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Supplement - Indiana District LCMS
TWENTY-FIRST CONVENTION JUNE 25-26, 2015 GRAND WAYNE CONVENTION CENTER FORT WAYNE, INDIANA CONVENTION SUPPLEMENT INDIANA DISTRICT 2015 CONVENTION SUPPLEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS Agenda Proposed Standing Rules Registered Delegates Registered Advisory Delegates 157 159 161 168 Commissioned Ministers Inactive Commissioned Ministers New to Synod Additional Official Acts 169 180 184 187 Report of Relocation Task Force (Res. 4-07, 2012 District Convention) Updated Financial Report 190 193 Late Overtures 198 Ballot – District President Biographical Information – District President Ballot – Regional Vice Presidents Biographical Information – Regional Vice Presidents Proposed Ballot-Board of Directors, Councils and Committees Biographical Information 208 209 212 213 217 224 Resolutions Committee 1 – Theology and Administration Committee 2 – Outreach Committee 3 – Education and Congregational Services Committee 4 – Stewardship and Structure 270 275 281 286 Social Media Guidelines 293 Financial Reports 295 Audit Report 305 INDIANA DISTRICT 21st CONVENTION JUNE 25-26, 2015 Registration 8:00 a.m. Welcome 9:45 a.m. Devotion 10:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Synodical Bible Study & Report (DVD) 10:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Registration Report 10:30 a.m.-10:40 a.m. Call to order Election Voting Instructions Acceptance of Roberts Rules of Order & Standing Rules Welcome New Congregations Welcome New Workers Introduce Floor Committee Chairmen NOMINATIONS/ELECTIONS 10:40 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Introduction of Nominees for District President Election of the District President SYNOD REPORT –Dr. Herb Mueller& Rev. Ken Robson 11:15 a.m-12:00 p.m. Greetings 12:00 p.m.-12:15p.m. Cross Connections – Matt Konow Announcements – Meal Prayer Lunch 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. DISTRICT PRESIDENT’S REPORT 1:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. Presentation of Vice President Ballots 2:00 p.m.- 2:45 p.m. Election of Vice Presidents Ratification of Circuit Counselor Elections Nominations from Floor – For Councils and Standing Committees MISSIONS OUTREACH REPORT 2:45 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Committee 2 – Outreach Wittenberg Report - Rev. David Bultemann Introduction of Nominees for Councils 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. and Committees Election of Councils and Committees Vice Presidents Ranking Ballot 4:30 p.m.- 4:45 p.m. Synod Q & A 4:45 p.m.- 5:15 p.m. Closing Devotion and Meal prayer 5:15 p.m.- 5:25 p.m. Dinner 6:15 p.m. 157 FRIDAY, JUNE 26 8:00 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. Communion, Installation and Memorial Service Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church Open House at District Office – Coffee & Donuts 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 a.m. Greetings 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Concordia Theological Seminary – Dr. Lawrence Rast CUW/AA – Rev. John Bush (Video) Concordia University, Chicago – Dr. Daniel Gard Concordia Seminary – Dr. James Voelz (Video) THEOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION Committee 1 – Theology and Administration 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. EDUCATION & CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Committee 3 – Education and Congregational Services Ministerial Health Commission and MEF Dr. Richard Koehneke – Caring for the Called LUNCH 12:15 p.m.- 1:15 p.m. Devotion/Prayer 1:15 p.m.- 1:25p.m. GREETINGS - Concordia Plan Services (Video) LCMS Lutheran Foundation –Rick Paul LCEF & Ministry Support Max Biesenthal 1:25 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. 1:40 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. 1:50 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. STEWARDSHIP AND STRUCTURE REPORT Committee 4 – Stewardship and Structure 2:00 p.m.- 2:25 p.m. SYNOD Q & A 2:25 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Committee 1 – Theology and Administration 2:45 p.m.Committee 2 – Outreach 3:00 p.m.Committee 3 – Education and Congregational Services 3:20 p.m.Committee 4 – Stewardship and Structure 3:40 p.m.Unfinished Business Closing Devotion 3:00 p.m. 3:20 p.m. 3:40 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.