Complete Workbook - New Jersey District of the Lutheran
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTEENTH REGULAR CONVENTION of THE NEW JERSEY DISTRICT THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD June 5 & 6, 2015 Doubletree Guest Suites, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey 2015 DISTRICT CONVENTION COMMITTEE PRESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT The Rev. Dr. Anthony J. Steinbronn E-mail: steinbronna@njdistrict.org 1168 Springfield Ave. Mountainside, NJ 07092 Office: 908-233-8111 Fax: 908-233-3883 409 E. Baldwin Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840 Office: 908-852-2156 MANAGER The Rev. Terry Herzberg E-mail: therzberg@verizon.net ASSISTANT MANAGER The Rev. Paul Huneke E-mail: phuneke@verizon.net RECORDING SECRETARY The Rev. Dr. Richard Vossler E-mail: glcpastor@verizon.net TREASURER 304 S. Livingston Ave. Livingston, NJ 07039 Office: 973-992-0145 Mr. Bill Webster E-mail: websterw@njdistrict.org 1168 Springfield Ave. Mountainside, NJ 07092 Office: 908-233-8111 168 Route 94 Blairstown, NJ 07825 Office: 908-362-9405 WORSHIP The Rev. John Welge E-mail: melor8746@yahoo.com REGISTRATION AND HOUSING Mr. Ray Visbeck E-mail: rvisbeck2002@yahoo.com EXHIBITS Rev. David Behm E-mail: pastorbehm@gmail.com 131 Mountain Way Morris Plains, NJ 07950 Office:973-538-7606 Rev. Aaron Uphoff E-mail: aduphoff@gmail.com 319 Quaker Church Road Randolph, NJ 07869 Office: 973-366-4267 COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Mrs. Caitlin Dinger E-mail: dingerc@njdistrict.org 1630 Amwell Road Somerset, NJ 08873 Office: 908-233-8111 DISTRICT OFFICE SECRETARY Elaine Schleifer Email: schleifere@njdistrict.org 1168 Springfield Ave. Mountainside, NJ 07092 Office: 908-233-8111 THE NEW JERSEY DISTRICT ORGANIZATION NEW JERSEY DISTRICT OFFICE 1168 Springfield Ave. Mountainside, NJ 07092 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President The Rev. Dr. Anthony J. Steinbronn 1st Vice President The Rev. Stephen A. Gewecke 2nd Vice President The Rev. Deric Taylor 3rd Vice President The Rev. Robert Kuppler Secretary The Rev. Dr. L. Richard Vossler Treasurer Vacant Clergy at Large The Rev. Terry Herzberg Clergy at Large The Rev. Andrew Nelson Teacher Ms. Allison Johnson Legal Advisor Mr. Charles Karcher Lay Members: Circuit # 1 Mr. William Schmidt Circuit # 2 Mr. Olugbenga Adesokan Circuit # 3 Mr. William Koehler Circuit # 4 Mr. Jason Kiefer Circuit # 5 Mr. Stuart Knorr Circuit # 6 Ms. Melissa Marsicano DISTRICT RECONCILERS The Rev. Andrew Dinger Mrs. Caitlin May-Dinger Ms. Beth Ann Meyer The Rev. Deric Taylor VICE PRESIDENTIAL REGIONS, OFFICERS, CIRCUIT COUNSELORS AND CONGREGATIONS CIRCUIT # 1 – HUDSON NORTH Counselor The Rev. Robert Holsten St. Paul, Closter 201-768-6310 (O) 201-767-5452 (H) Area Vice President The Rev. Deric Taylor Our Savior, Fairlawn 201-796-3007 (O) (cell)201-388-1620 Lay Representative Mr. William Schmidt 201-265-7417 (H) Congregations Cliffside Park, Trinity Closter, St. Paul East Rutherford, Immanuel Mahwah, Holy Cross Maywood, Zion New Milford, St. Matthew Ridgewood, Bethlehem Westwood, Zion CIRCUIT # 2 – PATERSON Counselor The Rev. David Rowold PhD St. John, Bloomfield 973-429-8654 (O) 973-771-1370 (H) Area Vice President The Rev. Deric Taylor Our Savior, Fairlawn 201-796-3007 (O) 201-388-1620 (C) Lay Representative Mr. Olugbenga Adesokan 973-868-6728 Congregations Bloomfield, St. John Clifton, St. John Fair Lawn, Our Savior Lyndhurst, St. Matthew Montville, Holy Spirit Oak Ridge, Holy Faith Pompton Lakes, St. Paul Church of the Incarnation Ringwood, Christ the King Verona, Calvary CIRCUIT # 3 – NEWARK/ELIZABETH Counselor The Rev. Andrew Dinger Holy Trinity, Somerset 732-873-2888 (O) 908-635-7464 (C) Area Vice President The Rev. Robert Kuppler 908-531-7266 (C) Lay Representative Mr. William Koehler 201-865-6714 (H) Congregations Fords, Our Redeemer Harrison, St. John Jersey City, Tumaini Kristo Livingston, Grace Newark, Redeemer Somerset, Holy Trinity Union, Grace / St. Matthew Westfield, Redeemer CIRCUIT # 4 – DELAWARE VALLEY NORTH Counselor The Rev. Stephen Vogt Prince of Peace, Hamburg 973-827-5080 (O) 973-827-7437 (H) Area Vice President The Rev. Robert Kuppler 908-531-7266 (C) Lay Representative Mr. Jason Kiefer 908-735-0880 Congregations Basking Ridge, Somerset Hills Blairstown, Good Shepherd Flemington, St. Paul Hackettstown, Gethsemane Hamburg, Prince of Peace Milford, PA, Emmanuel Morris Plains, Trinity Mountain Lakes, King of Kings Newton, Redeemer Randolph, Good Shepherd Stanhope, Our Savior CIRCUIT #5 – DELAWARE VALLEY SOUTH Counselor The Rev. Dennis Bottoms Luther Memorial, Blackwood 856-227-2209 (O) 856-478-6847 (H) Area Vice President The Rev. Stephen Gewecke St. Peter, Hopewell 609-466-0939 (O) 609-466-3490 (H) Lay Representative Mr. Stuart Knorr 609-971-6078 Congregations Blackwood, Luther Memorial Bordentown, Holy Cross Bridgeton, St. John’s Carney’s Point, Trinity Hopewell, St. Peter Lanoka Harbor, Village Lawrenceville, Holy Trinity Medford, Calvary New Egypt, Rose of Sharon CIRCUIT #6 – RARITAN VALLEY Counselor The Rev. Christian Schonberg Good Shepherd, Point Pleasant 732-892-4492 (O) 732-714-0715 (H) Area Vice President The Rev. Stephen Gewecke St. Peter, Hopewell 609-466-0939 (O) 609-466-3490 (H) Lay Representative Ms. Melissa Marsicano Congregations Dayton, Faith East Brunswick, Christ Memorial Howell, Prince of Peace Manalapan, St. Thomas Old Bridge, Good Shepherd Point Pleasant, Good Shepherd Tinton Falls, Luther Memorial VOTING DELEGATES NEW JERSEY DISTRICT CONVENTION BASKING RIDGE – Somerset Hills Vacant Ms. Karen Gil CLIFTON – St. John Vacant Mr. Joe Torelli BLACKWOOD – Luther Memorial CLOSTER – St. Paul The Rev. Dennis Bottoms Mr. Barry Lomax The Rev Robert Holsten Mr. Roy Merz BLAIRSTOWN – Good Shepherd DAYTON – Faith The Rev. John Welge Mrs. Susan Welge The Rev. Ariel Hidalgo BLOOMFIELD – St. John EAST BRUNSWICK – Christ Memorial The Rev. David P. Rowold Mr. Ralph Unkert The Rev. Bruce Smith Mr. Howard Lange BORDENTOWN - Holy Cross EAST RUTHERFORD – Immanuel Vacant Ms. June Carpenter Vacant FAIR LAWN – Our Savior BRIDGETON - St. John The Rev. Gary Hall Mr. Robert Hulitt, Jr. The Rev. Deric Taylor Mr. Howard Crumb FLEMINGTON - St. Paul CARNEY’S POINT – Trinity Vacant CLIFFSIDE PARK – Trinity The Rev. John Schroter The Rev. Robert Mueller Mr. Peter Merriken FORDS – Our Redeemer The Rev. Christopher Sadlo Mrs. Joy Sadlo The Rev. Dr. L. Richard Vossler Mrs. Coralyn Vossler LYNDHURST – St. Matthew HACKETTSTOWN – Gethsemane Vacant The Rev. Terry Herzberg Mr. Jason Kiefer MAHWAH – Holy Cross HAMBURG – Prince of Peace The Rev. Daniel Schmalz Ms. Jean Noon The Rev. Stephen Vogt Ms. Susan Allenbacher MANALAPAN- St. Thomas HARRISON – St. John Vacant Mr. Eugene McConnon The Rev. Evan Haener Mrs. Christine Haener HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP – St. Peter The Rev. Stephen Gewecke Mrs. Rosalie Reinbacher HOWELL – Prince of Peace Vacant Mr. Kenneth H. French MAYWOOD – Zion The Rev. Ed Lazarchak Mr. John H. Blume, Jr. MEDFORD – Calvary The Rev. William Willenbrock Mr. Jim Ponziano MILFORD, PA - Emmanuel JERSEY CITY – Tumaini Kristo Vacant Mr. John Babbitts Vacant Mr. William Koehler MONTVILLE – Holy Spirit LANOKA HARBOR – Village The Rev. Michael Dunne Ms. Karin Vantol The Rev. Mark Stillman Mr. Vincent J. Kelly MORRIS PLAINS – Trinity LAWRENCEVILLE – Holy Trinity The Rev. David Behm Ms. Mary Justl Vacant Mr. Bruce Wade MOUNTAIN LAKES – King of Kings LIVINGSTON – Grace The Rev. Richard Izzard Ms. Margaret Bowie Mr. Larry Chenault NEWARK – Chrst Assembly RIDGEWOOD – Bethlehem The Rev. Lawrence Gboeah Mr. Borbor Zolue The Rev. Andrew Nelson Mr. Terry Shine NEW EGYPT – Rose of Sharon RINGWOOD – Christ the King Vacant The Rev. Richard Serina Mr. David Pry NEW MILFORD – St. Matthew SOMERSET – Holy Trnity The Rev. Anthony Iovine Mr. Scott Helming The Rev. Andrew Dinger Mr. Thomas Jennings NEWTON – Redeemer STANHOPE – Our Savior The Rev. Brian Handrich Mr. Stephen Naumowicz Vacant OAK RIDGE – Holy Faith TINTON FALLS – Luther Memorial The Rev. Craig Lutz Mr. John Walko The Rev. Peter Alexander Mr. Joe Genke OLD BRIDGE – Good Shepherd UNION – Grace / St. Matthew The Rev. Phillip Ressler Mr. Robert Shipley The Rev. Donald L. Brand POINT PLEASANT – Good Shepherd VERONA – Calvary The Rev. Christian L. Schonberg Mr. Christian T. Koerner The Rev. Adam Kuder Mr. Harold Thompson POMPTON LAKES – St. Paul Lutheran Church of the Incarnation WESTFIELD – Redeemer The Rev. Eric Reiker Ms. Linda Brinkman Vacant Mr. Louis Diana RANDOLPH – Good Shepherd WESTWOOD – Zion The Rev. Aaron Uphoff The Rev. Thomas Pranschke Mr. William Schmidt ADVISORY DELEGATES – ORDAINED MINISTERS The Rev. Ryan Ankersen The Rev.Harry Johnson The Rev. Mark Bartels The Rev. Dale Johnston The Rev. Paul Basil The Rev. Robert Klemm The Rev. Rolf Buchmann The Re. William Klettke The Rev. James Buckman The Rev. Robert Kuppler The Rev. Edward Callahan The Rev. Henry Loeber The Rev. Oscar Casachahua The Rev. Roy Minnix The Rev. Robert Clancy The Rev. Benjamin Mallepalle The Rev. Arthur Doring The Rev. Bruce Opsahl The Rev. Timothy Drawbaugh The Rev. Irwin Pflueger The Rev. Thomas Edge The Rev. Otto Reinbacher The Rev. J. Daniel Fenco The Rev. John M. Rieker The Rev. Roland Feickert The Rev. Dennis Rockett The Rev. Shawn Found The Rev. Paul Sparling The Rev. David Grell The Rev. Dr. Eugene Thiemann The Rev. Ray Hagan The Rev. Robert Vogel The Rev. Dr. Frederick Harm The Rev. Paul Voitko The Rev. Brad Hildebrandt The Rev. Max Wilk The Rev. Paul Huneke The Rev. Otto Zeeb ADVISORY DELEGATES – COMMISSIONED MINISTERS (Principals, Teachers, DCE’s & Deaconesses, LCMS Certified Lay Minister Jane Borchin Karen Koromhas Roger Borchin George Lofmark Shirley Carpenter Susan Marks Caitlin May Dinger Mary Middleton Lois Doring Laura Mortenson Diane Frusco Mary Nordeen Edward Heinz Elizabeth Prauner Sandra Hofmann Joanne Jocus Allison Johnson Carol Johnson David Kisser Rachel Sabanosh Leah Steinbronn Caren Vogt Jon Wiegand Gloria Zupfer CONVENTION AGENDA “Equipping the Saints” Ephesians 4:11-16 Thursday, June 4, 2015 PRE-CONVENTION ACTIVITIES 3:00 PM 3:00 PM Registration Opens Meeting of the Convention Committee Friday, June 5, 2015 PRE-CONVENTION ACTIVITIES 8:00 AM 8:30 AM Registration Opens Resolutions Floor Committee Open Hearing CONVENTION AGENDA Session #1 10:00 AM Opening Devotion – Rev. Dennis Bottoms 10:15 AM Report on Registration and Announcements – Rev. Terry Herzberg Opening of Convention Adoption of Agenda and Parliamentary Guidelines Introduction of Guests Introduction of New Workers Resolutions Committee – Rev. Steve Gewecke Resolution 15-01 Resolution 15-02 Nominations Report – Rev. Richard Vossler Election Procedures and Elections – Floor Committee on Elections District President Vice-Presidents Ranking of the Vice-Presidents District Secretary District Treasurer Circuit Visitors NJD Board of Directors CHEF Trustees Nominations Committee for 2018 NJD Convention 11:15 AM Pastors’ Wives Reception in the “Living Room” (adjacent to the pool area) 12:15 PM Lunch (Advisory Ordained and Commissioned Minister Delegates caucus to elect Synodical Convention Delegates at the beginning of the lunch break) Session #2 1:30 PM Report of the District President – Rev. Dr. Anthony Steinbronn 2:00 PM Equipping the Saints, part one – Rev. Dr. Dean Nadasdy 3:00 PM Break – delegates are invited to visit the exhibit area Session #3 3:30 PM Equipping the Saints, part two – Rev. Dr. Dean Nadasdy 4:30 PM Report of the Synodical President, part one – Rev. Dr. Herb Mueller, 1st Vice-President of the LC-MS 5:15 PM Closing Prayer – Rev. Robert Holsten 6:15 PM Dinner – Convention Hall 8:00 PM Convention Worship Service (with the installation of the District President) – Rev. Dr. Dean Nadasdy, Preacher Martin Luther Chapel 4100 Terrace Avenue Pennsauken, NJ 10:00 PM Presidential Reception – Rev. Dr. Herb Mueller and NJ District President (open bar until 11:00 PM and then cash bar until Midnight) Saturday, June 6, 2015 Session #4 8:00 AM Opening Devotion – Rev. Dr. Herb Mueller, 1st Vice-President of the LC-MS 8:15 AM Report of the Synodical President, part two, with Q & A – Rev. Dr. Herb Mueller 9:00 AM Pastors’ Wives Reception in the “Living Room” (adjacent to the pool area) 9:00 AM Report on Registrations and Announcements – Rev. Terry Herzberg 9:10 AM Guest Presentations Lutheran Church Extension Fund Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Lutheran World Relief Lutheran Hour Ministries Operation Barnabas Concordia Seminary – St. Louis Concordia Theological Seminary – Ft. Wayne Concordia Bronxville Transforming Churches Network POBLO 10:10 AM District Reports NJD Leaders and Learners CHEF 10:25 AM Martin Luther: 500 Years of the Reformation @ www.reverendluther.org 10:30 AM Break – delegates are invited to visit the exhibit area 10:45 AM Resolutions Committee – Rev. Steve Gewecke Resolution 15-03 Resolution 15-04 Resolution 15-05 Resolution 15-06 Resolution 15-07 11:30 AM Our Partnership in the Gospel: NJD Strategic Partnerships 12:15 PM Installation of New Jersey District Officers, Board of Directors, and Circuit Visitors 12:25 PM Final Report on Registration – Rev. Terry Herzberg 12:30 PM Closing Devotion – Rev. Andrew Nelson PROPOSED STANDING RULES 1. Each delegate, when recognized by the chairman, shall state his/her name and the congregation s/he represents. 2. Speakers from the floor shall be limited to two (2) minutes in addressing the convention. 3. Speakers will alternate, pro and con, clergy and lay person. 4. There will be no repeat speakers until all desiring to speak have been heard once. 5. While any voting delegate may call the question at any time, after every 15 minutes of debate on any one motion there shall be an automatic call of the question by the chairman. 6. Instead of a voice vote on motions before the convention, the chairman shall ordinarily call for the raising of the right hand. 7. If a substitute motion is offered, the convention shall first decide by majority vote whether or not to consider it. If the decision is in the affirmative and the substitute motion is adopted, the original motion fails. If the substitute motion does not receive favorable action either to consider or to adopt, the original motion will again be put before the convention. 8. Questions of privilege shall be addressed in writing to the chairman. 9. A limit of two (2) amendments to any resolution shall be allowed. 10. Members of the New Jersey District Board of Directors shall have the privilege of speaking from the floor. 