| August
2003
Filled
with Joy!
This year's Indiana District
convention, held June 19-20 in Fort Wayne, will be remembered as
a time of celebration and thanksgiving for the dozen years of
service of retiring President Timothy Sims. A man who is widely
admired and loved throughout the District, Pres. Sims has
overseen growth in our congregations, an expansion of outreach
and multi-cultural ministries, and the streamlining of the work
of the District office--all undertaken with a humble spirit, a
heart fired by joy in the Savior, and a sense of humor that
could enliven even long, drawn-out meetings. He will not be easy
to replace.
However, Pastor Dan May of St.
James, Lafayette, elected as his successor, appears to have many
similar qualities. Pres. May will be assisted by First Vice
President Ralph Blomenberg (Immanuel, Seymour); Second VP Mark
Pflughoeft (Trinity, Lowell); Third VP David Mommens (St. John,
Columbia City); and Fourth VP John Fiene (Advent, Zionsville).
Some of the resolutions passed
included District Bylaw changes; an inquiry into whether the
Dist Pres could also serve as a part-time parish pastor;
encouragement to congregations to participate in the LCMS
"Ablaze!" outreach program; to continue and expand
cross-cultural ministries in the District; to recognize the 25th
anniversary of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund; and to
commend the reading of works by Martin Luther. One resolution
that involved quite a bit of discussion about whether pastors
should be males will be sent on to the 2004 LCMS convention.
One highlight of the proceedings
was the "Flags of the Nations Celebration," when
immigrants carrying flags representing 40 countries processed
into the hall. Another special event was the communion service
at historic St. Paul's, where over 600 persons worshiped
together. The preacher was Dr. Wallace Schulz, LCMS Second VP
and former Lutheran Hour speaker, who represented Synod
President Gerald Kieschnick, unable to be with us due to a prior
commitment to attend the LWML convention. Also present was the
convention essayist, Prof. Dale Meyer of Concordia Seminary, St.
Louis.
Special recognition was given to
Larry Jung, leaving the District office after 28 years as
Executive for Finance, and the Rev. Luther Strasen, retiring
from his position as Stewardship Executive.
There was a good spirit among the
delegates at this convention, and one came away with the feeling
of having truly participated in the work of Christ's kingdom.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
1-01 District Bylaw Changes
1-02 To Keep Districts as They
Are
1-03 To Enable the IN Dist Pres
to serve as a part-time parish pastor (referred to Dist BOD)
2-01 To Commend the Reading of
Luther
2-02 To Respectfully Decline
Overture (honoring one individual for his writings)
2-03 To Refer to the LCMS-BOD an
overture addressing the status of the ILLL as auxiliary
2-04 To Commend to the 2004 LCMS
convention Overture
2-05 To Amend the Synod's
Constitution to Reflect Explicitly That Only Men May be Pastors
(Committee had sought to include this overture in an omnibus
resolution concerning actions of previous conventions)
3-01 To Encourage Participation
in Synod's "Ablaze!" Outreach Initiative
3-02 To Continue and Expand
Cross-Cultural Outreach Efforts in the Indiana District LCMS
3-03 To Reaffirm our Proclamation
of Jesus as the Only Savior
3-04 To Consider our Partnership
in Evangelism and Outreach
3-05 To Restructure Board for
Mission Services
3-06 To Support the Proclamation
of the Gospel through Confessional Lutheran Mission Societies
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