will reach this quickly growing population.

Week of May 8 – In our prayers this week, please rememberV icar Gui Kasongo, a French African immigrant andsoon to be an ordained LCMS pastor who has a vital roleas missionary to French-, English- and Swahili-speakingmembers in our District.

Week of May 15 – Pray this week for the work of Brian and

Jeanette Keller, members of Brookfield Lutheran Church, who are on a two-year mission in the DominicanRepublic. Tere they are building group homes and worship shelters while hosting volunteer mission groupsfrom the U.S.

Week of May 22 – As the school year comes to a close,bless our students and their parents amidst all of theactivities of our LCMS grade schools, high schools anduniversities. Ask the Lord to keep these precious soulsfaithful to him in all they do until he calls them home.

Week of May 29 – Hold up our Ex-Offender ministry this week and ask theLord to bless the efforts of Vicar AfamIkanih, Candidate Elijah Ndon and lay worker Patrick Batom as they assist andequip many to find their way to truefreedom through Jesus Christ.

Week of June 5 – Tis week, pleaseremember in your prayers our SWD’sinternational student ministry and the re

lationship that Bessie Fick is fostering withforeign students as this ministry seeks tokeep students close to the Lord and reachout to others who don’t know him yet.

Week of June 12 – Remember ourDistrict’s Hmong ministry this week.

Please ask the Lord for his Spirit to encourage Pastors YiaVang, Blong Vang and Faivneng Her in their ministry among their people and in raising up future leaders intheir communities.

Week of June 19 – In your prayers this week, please includeour District’s Partnership in Teological Education in its work of training Specific Ministry Pastors and lay ministry leaders to serve and shepherd God’s people invarious capacities.

Week of June 26 – Remember our brothers and sisters this week who live in great need of both physical and spirituahelp in many of our urban neighborhoods. Pray thatGod will enable us to support our sister congregations inorder to sustain their ministry of compassion and hope.





A s I came into the South Wisconsin

District just over seven months ago,

there were many things I didn’t know regarding the dynamics of school ministry as

it pertained to SWD. However, in this short

amount of time, one element is evident; there

are many administrators, teachers, and leaders

who are passionate believers…changing life

for school ministry! With that as the

primary theme and focus, it has allowed me

to embrace the challenges with hope and

certainty that with effort and passion SWD

school ministry can remain the important

endeavor it has been known for throughmany generations.

Did you know… that there are 35 free-

standing preschools, 58 elementary schools

and six high schools serving over 11,500

children and students in SWD?

Unfortunately, one elementary school did not

open for the 2010-11 school year—Gospel,

Milwaukee. As hard of a decision as it is

to close a school ministry, we do consider

ourselves as a district very blessed, as many schools in other districts faced greater school

closures. Nationwide, 57 schools did not

reopen for the 2010-11 school year.

Did you know… that many of our

administrators meet on a monthly basis

(within their region) for fellowship and

professional growth activities? From some of

these efforts, a greater sense of urgency has

been established to provide and lead staff

through professional development thatpertains to “best practices” in the classroom.

As of today, some of our schools are

collaborating on how to do things together—

building the bridge from one ministry to

another. Tis group, which started with a

few schools, is adding more administrators

and schools that see the vision of doing

ministry together!

Did you know… that with the assistance of

the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

(LWML), the District provided grants to73 students studying to be full-time church

workers (25 pastors, 40 teachers, three lay

ministers, two DCE/DCO, one deaconess,

two directors of parish music) at one of the

Concordia Universities or Seminaries? Over

$47,900 was given out to help with tuition

costs! Te average disbursement was $971

for seminary students and $473 for college

students.

Tere will be many more “Did you Knows”in the coming issues of Passionate Believers . It

is my hope and prayer for school ministry in

SWD that we not only think outside of the

box, but actually step outside to remain viable

and the premier educational institutions

within our congregations, communities and

neighborhoods. With great challenge comes

greater opportunity to be bold witnesses of

passionate believers…changing life!

Schools in bold witness

Mark L’HeureuxSuperintendent of schools,

youth and family

Educators of the year for 2011 were honoredat a dinner reception at Silver Spring

Country Club, Menomonee Falls. From

left: Denise Kegley (early childhood), Our

Redeemer, Wauwatosa; Sue Kalchbrenner

(elementary), Zion, Menomonee Falls;

Myrna Lastusky (high school), Lutheran

High, Sheboygan; Jim Breytung (principal),

Our Redeemer, Delavan.