11. Resolutions not acted on at this convention before adjournment die. 12. Unless covered by these Standing Rules, parliamentary procedures shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order (2011 Edition). All decisions of the Parliamentarian shall be final and unappealable. President’s Report to the Convention The 2014 New Jersey population was estimated to be 8,872,593 people, residing in 21 counties and 566 municipalities; with the following population distributions: Gender Female Male population percentage 4,542,551 4,330,042 51.20% 48.80% 1,104,163 2,589,637 2,542,445 1,606,461 888,259 141,627 12.44% 29.19% 28.66% 18.11% 10.01% 1.60% 735,061 8.28% 1,130,379 5,255,539 1,573,098 12.74% 59.23% 17.73% 178,516 2.01% 2,432,418 3,684,527 608,305 141,188 470,785 33.15% 50.22% 8.29% 1.92% 6.42% 1,393,902 3,003,313 31.70% 68.30% Age (median age = 39.4) Homeland (Z) Millennial (Y) Gen X (13th) Boomer Silent GI 2005-2025 1982-2004 1961-1981 1946-1960 1925-1945 1901-1924 Racial/Ethnic Asian Asian Indian Chinese Filipino Korean Black/African American White Hispanic/Latino Puerto Rican Mexican Cuban Pac Is/Am Indian 299,034 126,659 112,385 95,325 437,977 219,073 84,946 Marital Status (Population 15+) Never married Married Divorced Separated Widowed Employment Status (Population 16+) Blue Collar White Collar Household size 1-person 2-person 3-person 4-person 5-person 6-person 7-or-more person population percentage 817,600 988,368 563,397 511,155 234,017 88,345 62,936 25.20% 29.79% 17.37% 15.76% 7.21% 2.72% 1.94% 160,540 118,091 250,488 253,827 347,469 533,970 429,334 575,280 360,465 214,354 4.95% 3.64% 7.72% 7.82% 10.71% 16.46% 13.24% 17.73% 11.11% 6.61% Household income Less than $10,000 $10,000 - $14,999 $15,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $34,999 $35,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $74,999 $75,000 - $99,999 $100,000 - $149,999 $150,000 - $199,999 $200,000 or more As one surveys the religious landscape regarding those who reside in New Jersey, the population can be placed within these religious categories and preferences: Catholic & Orthodox Catholic Orthodox Historic Mainline Protestant Baptist Congregational Episcopalian/Anglican Lutheran Methodist Presbyterian/Reformed Other Protestant Denominations Other Non-Christian Religious Buddhism/Hindu/Sikh/Taoist Islam/Baha’i Judaism Mormon None/No Preference or Spiritual 2014 2004 34.0% 39.2% 16.8% 18.8% 33.5% 0.5% 5.0% 1.5% 1.9% 2.6% 3.4% 2.3% 3.1% 6.7% 10.9% 0.9% 0.3% 7.9% 0.4% 31.2% 5.8% 11.4% 24.4% The State of the New Jersey District – LC-MS The New Jersey District comprises fifty-four congregations, with 12,096 baptized members and 9,862 communicant members and an average Sunday worship attendance around 4,075. Eleven congregations operate a preschool ministry, five congregations operate a preschool-kindergarten ministry, three congregations operate a preschool through second grade ministry; and one congregation operates a preschool through eighth grade ministry. As a Lutheran presence, we are almost invisible in a State that numbers nearly 9,000,000 residents (one out of every 5,000 residents is a LC-MS member). We continue to see that many of our congregations are growing smaller in terms of both baptized and communicant membership; and that the average age of those who worship are getting older. We also know that this trend has been taking place for several years now, beginning already in the early 1980s. At present, of the fifty-four New Jersey District congregations, eight are close to closing their doors since their average worship attendance is below twenty now and another twelve to fifteen congregations worship below fifty members on an average Sunday morning. The crisis situation in which we find ourselves is this: we no longer live in a churched culture but in an un-churched and de-churched culture. This state of affairs both challenges and invites God’s people to acquire and possess a proper ministry balance between edification and evangelism; most importantly, to become more missionary in our posture and orientation toward those who are not Christians. Pressing Ministry Challenges There are several ministry challenges that have presented themselves in our time: Ministry challenges related to evangelism + up until the late 1970s, many LC-MS congregations grew as they welcomed and incorporated large waves of Lutheran immigrants when they entered the USA; they helped them get assimilated into this country, baptized their babies into the Christian faith, catechized these children and, hopefully when they grew up, they would marry a Lutheran spouse so that the cycle could be repeated into the next generation but now, in the 21st century, how do we witness to, and evangelize, people “who are not like us” – a people who have built their lives upon non-Christian narratives, especially the growing segment of the population who have “no religious or spiritual preference (31.2% of NJ residents)” + the inability of God’s people to proclaim the Gospel, and witness their Christian faith, with persons who are not Christians + we struggle to reach the younger generations with the Gospel (nearly 42% of NJ residents are under the age of thirty-three – Millennial and Homeland generations) Ministry challenges related to becoming a mature disciple of Jesus Christ + for many within our congregations, their identity and mission is defined more by a “church member” mentality than by what the Scriptures have to say about “who they are in Christ” and “why they are in the world”1 + for many within our congregations, who grew up within the Lutheran church, they stopped studying the Scriptures at age thirteen or fourteen when they were confirmed Ministry challenges related to our life together as the body of Christ + there has been an increasing erosion in denominational loyalty since the 1970s + we are struggling to pay our bills, compensate our called church workers, and maintain our physical plant/properties – let alone have significant dollars for the extension of His kingdom to the ends of the earth + the inability to teach and establish/enculturate the Christian faith in the lives of our children and grandchildren…this is evidenced in the significant gaps between: + + + + + 1 babies being born but never baptized babies baptized but not, as children, taught the faith babies baptized, children taught and confirmed in the faith, but refrain from attending worship and participating in congregational life once they have been confirmed babies baptized, children taught and confirmed in the faith and who remain faithful until they leave home for post-secondary education or a first job, and then fail to stay active in a relationship with Jesus Christ and His church 25% to 33% of our congregational members worship on any given Sunday; with the majority of His people not gathering for worship on Sunday The Scriptures use many different words to help us understand who we are in Christ: disciple, priest, witness, servant, steward, living letter, temple of the Holy Spirit, salt, light, etc. For example, a disciple is a believer in Jesus Christ who is an active student of God’s Word, building one’s life on the words and practices of Jesus Christ – someone who is stamped and fashioned in the mold of Jesus Christ and is a living witness to Him. Jesus identified two marks of a disciple: if you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples (Matthew 7:24-27; John 8:31-32); and if you love one another (John 13:34-35). Ministry challenges related to living out our Christian faith before a watching world + we have many ex-neighborhood congregations that were established by Northern European ethnic peoples who were raised within, or were very familiar with, the Lutheran faith; however, most of these ethnic groups no longer reside in the neighborhood in which our congregations are located and we do not know how to minister to, and connect with, our new neighbors + how to communicate the Biblical message in oral, print, broadcast and digital culture; and how to use social media effectively for social engagement and ministry in the “public square” + how to overcome, and speak into, a culture that perceives and judges the Christian faith to be irrelevant in answering the big questions, and dealing with the day-to- day problems, that people have in, and with, life What Is Our Reflective Response to This Present Reality? From the very beginning of time and human history, God’s fundamental mission is to save humankind; for God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of their salvation in Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:4). So that His mission might be accomplished in the lives of all peoples, God has entrusted His people with four ministries. + an evangelistic ministry, as they seek to evangelize large numbers of non-Christians through their life of witness and Gospel proclamation and bring them, by God’s grace, to faith in Jesus Christ Motivated by His love, and possessing an urgency that none perish but that all people might be saved, each disciple of Jesus vigorously seeks to make known His love for all people as they share the Good News about Jesus with those who do not believe in Him. They understand that they are the ones who have been sent by God into the lives of their family members, neighbors, friends and acquaintances as “fishers of men” and “sowers of the Word of God” so that they, by God’s grace and activity, might come to saving faith in Him. + a maturational ministry, as they grow up into Christ, who is the Head of the body, and become mature disciples of Jesus, who are also His stewards, servants, priests, witnesses, salt, light, and living letters A disciple is a believer in Jesus Christ who is an active student of God’s Word, building one’s life on the person and word of Jesus Christ and being stamped and fashioned in the mold of Jesus Christ as an imitator and living witness to Him. Being a wise and mature disciple, they are committed to hearing the words of Jesus and putting them into practice (Matthew 7:24-27) so that they might grow up into Him in every way (Ephesians 4:11-16) and be sufficiently equipped, as a mature follower of Jesus, for their ministry in the lives of other people, both believers and non-believers. + as His stewards, they seek to use all of the gifts that He has given them to prosper His business; + as His witnesses, they seek to speak and live in such a way that others can easily see that they have been with Jesus and that Jesus lives in them; + as His priests, they pray for believers and non-believers before the throne of God frequently and fervently and, as they face others in their daily contacts and relationships, they become His instrument of counsel and consolation and blessing in their lives; + as His servants, they empty themselves as did their Master and Lord (John 13:2-17; Philippians 2:5-11) so that others might be served; + as His salt, they are to live in such a way that this corrupt world is challenged with His abundant life and convicted to embrace a living way filled with hope and health; + as His light, they have been sent to do good works so that others may see these caring and loving works and glorify the Father who is the giver of every good gift and the Father of all light; + as His living letters, they desire that their words and actions are “read” in such a way by others that they would see Jesus living in them (Acts 4:12-13; Galatians 2:20) + an organic ministry, as they are connected to each other in relationships that live out the “one another” admonitions of the New Testament, with each believer using his or her gifts for the building up of the body and for the common good A disciple does not live his or her life in isolation from other disciples since they are the body of Christ, each one connected to Him, and to one another, as His members. Consequently, they come together often to praise God for calling and gathering them into His family and making them to be His people. As they come together, they seek to hear and know the Word of God so that they might tell it to others and live it in their lives. In their life together, they understand that each believer is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit and serves as His instrument of blessing that counsels, consoles, encourages and builds up each other in the Christian faith and His way of life together. As they journey together in this life, and toward their eternity with God and His people, they are committed to be a blessing to each member of the body as they have an equal concern for one another, pray for one another, love one another, honor one another, serve one another, forgive one another, and give their lives for one another. + an incarnational ministry, so that wherever they go, and to whomever they come into contact with, they are able to be His ambassadors and living letters, making known His mind and word and demonstrating His love, concern and compassion for others; Every believer has a mission and is being sent by God to “go and make disciples of all nations and peoples. “ This mission is to permeate all of their lives and acts of living; in these daily mission trips, we are to make known His heart and word in the lives of others and demonstrate His love, concern and compassion for all kinds of people. New Jersey District -- Four Desired Outcomes: The New Jersey District Board of Directors has identified four desired outcomes that guide the ministry labors of the District President in his relationship with the professional church workers and congregational members of the New Jersey District congregations. The four desired outcomes are2: + + + 2 to equip people in New Jersey District congregations for Christian leadership (Synodical emphasis: life together) + Transforming Churches Network learning communities (Rev. Dave Born) + Best Practices in Ministry conference + Wiki Conference on “Apostolic-Style Leadership” + “A Day with the Presidents” + Spring and Fall Pastors’ Conferences + Doxology (Dr. Harold Senkbeil) + “Pastoral Leadership in a Post-Church Culture” (Dr. Bob Newton) + “Congregational Ministry in a Post-Church Culture” (Dr. Bob Newton) + “Coaching Seminar” (Rev. Scott Gress) + “The Divine Drama” (Dr. Reed Lessing) + Lutheran Educators’ Conference (NJD Staff Caren Vogt) to equip people in New Jersey District congregations for Christian leadership (Synodical emphasis: life together) + “Practical Pastoral Leadership” (Dr. David Peter, June 25-26, 2015) + “Lay Leadership Team Formation” (Dr. David Peter, June 27, 2015) + “The Parables of Jesus: living under Him in His kingdom” (Dr. Jeff Kloha, May 6-7, 2016) + “Surprising Stories: Jesus’ parables and the reign of God” (Dr. Jeff Gibbs, June 16, 2016) + “Discipleship in Matthew” (Dr. Jeff Gibbs, June 17-18, 2016) church workers who are spiritually mature, professionally competent and living a healthy family life (Synodical emphasis: life together) Listed under each of the desired outcomes are various equipping events that were offered in order to form His servants for their ministry labors. + family friendly partners network (three year ministry relationship with Dr. Ben Freudenburg, beginning the fall of 2015) + assessing family needs + parents as “faithshapers” + training in “pre-marriage” and “post-marriage” ministry + parenting through the lifespan + human sexuality + non-nuclear families + adulthood and aging + “Pastoral Leadership in a Post-Church World” (Dr. Bob Newton) + “The Divine Drama” (Dr. Reed Lessing) + Doxology training (Dr. Harold Senkbeil) + Lutheran Educators’ Conference (NJD Staff Caren Vogt) + “Recent Trends in Preaching” (Dr. David Schmitt) + + + + + Confessional Preaching Kerygmatic Preaching Transformational Preaching through Narrative and Image Dialogical Preaching + “Practical Pastoral Leadership” (Dr. David Peter, June 25-26, 2015) + church workers who are spiritually mature, professionally competent and living a healthy family life (Synodical emphasis: life together) + “The Parables of Jesus: living under Him in His kingdom” (Dr. Jeff Kloha, May 6-7, 2016) + “Surprising Stories: Jesus’ parables and the reign of God” (Dr. Jeff Gibbs, June 16, 2016) + “Discipleship in Matthew” (Dr. Jeff Gibbs, June 17-18, 2016) + “Pastor as Teacher” (Dr. Marv Bergman, October 31 – November 2, 2016) to equip members of New Jersey congregations for their outreach ministries and to enable them to bring saving faith to the unchurched residents of New Jersey (Synodical emphasis: witness) + “Pastoral Leadership in a Post-Church Culture” (Dr. Bob Newton) + “Congregational Ministry in a Post-Church Culture” (Dr. Bob Newton) + “Pastor as an Evangelist” (Dr. Richard Bliese) + “Serving the World as an Evangelistic Church” (Dr. Richard Bliese) + “Gospel Witness in North America” (Dr. Robert Kolb) + + “Strategies for Evangelism” (Dr. Robert Kolb) + “Our Life and Mission as an Evangelistic Church” (Dr. Leonard Sweet) to encourage New Jersey congregations in their social and human care ministries (Synodical emphasis: mercy) The following statements describe core, strategic focuses that will guide the New Jersey District during the next triennium as we seek to fulfill the Lord’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:1820; Luke 24:46-49) and Great Commandment (Matthew 25:31-45; Luke 10:25-37; John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-12, 19-21). Ten Strategic Focuses: Focus #1: a District-wide process that addresses the pressing issues and adaptive challenges that are facing NJD Professional Church Workers and New Jersey District congregations + fifteen to twenty NJD pastors meet eight times a year in order to discuss assigned readings and to acquire those skills connected with adaptive leadership + part-time District staff counsel NJD congregational leaders in a three-part adaptive process that equips them to… Focus #2: + clearly state the pressing issues and adaptive challenges that they are facing as a congregation + think biblically and theologically about these issues and challenges -- what do the Scriptures have to say about these things (since all theology and ministry practices are normed by Scripture) + formulate a ministry plan that is congregationally owned and constructed; a plan that identifies the next steps to be taken as it seeks to address these issues and challenges connecting and networking with one another through a Day with the Presidents and monthly Learning Communities, as we form and equip ourselves for ministry in the 21st century + twice a year the District President convenes a Saturday meeting for the congregational presidents of the New Jersey District so that we might grow in our leadership skills and abilities, mutually encourage each other in their leadership labors, and discuss