- 4:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m.- 4:35 p.m. 158 PROPOSED SPECIAL STANDING RULES 1. The chair shall see that the agenda is followed as closely as possible. 2. Resolutions of each floor committee shall be prioritized by number, and shall normally be presented in the numerical sequence published in Today’s Business. 3. Each member of the convention, when recognized by the chair, shall state his name. He shall also state the name and location of his congregation and whether he/she is pastor voting, lay voting or advisory delegates. 4. Voting delegates must wear their badges at all sessions and sit in the section reserved for voting members. 5. The two-minute rule shall apply for all that speak from the floor. 6. Delegates may not speak twice on a matter under consideration until all other delegates desiring to speak have been heard once, with exceptions only at the discretion of the chair. 7. A delegate who speaks on an issue may not move to call the question at the close of his or her speech. 8. Only members of the voting body may introduce motions and vote. A resolution from the floor of convention must be presented in writing and signed by the maker. A copy is to be handed both to the secretary and to the chair at the time of presentation. 9. If a substitute motion is offered, the convention shall first decide by majority vote whether or not to consider the substitute. 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 is again before the house. (This is the so-called “Behnken rule” for dealing with substitute motions.) 10. Questions of privilege shall be addressed in writing to the chair, or its appointee, instead of consuming convention time. 11. In the final sessions the President shall have the privilege of calling up for action resolutions which in his judgment must be acted upon by the convention before adjournment. 159 12. Resolutions prepared by the floor committees which are not acted upon by the convention before adjournment die. The subject matter may be reintroduced at the next convention by means of an overture. 13. The preface, preamble, and whereas sections shall be considered an integral part of the resolution or overture, and as such subject to the same serious consideration and adoption in all its parts as the main motion itself. 14. Announcements necessary during convention should be taken to the registration desk. At the chairman’s discretion, announcements will be made from the podium or posted on the message board. 15. Use of sound producing or communication devices such as pagers, telephones, handheld PDAs, cell phones, computer modems, etc. are not permitted to be used in the voting or advisory delegate sections of the convention floor. These devices must be turned off when delegates enter the convention floor and are not to be turned on during any part of convention business. 16. Because all convention materials are being delivered electronically, charging stations will be available in the convention center for your convenience for accessing convention materials. Care should be taken that this be used only for convention materials during the convention sessions. 17. Unless covered by these standing rules of the convention, parliamentary procedure shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order. 160 Registered Delegates Indiana District Convention June 25-26, 2015 Congregation City Pastoral Delegate Lay Delegate Grace St. Paul Concordia St. Paul Trinity Redeemer Trinity Peace Dyer East Chicago Hammond Munster Hammond Highland Lowell Schererville Rev. Christopher Gillespie Ray Machtemes Rev. Daniel Dierks Connie Dierks Trinity Faith Faith Good Shepherd Our Saviour St. John St. Philip St. Michael Trinity Redeemer Trinity Mem. Holy Cross Crown Point DeMotte Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Hebron Hobart Lake Station Merrillville Hobart (Portage) Rev. David Easterday Rev. Jared Raebel Gary Diekelmann Ken Pearson St. Paul St. Paul Immanuel St. Paul St. Peter Faith Mem. Heritage Immanuel Trinity Prince of Peace Chesterton Kouts Michigan City Otis Portage Valparaiso Valparaiso Valparaiso Westville Valparaiso St. Paul Immanuel St. Matthew Denham Hamlet (Tracy) Hamlet Rev. Ronald Saatkamp Rev. Don Stock Rev. Kevin Olson Rev. Eric Kleinschmidt Tom Breymeyer Ronald Murphy Joseph Posey