2011 educators of the year





Dominican Republic

LCMS mission field update

Founding a new congregation

Rev. Walter Ries, Jr.

On February 6 we celebrated the birthof a new church in Licey as four

adults were confirmed and we celebrated

the Lord’s Supper for the first time. Some

twenty-plus people came together, including

members from the mission in Santiago, to

celebrate the presence of Christ among us

for the forgiveness of sins through Word and

Sacrament. We give thanks to our Lord Jesus

Christ for his tender mercies which are new

to us each day!

Te mission in Licey began

through contacts made with

the local community through

one of our Amigo de Jesus

clubs, a club which meets

monthly to provide Bible

activities for children with

developmental disabilities

and their families. Te four

confirmands came out of this

group. Currently, anothereight adults are now in confir-

mation classes in Licey!

February was a big month for confirmations

as we also celebrated the confirmation of ten

in Palmar Arriba and four in Las Americas!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Please keep all of these new confirmands in

your prayers.

First seminary course offered Rev. ed Krey

From February 11-15, a five day intensive

course was held in Las Americas on

Lutheran themes such as theology of the

cross. Seven Dominican men from three of

our mission sites attended. Te course was

taught by Rev. Sergio Fritzler, director of

Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tis first course represents

the initiation of our newly developed

four-year seminary curriculum which will

be offered by the seminary in Argentina.

Te men studied the Heidelberg thesis,

an excellent article by Herman Sasse, and

learned about the important difference

between the “Teology of the Cross” and

“Teology of Glory.” Please pray for Luis,

Yban, Josef, Willy, Manuel, Jon and Pedro

as they embark on studies that, Lord willing, will lead them to being shepherds of the flock

here in the Dominican Republic.

First ordination

On February 14, Vicar Willy Gaspar passed

his three-hour colloquy exam before four

faculty professors of Concordia Lutheran

Seminary of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He received a divine call as well from the

congregation in Las Americas, Amigos de

Cristo, and was ordained and installed March13. Please pray for him and give thanks to

our Lord Jesus from whom all blessings flow

as we celebrate our first Dominican Lutheran

pastor among us after five years of study and

five years of mission work in the Dominican

Republic.

Container arrives from

Orphan Grain Train!

On February 25, after 9 p.m. on a Friday

night, the container from Orphan Grainrain arrived. Inside were gifts from the sum-

mer CPH VBS offerings, and also furniture

for the group home, school and valuable ther

apy equipment. Tank you to all involved!

Please keep our ministry in your prayers.

Dominican Republic mission team (from left): Rev. Walter Ries, Danelle Putnam, Administrative Assistant Kisayris Gebhardt and Rev. Ted Krey.





Stewardship in SWD

Did you know about the stewardship

resources we have in SWD? Do you

know what kind of stewardship example youset for the members of your congregation?

wo separate and distinct questions, yet they

need to be asked at the same time. Congrega-

tions often come to the offi ce when they are

in a budgetary crisis. Tey think a steward-

ship program or resource will be the “magic

bullet” that will solve some of the congrega-

tion’s financial woes. Resources and programs

are just that—short-term fixes that fail to

address a bigger problem.

Te problem often results from a poor at-

titude and understanding of stewardship

from the leadership within the church. In his

book Ask, Tank, ell , Charles Lane says that

“stewardship is being held hostage by this

evil notion called paying the bills…and when

all the commitments are made and the bills

are all paid at the end of the year, someone

will say ‘we had a good year in steward-

ship.’” All leaders in congregations need tolearn and understand the LCMS definition

of stewardship which is: “the free and joyous

activity of the child of God, and God’s family

the church, in managing all of life and life’s

resources for his purposes.”

When we all understand the definition, as

leaders we realize that our churches need to

show their people that a tithe should be used

for work outside of the local congregation.

When we understand stewardship from a freeand joyous perspective, we will use resources

that focus on the grace of God in Christ and

our response to that grace. We will work at

shifting the attitude from the individual or

congregation as owner to that of manager.

Te District has many resources to assist your

congregation as they move from a “bill paying

mentality” to the free and joyous attitude.

Resources for annual stewardship programs

include “Consecrated Stewards” from LCEF.

Tis process is biblically based and helpscongregations to change their perspective

from the church’s need to receive to the giver’s

need to give. In the process, participants learn

more about the grace of God, his purposes,

and how financial stewardship should be a

reflection of that grace.