ways in which they can address the pressing issues that they are facing in our respective congregations + pastors are invited to attend a learning community led by Rev. Dave Born on adaptive leadership Focus #3: + Focus #4: + + + + identifying twenty-five to thirty pastors for potential pastoral ministry service in New Jersey congregations; they will be the next generation of pastoral leaders to shape the District’s ministry culture and lead it into the future usually eight to twelve names are shared with a calling NJD congregation for their consideration by the District President; these names are provided in addition to the pastoral candidates who have been identified and nominated by the congregation strengthening New Jersey District congregations through equipping resources and events that are based upon their needs, along with the onsite or online ministry of specialized District staff plus the ministry curriculum of the New Jersey District Leaders and Learners program 2012 + “Building Bridges into the Community” (Rev. David Born) + “Introduction to Scripture” (Rev. Dr. Anthony Steinbronn) 2013 + “Hermeneutics” (Rev. Paul Kritsch) + “Congregational Prayer Ministry” (Rev. Jim Buckman) + “Homiletics” (Rev. Robert Holsten) + “Leadership Development” (Rev. Jim Buckman) + “Introduction to the New Testament” (Rev. Stephen Vogt) 2014 + “Lutheran Worship” (Rev. Dr. David Rowold) + “Romans” (Rev. Dennis Bottoms) + “The Stories of God” (Dr. Robert Kolb) + “Introduction to the Old Testament” (Rev. Robert Holsten) + “The Divine Drama” (Dr. Reed Lessing) + “Digital Ministry” (NJ Staff Caitlin Dinger) + “The History of the Christian Church” (Dr. Anthony Steinbronn) 2015 + “Lutheran history 1500 to the present” (Rev. Stephen Vogt) + Focus #5: “Recent Trends in Preaching” (Dr. David Schmitt) extending His Kingdom through the formation of mission leaders In 2007, Mission Executive Anthony Steinbronn designed curriculum for the formation of mission leaders; there are six core courses: + The Mission of God + + Discipleship in the New Testament: (“who we are in Christ” and “why we are in the world”) + + core missiological question: what would be involved in a genuinely missionary encounter between God’s Word and this Modern and Postmodern culture core ecclesiastical question: the Great Commission lays a double obligation upon His people: (1) the strengthening of present disciples in their already existing discipleship and (2) reaching out to those who are not yet disciples with the hope that they will become His disciples…for the entire mission and ministry of a Christian congregation must be geared toward fostering discipleship and discipling (Matthew 28:18-20) “Body Life” as the Body of Christ, with Christ Being the Head + a theology of body life and leadership (OT and NT stories of godly leaders; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:11-16) + the words and practices of Jesus so that His people might be equipped to… + answer the big questions that every person has in life with soteriological and hermeneutical wisdom (2 Timothy 3:14-17) + examine and discern the condition of the lamp stand (Rev. 2-3) + foster an organic, healthy body life as the Body of Christ + interact with the nations so that they might bring some to a saving knowledge of God’s grace in the person of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) + remember who God is and what God has done for us and for all people + remember who they are (identity) and why they are in the world (vision/purpose) + use their lives to prosper the Master’s business of making disciples + reach out to others with the narratives of Scripture so that they can help those who do not know God’s story to make sense of their story in light of His saving story + + + guard and keep the one true apostolic faith + be able to test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1-6) + live out a biblical spirituality grounded in prayer (oratio), meditation upon Scripture (meditatio), and life’s struggles and temptations (tentatio) + be faithful and fruitful stewards of the Gospel and of His many physical blessings, so that they might be a blessing to the nations through their Gospel proclamation along with their deeds of love and compassion within the body of Christ and in the world + communicate His Word and His way of life through their words and actions + be formed and shaped through the daily, intentional, socialization of the Christian faith in Christian homes and in the ministries of the church Biblical Anthropology and Culture Learning + the study of human beings – and how they have been scripted through the process of enculturation + the root myth and root metaphors of the Modern and Postmodern Condition + culture learning through the study of philosophy, art and architecture + culture learning through the study of music, literature and the movies Worldviews + + introduction to the concept of worldview, along with exploring one’s own personal worldview + possessing a Biblical worldview, along with defining the essential characteristics of the true and false church + worldview summaries of the major non-Christian world religions that originated in the East: Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Hinduism, Islam; along with identifying barriers to, and bridges for, Gospel communication within these religious “life-ways” + worldview summaries of the major non-Christian world religions and ideologies that originated among ancient man and in the West: Animism, Peasant, Marxism, Modern and Postmodern; along with identifying barriers to, and bridges for, Gospel communication within these religious “life-ways” Fostering Revitalization and Mission Movements + God’s vision, and His cultural blueprint, for His people + Focus #6: what processes are needed to transmit this cultural blueprint, and to socialize/enculturate this way of living, so that it is embraced/indwelt by the congregational membership and lived out in their daily life, behaviors, and relationships with others the formation of urban vicars for labor in densely urban congregational and mission contexts + at its April 2015 BOD meeting, 420k was authorized to be spent in order to contract an urban vicarage supervisor who would oversee the formation and ministry labors of urban vicars and help revitalize NJD congregations located in the greater Newark area (along with Trenton) + the funding for this ministry initiative came through a legacy request made by the leadership of Our Savior Lutheran Church, North Bergen, when it closed Focus #7: + design and establish a “restart” model for densely urban and suburban congregational ministry one-third of NJD congregations worship less than fifty people on an average Sunday morning so how can we strengthen the Word and Sacrament ministry in these congregations Focus #8: exploring and embracing the counsel and practices of our ascended Lord, made known through His special servants, given to equip His people for their work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16) + the Church is always in need of receiving the correcting and reforming words of Jesus so that they can, in every age and context, be a mature, fully informed, formed, and equipped body of Christ Focus #9: + Focus #10: + developing a process to interface with, and ministry to, “at-risk” congregations so that they might experience a new chapter of ministry there are nine NJD congregations that worship less than thirty people, most of them in densely urban contextual settings so how can we strengthen the Word and Sacrament ministry in these congregations exploring creative and innovative ways of ministry configurations at the congregational and circuit levels through strategic partnerships so what do I mean when I talk about “strategic partnerships” + approximately one-third of our congregations are “stand alone” congregations; that is, they can fully compensate a pastor and fund their congregational ministry without receiving additional income from non-congregational sources + one of these “stand-alone congregations” could partner with a smaller congregation so that, over the next couple of years, they could strengthen the smaller congregation + this model has been done in several places throughout the Synod, with some very good outcomes + two or more congregations could come together in order to start a new church with a new name – each congregation decides to sell its facilities and find a new location (which is either rented or purchased) – successful mergers have the same life expectancy of a new church plant + two congregations resolve to be served by one pastor – the churches come together and reach agreement on worship times, office hours and ministry expectations for the pastor and how much each ill contribute towards the salary and benefits for the pastor – because each church is now served part-time by a pastor (thereby reducing the financial costs to each congregation), additional funds could be made available to call another part-time church worker for specialized ministry such as a “director of Christian education” or a ”director of Christian outreach” + five congregations located in a circuit or region could “covenant” together so that they are served by three full-time pastors (along with the possible additional of other specialized staff) + a congregation resolves to close, entrusting its assets to the District so that this asset might be stewarded for new ministry elsewhere; for example, St. Luke, Elizabeth & Our Savior, North Bergen) In closing, the Professional Church Workers and Congregations of the New Jersey District have been, and continue to be, richly blessed by these very special servants: + Suzanne Bottoms + + Rev. Jim Buckman + + + + Professional Church Worker and Family Care Congregational Prayer Ministry Congregational Mercy Ministry Summer Urban Mission Teams Caitlin Dinger + + + District Communications Internet, Website & Social Media Children, Youth & Family Ministry + + Volunteer Training and Support Susie Herzberg + + David Hildebrandt + + + + + + District President Caren Vogt + + + LC-MS Roster & Statistics Program, Project & District Staff Support Administrative Assistant to the District President Rev. Anthony Steinbronn + + A Day with the Presidents Congregational Visitation/Consultation & Coaching Church Worker Wellness Elaine Schleifer + + + + A Day with the Presidents Congregational Visitation/Consultation & Coaching Church Worker Wellness Rev. Dick Izzard + + + + Stewardship Programs A Day with the Presidents Property Management Congregational Visitation/Consultation & Coaching Sandy Response Coordinator Rev. Paul Huneke + + + + Professional Church Worker and Family Care Lutheran Schools, Preschools & Early Childhood Rostered Teachers Bill Webster + + + Financial Budgeting & Reporting District Payroll & Business Manager Asset & Vendor Management As with the Christians in the 1st century, we have this good work that is ours in Christ Jesus and He is the One working through us to accomplish His saving intentions toward all people. Therefore we can rejoice in this “partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a work in you will carry it to completion until the Day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:3-6). Respectfully Submitted, Rev. Dr. Anthony Steinbronn District President, New Jersey District, LC-MS SUPPLEMENT TO PRESIDENT’S REPORT CHURCH WORKER STATISTICS 2015 PASTORS ENTERED THE DISTRICT Ryan Ankersen (SEM) Peter Alexander (Southeastern) David Behm (SEM) Shawn Found (SELC) Ray Hagan (Texas) Adam Kuder (Indiana) Philip Ressler (Northern Illinois) Richard Serina (Missouri) Aaron Uphoff (SEM) William Willenbrock (SEM) CHANGES WITHIN THE DISTRICT Ryan Ankersen (St. Paul, Flemington) (Assistant) Peter Alexander ( Luther Memorial, Tinton Falls) David Behm (Trinity, Morris Plains) Michael Dunne ( holy Spirit, Montville) J. Daniel Fenco (SMP) (Somerset Hills, Basking Ridge) Ray Hagan (Redeemer, Westfield) Bradford Hildebrand ( SMP)( Somerset Hills, Basking Ridge) Richard Izzard (King of King, Mountain Lakes) Philip Ressler ( Good Shepherd, Old Bridge) Adam Kuder ( Calvary, Verona) Daniel Schmalz (Holy Cross, Mahwah) Richard Serina (Christ the King Ringwood) Aaron Uphoff (Good Shepherd, Randolph) William Willenbrock (Calvary, Medford) CANDIDATE OR EMERITUS Mark Bartels (EM) Paul Basil ( Candidate) Arthur Doring (EM) Ray Hagan (Candidate) William Klettke ( EM) Paul Huneke (EM) Paul Kritsch(EM) Robert Kuppler (EM) Ebenezer Mallepalle (Candidate) Gregg Ramirez (EM) Dennis Rockett (Candidate) Eric Ziegler (EM) TRANSFERRED TO OTHER DISTRICTS Robert Herring (MidSouth) Garrett Knudson (NOW) Paul Kritsch (MidSouth) Philip Matarazzo (SELC) Gregg Ramirez (Northern Illinois)(EM) John Reynolds (Indiana) Daniel Sparling (Eastern)(Candidate) Joseph Weatherell ( SELC) Eric Ziegler (Eastern) (EM) DECEASED William Hausmann Walter Zeile TEACHERS/DIRECTORS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/DEACONESSES CHANGES WITHIN DISTRICT Caitlin Dinger (Non-Candidate) Allison Johnson (Non-Candidate) David Kisser (Non-Candidate) Karen Koromhas (Candidate) To view the District Staff’s video reports, please visit the video links listed below: President Anthony Steinbronn - http://tinyurl.com/njd15steinbronn Rev. Paul Huneke - http://tinyurl.com/njd15huneke Rev. Jim Buckman - http://tinyurl.com/njd15buckman Rev. Richard Izzard - http://tinyurl.com/njd15izzard David Hildebrandt - http://tinyurl.com/njd15hildebrandt Caren Vogt - http://tinyurl.com/njd15vogt Caitlin Dinger- http://tinyurl.com/njd15dinger CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ENDOWMENT FUND REPORT The Christian Heritage Endowment Fund (CHEF) was established in 1983 by the New Jersey District LCMS for the purpose of creating and overseeing financial programs to undergird missions and ministries of the member congregations of the District. It is managed by a board of trustees which are elected at each convention of the district, representing each vice presidential area, as well as 3 at-large members and the district treasurer. The members of the CHEF board for 2012-15 were Pastor Craig Lutz, Stephen Naumowicz, Linda Panerella, Charles Stackhouse, Charlotte Visbeck, William Zak, and Mike Kzirian as District Treasurer. Office Manager Bill Webster and President Tony Steinbronn served as advisors. The categories for grants used during this triennium were: o Grants for congregations engaging in new outreach ministries; o Matching grants for training, leadership development and house church leaders; o Matching grants for technology; o Matching grants to assist making ministry accessible to people with disabilities; o Matching grants for Church worker sabbatical. Since the 2012 district convention, the CHEF board also provided two special 'coupon' programs for the congregations to easily apply for special technology grants. The first was launched at the convention and involved a $500 grant for software, telecommunication equipment, and websites upgrades. 20 congregations redeemed these coupons for a total distribution of $10,000. In 2013, the second '30th anniversary' coupon for security upgrades was launched. The grant was $1,000 for a 'church/school' and $500 for 'church only'. 