Rev. James Drummond Robert McDougall Rev. Richard Boshoven Rev. Timothy Engel Rev. David Solum Rev. Thomas Sabel Rev. Eric Schoech Rev. Joseph Ostafinski Rev. Andrew Fields Rev. Jason Harris Rev. William Foy Gerhard Mundinger Martin Henrichs Roger Potratz Judy Helmchen Brad Hughes Bruce Berner Stacy Maugans Allen Kent Franklin Furr Rev. Kyle Wright II 161 Todd Ferch Congregation City Pastoral Delegate First Our Redeemer St. John St. John St. Mark St. Peter St. John St. Luke Emmanuel Hanna Knox LaCrosse LaPorte Medaryville North Judson Wanatah Winamac Wheatfield Rev. Jerry Markel St. Paul Trinity St. Peter Calvary Emmaus Our Redeemer St. Paul Redeemer St. Paul Prince of Peace St. Peter Bremen Elkhart Mishawaka Plymouth South Bend South Bend South Bend Warsaw Woodland Goshen Warsaw Rev. Roger Rohde Rev. Christopher Davis Rev. Andrew Wollman Rev. Michael Barnes John Seering Timothy Madison Trinity Immanuel St. John Zion Zion Clear Lake Zion St. John Lake George Trinity Messiah Shep. by the Lakes Restoration Living Water Auburn Avilla Columbia City Columbia City Corunna Fremont Garrett Kendallville Fremont Ligonier Wolcottville Syracuse Kendallville Wolf Lake Rev. Jonathan Nack Rev. Patrick Kuhlman Rev. David Mommens Rev. Philip Rittner II Leonard Baughman Leroy Boese Faith Sub. Bethlehem Holy Cross Churubusco Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Rev. Eddie Hosch * Rev. Ronald Brauer * Rev. Joseph Cunningham Rev. Joel Zipay Rev. Thomas Woodley Lay Delegate Dionne Lovstad-Jones Timothy Brettin Chris Leeper Greg Backus Kpjm Scjrpeder Rev. Eric Ahlemeyer Rick Huff Rev. Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch Dave Smith Rev. Steven Latzke Ginger Taylor Rev. Gregory Fiechtner Eric Kuehner Rev. Michael Mueller Gerhard Koehlinger Larry Beardsley Rev. Andrew Yeager Rev. Robert Shriner Steve Neumann Len Judt Curt Gierhan Rev. James Tews Rev. Jerry Winegarden Suszane Gilliland Janet Gleason Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer 162 Reta Borchelt Don Esterline Donald Henry Congregation City Pastoral Delegate Lay Delegate St. Paul Trinity Our Hope Emmanuel Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Huntertown Fort Wayne Rev. Peter Cage David Hawk Joe Fair Bethlehem Emmaus Mt. Calvary Peace Shep. of the City Trinity (Decatur Rd.) Zion Aboite New Life St. Augustine Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Ascension Concordia Gloria Dei St. Peter Prince of Peace Emanuel Martini St. Paul Christ Zion Promise Peace Immanuel St. John St. Paul St. Peter Zion Zion (Friedheim) Emmanuel (Soest) St. John Bethlehem New Hope Rev. Lesley Fichtner Rev. Thomas A. Eggold Maury Springer Nancy Krumm Rev. Roy Olsen Rev. Paul Spira Brent Roth Ron Gehring Rev. Douglas Punke Delbert Conrad William Wallschlaeger Rev. James Keller Kyaw Sann Southwest Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Leo (Grabill) New Haven New Haven New Haven Woodburn Woodburn Fort Wayne Rev. John Stube Mark Franke Rev. Steve Ahlersmeyer Rev. David Stecker Dave Peterson John Roth Al Schumm Rev. Michael Blodgett Rev. Timothy Edwards Ken Koeneman Brian Hoeppner Berne Decatur Decatur Decatur Decatur Decatur Decatur Fort Wayne Monroeville Ossian Ossian Rev. Russell Fuhrmann Rev. David Koeneman Rev. Peter Brock Rev. Dr. Daniel Brege Rev. Martin Moehring Rev. James Voorman Rev. Daniel Dahling Rev. Kyle Krueger Rev. Douglas Christian Greg Werich Ken Krause Bob Thorn Henry Gallmeyer Allen Franz Norbert Bleeke Kathy Fuhrmann Nathan Bienz Brian Hockemeyer Aldon Bultemeier Lon Buuck Rev. Paul Doehrmann 163 Congregation City Pastoral Delegate Lay Delegate Faith Prince of Peace Roanoke Hartford City Rev. Shayne Jonker Alan Thompson Jen Holst Trinity Trinity Grace St. James St. James Our Saviour St. John St. Luke St. James St. John Redeemer University St. Matthew Culver Goodland Lafayette Lafayette Logansport Monticello Rensselaer Rensselaer Reynolds Rochester W. Lafayette W. Lafayette Delphi * * Rev. Stewart Schulz Rev. Michael Salemink Rev. K C Dehning Christ Emanuel St. Peter Good Shepherd Our Redeemer Zion St. James Grace St. John Emanuel Zion Anderson Arcadia Huntington Kokomo Kokomo Kokomo Marion Muncie Peru Tipton Wabash Rev. John Jameson Kenny Hans Bill Dodd Rev. Robert Bohlmann Rev. William Allison Rev. Thomas Ludwig Rev. William Lahrman Rev. Daniel Mackey Rev. Kenneth Greenwald Rev. Robb Roloff Rev. Jeremy Yeadon