In addition to “Consecrated Stewards” the

District offers assistance in planning for

year-round stewardship, capital campaigns

through LCEF Capital Funding Services, andChristian legacy stewardship opportunities

through Gift Planning Services. Congrega-

tions are welcome to contact me for assistance

in hosting a stewardship fireside chat.

Long-term change can be achieved when con-

gregations address their stewardship culture.

Tis can be achieved by utilizing the resource

“Faith Aflame” which is available from

the LCMS website. Faith Aflame provides

thought-provoking material which is used with the leaders of the congregation. Leaders

meet in stewardship learning communities to

study what the word of God says about stew-

ardship. Most important, they learn about

Tim DittloffLCEF District vice president

and stewardship

the mission of the church. Tis

is summed up so well in the

Synod’s new threefold vision

of “Witness, Mercy and Life

ogether.” Stewardship has an

integral part in living out this

vision.

As one wise stewardship

leader said at a recent meeting,

“Mission without stewardship

is impossible, but stewardship

without mission is pointless.”

Let’s work together on being

models of stewardship for the

members of our church.





Participating in Christian missions is

great way for young people to spend

some time over their summer break. In July

each of the past two years, St. John, West

Bend, has sent an Alaska mission team,

which included a total of nine “tweens,”

teens, and young adults, to put on a vaca-

tion Bible school (VBS) in Healy, Alas.

Miles away from home and loved ones, the

youth grew closer to each other and the Lord

through their work and daily Bible study.

Comments made by the young people

after their experiences show that Christian

missions benefit both those on thegiving and the receiving end:

“When I went to Alaska, it made

me realize that God is in control.

He will guide your every step if you

let him.” —Sam, college student

“Te Alaska mission trip made me

realize why I am a Christian. Some-

times it takes meeting someone

who doesn’t have God in their lifeto appreciate him in your own.

I grew so much on the mission trip and

had a blast with the kids and our amazing

team!” —Allie, high school student

“I learned a lot about kids in another place

that was really different. I helped them

learn about Jesus and how he loves them.”

—ommy, middle school student

Participating in missions is a great way to

grow in faith, help others, and discover who

God made you to be. Contact Alan Lull at

(262) 707-9198 or alull@stjohnswestbend.

org for information about St. John’s mis-

sions in 2011.

Adult and youth missions

benefit all involved

How do you change the lives of 15-25

high school and college students and

adult members in your church? Consider

a mission trip to Mexico to build a house.

Immanuel, Brookfield, has been building

homes for the

last nine years.

Members fromrinity-Freistadt,

Mequon;

Covenant,

Milwaukee;

Lamb of God,

Pewaukee;

and other area

churches have

also joined them.

Te mission trip to to Acuña, Mexico in-

cluded a total of six days traveling and team

building, and four days building a home.

Te house measures 15 by 30 feet with

three rooms. In four days it is built from

the foundation to roof. It is intended for a

family of five to eight persons with a house-

hold income of $15-30 per week.eam members have felt blessed to be

God’s “hands and feet” in the process of

bringing God’s love to the families the

houses are built for. Mission trips enhance

and change the lives of others, and yours as

well. Contact Rick Schmid at (414) 750-

1286 or [email protected] for more information.

Mission trip

changes lives

Members from Immanuel, Brookfield, build a home in four days.



Te South Wisconsin District empowers life-changing ministries of bold, passionate

witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dominican Republic children in Palmar Arriba wave hello.

Passionate Believers home delivery

Rev. Dan McMiller leads the procession to the ordination of the first native Dominican Republic Lutheran pastor.

Jeanette and Brian Keller are organizing missionteams to build group homes and worship shelters.

Upcoming events

April

11 eaching the Faith workshop,

Zion, Menomonee Falls18 eaching the Faith workshop,

St. John, North Prairie

May

9-11 SWD Pastors’ Conference, Appleton

14 Lutheran Schools Night at Miller Pa

17-18 Gathering at CedarValley, West Bend

June

8-9 LCMS Schools Funding Academy II Wisconsin Dells

July

9-12 Lutheran Singles AssociationConference, Cilca, Cantrall, Ill.

or $5 per year you can have four quarterly issues of Passionate Believers delivered to your door. Make your check payable to South WisconsinDistrict and mail to Passionate Believers , 8100 W. Capitol Dr.,Milwaukee, WI 53222. Remaining issues of paid subscriptions to theormer South Wisconsin News will be transferred automatically.

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Passionate Believers Spring 2011

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Transcript of Passionate Believers Spring 2011