9 'church/school' and 2 'church only' took advantage of this grant for a total distribution of another $10,000. In addition to the coupons, 17 different congregations received grants during this triennium (see list on the next page) compared to 12 different congregations during the prior three year period. The total distribution of $94,315 greatly exceeds the prior distribution of $52,810. In 2010, the board voted to move investments to an annuity which would grow and provide enough distribution of funds to meet our commitment to congregations. The ending accumulation value as of the contract anniversary on 10/12/2014 was $526,081 with a guaranteed minimum value of $422,872. The ending value with enhanced withdrawal benefit was $652,093. The CHEF checking account balance was $10,171. Please visit the CHEF page on the LCMS-New Jersey website for application procedures. Submitted by Steve Naumowicz CHEF GRANTS 2012-2015 Fall 2012 20 Congregations $10,000.00 Special Technology coupon Holy Cross, Bordentown $ 968.00 Leadership Training Holy Cross, Bordentown $1,025.00 Technology Luther Memorial, Tinton Falls $3,000.00 New Outreach Ministry Emmanuel, Milford, PA $800.00 New Outreach Ministry Gethsemane, Hackettstown $5,200.00 New Outreach Ministry Our Savior, Fair Lawn $5,000.00 New Outreach Ministry Prince of Peace, Howell $5,000.00 Technology Village, Lanoka Harbor $5,000.00 Technology St. Paul's, Closter $235.00 Technology Good Shepherd, Pt Pleasant $2,500.00 New Outreach Ministry Good Shepherd, Old Bridge $6,000.00 New Outreach Ministry Redeemer, Newton $1,488.00 New Outreach Ministry Redeemer, Newton $509.00 Technology Gethsemane, Hackettstown $2,600.00 New Outreach Ministry Luther Memorial, Blackwood $250.00 New Outreach Ministry 9 'church/school' & 2 'church only' $10,000.00 Special Technology coupon Redeemer, Westfield $2,500.00 Technology St. Peter, Hopewell $9,890.00 Technology Good Shepherd, Old Bridge $11,000.00 New Outreach Ministry Our Savior, Fair Lawn $5,000.00 New Outreach Ministry Grace, Livingston $1,350.00 New Outreach Ministry *Good Shepherd, Randolph $2,000.00 Technology *Holy Trinity, Somerset $3,000.00 Disabled Ministry 2013 2014 Spring 2015 Total distributed $94,315.00 *These are partial grant distributions with the balance to be distributed at project completion Overtures Overture 15-1 To Realign the Circuits of the New Jersey District WHEREAS, The 2013 LCMS Handbook Bylaw 3.1.2(a) on pg. 81 states that an electoral circuit must have a minimum of 7 congregations with an aggregate confirmed membership of 1,500; and WHEREAS, The aggregate communicant membership of Circuit Number Three and Circuit Number Six each fall below the minimum, necessitating District President Dr. Anthony Steinbronn to ask for exemptions for the 2013 Synodical Convention; and WHEREAS, The 2012 New Jersey District Convention, through Resolution 3-01, tasked the District Board of Directors to study the composition of the Circuits with the Circuit Counselors (now Visitors); and WHEREAS, The Board of Directors established a committee to develop a plan, and solicited input from the Circuit Counselors (now Visitors) through the Growth Council; and WHEREAS, The Reconfiguration Plan was presented to the congregations for examination and comments primarily through the Day with the Presidents and other workshops with pastors and leader; therefore be it Resolved, That the District in Convention establish Visitation Circuits coterminous with the proposed Electoral Circuits; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number One remain the same with the congregations of TrinityCliffside Park, St. Paul-Closter, Immanuel-East Rutherford, Holy Cross-Mahwah, ZionMaywood, St. Matthew-New Milford, Bethlehem-Ridgewood, Zion-Westwood; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number Two be reconfigured with the congregation of St. JohnBloomfield, St. John-Clifton, Our Savior-Fair Lawn, St. John-Harrison, Tumaini Kristo-Jersey City, Grace-Livingston, St. Matthew-Lyndhurst, Redeemer & Christ Assembly-Newark, Grace & St. Matthew-Union, Calvary-Verona, Redeemer-Westfield; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number Three be reconfigured with the congregation of Good Shepherd-Blairstown, Gethsemane-Hackettstown, Prince of Peace-Hamburg, EmmanuelMilford PA, Redeemer-Newton, Holy Faith-Oak Ridge, St. Paul’s-Pompton Lakes, Christ the King-Ringwood, Our Savior-Stanhope; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number Four be reconfigured with the congregations of Somerset Hills-Basking Ridge, St. Paul-Flemington, Holy Spirit-Montville Trinity-Morris Plains, King of Kings-Mountain Lakes, Good Shepherd-Randolph, Holy Trinity-Somerset; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number Five remain the same with the congregations of Luther Memorial-Blackwood, Holy Cross-Bordentown, St. John’s-Bridgeton, Trinity-Carney’s Point, St. Peter-Hopewell, Village-Lanoka Harbor, Holy Trinity-Lawrenceville, Calvary-Medford, Rose of Sharon-New Egypt; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number Six be reconfigured with the congregations of FaithDayton, Christ Memorial-East Brunswick, Our Redeemer-Fords, Prince of Peace-Howell, St. Thomas-Manalapan, Good Shepherd-Old Bridge, Good Shepherd-Point Pleasant, Luther Memorial-Tinton Falls; and be it further Resolved, That the Circuits be given new names: Circuit One - Hudson, Circuit Two Passaic River, Circuit Three - Highlands, Circuit Four - Central Jersey, Circuit Five - South Jersey, Circuit Six - Raritan Valley; and be it finally Resolved, That District Bylaw 3.20 a be changed to reflect the new Circuit names as follows: 3.20 Number of and Duties of the Vice President a. There shall be three Vice – Presidents representing these areas: 1. Region #1 – Hudson North and Paterson Passaic River Circuits 2. Region #2 – Newark/Elizabeth Highlands and Delaware Valley North Central Jersey Circuits 3. Region #3 – Delaware Valley South Jersey and Raritan Valley Circuits New Jersey District Board of Directors Overture 15-2 To Request the NJD Convention to Provide District-owned Pastoral Housing WHEREAS, It goes without saying that the New Jersey is an expensive state in which to reside and many of the members of our own congregations have found it more desirable to live elsewhere, especially in their retirement years; and WHEREAS, Many of the pastors of the New Jersey District live in church-owned housing, usually referred to as the Parsonage; and WHEREAS, Most of the reverend clergy, when they retire, find that the high price of housing in New Jersey means they are forced to move out of state, away from family and friends among whom they have spent many, if not most, of their lives serving; and WHEREAS, There is a genuine need for active but retired pastors to continue to reside within New Jersey in order to fill a growing number of vacant parishes, and to serve in intentional interim ministry situations, visit in hospitals and homes, and fill pulpits when called pastors have or need a Sunday off; and WHEREAS, Older clergy are in many cases the living memory of the District’s history; and WHEREAS, Older clergy can provide wisdom, insight and encouragement to younger pastors at Circuit meetings, conferences and District gatherings; and WHEREAS, We enjoy having our senior brothers continue in our presence as a sign of God’s goodness and blessing as much as we appreciate having seminary graduates; and WHEREAS, A number of the brothers might like the opportunity to serve even in retirement; therefore be it Resolved, That the New Jersey District in convention encourage its Board of Directors to investigate the possibility of purchasing housing, perhaps a building containing four twobedroom apartments, which would be used to house retired pastors with their spouses. These units would be owned by the NJD, and paid for in part by some form of rent commensurate with ability to pay and with the understanding that they are expected to be active in District functions and congregations according to their abilities and gifts. Prince of Peace, Hamburg Overture 15-3 To Perpetuate CHEF Funds in New Jersey Explanation & history The New Jersey District’s Christian Heritage Endowment Fund came into existence in 1983. It began as a financial gift to the Atlantic District, a generous financial gift from a Lutheran family in New Jersey. It was given to the old Atlantic District before it was divided in three: the New England District, the Atlantic District, and the New Jersey District. At that time the assets of the gift were divided and the New Jersey District leaders created CHEF as a way of preserving the gift as an endowment fund for future projects. The idea was to use the interest and preserve the gift. In the course of time we understand that the Atlantic District and the New England District spent their portion of the fund. CHEF is all that remains of the original gift. If anytime the NJD ceases to exist (which can happen at any Synod convention) its assets revert to the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. WHEREAS, At this time the matter of regionalizing and reforming the Synod’s 35 districts into larger regions remains unresolved and an open question; and WHEREAS, Such regionalization, if and when it occurs in New Jersey, will swallow up the assets of the combined districts and spend them according to the wishes of the new regional organization; and WHEREAS, In that new organization the New Jersey congregations will be in a minority; and WHEREAS, New Jersey District has among its assets the Christian Heritage Endowment Fund; and WHEREAS, This Fund has proven itself a blessing to the many congregations of the NJD over its lifetime, providing financial resources and incentives for various projects and church plans, not the least of which is encouraging our own members to greater financial generosity; and WHEREAS, This Fund exists to benefit the New Jersey District congregations, the majority of which also happen to be within the state of New Jersey; and WHEREAS, It was the intention of CHEF's founders to perpetuate the gift so as to be a blessing to the congregations of this state (and District) in the future; and WHEREAS, We, the members of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod who reside in the State of New Jersey, would like the Fund to remain available to our Synod’s congregations that continue within the Garden State in the future; therefore be it Resolved; That the New Jersey District in convention request the District Board of Directors to work with the Trustees of CHEF and a lawyer so as to incorporate CHEF in manner that would preserve it from the proposed regionalization of the Synod’s districts. Thus, the CHEF will not be, in fact, part of the District’s assets but independent. It should be stated that CHEF’s assets are to serve the congregations and schools of the Missouri Synod which are located within the State of New Jersey. Exceptions to this rule would be the congregations such as the one in Milford, PA. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Hamburg Overture 15-4 To Amend Convention Balloting WHEREAS, The New Jersey District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod seeks to be good stewards and be more efficient in use of time at its District Conventions; and WHEREAS, The Synod in Convention and certain other district utilize electronic and other methods of voting; and WHEREAS, The New Jersey District in Convention be allowed to conduct elections in the best manner possible; therefore be it Resolved, That the District in Convention not be restricted to only one method of balloting; and be it finally Resolved, That District Bylaw 2.30.b. be amended to the following by removal of the word "printed": 2.30 Elections Committee b. The Convention Elections Committee shall conduct all elections by printed ballots. New Jersey District Board of Directors Overture 15-5 To Process Board of Directors Voting by Email WHEREAS, The New Jersey District Board of Directors has regularly scheduled meetings four times a year, and WHEREAS, There are situations that come up from time to time that require immediate action and cannot wait for a regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting; and WHEREAS, The Board of Directors has a provision in the bylaws that allows an emergency Board of Directors meeting to be called, either face to face or by telephone, but the meeting cannot take place until at least seven days have elapsed from the time the meeting is called; and WHEREAS, Some actions cannot wait even for seven days to elapse; and WHEREAS, Holding a virtual meeting by email is an efficient way to handle matters that are of such an urgent nature that they cannot wait seven days; and WHEREAS, When such virtual meetings are held, it is important that these meetings be held in conformity with a uniform practice, including the provision for all the Board members to participate in discussing the topic at hand; therefore be it Resolved, The New Jersey District, meeting in Convention, amend its bylaws as follows to allow for virtual email meetings: 5.02 c. If a motion is required and cannot wait the prescribed seven days for a special meeting, then a special e-mail discussion/vote may take place in the following manner. 1. The e-mail motion may be initiated by the District President, the Chairman of the Board, or by a member of the Board. If it is initiated by a member of the Board, he/she shall have contacted three other Board members and, at the beginning of the e-mail, state that the email is coming at the request of the four Board members. 2. The beginning of the email shall state the purpose of the motion/vote, and why this action must be done quickly, rather than waiting the prescribed seven days for a special meeting. 3. There must be a full business day of discussion on the motion. All board members must be included in the ensuing discussions, replies and votes. During this time, members may vote on the motion and, if they wish, may change their vote during that time. 4. Once a full business day has passed, the secretary will announce the vote tally up to that point. Once the motion is either passed or defeated by a majority of the board members, then the motion shall be considered either passed or defeated. Voting may continue, but it will not affect the outcome of the vote. 5. The motion and outcome must be recorded in the minutes at the next regularly scheduled Board of Directors’ meeting. and be it finally Resolved, That this amendment would take effect at the close of this 2015 New Jersey District Convention. New Jersey District Board of Directors Overture 15-6 To Use Resources for the Sale of Closed NJ District Churches for Word and Sacrament Ministry WHEREAS, The Polity of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS) is derived form and normed by Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; and WHEREAS, We know from Holy Scripture the Jesus mandated and defined the primary mission of the Church when he commanded the Apostles to go therefore and make disciples by baptizing and teaching (Matt. 28:19-20), and that faith comes being hearing the preached Word (Romans 10:14-17); and WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession Article VII defines the Church as "the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered…" affirming the local congregation engaged in Word and Sacrament ministry as the primary location of God's mission; and WHEREAS, When a congregation of the New Jersey District is in crisis it consults with the District President and staff of the New Jersey District of the LC-MS; and WHEREAS, When a congregation of the New Jersey District closes, it ceases Word and Sacrament ministry and the property, building, and resources are usually ceded to the New Jersey District of the LC-MS; and WHEREAS, Money is derived by the New Jersey District of the LC-MS from the sale of the property, buildings, and resources of the closed congregation; and WHEREAS, It prudent to avoid even the appearance of evil and conflict of interest; therefore be it Resolved, That at least 90% of the money and resources derived from the past and future sale of closed New Jersey District congregations, all assets including but not limited to their property, buildings, and resources be distributed without discrimination by the New Jersey District Board of Directors equally among the remaining active New Jersey District congregations on the LC-MS roster, which are by their very nature engaged in Word and Sacrament ministry; and be it finally Resolved, That not more than 10% of the money and resources derived from the past and future sale of closed New Jersey District congregations be retained by the New Jersey District of the LC-MS for administrative, operational, and/or discretionary use. Christ Memorial Lutheran Church East Brunswick Overture 15-7 To Increase Nominations for District President WHEREAS, To foster a robust ballot for district president; and WHEREAS, To more easily create a ballot with five (5) names for District President as called for in District Bylaw 2.20.e; and WHEREAS, Synodical bylaw 3.12.2 (a) allows for each congregation to nominate two (2) ordained ministers for Synodical President, therefore be it Resolved, That the New Jersey District allow congregations to nominate two (2) ordained ministers for District President, and be it finally Resolved, That District Bylaw 2.20.b be amended to read "Each voting congregation shall be entitled to nominate as a candidate for President, one two ordained ministers from the clergy roster of the Synod." Resolutions Committee Resolutions Resolution 15-01 To Amend Convention Balloting Ov. 15-4 WHEREAS, The New Jersey District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod seeks to be good stewards and be more efficient in use of time at its District Conventions; and WHEREAS, The Synod in Convention and certain other district utilize electronic and other methods of voting; and WHEREAS, The New Jersey District in Convention be allowed to conduct elections in the best manner possible; therefore be it