Mark Hartman Jerry Kraase Wayne L. Meyer Ascension Carmel Faith Christ St. John Trinity Zion Holy Cross Christ Lord of Life Epiphany Beech Grove Carmel Greenfield Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis New Palestine Indianapolis Noblesville Westfield Westfield Rev. Daniel Schumm Rev. William O'Connor Rev. Edmund Lim Rev. Philip Krupski Rev. John Mackowiak Rev. Jason Taylor Rev. David McClean Rev. Adrian Piazza Rev. Timothy Krupski Rev. Jeremy Mills Brad Reay Donald Albrecht William Glawatz Lynn Fox Rick Lacy Jim Reiman Roger Tomes Dave Mees Paul Feder Jack Stefani Rev. David Mueller Rev. Benjamin Hertel Rev. Charles Blakey Jerry Hogue Bryan Shaffer David Lapierre Larry Bement Rodney Haskins Robert Sears Rev. Joseph Townsend Derek Schwanz Barb Westfall 164 David Heinkel Jerry Landis Paul North Gary Robison Congregation City Pastoral Delegate Lay Delegate Journey Fishers Rev. Jonathan vanSliedrecht Cal Kuphall Christ Holy Cross Peace Messiah Our Shepherd Immanuel Living Christ Brownsburg Crawfordsville Greencastle Indianapolis Avon Terre Haute Plainfield Concordia Calvary Emmaus Our Savior Peace Deaf St. Paul St. Peter First Timothy Mt. Olive Greenwood Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis Greenwood Rev. John Flamme Rev. Kurt Ebert Rev. Raymond Smith Faith University Faith Grace St. John St. Paul St. Peter Good Shepherd St. Paul Prince of Peace Shep. of the Hills St. Mark St. Peter Trinity Bloomington Bloomington Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Columbus Franklin Jonesville Martinsville Morgantown Shelbyville Waymansville Ellettsville Rev. Eric Edwards North Vernon Emanuel Immanuel Redeemer Zion Lord of Life Seymour Seymour Seymour Seymour Jack Underwood Rev. Matthew L. Schneider Rev. Daniel Lepley Rev. Philip Sievers Paul Bretscher Roger Vandrey Norman Hedges Ronald Dunbar Carl Benning Steve Nantz Rich Wilson Alan Presley Rev. David Shadday Rev. Seth Mierow Rev. Jeffrey Alexander Rev. Todd Riordan Rev. John Armstrong Rev. Joshua Cook Rev. Juan Luna Rev. Mark Teike Rev. Roger Daene Rev. Nathan Janssen Terry Fewell Phyllis Hoenstine Cleveland Lewis David Shutters Barry Martin Glenn Kurtz Charles Weddle Mark Stepper Louis Voelker Adam Hall Robert Bense Gerald Clow Dennis Eickhoff Rev. John Beabout Rev. Raymond Salemink Michael Vandercar Rev. Ralph Blomenberg Rev. Andrew Currao Rev. Jeffrey Stuckwisch Charles Fox Kevin Kasting Ron Rieckers 165 Congregation City Pastoral Delegate Lay Delegate Peace Seymour Calvary St. Paul St. Peter Emmanuel Good Shepherd Faith St. John Trinity Bedford Brownstown Brownstown Leesville Medora Salem Seymour Vallonia Rev. Gregory DeVore Rev. Martin Keller Rev. Jeffrey Patterson Rev. Paul Neuman Rev. Jack Belk Jeffrey Ames Roger Wischmeier Rev. Craig Muhlbach Donald Rieckers Frank Wolka Jr. St. John Bethany St. Paul Trinity St. John Holy Trinity Bethlehem Faith Aurora Connersville Cross Plains Dillsboro Farmers Retreat Greensburg Greendale Madison Rev. Edward Davis John Rahe Our Savior Our Redeemer St. John Good Shepherd Danville Lexington Lexington Lexington Rev. David Witten Rev. Michael Huebner St. John Our Saviour Our Redeemer Trinity Peace Emmanuel Evanston Evansville Evansville Henderson Owensboro Tell City Concordia Immanuel Messiah St. Paul Trinity Trinity St. John St. Peter Evansville Evansville Evansville Evansville Evansville Darmstadt Vincennes Vincennes Rev. Richard Kolaskey Rev. Garry Wickert Rev. Aaron West Rev. Michael Manz Rev. Jeffery Pflug Rev. Lohn Johnson Timothy Steltenpohl Robin England Howard Smith Jr. John Miller Casey Gilmour Paul Walston Wayne Severson Stephen Pousardien Gary Young Kelly Campanelli Rev. Robert Schneider Rev. Thomas Wenig Rev. Mark Moog Rev. Roger Sassaman Rev. Daniel Gadbaw Andy Gallmeister Rev. David Wiist Rev. Kirk Horstmeyer Ed McCoy Jim Bratten Rev. Chad Eckels Rev. Dr. Martin Noland Rev. Stanton Temme Rev. Ron Maxwell Rev. Nathan Rastl Jim Claybourn James Sturtevant James Kahre Mike Myers 166 Don Letterman Kelly Stephens Congregation City Pastoral Delegate Lay Delegate Shep. Of the Hills St. John Concordia Redeemer Grace Epiphany Risen Lord Georgetown Lanesville Louisville Louisville New Albany New Salisbury Taylorsville Rev. Mark Darnstaedt Rev. Christopher Truelsen Rev. Michael Boyd Rev. Steven Ensley Rev. Matt Woods Rev. Charles Fischer Daniel Biggs Don Wood Aaron Silletto Jerry Sauer