Some things to consider
Prayer requests
Dates to remember
Various updates

Some things to consider

Not much has changed since the Green Lake pastors' conference at the end of October. Here is part of my president's report presented during the conference...

Progressive and vibrant models for mission and ministry

• Mission is the primary purpose of the church: There is a lot happening with mission in the South Wisconsin District. There are great stories about what our Lord is accomplishing through our efforts to proclaim his saving message of forgiveness and life. Make sure that you hear what Rev. Dan McMiller has to say about our renewed efforts to engage the city of Milwaukee with Jesus; especially our efforts to create a new mission society, a vision narrative written by the pastors and leaders involved in urban ministry, and an effort to begin work on the east side of the Milwaukee where regentrification is underway.
• When I served in Central Illinois, Rev. George Beiderweiden was often heard saying that it was his belief that God blesses the church in like manner as it reaches out to the lost. That is my firm belief as well. That is why mission and outreach is the centerpiece, the focal point of all that we are doing.
• The unchurched statistics for Wisconsin are staggering. The best way to reach the unchurched is to start a new church.
• We have been talking about holding a special one day SWD missions conference to highlight what we are doing in missions. The date has not been set. I had hoped to pull this together for spring 2008; but I am not sure about that yet. The plans are to let pastors and people meet and greet those involved in our SWD missions. It will be a one day event with a special keynote speaker. I am going to pull together a committee to help get this done.

Ministry

• Ablaze! Revitalization replaces Refocus: This past week in a joint effort between Rev. Tom Eggold who is the coordinator for "Great Lakes Urban Ministry" and our "Center for US Missions," an effort began here in SWD for Ablaze/Revitalization. Leaders from various parts of the LCMS came together here in SWD to learn the process and to help kick off this process in SWD. Five Milwaukee congregations (Emmaus, Chapel of the Cross, Mission of Christ, Bethlehem, and Covenant) have asked to be part of this process. The purpose is to help congregations stop their slide toward death and be revitalized in mission/outreach. All of our called workers in the office have been trained in this process. As we move forward with this and as time allows, other congregations will be able to move into this process. This means that our involvement in Refocus will end by Jan. 1, 2008.
• Schools: Because of the staff reductions mandated by the budget crisis, there was realignment in the office of school superintendent. Gary Janetzke was tasked with administering the education aspect of SWD. Along with his other responsibilities, that is no small task especially in light of the 63 preschools, 61 elementary schools and 6 high schools in SWD. To lighten the burden and to make sure that schools receive the attention and support that they need, we have contracted four, part-time regional school administrators. They are Roger Laesch, Gene Ladendorf, Denny Vierk and Dave Jording.
• Human care: Because of our desire to have a great impact on our outreach efforts in the city of Milwaukee, Jim Farrelly has been re-tasked a bit and is now helping to coordinate the various mercy ministries in the city with resources.

Growing discipleship

• "Consecrated Stewards": Tim  Dittloff has taken stewardship under his wing. It's not just about getting more dollars in the offering plate. Rather it is a process to help God's people grow in discipleship so that they better understand how their whole life is a stewardship to be consecrated to Him. Dittloff has a cadre of pastors trained in “Consecrated Stewards” that can help lead the process in your congregation.

Leadership development

• As you may know, I have been a student in “Pastoral Leadership Institute” (PLI). Some may have mixed feelings about that organization; but I can tell you from personal experience that it has been a blessing to me and my ministry. Others in SWD can attest to that same thing from their own perspective. If you would like to know more about it, you can talk with me or one of the many in the District who have been students in PLI.
• We have been in general discussions with the Northern Illinois District to host some sort of joint leadership training seminar. But that is only in the talking stages at this point.

Church worker wholeness

• The ministerial health committee meets monthly. We discuss issues and troubles that are plaguing called workers and congregations. Each month the need to address this for called workers is emphasized again and again. Ultimately, I would like to have someone on the District team who is trained in church worker wellness. You know as well as I do how the demands of the office, the stress, that accompanies what we do weighs heavily. Sometimes—too often—pastors and called workers act out their stresses in unhealthy ways.

One very important area where we need your help: We are looking for a person to fill the role of business manager for the South Wisconsin District. The job description includes experience with accounting and budgets, an understanding of church structure, working with the various boards/committees, ability to work with staff, working with congregational treasurers regarding tax and budget issues. If you know of someone who might be interested in working at this level, please pass his/her name along. Contact Tim Dittloff at (414) 464-8100 or (800) 793-3678. 

To close I want to thank each one of our pastors for your faithfulness to our calling to be His representative in the congregation where you serve. You are an important part of our Lord's Kingdom, an important link in our witnes to this state where we live. Remember the words of St. Jude, "Be merciful to those who doubt, snatch others from the fire to save them."

Much peace and many blessings!

President John C. Wille
South Wisconsin District 

 

Prayer requests

Please keep in your prayers/petitions:

• Rev. Ferdinand Timler, retired, suffering from cancer and heart trouble 
• Rev. Robert Zick, St. John, Fredonia, recovering from back surgery
• Mrs. Arline Gumz, wife of Rev. Bernard Gumz, deceased, recovering from hip surgery
• Rev. Earl Bleke, chaplain, Bethesda Lutheran Homes, Watertown, recovering from cancer surgery
• Rev. Robert McMiller, father of Rev. Dan McMiller, struggling with cancer
   

Dates worthy of note

• Nov. 2 — CUW board of regents
• Nov. 5 — Finance committee
• Nov. 6 — Execs strategic planning
• Nov. 8 — Board of directors
• Nov. 12-19 — Council of presidents and Lutheran Church Extension Fund fall conference, Dallas 
   

Various updates

SWD executive team contacts:

• Missions and evangelism: Rev. Dan McMiller
• Human care: Jim Farrelly
• Youth/family/schools: Gary Janetzke
• Lutheran Church Extension Fund: Tim Dittloff
• Stewardship: Tim Dittloff
• LCMS Foundation and estate planning: John Meyer
• Business office: Ralph Klevenow (interim business manager); Herman Strozier