Resolved, That the District in Convention not be restricted to only one method of balloting; and be it finally Resolved, That District Bylaw 2.30.b. be amended to the following by removal of the word "printed": 2.30 Elections Committee b. The Convention Elections Committee shall conduct all elections by printed ballots. Resolution15-02 To Realign the Circuits of the New Jersey District Ov. 15-1 WHEREAS, The 2013 LCMS Handbook Bylaw 3.1.2(a) on pg. 81 states that an electoral circuit must have a minimum of 7 congregations with an aggregate confirmed membership of 1,500; and WHEREAS, The aggregate communicant membership of Circuit Number Three and Circuit Number Six each fall below the minimum, necessitating District President Dr. Anthony Steinbronn to ask for exemptions for the 2013 Synodical Convention;and WHEREAS, The 2012 New Jersey District Convention, through Resolution 3-01, tasked the District Board of Directors to study the composition of the Circuits with the Circuit Counselors (now Visitors); and WHEREAS, The Board of Directors established a committee to develop a plan, and solicited input from the Circuit Counselors (now Visitors) through the Growth Council; and WHEREAS, The Reconfiguration Plan was presented to the congregations for examination and comments primarily through the Day with the Presidents and other workshops with pastors and leader; therefore be it Resolved, That the District in Convention establish Visitation Circuits coterminous with the proposed Electoral Circuits; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number One remain the same with the congregations of TrinityCliffside Park, St. Paul-Closter, Immanuel-East Rutherford, Holy Cross-Mahwah, ZionMaywood, St. Matthew-New Milford, Bethlehem-Ridgewood, Zion-Westwood; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number Two be reconfigured with the congregation of St. JohnBloomfield, St. John-Clifton, Our Savior-Fair Lawn, St. John-Harrison, Tumaini Kristo-Jersey City, Grace-Livingston, St. Matthew-Lyndhurst, Redeemer & Christ Assembly-Newark, Grace & St. Matthew-Union, Calvary-Verona, Redeemer-Westfield; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number Three be reconfigured with the congregation of Good Shepherd-Blairstown, Gethsemane-Hackettstown, Prince of Peace-Hamburg, EmmanuelMilford PA, Redeemer-Newton, Holy Faith-Oak Ridge, St. Paul’s-Pompton Lakes, Christ the King-Ringwood, Our Savior-Stanhope; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number Four be reconfigured with the congregations of Somerset Hills-Basking Ridge, St. Paul-Flemington, Holy Spirit-Montville Trinity-Morris Plains, King of Kings-Mountain Lakes, Good Shepherd-Randolph, Holy Trinity-Somerset; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number Five remain the same with the congregations of Luther Memorial-Blackwood, Holy Cross-Bordentown, St. John’s-Bridgeton, Trinity-Carney’s Point, St. Peter-Hopewell, Village-Lanoka Harbor, Holy Trinity-Lawrenceville, Calvary-Medford, Rose of Sharon-New Egypt; and be it further Resolved, That Circuit Number Six be reconfigured with the congregations of FaithDayton, Christ Memorial-East Brunswick, Our Redeemer-Fords, Prince of Peace-Howell, St. Thomas-Manalapan, Good Shepherd-Old Bridge, Good Shepherd-Point Pleasant, Luther Memorial-Tinton Falls; and be it further Resolved, That the Circuits be given new names: Circuit One - Hudson, Circuit Two Passaic River, Circuit Three - Highlands, Circuit Four - Central Jersey, Circuit Five - South Jersey, Circuit Six - Raritan Valley; and be it finally Resolved, That District Bylaw 3.20 a be changed to reflect the new Circuit names as follows: 3.20 Number of and Duties of the Vice President a. There shall be three Vice – Presidents representing these areas: 1. Region #1 – Hudson North and Paterson Passaic River Circuits 2. Region #2 – Newark/Elizabeth Highlands and Delaware Valley North Central Jersey Circuits 3. Region #3 – Delaware Valley South Jersey and Raritan Valley Circuits Resolution 15-03 To Process Board of Directors Voting by Email Ov. 15-5 WHEREAS, The New Jersey District Board of Directors has regularly scheduled meetings four times a year, and WHEREAS, There are situations that come up from time to time that require immediate action and cannot wait for a regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting; and WHEREAS, The Board of Directors has a provision in the bylaws that allows an emergency Board of Directors meeting to be called, either face to face or by telephone, but the meeting cannot take place until at least seven days have elapsed from the time the meeting is called; and WHEREAS, Some actions cannot wait even for seven days to elapse; and WHEREAS, Holding a virtual meeting by email is an efficient way to handle matters that are of such an urgent nature that they cannot wait seven days; and WHEREAS, When such virtual meetings are held, it is important that these meetings be held in conformity with a uniform practice, including the provision for all the Board members to participate in discussing the topic at hand; therefore be it Resolved, The New Jersey District, meeting in Convention, amend its bylaws as follows to allow for virtual email meetings: 5.02 c. If a motion is required that cannot wait the prescribed seven days for a special meeting, then a special e-mail discussion/vote may take place in the following manner. 1. The e-mail motion may be initiated by the District President, the Chairman of the Board, or by a member of the Board. If it is initiated by a member of the Board, he/she shall have contacted three other Board members and, at the beginning of the e-mail, state that the email is coming at the request of the four Board members. 2. The beginning of the email shall state the purpose of the motion/vote, and why this action must be done quickly, rather than waiting the prescribed seven days for a special meeting. 3. There must be two full business days of discussion on the motion. All board members must be included in the ensuing discussions, replies and votes. During this time, members may vote on the motion and, if they wish, may change their vote during that time. 4. Once the two full business days have passed, the Secretary will announce the vote tally up to that point. Once the motion is either passed or defeated by a majority of the board members, then the motion shall be considered either passed or defeated. Voting may continue, but it will not affect the outcome of the vote. 5. The motion and outcome must be recorded in the minutes at the next regularly scheduled Board of Directors’ meeting. ;and be it finally Resolved, That this amendment would take effect at the close of this 2015 New Jersey District Convention. Resolution 15-04 To Encourage Investigation of Means to Encourage and Assist Pastors to Remain in New Jersey Upon Their Retirement Ov. 15-2 WHEREAS, It goes without saying that the New Jersey is an expensive state in which to reside and many of the members of our own congregations have found it more desirable to live elsewhere, especially in their retirement years; and WHEREAS, Many of the pastors of the New Jersey District live in church-owned housing, usually referred to as the Parsonage; and WHEREAS, Most of the reverend clergy, when they retire, find that the high price of housing in New Jersey means they are forced to move out of state, away from family and friends among whom they have spent many, if not most, of their lives serving; and WHEREAS, There is a genuine need for active but retired pastors to continue to reside within New Jersey in order to fill a growing number of vacant parishes, and to serve in intentional interim ministry situations, visit in hospitals and homes, and fill pulpits when called pastors have or need a Sunday off; and WHEREAS, Older clergy are in many cases the living memory of the District’s history; and WHEREAS, Older clergy can provide wisdom, insight and encouragement to younger pastors at Circuit meetings, conferences and District gatherings; and WHEREAS, We enjoy having our senior brothers continue in our presence as a sign of God’s goodness and blessing as much as we appreciate having seminary graduates; and WHEREAS, A number of the brothers might like the opportunity to serve even in retirement; therefore be it Resolved, That the New Jersey District give thanks and honor to the service of our pastors; and be it further Resolved, The District President converse with pastors as they retire to ascertain their ministry situation, and be it further Resolved, That the New Jersey District in convention encourage its Board of Directors to investigate various means by which the District may assist retired pastors to remain within the District that they may continue to serve in part-time, ad hoc or advisory capacity, as needs arise within the District. Such assistance might include housing in available vacant church properties, (unused parsonages), housing allowance, or other financial support. As consideration for such support and assistance, retired pastors would continue to be active in District functions and assist the District and congregations according to their abilities and gifts. Resolution 15-05 To Perpetuate CHEF Funds in New Jersey Ov. 15-3 Explanation & history The New Jersey District’s Christian Heritage Endowment Fund came into existence in 1983. It began as a financial gift to the Atlantic District, a generous financial gift from a Lutheran family in New Jersey. It was given to the old Atlantic District before it was divided in three: the New England District, the Atlantic District, and the New Jersey District. At that time the assets of the gift were divided and the New Jersey District leaders created CHEF as a way of preserving the gift as an endowment fund for future projects. The idea was to use the interest and preserve the gift. In the course of time we understand that the Atlantic District and the New England District spent their portion of the fund. CHEF is all that remains of the original gift. If anytime the NJD ceases to exist (which can happen at any Synod convention) its assets revert to the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. WHEREAS, At this time the matter of regionalizing and reforming the Synod’s 35 districts into larger regions remains unresolved and an open question; and WHEREAS, Such regionalization, if and when it occurs in New Jersey, will swallow up the assets of the combined districts and spend them according to the wishes of the new regional organization; and WHEREAS, In that new organization the New Jersey congregations will be in a minority; and WHEREAS, New Jersey District has among its assets the Christian Heritage Endowment Fund; and WHEREAS, This Fund has proven itself a blessing to the many congregations of the NJD over its lifetime, providing financial resources and incentives for various projects and church plans, not the least of which is encouraging our own members to greater financial generosity; and WHEREAS, This Fund exists to benefit the New Jersey District congregations, the majority of which also happen to be within the state of New Jersey; and WHEREAS, It was the intention of CHEF's founders to perpetuate the gift so as to be a blessing to the congregations of this state (and District) in the future; and WHEREAS, We, the members of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod who reside in the State of New Jersey, would like the Fund to remain available to our Synod’s congregations that continue within the Garden State in the future; therefore be it Resolved; That the New Jersey District in convention request the District Board of Directors to work with the Trustees of CHEF and a lawyer so as to structure CHEF in manner that would preserve its intended purpose of serving NJ District congregations even in the event of merger or dissolution of the NJ District. Resolution 15-06 To Increase Nominations for District President Ov. 15-7 WHEREAS, To foster a robust ballot for district president; and WHEREAS, To more easily create a ballot with five (5) names for District President as called for in District Bylaw 2.20.e; and WHEREAS, Synodical bylaw 3.12.2 (a) allows for each congregation to nominate two (2) ordained ministers for Synodical President; and WHEREAS, Synodical bylaws 3.12.2 (a) and 3.12.2.78 (a) allows for each congregation to nominate two (2) ordained ministers for Synodical Vice Presidents and District bylaw 2.21 (a) allow each congregation to nominate two (2) ordained ministers for District Area Vice President; therefore be it Resolved, That the New Jersey District allow congregations to nominate two (2) ordained ministers for District President; and be it finally Resolved, That District Bylaw 2.20.b be amended to read "Each voting congregation shall be entitled to nominate as a candidate for President, one two ordained ministers from the clergy roster of the Synod." Resolution 15-07 To Update District Bylaws from Convention Resolutions and to Bring into Compliance With Synod Language. Res. 15-01, 15-02, 15-06, CCM feedback Selected overtures proposed to the District requested changes in the District Bylaws. These overtures are required to be sent to the Committee on Constitutional Matters (CCM) of the Synod, for veracity and compliance with the synodical Handbook, which contains the Constitution and Bylaws of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The overtures were generally accepted with only one receiving recommended adjustments. However, in reviewing our District Bylaws, the CCM made notes in other areas to standardize language and bring our Bylaws into conformity with Synod Bylaws. At times the District President and the Board of Directors have read the Handbook for guidance in particular areas of application. In general, these changes bring synodical advice into the District's governing document to help clarify procedures, without requiring to look outside for Synod procedure. The updated District Bylaws codifies appropriate action already taken by district leadership. WHEREAS, To incorporate action of the District in Convention regarding updating New Jersey District Bylaws; and WHEREAS, The 64th Synodical Convection in 2013 passed Resolution 7-02A, and ratified by the congregations of Synod, changing the title of Circuit Counselor to Circuit Visitor; and WHEREAS, The Committee on Constitutional Matters (CCM) has noted other areas of the New Jersey District Bylaws that need improvement; therefore be it Resolved, That the New Jersey District in Convention incorporate Bylaw changes approved in resolutions; and be it further Resolved, That the New Jersey District in Convention approve CCM recommendations to bring the District Bylaws into harmony with the Synod Constitution and Bylaws; and be it finally Resolved, That District Bylaws be ratified according to the changes presented in the attached Bylaws document. PROPOSED BYLAWS 6/5/2015 NEW JERSEY DISTRICT THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD CONTENTS I. DISTRICT ORGANIZATION II. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION III. AMENDEMENTS TO BYLAWS IV. DISSOLUTION OF THE DISTRICT I. A. 1.01 DISTRICT ORGANIZATION Name, Membership and Legal Representation Name and Membership (CCM) The name of this organization shall be New Jersey District, as given in the Articles of Incorporation, and membership shall be as defined by the Constitution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as printed in the most recently publishedhandbook, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The constitution and primary by-laws of the district are the constitution and by-laws of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The Constitution of the Synod is also the constitution of the District. The Bylaws of the Synod are primarily the bylaws of the District. 1.02 Legal Representation The President and the Secretary of the District shall sign all official or legal papers and documents of the District in the name of the District. B. Conventions, Nominations and Elections 1. 