Sr. Auggie Hinz Harold Gardner Gloria Dei Holy Trinity Holy Trinity Faith Our Savior Peace Resurrection Holy Cross Divine Savior Good Shepherd Elizabethtown LaGrange Leitchfield Louisville Louisville Louisville Louisville Shelbyville Shepherdsville Bardstown Charlotte Campbell Rev. John Fraiser Rev. Monty Gleitz Rev. Ronald Richeson Rev. Charles Fausel Robert Allison Karen McKinney John Ater Val Border 167 REGISTERED ADVISORY DELEGATES ORDAINED Rev. Barry Akers, Kokomo Rev. Alan Barber, Greencastle Rev. Bill Barlow, Fort Wayne Rev. Joseph Barlau, Seymour Rev. Robert Becker, Decatur Rev. Philip Bloch, Seymour Rev. Steve Bongard, Valparaiso Rev. Lane Burgland, Churubusco Rev. Paul Dancy, Fort Wayne Rev. Galen Drawbaugh, Warsaw Rev. David Dubbelde, Fort Wayne Rev. Tom Dunbar, Wolcottville Rev. Karl Frincke, Fort Wayne Rev. Herbert Gerken, fort Wayne Rev. Randall Glander, Fort Wayne Rev. Robert Gullion, Fort Wayne Rev. Robert Hall, Indianapolis Rev. Allen Hellwege, Valparaiso Rev. Justin Herman, West Lafayette Rev. Gregory Klotz, Fort Wayne Rev. Richard Koehneke, Fort Wayne Rev. Weldon Leimer, Westfield Rev. Steven MacDougall, Fort Wayne Rev. Lannon Martin, Fort Wayne Rev. Yohannes Mengsteab, Fort Wayne Rev. Dennis McFadden, Fort Wayne Rev. David Nabinger, Logansport Rev. Josh Osbun, Bremen Rev. Richard Radtke, Fort Wayne Rev. Jimmy Rodriguez, Seymour Rev. Donald Sandmann, Fort Wayne Rev. Ralph Schmidt, Fort Wayne Rev. Herbert Schumm, Fort Wayne Rev. Jerrell Simmerman, Fishers Rev. Timothy Sims, Fort Wayne Rev. Peter Speckhard, Munster Rev. Ted Taykowski, Fort Wayne Rev. Richard Ungrodt, LaPorte Rev. Soren Urberg, Fort Wayne Rev. Mark Whitsett, Goshen, KY. Rev. Cory Wielert, Crown Point Rev. Don Williams, Valparaiso REGISTERED ADVISORY COMMISSIONED DELEGATES Dcs. Hannah Becker, Fort Wayne Todd Behmlander, Seymour Evelyn Benning, Avon Matt Carlson, Noblesville Sara Cunningham, Valparaiso George Denholm, Columbus Cliff Dietrich, Fort Wayne Ken Eichinger, Bremen Jerry Hapke, Fort Wayne Scott Hedtke, Fort Wayne Larry Hencye, Fort Wayne Susan Hessong, Seymour Lance Hoffman, Fort Wayne Brian Horning, Decatur Karol Ketcher, Crown Point Dcs. Carole King, Merrillville Larry Koelper, Fort Wayne Darin Koenemann, Fort Wayne Mark Muehl, Fort Wayne John Mueller, Fort Wayne Fay Richert, Fort Wayne Jim Russell, Bremen Ken Schilf, Fort Wayne Bill Schmidt, Fort Wayne Carl Schulenburg, New Palestine Linda Schulenburg, New Palestine Dcs. Margy Whitsett, Goshen, KY 168 INDIANA DISTRICT – 2015 COMMISSIONED MINISTERS Janine M. Albert Daniel Albertin Matthew Albertin Heather M. Alexander Kimber Lynn Ampt John Anderson Brenda Arden Ruth Armao Richard Arndt Megan Ashbaugh James Aumick Zina Bachert Joshua Bachman Ryan Baglow Amanda Barlau Michelle Barnett Aaron Barnholt Michelle Bauman Jonathan Baumgartel Julia Beck Timothy Becker Dr. Todd Behmlander Julia Bell Denise Bergelin Stephanie Berning Mark Borcherding Alyssa Bornheimer Stephen Bornheimer Kathleen Brandt Michael Brandt Terry Breininger Melinda Bremer Pamela Brewer Mike Bridges Richard Brinkley Melissa Brown Larry Brummet Wyneken Memorial, Decatur Holy Cross, Fort Wayne St. Paul, Munster Mt. Olive, Greenwood St. John, Aurora Trinity High, Seymour St. James, Lafayette Calvary, Indianapolis St. Paul, Munster St. Peter-Immanuel, Decatur Central, New Haven St. Paul, Munster Immanuel, Valparaiso Lutheran High, Indianapolis Lutheran Central, Brownstown White Creek, Columbus Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne Trinity High, Seymour St. John, Seymour Concordia, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Valparaiso Immanuel, Seymour Immanuel, Seymour Holy Cross, Fort Wayne St. Peter-Immanuel, Decatur Carmel Lutheran, Carmel Emmanuel-St. Michael, Fort Wayne Emmanuel-St. Michael, Fort Wayne St. John, Indianapolis Lutheran High, Indianapolis Concordia High, Fort Wayne St. John, LaPorte Wyneken Memorial, Decatur Trinity High, Seymour Bethlehem, Ossian Immanuel, Seymour Trinity, Crown Point 169 Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher-DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Brittany Brune Christopher Brune Pamela Brune Richard Brune Loralee Bruns-Teske Kristin Brutcher Daniel Bultemeyer Sarah Bumbleburg Maria Bunte Janice Buss Amy Buuck Paul Buuck Malissa Carey Matthew Carlson Joshua Carnahan Crystal Castleman Katherine Ceder Cecily Chandler Linda Clark Kristine Coneybeer Michelle Converset Wendy Coxey Kevin R. Creutz Shirley Cronauer Diane Cruz Michael Cullen Sara Cunningham Michael Dahnke Heidi Dancy Diann Davidsmeyer Geoge Denholm Sarah Diekmann Connie Dierks Julie Dietrich Mark Doepner Mark Dolde Amy Dombkowski Alicia Drier Marvin Drier Lisa Dubke St. Peters, Fort Wayne Concordia High, Fort Wayne Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne St. Paul, Munster Zion, New Palestine Wyneken Memorial, Decatur Immanuel, Seymour Trinity, Hobart White Creek, Columbus St. John, Kendallville St. John, Kendallville Lutheran South Unity, Fort Wayne Christ, Noblesville Lutheran South Unity, Fort Wayne Concordia High, Fort Wayne Calvary, Indianapolis Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Ascension, Fort Wayne Lutheran High, Indianapolis Concordia High, Fort Wayne St. Paul, Bremen Central Lutheran, New Haven Our Shepherd, Avon Our Redeemer, Knox Concordia, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Valparaiso Emmaus, Fort Wayne St. John-Emmanuel, Monroeville St. Peter’s, Columbus St. Peter’s, Columbus Evansville Lutheran, Evansville St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne St. Peter’s, Columbus Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne Concordia High, Fort Wayne St. James, Lafayette Concordia High, Fort Wayne Wyneken Memorial, Decatur Our Shepherd, Avon 170 Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Sandra Duncan Suzanne Dunkin John Durkin Mary Durkin Stacey Durlacher Heather Dyer Patricia Eckels Joshua Eggold Holly Ehle Kenneth Eichinger Dr. Jonathan Eifert Mary Eifert Pamela Eisert Charlotte Elkins Krista Elliott Susan Emmack Kimberly Jo Enzinger Phyllis Erber Denise Erdmann Erica Ernest Katie Ervin Carol Exner Ann Fichtner Luke Finchum Dawn Flatt Sarah Fleek Rachel Flippo Kathleen Fluegge Sandra Franke Jodi Freshour Karl Frick Matthew Frick Ann Fritz Andrew Gavrun Craig Gerbers Christopher Gieschen Rebecca Goecker Sara Goeglein Amanda Goodspeed Daniel Gottschalk Emmaus, Indianapolis Redeemer, Kokomo St. John, Indianapolis St. John, Indianapolis Emmaus, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Seymour Evansville Lutheran, Evansville Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne St. Paul’s, Bremen St. Peter-Immanuel, Decatur Ascension, Fort Wayne St. John, Lanesville Immanuel, Seymour St. John, Aurora Trinity, Elkhart White Creek, Columbus St. John, Lanesville Our Shepherd, Avon Central Lutheran, New Haven Ascension, Fort Wayne Our Savior, Louisville Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne Zion, New Palestine Trinity, Elkhart Woodburn Lutheran, Woodburn Emmaus, Fort Wayne Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Seymour Trinity, Elkhart St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne Lutheran High, Indianapolis St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne Wyneken Memorial, Decatur Trinity, Crown Point Concordia High, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Seymour Concordia, Fort Wayne St. James, Lafayette Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne 171 Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Ellen Gottschalk Amy Greener Brandon Grelle Rebecca Grim Stephen Grim Axel Gruen Brady Gurganious Jonathan Guse Cara Hamilton Daniel Hampton Cathi Hansen Katherine Harris Michael Hartley Sheryl Hartman Rachael Hartmann Mary Hathaway Jaymes Hayes Janet Hayward Amy Hedges Scott Hedtke Julie Heideman Janice Heins Rebecca Helmer Larry Hencye Tiffany Herman Anne Hess Susan Hessong Metta Heublein Jenna Hicks Matthew Hicks Jack Hiegel Kevin Hildebrand Lori Hill Amy Himelright Michael Hinckfoot Mary Hines Phyllis Hockemeyer Karen Hoeppner Lance Hoffman Joe Hoffschneider Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne Trinity, Crown Point St. John-Emmanuel, Monroeville Concordia, Fort Wayne St. John-Emmanuel, Monroeville Lutheran Child & Family Service, Indy. Our Redeemer, Kokomo St. James, Lafayette Our Shepherd, Avon St. Paul, Munster St. John-Emmanuel, Monroeville St. John, Lexington Redeemer, Kokomo Concordia, Fort Wayne St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne St. Paul’s, Munster Central Lutheran, New Haven Our Shepherd, Avon Bethesda Lutheran Comm., Fort Wayne Holy Cross, Indianapolis Kids of the Kingdom, Carmel Trinity High, Seymour Trinity, Fort Wayne Ascension, Fort Wayne Central