2.01 a. b. c. District Conventions District Conventions (CCM) The District shall meet in regular convention every three years, timed to occur in the year preceding The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod convention. The legal convention shall be is one which is convened according to the Constitution and Bylaws of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and District Bylaws the Bylaws of this District, and where at least one-third of the constitutionally elected voting representatives are present District’s voting members are represented by at least one of their respective representatives (pastor or lay delegate). The District President shall determine the convention dates and location, designate the time for sessions and the order of business and appoint preachers, chaplains, essayists, and convention committees. d. The primary sources of income which are to offset the operating costs of the District convention are the congregational levy, registration fees, exhibit space rentals, and other miscellaneous receipts. The congregational levy shall be assessed on a per communicant basis, the amount of the assessment to be determined by the President. Convention costs for delegates (including lodging, meals, travel and other incidental expenses) shall be paid by each congregation which the delegates represent. 2.02 Special Sessions In cases of urgent necessity the District President is empowered to convene special sessions of the district. He must previously have obtained consent of at least a majority of the voting congregations of the District after having informed them and the President of the Synod of the purpose of the intended special session. 2.03 Voting Delegates (CCM) A. THE PASTOR WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD, IS SERVING A VOTING CONGREGATION OR PARISH, AND HAS PRESENTED TO THE SECRETARY AT THE OPENING OF THE CONVENTION THE PROPER CREDENTIALS SIGNED BY TWO OF THE CONGREGATION’S OFFICERS SHALL STAND ACCREDITED AND ENTITLED TO VOTE. ONLY THE ADMINISTRATIVE PASTOR OR AN ASSOCIATE PASTOR FROM EACH CONGREGATION OR PARISH SHALL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE. b. Upon presenting to the Secretary at the opening of the convention the proper credentials signed by two of the congregation’s officers, the lay delegate of a voting congregation or parish shall stand accredited and entitled to vote. 2. 2.10 a. b. c. d. e. f. Nominations Convention Nominations Committee (CCM) The Convention Nominations Committee shall consist of two ordained ministers, two commissioned ministers, and two lay persons. It shall be elected by the previous convention. It shall, before each convention, prepare slates of nominations for all elective offices except for the offices of President, Vice-Presidents, regional (circuit) Board of Directors members and Circuit Counselors Visitors. Nominations shall always be listed in alphabetical order, without any distinctive marks. The committee shall normally propose the names of at least two pastors for the office of Secretary, at least two persons for other at large Board of Director positions. The committee shall obtain written consent from each nominee. It shall also solicit biographical information from respective nominees and publish same in the Convention Workbook. Additional nominations may always be made from the convention floor with the written consent of the nominee. 3. 2.20 a. b. c. d. e. 2.21 a. b. c. d. Nomination of District President and Vice Presidents Nomination of the District President (NJD) Six months prior to the opening of the convention, the Secretary of the District shall mail to each voting congregation of the District ballots for nominating this candidate. Each voting congregation shall be entitled to nominate as a candidate for President, one two ordained ministers from the clergy roster of the Synod. Each nominating ballot shall be signed by the president and secretary of the voting congregation and shall be sent to the Secretary of the District not later than 4 months prior to the opening date of the convention. The five clergymen receiving the highest number of votes in the nominating ballots of the congregations shall be candidates for the Office of President. The Secretary of the District shall publish in the Convention Workbook the names and the number of votes received on the nominating ballot of the five candidates receiving the highest number of nominations and who have given written approval to place their names in nomination and, if applicable, have consented to relocate into the District. The Secretary shall solicit and publish pertinent and adequate information from each of the candidates. Nomination of the Vice-Presidents (CCM) Each congregation shall be entitled to nominate two ordained ministers from the clergy roster of the Synod District with residence in the designated region. The Secretary of the District, six months prior to the convention shall mail to each voting congregation of the District a ballot listing those clergymen who currently reside in their vice presidential area region. Each nominating ballot shall be signed by the president and secretary of the congregation and shall be sent to the Secretary of the district not later than 4 months prior to the opening date of the convention. The Secretary of the District shall publish in the Convention Workbook the names and the number of votes received on the nominating ballot by the two candidates nominated by congregations in each area region receiving the highest number of nominations and who have given written approval to place their names in nomination and, if applicable, have consented to relocate into the vice presidential area. The Secretary shall solicit and publish pertinent and adequate information from each of the candidates. 4. 2.30 a. b. c. d. Elections Elections Committee (NJD) (CCM) All elections shall be conducted by the Convention Elections Committee appointed by the District President from among the convention delegates. The Convention Elections Committee shall conduct all elections by printed ballots. A majority of all votes cast shall be required for election to all elective offices and elective board positions. In the election of the President, vice presidents, and regional board members, if no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the candidate receiving the fewest e. 2.31 a. b. c. d. number of votes shall be eliminated on each subsequent ballot until one candidate receives a majority of the votes cast. Except in the election of the President, vice presidents, and regional board members, the following regulations shall apply: Candidates receiving a majority on the first ballot shall be declared elected. When a second or succeeding ballot is required for a majority, the candidate receiving the fewest votes and all candidates receiving less than 15% of the votes cast shall be dropped from the ballot, unless fewer than two candidates receive 15% or more of the votes cast, in which case the three highest candidates shall constitute the ballot. In every election balloting shall continue until every position has been filled by majority vote. Order of Elections (CCM) At all conventions, the following order of elections shall be observed: 1. The election of the District President, which shall take place on the first day of the convention. 2. A Vice-President from each area region shall then be elected by the entire convention, followed by separate ballots to determine the ranking of the Vice Presidents. 3. The District Secretary 4. The District Treasurer 5. The slate of Circuit Counselors Visitors which has been presented in accordance with the most recently published Handbook of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, shall then be ratified by the entire convention. At one convention shall follow: 1. Board of Directors – one Commissioned Minister 2. Board of Directors – two Clergy at Large 3. Board of Directors – Lay Members from Circuit numbers 1, 3, 5 At the alternating convention shall follow: 1. Board of Directors – Lay Members from circuit numbers 2, 4, 6 Then shall follow at all conventions: 1. Christian Heritage Endowment Fund Board of Trustees – all members. a. One qualified person from each of the three District vice-presidential regions and three lay persons at large, b. Term of office for Trustees shall be three years. Trustees may be re-elected to any number of consecutive terms. 2. A member of the Synodical Committee for Convention Nominations as needed (as printed in the most recently published Handbook of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod). 3. Nominations committee for the next District convention. C. Conferences of the District 2.40 Official Conferences of Ordained and Commissioned Ministers The official conferences of ordained and commissioned ministers shall be those required in the most recently published Handbook of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. 2.41 Circuit Conferences Circuit conferences of ordained ministers shall be convened regularly as required in the most recently published Handbook of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Commissioned ministers may be invited to Circuit conferences. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION A. 3.01 a. b. OFFICERS OF THE DISTRICT General Officers (CCM) The President shall be elected from the clergy roster of the Synod. The following officers shall be elected from the clergy roster of the Synod District: a President, three Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and a Circuit Counselor Visitor for each Circuit established by the District. The District shall have a Treasurer who shall be a lay person and shall be elected by the District Convention. 1. DISTRICT PRESIDENT 3.10 Powers and Duties of the District President as Representative of Synod The powers and duties of the District President as a representative of the Synod in this District are explained in the most recently published Handbook of The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod. 3.11 a. b. c. Power and Duties Of The District President Within the District (CCM) The President is the chief executive officer of the District. He shall carry out his administrative responsibilities with reference to operation of the District through the Board of Directors. As he deems appropriate, he shall consult with the Vice-Presidents when ever important and difficult District and other issues arise. He shall be responsible for carrying out policies as determined by the Board of Directors. d. e. f. g. 3.12 a. b. c. d. e. f. 3.13 a. b. c. d. He shall meet at least twice each year with the Circuit Counselors Visitors as a group to brief them on the progress of District ministries and to seek their advice and guidance on emerging problems and opportunities. He shall preach regularly in the pulpits of District congregations, bringing news of the ways Synod and District support their work and do ministry in their behalf. He shall have the right to authorize the Vice-Presidents to perform the duties of his office assist him in discharging his responsibilities or represent him, and shall hold them responsible for their performances. Accountability, however, shall always remain with the President. He shall perform any other duties that are listed in the Synod Constitution Article XII and Bylaw section 4.4. Advisory and Executive Functions of the District President The President shall give counsel and advice to those under his supervision. He shall exercise executive power when the affairs of the District demand it or when he has been expressly invested with such power for such specific purpose by the Board of Directors. He shall be responsible for carrying out policies as determined by the Board of Directors. He shall make an official report to the District at each convention. He shall approve the manuscript of the Convention Proceedings before publication. He may sign, with the Secretary of the District or any other proper officer of the District thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors of the District, certificates, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors or District in convention has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors of the District or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the District or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed. Appointments by the District President The District President shall appoint the following after each District Convention: Archivist Editor of the Grapevine Board of Governors for Leaders and Learners in Faith. Congregation Constitution Committee 3.14 The District President as Full-Time or Part-Time Executive The District President shall be a full-time or part-time executive. He may concurrently serve in another call to a congregation or calling agency of District or Synod, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey District, provided such service does not interfere with his official duties as District President. 3.15 When the District President is Unable to Serve Whenever the Board of Directors determines that the President is unable to serve because of prolonged illness or disability, the duties and responsibilities of the District President shall be assumed by the First Vice-President. The First Vice-President shall remain as the acting President until the Board of Directors determines that such illness or disability has ceased, or until the President officially vacates the office. 2. 3.20 a. b. c. d. 3.21 THE VICE PRESIDENTS Number of and Duties of the Vice President(CCM) (NJD) There shall be three Vice – Presidents representing these areas regions: 1. Region #1 – Hudson North and Paterson Passaic River Circuits 2. Region #2 – Newark/Elizabeth Highlands and Delaware Valley North Central Jersey Circuits 3. Region #3 – Delaware Valley South Jersey and Raritan Valley Circuits The Vice-Presidents shall upon request of the President represent him in all his functions, and discharge other responsibilities as may be assigned by the President or the Board of Directors. They shall be voting members of the Board of Directors. They shall represent their areas regions in all District matters. Vacancies (CCM) A vacancy in any vice-presidency shall be filled by advancing the lower-ranking VicePresidents. The remaining vacancy shall be filled from the nominees from that region left after the previous election. The one from that region who received the next highest number of votes shall be named Third Vice-President. 3. 3.30 a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. 3.31 a. THE SECRETARY Duties of the Secretary The Secretary shall: perform all the customary duties as corporation secretary and as such shall sign all duly authorized documents of the District and have custody of the corporate seal; serve as a member and secretary of the Board of Directors; serve as a consultant to the District convention committee; provide credential forms for each lay delegate to the District convention; record the proceedings during the District convention; publish the Convention Proceedings and arrange for their distribution to all voting and advisory delegates, and to such others as may be specified by the Board of Directors; see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws or as required by law; perform such other duties as the District in convention or the President of the District or the Board of Directors may assign to him. Serve as Correspondence Secretary for all Board communications. Vacancy & Absence (CCM) In the event of the death, resignation, or permanent incapacity of the Secretary, the Board of Directors shall appoint a successor for the expired term from the clergy roster of the District. b. The District President may appoint an Assistant Secretary to serve in the absence or unavailability of the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary shall have the same power and duties of the Secretary. 4. 3.40 a. b. c. d. e. f. THE TREASURER Duties of the Treasurer The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all moneys and valuable papers of the District; Be responsible that an exact record of all moneys received and expended by the District is kept. administer the District’s financial affairs according to its instructions; submit at any time to an examination of the books and accounts by an auditing committee when so ordered by the District in convention or by the Board of Directors; submit monthly and annual financial reports to the Board of Directors; report regularly to the District through the official periodical and at every convention of the District. 3.41 Vacancy In the event of the death, resignation, or permanent incapacity of the Treasurer, the Board of directors shall appoint a successor for the unexpired term. B. THE CIRCUIT COUNSELORS VISITORS (CCM) 4.01 a. Duties of the Circuit Counselors Visitors The duties of the Circuit Counselors Visitors shall be those outlined in the most recently published Handbook of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. In addition, the Circuit Counselors Visitors shall represent the District President and Serve at his direction in assisting congregations during pastoral vacancies. b. C. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 5.01 Membership The Board of Directors shall be elected by a convention of the District. The board shall consist of the District President, the three Vice-Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer, two clergy-at-large, one commissioned minister, and six lay persons representing their respective Circuits. 5.02 a. b. Meetings of the Board of Directors (NJC) (CCM) At its reorganization meeting each year, the Board of Directors shall establish a meeting schedule. Said schedule may be amended by the Board during the course of the year to reflect work load, the convenience of Board members regarding attendance difficulties, and/or conflicts with other events, or for good cause. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at the request of the District President, the Chairman of the Board, or any four board members. The person or persons calling the special meeting of the board may fix any site, including the use of c. 5.03 a. b. c. d. e. f. telephone conference, for said special meeting. Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least seven days prior to the meeting by notice delivered personally or sent to each board member by mail, fax, e-mail or telephone. The business to be transacted at any special meeting of the board shall be specified in the notice of such meeting and the meeting shall be limited to the business so specified. If a motion is required and cannot wait the prescribed seven days for a special meeting, then a special e-mail discussion/vote may take place. In order for this to occur, the Board must take into consideration fostering the open exchange of ideas, availability of technology to all members, stewardship of resources, perception of fairness, controversial nature of agenda items, and whether secret ballots might be used. This meeting shall take place in the following manner. 1. The e-mail motion may be initiated by the District President, the Chairman of the Board, or by a member of the Board. If it is initiated by a member of the Board, he/she shall have contacted three other Board members and, at the beginning of the e-mail, state that the email is coming at the request of the four Board members. 2. The beginning of the email shall state the purpose of the motion/vote, and why this action must be done quickly, rather than waiting the prescribed seven days for a special meeting. 3. There must be a full business day of discussion on the motion. All board members must be included in the ensuing discussions, replies and votes. During this time, members may vote on the motion and, if they wish, may change their vote during that time. 4. Once a full business day has passed, the secretary will announce the vote tally up to that point. Once the motion is either passed or defeated by a majority of the board members, then the motion shall be considered either passed or defeated. Voting may continue, but it will not affect the outcome of the vote. 5. The motion and outcome must be recorded in the minutes at the next regularly scheduled Board of Directors’ meeting. General Powers and Duties of the Board of Directors The Board of Directors shall have all the powers and duties which have been accorded it by the laws of the State of New Jersey, the Articles of Incorporation of the District, the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod and the District, and the resolutions of the delegate conventions of the District. The Board of Directors shall be vested with the general management and supervision of the District’s business and legal affairs. The Board shall determine the desired outcomes of the District. The Board of Directors shall establish policies for the governance of the District. The Board of Directors shall determine the salary and compensation of the District President. The Board of Directors shall provide for the coordination of the policies and directives of the district authorized by the Constitution, Bylaws and convention resolutions, evaluate plans and policies, and define objectives of the District. The board shall communicate to the District President the general directives for obtaining these objectives. g. The Board of Directors shall be accountable to the delegate convention of the District for the discharge of its duties. 5.04 a. Duties of the Board of Directors in Planning The Board of Directors shall review plans and policies which the councils (cf. Section C) intend to submit to a delegate convention of the District and shall notify the respective councils whether it approves or disapproves such proposed plans and policies. In the event that the Board of Directors and a council cannot resolve their differences, the council may nevertheless submit its plan or policy to the delegate convention of the District, provided that the Board of Directors shall also be privileged to report to the convention its views with respect to such plans or policy. 5.05 Duties of the Board of Directors with Respect to District Personnel a. The Board of Directors shall be empowered to contract for services and counsel by qualified personnel from other Districts or from the Synod for the purpose of giving aid and assistance to the District, its Board of Directors, and its various councils, commissions and agencies for the purpose of carrying out the program and objectives of the District. b. The Board of Directors shall review and approve plans to call ordained and commissioned ministers for specific work within the District. 5.06 a. Fiscal Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors The Board of Directors shall receive, review, and approve the work program of the President of the District. b. The Board of Directors is empowered to authorize the District Treasurer to borrow capital funds after the Board has determined the amounts and the conditions under which these capital funds shall be borrowed for capital fund outlay, for site acquisitions and for construction projects deemed necessary by the Board of Directors or authorized by the District in convention. c. The Board of Directors is empowered to do all things necessary to effect such Capital Fund borrowing, if and when required, including the pledging of real and other property belonging to the District, in order to secure loans to obtain necessary funds. 5.07 a. Property Duties of the Board of Directors The Board of Directors shall have charge of the District’s real and personal property and shall hold, manage, and arrange for the care and maintenance of such property. b. The Board of Directors shall authorize the purchase, sale, transfer or repair of property in accordance with the regulations of the District. 5.08 a. Other Duties of the Board of Directors The Board of Directors shall report on the work and the needs of the District In official publications of the District as often as it may deem necessary, but at least annually. Official minutes of the Board of Directors shall be made available at the office or residence of the Secretary by appointment to any District member (congregations, ministers of religion – ordained and ministers of religion – commissioned). b. The Board shall submit to the District in convention a comprehensive report with appropriate recommendations. c. The Board of Directors shall arrange for the publication and distribution of Financial reports according to District regulations. d. The Board of Directors shall provide for audits to be made of the financial activities of the District. e. The Board of Directors shall be authorized to engage legal counsel and to arrange for other professional and technical services for guidance and advice for itself, its officers, and the councils responsible to the board. f. The Board of Directors shall be authorized to draw on the treasury of the District for its expenses. g. The Board of Directors may appoint committees of the Board and define their duties. 5.09 a. Indemnification of Corporate Agents The New Jersey District shall indemnify a corporate agent of the District against expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with any proceeding involving the corporate agent by reason of being or having been such a corporate agent, if a proceeding by or in the rights of the corporation, if 1. such corporate agent acted in good faith and in a manner the agent reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and 2. with respect to any criminal proceeding, such corporate agent had no reasonable cause to believe the agent’s conduct was unlawful. b. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not of itself create a presumption that such corporate agent did not meet the applicable standards of conduct set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) above. c. The New Jersey District shall indemnify a corporate agent of the District against expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor which involves the corporate agent by reason of being or having been such corporate agent, it such agent acted in good faith and in a manner the agent reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. However, in such proceeding no indemnification shall be provided in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such corporate agent shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation for negligence or misconduct, unless and only to the extent that the Superior Court or the court in which such proceeding as brought shall determine upon application that despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all circumstance of the case, such corporate agent is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the Superior court or such other court shall deem proper. d. Expenses incurred by a corporate agent in connection with a proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding as authorized by the Board of Directors upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the corporate agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such agent is not entitled to be indemnified as provided in this section. e. The definition and meaning of all terms and provisions used herein shall be construed in accordance with N.J.S.A. 14A:3-5, as may be amended by the State of New Jersey. f. The powers granted by N.J.S.A., 14A:3-5 may be exercised by the corporation notwithstanding the absence of any provision in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws authorizing the exercise of such powers. The intent of these bylaws is to provide the fullest indemnification as provided by law. g. This indemnification shall be excess and secondary to any insurance available for indemnification of judgments, settlements, or defense costs, and also excess and secondary to any indemnification available from all other sources. 5.10 Full Financial Disclosure As an entity of the Synod, the District operates according to the most recently published Handbook of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The Board of Directors of the District will make available a full financial report to the congregations of the District on an annual basis. 5.11 a. Terms of Office and Tenure of Board Members Terms of office shall be as follows; 1. Elected officers – three years. 2. Elected members of the Board of Directors – six years, staggered as provided above in 2.31.b and c. 3. There is no limitation of terms for any officer or Board member. 5.12 Vacancies Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws or in the bylaws of The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod, vacancies to elected positions will be filled by the Board of Directors. Appointment to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term. 5.13 Disclosure of Conflict of Interest (CCM) As an entity agency of the Synod, the District operates according to the most recently published Handbook of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. 5.14 Holding More Than One Office (CCM) As an entity agency of the Synod, the District operates according to the most recently published Handbook of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. D. 6.01 a. COUNCILS OF THE DISTRICT PRESIDENT Names and Appointment There shall be four councils: 1. Congregation Growth Council 2. Congregation Outreach Council 3. Congregation Services Council 4. District Operations Council b. Council members shall be appointed in the manner specified under each Council. Council membership will expire upon the close of each District Convention. New Councils will be formed following each District Convention. 1. CONGREGATION GROWTH COUNCIL 6.10 Purpose of the Congregation Growth Council a. The Congregation Growth Council is to address the Goal Question: How can we motivate, encourage and support each congregation to identify its growth-restricting factors and to implement a growth plan? b. The Congregation Growth Council is a pastoral care arm of the District President. It will meet regularly to pray for the congregations of the District and to devise a plan to encourage and involve each congregation of the District toward growth. 6.11 a. Membership in the Congregation Growth Council (CCM) The Congregation Growth council shall consist of the District President, the District Vice-Presidents, and the Circuit counselors Visitors, all of whom are elected by the District in convention. The District President will appoint additional council members as needed. b. 2. 6.20 a. b. 6.21 CONGREGATION OUTREACH COUNCIL Purpose of the Congregation Outreach Council The Congregation Outreach Council is to address the Goal Question: How can we continue to recruit and work with motivated individuals, congregations and partnerships so as to plant as many new missions as possible each year in the most effective manner possible? The Congregation Outreach Council will meet regularly to plan and implement mission strategies which, as a primary consideration, involve participation by existing congregations of the District. When necessary, it may enter a mission field or strategy without the direct involvement of (a) District congregation(s). Membership in the Congregation Outreach Council The Congregation Outreach Council shall consist of ten members appointed by the District President. Appropriate District Staff as determined by the District President shall be Council members. 3. 6.30 a. b. c. CONGREGATION SERVICES COUNCIL Purpose of the Congregation Services Council The Congregation Services Council is to address the Goal Question: How can we continue to research, catalog, store and make available resources and programs, and assist any motivated congregation in executing its action plan? The Congregation Services Council shall give particular attention to the areas of Adult Ministry, Child Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, Family Ministry, Leadership Development Ministry, School Ministry, Stewardship Ministry and Youth Ministry. 1. Concerning Stewardship Ministry, the Congregational Services Council will cooperate with the Synod’s Department of Stewardship to implement an adequate stewardship program at the congregational and District level as mandated by Synod Bylaw section 4.6. Whenever possible, the Congregation Services Council shall encourage congregations of the District to make available their programs and ministries as resources for other District congregations. 6.31 Membership in the Congregation Services Council The Congregation Services council shall consist of ten members appointed by the District President. Appropriate District Staff shall be Council members. 4. 6.40 a. b. DISTRICT OPERATIONS COUNCIL Purpose of the District Operations Council The District Operations Council shall address the Goal Question: How can we assess and re-evaluate District and Synod needs and identify financial and personnel resources to meet those needs? As it addresses it Goal Question, it may address such tasks as 1. promoting the mission of Synod and District among District congregations; 2. identifying alternate sources of funding for District and congregation mission projects; 3. encouraging the “mission thinking”: of congregations. 