Lutheran, New Haven St. John, Seymour Trinity, Elkhart Central Lutheran, New Haven Concordia High, Fort Wayne Our Savior, Louisville Concordia Theo. Seminary, Fort Wayne Zion, Seymour St. John, Lanesville St. Peter’s, Columbus St. John-Emmanuel, Monroeville Central Lutheran, New Haven Woodburn Lutheran, Woodburn Concordia High, Fort Wayne Concordia, Fort Wayne 172 Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE DCE Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Whitney Holle Havid Hoenbrink Brian Horning Michele Hosmon Cara Hougesen Karen Houser Kay Howard Jeffrey Huntington Leslie Huntington Allison Huston Kathleen Ickstadt William Ickstadt Jason Iwen E. Jean Jack Robert Jacobs Tim Jank Ruth Jelneck Esther Johnson Melanie Johnson Pamela Johnson Paul Johnson Rachael Johnson Matthew Jung Scott Jung Rebecca Kamman Scott Kamman Eric Kaschinske Tamara Keilman Rick Kerr Karol Ketcher Michelle Kidd Janice Kiel Rebecca Klenke Rebecca Klinge Kimberly Knippenberg Gene Koch Krista Koch Jacob Koehler Nancy Koehler Mark Koehlinger St. John, Kendallville Calvary, Indianapolis St. John, Decatur Evansville Lutheran, Evansville Trinity, Indianapolis Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne Our Shepherd, Avon Calvary, Indianapolis Central Lutheran, New Haven Immanuel, Valparaiso Immanuel, Valparaiso Concordia Theo. Seminary, Fort Wayne White Creek, Columbus Calvary, Indianapolis Lutherhaven, Albion Trinity, Hobart Lutheran South Unity, Fort Wayne Trinity, Crown Point St. John, Indianapolis St. John, Indianapolis Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne Trinity High, Seymour Holy Cross, Indianapolis Our Savior, Louisville Our Savior, Louisville Concordia High, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Seymour St. John, Indianapolis Trinity, Crown Point St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne St. Peter’s, Columbus Wyneken Memorial, Decatur St. Peter’s, Columbus Zion, New Palestine Lutheran South Unity, Fort Wayne Concordia High, Fort Wayne Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Concordia High, Fort Wayne Concordia High, Fort Wayne 173 Teacher Teacher DFLM Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Larry Koelper Darin Koenemann Amy Kopp Tyler Kopp Sara Korte Joshua Kratz Brenda Kreutz Joleen Krueger Jeffrey Kyler Cheryl LaBelle Jessica LaBrash Jewell LaBrash Susan LaCroix Timothy LaCroix Debra Lambert Jennifer Laubsch Pamela Launer Ruth Lavrenz Michelle Leahy Arron Lehman Alicia Levitt Tera Ashlee Lewandowski Steven Lewer Jene Lintz Nancy Lipka Aaron Littmann Lisa Lohmeyer James Luepke Jennifer Lutz Matthew Machemer Nichole Mackanos Meg MacKenzie Jeremiah Majorins Timothy Mannigel Paul Marinko Keith Martin Margo Martin Kimberly May Amanda Mayfield Cayleight McBee St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne Ascension, Fort Wayne Bethlehem, Ossian St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne Evansville Lutheran, Evansville Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Zion, New Palestine St. Peter’s, Columbus White Creek, Columbus St. Paul, Columbus Emmaus, Fort Wayne Emmanuel-St. Michael, Fort Wayne Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Concordia High, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Seymour Trinity, Elkhart St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne Redeemer, Kokomo St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne Trinity, Crown Point Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne Faith, DeMotte Lutheran High, Indianapolis Trinity, Crown Point Zion, Seymour St. Peter’s, Columbus St. Peter’s, Columbus Holy Cross, Fort Wayne St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne Concordia Theo. Sem., Fort Wayne Trinity, Hobart St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne Concordia High, Fort Wayne St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne Emmaus, Fort Wayne Our Shepherd, Avon Our Shepherd, Avon Central Lutheran, New Haven Emmaus, Fort Wayne 174 Teacher-DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DFLM Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher DPM Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Kristen McCartney Julie McCormick Megan McGehee Candance McMullan Wendy Menke Barbara Mertens Joshua Mertz Gary Mews Peter Meyer Heidi Meyers Barbara Middaugh Andrew Middleton Judy Mielke Johannah Lyn