6.41 Membership in the District Operations Council The District Operations Council shall consist of six members. Two members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors upon nomination by the District President. The Business Manager, Treasurer, LCEF Vice President, and The District Stewardship Chairperson shall be members of the Council. E. THE CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ENDOWMENT FUND 7.01 Purpose of the Christian Heritage Endowment Fund The Christian Heritage Endowment Fund, and endowment fund of the District, has been established to receive and accept property, whether real, personal or mixed, by way of gifts, bequests or devices to be held, administered and disposed of in a. 7.02 a. b. accordance with the charitable, religious, educational purposes and other ministries of the District. The Christian Heritage Endowment Fund shall be held and accounted for as a separate and distinct fund of the District, yet under the direction of the District Board of Directors. The fund shall be subject to the same internal controls and accounting and financial reporting requirements as generally employed by the District, except that the receipts and disbursements and assets of the fund shall be separately recorded and accounted for, and a written financial report be prepared for the Trustees on a quarterly basis by the Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer of the District. Membership and Term of Office of the Board of Trustees of the Christian Heritage Endowment Fund (CCM) Trustees of the fund shall be elected by the District in convention, and shall include one qualified person from each of the three District vice-presidential areas, three lay persons at large, and, as specified elsewhere in these Bylaws (2.31.d.1, above)t The District Treasurer shall also be a Trustee. The President of the District and the chairperson of the District Operations council shall serve as advisors. The District Business Manager shall serve as resource person and secretary to the Trustees. Term of office for Trustees shall be three years. Trustees may be re-elected to any number of consecutive terms. When a vacancy occurs, the trustee shall be replaced by appointment of the Board of Directors of the District after nomination by the District President. III. AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS 8.01 How Amendments to Bylaws Are Made Amendments to these Bylaws may be made provided that they are not contrary to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod; presented in writing to a convention of the District; specified as Bylaw amendments and considered by a convention floor committee; submitted to the Commission on Constitutional Matters of the Synod for review and approval prior to presentation to the convention; and adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates present and voting. a. b. c. d. e. IV. 9.01 a. DISSOLUTION OF THE DISTRICT Dissolution of the District In the event this corporation is dissolved or its existence otherwise terminates or is terminated, all right, title, and interest in and to its property, whether tangible or intangible and whether real or personal, shall thereupon automatically vest in or be transferred to the Synod. Omnibus Resolution A WHEREAS, Certain overtures request action that is the responsibility of various boards commissions, or individuals to study and to implement; therefore be it Resolved, That the following overtures be referred to the designated board, commission, or individual: Number Subject Board, Commission, Individual Ov. 15-6 To Use Resources for the Sale of Closed NJ District Churches for Word and Sacrament Ministry Board of Directors NOMINATIONS FOR DISTRICT OFFICERS DISTRICT PRESIDENT The following have been nominated and have given written notice of their approval to have their names placed on the ballot: Rev. Andrew Dinger - 1 Rev. Dr. Anthony Steinbronn - 23 The following declined nomination for President: Rev. Stephen Gewecke DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT The following have been nominated by the congregations of their respective Vice Presidential regions, and have given written approval to allow their names to stand in nomination: AREA 1 Rev. Dr. David Rowold -1 Rev. Deric Taylor - 7 AREA 3 Rev. Stephen Gewecke - 6 Rev. Gary Hall - 1 Rev. William Willenbrock - 1 AREA 2 Rev. Andrew Dinger - 2 Rev. Craig Lutz - 2 The following declined the nomination for Vice President Area 1: Rev. Robert Holsten, Rev. Anthony Iovine, Rev. Andrew Nelson, Rev. Thomas Pranschke. Area 2: Rev. Arthur Doring, Rev. Terry Herzberg, Rev. Richard Izzard. Area 3: Rev. Garret Knudson, Rev. Christian Schonberg. NOMINATIONS FOR CIRCUIT VISITORS Following is the list of nominees for Circuit Visitors, provided by following the procedure outlined in Bylaw 5.11 of the constitution of Synod. Circuit #1 Rev. Robert Holsten Circuit #2 Rev. Dr. David Rowold Circuit #3 Rev. Stephen Vogt Circuit #4 Rev. David Behm Circuit #5 Rev. Mark Stillman Circuit #6 Rev. Chris Schonberg The following declined the nomination for Circuit Visitor – Circuit 4: Rev. Andrew Dinger CIRCUIT FORUM ELECTION RESULTS TO BE RATIFIED BY THE CONVENTION Circuit #1 Rev. Robert Holsten Circuit #4 Rev. David Behm Circuit #2 Rev. Dr. David Rowold Circuit #5 Rev. Mark Stillman Circuit #3 Rev. Stephen Vogt Circuit #6 Rev. Chris Schonberg NOMINATIONS FOR 2015 CONVENTION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lay Person – Circuit # 2 ( 6 year term) Olugbenga Adesokan Lay Person – Circuit # 4 ( 6 year term) Keith Brotherson Lay Person – Circuit # 6 ( 6 year term) Randi Rutan Secretary: (3 year term) Rev. Andrew Dinger Rev. Richard Serina Treasurer (3 year term) none CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ENDOWMENT FUND TRUSTEES (Candidate may be either clergy or lay person who is skilled in investments) Region #1 (3 year term) John Blume Howard Crumb Region #2 (3 year term) Keith Brotherson Rev. Brian Handrich Region #3 (3 year term) Rev. Dennis Bottoms Rev. Philip Ressler Charlotte Visbeck CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ENDOWMENT FUND LAY PERSON AT LARGE Stuart Knorr Stephen Naumowicz Linda Panarella Charlotte Visbeck William Zak NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2018 NJ DISTRICT CONVENTION (Candidates elected to this convention committee may also serve in other elected office of the District) Clergy: Rev. David Behm Rev. Stephen Gewecke Rev. Chris Schonberg Commissioned Minister: Caren Vogt Lay Persons: Kenneth French Charlotte Visbeck Vision for New Jersey District -- Andrew Dinger 1. Developing Church Leaders. We are a people obsessed with leadership by people, and not from our Lord Jesus Christ. The primary reason why our ideas on church leadership have strayed so far from God’s will is our tendency to project Western political notions of government onto the biblical writers—reading them back into the text. Instead, we should focus on relationships. The two greatest commands, on which all the others depend, are concerned with relationships, with God and one another. Even the secular literature on leadership makes it clear that our emphasis should be on relationships, as Stephen Covey wrote in Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, "No amount of technical administrative skill in laboring for the masses can make up for lack of nobility of personal character in developing relationships." We might say that we must put our emphasis on building character, and this is a spiritual practice. When we think of the church in organizational rather than relational terms, it distorts our values. The District can only lead based out of our relationships with one another and not from a place of position and power. Finally, for as important as organizational problems are, they are not our fundamental problem. We don’t need better bylaws, we need to grow as servants of the Crucified and Risen Lord, and developing a cruciform life. 2. Worker Health. I am pleased to see that Rev. Paul Huneke has been brought on to address the topic of worker health. We can not put enough resources into this area of concern. I would encourage our pastors and workers to make full use of their mental health benefits in the Concordia Plans. There is no shame in getting help when you are over stressed and anxious. I would also encourage the use of spiritual direction and “father confessors.” We are so alone and have no Seelsorger to heal our souls. I would extend this to the families of church workers as well as it is very difficult to be pastor to our wife and children. The District needs to help pastors and congregations do the best they can with what they have been given by God. This is not a one size fits all program, to push everyone through as though this will fix all our problems. However, the District can help workers grow in their competence in dealing with the issues that they face by providing quality practical training. The District can work with congregations to better support their pastor financially, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Honesty is a big deal. It is demanding to be honest, especially when we feel vulnerable. Start with appreciation, not suspicion. Give attention and listen, taking care to understand. 3. Evangelism. We need to be creative about how we manage the scarce resources that we have at this time. Pres. Steinbronn has put together a good plan for developing an Urban Mission Center out of Elizabeth. Churches could partner together and share the resource of called workers. For example, a few churches could share a deaconess to visit the sick, a preacher, and an evangelist. Also, we should bring in skilled and accomplished evangelists and church planters who have successfully planted churches in similar urban contexts and commit to their work for a minimum of 5 years, as opposed to bringing in a seminary graduate and giving them at the most 3 years of support. We need to pay attention to what others care about. Listen to your neighbors, mayor, police, firemen, nurses, doctors, etc. Then, focus on what is good and working in a place rather than addressing the deficiencies. This approach is called Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). This approach is concerned with identifying unrecognized assets and mobilize these existing resources to respond and create local change. This helps us see that our neighbors have skills to help and that we don’t always have to go to professionals for assistance. This will tie in with the last topic of addressing social ministry. Creativity is free. Experiment! Be opportunistic when you get the chance. Evaluate faithfully and let people know: what worked? What didn’t? Why? But don’t be afraid to try. We have only been given this time and not another. The District, as a leader of change, also needs to be willing to be risky, to be ready to “put it all on black” and “swing for the fences.” 4. Social Ministry. Wonderfully, the Christian tradition has a robust history of social care.. But, why are almost all of these outside of the local church? In most churches, social ministry is typically considered optional, peripheral, and nonessential. Instead of outsourcing to other organizations, even our own RSOs, why not pull it back to the local church, the place where God has promised to be in the preaching of the Word and the breaking of the Bread? Again, using the Asset-Based Community Development model, we can ask ourselves, “What do you do well enough that you could teach someone else?” That might be the beginning of a social ministry. We need to evaluate our current social ministries and ask, do our ministries produce unintended consequences? For example, the foods that are given through food banks often are high in processed sugars and carbohydrates – which leads to higher rates of obesity and diabetes. We assume that the problem is hunger and starvation, but in many communities, especially urban areas, it is obesity. So, why hand out peaches in heavy syrup to people that are obese? Why not have half the church or District budget be for gathering, and half the budget for sending? Why not half the church’s buildings dedicated to gathering, and half of the church’s buildings dedicated for sending, like hospitality houses, literacy centers, and crisis pregnancy homes? Why not half of the church’s energy for gathering and half of our energy for sending? When we look back on the Church’s history, the most successful church movements weren’t the ones that tried to emulate contemporary culture, but the ones that were confident enough to tug hard against it. That is what we are called to do at this time in which God has placed each of us. Whatever we do, in the end the final victory belongs to the Lord, and that victory will endure through the short time we've been given to work. Vision for the New Jersey District -- Rev. Dr. Anthony Steinbronn Leaders who are equipped for a life of discipleship and servant ministry The vision of our Lord for His people is simple and clear: “go and make disciples of all nations.” As He began His public ministry, Jesus called disciples to Himself and began to teach them many things about the nature and mission of the Kingdom. Jesus summarized this life of discipleship in this way: a wise person is someone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice (Matthew 7:24-27). Jesus also taught them that the greatest in the Kingdom is the one who serves; just as He came to serve, so they are to engage in a lifetime of service (John 13:12-17; Philippians 2:5-11). God continues to call disciples to Himself through the waters of Baptism and as the Gospel is proclaimed; and some of these disciples He places in position of leadership within the Church. They are men and women who have heard the words of Jesus and built their lives upon them; in knowing and living “the way of Jesus,” they have been, and continue to be, equipped for a life of discipleship and service – a leadership ministry that strengthens the faith and lives of those who are already His disciples and that reaches out to those who are not yet disciples so that they might become His disciples. Church workers who are mature, competent and experiencing healthy family lives It is essential that those who have been called by the Lord of the Church to serve as ordained or commissioned ministers of religion that they be mature and competent in their respective ministry endeavors. In Ephesians 4:13, maturity is described as “attaining to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” and “growing up in every way into Him who is the Head;” so that we all might be fully informed, formed and competent for our ministry – wise servants who have been trained for the Kingdom (Matthew 13:52; Eph. 4:11- 16). As with any profession that seeks to bless the lives of others, we are committed to growing in our ability to serve others through continuing education experiences and being sufficiently equipped for the ministry challenges and demands of ministry in the twenty-first century. One of three “ordered powers” established by God for the good of humankind is the family (along with temporal and spiritual authority). It is His will that our families be homes where His love and goodness are known, His Scriptures are heard and “inwardly digested,” where His grace, mercy and forgiveness are daily extended; as we live together in our earthly “home” and journey toward our eternal “home.” The hymnist described it in this way: “Oh, blest the house, whatever befall, where Jesus Christ is all in all! For if He were not dwelling there, how dark and poor and void it were” (LW 467, verse 1). Congregations that are equipped for evangelism and outreach One of my favorite movies is Forrest Gump. Like Forrest, every human being has a story; and, like Forrest, each person’s life is filled with many scenes, snapshots and experiences. Most importantly, life is all about making sense of your story; however, as Forrest experienced, making sense of one’s story is not that easy to do for it requires reflection, examination, and God’s revelation (Law and Gospel). So that people who do not believe in Him might be able to know of their salvation in Jesus Christ, God is pleased when we become equipped for our evangelizing labors; in order to be His witnesses and messengers of the Gospel, we begin where people are – listening to and knowing their story – and then, with His wisdom as ones taught of the Spirit, help them to make sense of their story in light of His saving story (just as Lois and Eunice did in the life of Timothy -- 2 Timothy 3:1417). Congregations that are engaged in social ministry Every person is created and born for the sake of others; and, a living faith expresses itself in works of love empowered by, and modeled after, the love of Christ. The Lutheran social ethic is this: faith active in love. As Lutherans, we understand that in the need of my neighbor, it is there that God is to be found and loved for “as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25: 34-40; Luke 10:25-37). Because He first loved us, we love others and engage ourselves in works of mercy and in many different kinds of social ministry that bless our neighbor in the diversity of his or her needs; and through strategic partnerships with entities such as Lutheran Social Ministry of New Jersey.