Miesner Christine Miller Deborah Miller Machel Miller Teresa Millwood Walter Mischnick Susan Mittelstaedt Judith Moehring Dianne Moellering Melissa Monn Andrew Montgomery Kimberly Moore Judy Morrison Timothy Moses Mark Muehl Kathryn Mueller Matthew Mueller Paul Mueller Stephanie Mueller Candy Mues Christopher Murphy Jovita Nack Krista Nagy Sheila Nehrenz Eric Nelson Dana Netherton Matthew Nieman St. John, Indianapolis Our Savior, Louisville Emmaus, Fort Wayne Holy Cross, Indianapolis Evansville Lutheran, Evansville St. Paul, Munster Concordia High, Fort Wayne Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne Lutheran South Unity, Fort Wayne Concordia, Fort Wayne St. Paul’s, Bremen Concordia, Fort Wayne Emmaus, Fort Wayne St. John, Lanesville Trinity, Crown Point Concordia, Fort Wayne Our Shepherd, Avon Evansville Lutheran, Evansville Resurrection Academy, South Bend Lutheran South Unity, Fort Wayne Bethlehem, Ossian Concordia High, Fort Wayne St. John, Kendallville St. Peter’s, Columbus Calvary, Indianapolis Calvary, Indianapolis Grace, Columbus The Lutheran Partnership, Fort Wayne Calvary, Indianapolis Lutheran High, Indianapolis St. Peter, North Judson St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Valparaiso Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne Lutheran South Unity, Fort Wayne Lutheran South Unity, Fort Wayne Carmel Lutheran, Carmel Our Savior, Louisville Immanuel, Seymour 175 Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Brian Oberdieck Angie Owen Micah Owens Kathy Palmrueter Lindsay Paluch Tammy Panning Jacob Pennekamp Sandra Penoske Deborah Pesick Cyan Peters Michelle Petersen Brian Pike Erin Ponder Mary Lou Potter Sarah Potter William Prann Lindsey Prentice Sarah Prentice Sandra Price Sandra Pride Kimberly Priest David Probst Amanda Pullmann Greg Rehberg Elizabeth Rehwaldt Rhonda Reimers Timothy Reinking Randolph Renken Cheryl Rensner Stephen Rensner Laura Renzelmann Wanda Reuille Douglas Reynolds Sarah Rice Dr. Perry Riffel Chelsea Ripke Carl Risch Laura Ritter Melissa Roberts Jill Rodenbeck St. John, Lanesville Concordia, Fort Wayne White Creek, Columbus Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne White Creek, Columbus Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Seymour Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Central Lutheran, New Haven Gloria Dei, Elizabethtown Grace, Lafayette St. John’s, LaPorte Central Lutheran, New Haven Wyneken Memorial, Decatur Carmel Lutheran, Carmel Evansville Lutheran, Evansville Our Redeemer, Evansville Trinity, Elkhart St. John, Indianapolis St. John-Emmanuel, Monroeville St. James, Lafayette Evansville Lutheran, Evansville Emmaus, Fort Wayne Central Lutheran, New Haven St. Peter, North Judson Concordia High, Fort Wayne Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Calvary, Indianapolis Calvary, Indianapolis Central Lutheran, New Haven Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne Mt. Calvary, Fort Wayne Concordia, Greenwood Valparaiso University, Valparaiso Woodburn Lutheran, Woodburn Zion, Decatur St. Peter’s, Columbus St. James, Lafayette St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne 176 Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher-DCE Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher R. Jacob Rogers Rebecca Rohde Sarah Rohr Lydia Roland Joel Rolf Sandra Rosenwinkel Michael Rosin Paul Rosin Aaron Rudzinski Kevin Rudzinski Mark Rudzinski Melissa Rush James Russell Anna Rust Judith Sabel Phillip Sagissor Andrea Salo Hannah Schaefer Mark Schallhorn Vicki Schallhorn Vernie Scheiber Paul Scheiderer Tavis Schlicker Deborah L. Schmidt Deborah J. Schmidt Leah Schneider Mary Anne Schneider Erin Schoof Donald Schroeder Kevin Schroeder Margaret Schroeder Ruther Schroeder Dawn Schultz Mark Schultz Valerie Schultz Jenafer Schumacher Scott Schumacher Richard Schwantz Aaron Scott Anna Selzer St. James, Lafayette Concordia, Fort Wayne Lutheran Central, Brownstown St. James, Lafayette Trinity, Indianapolis Trinity, Crown Point Concordia, Fort Wayne Trinity, Elkhart Trinity High, Seymour Immanuel, Seymour Immanuel, Seymour Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne St. Paul’s, Bremen St. Peter’s, Columbus Lutheran South Unity, Fort Wayne Trinity, Crown Point Ascension, Fort Wayne Calvary, Indianapolis Bethlehem, Ossian Bethlehem, Ossian St. John, Kendallville Immanuel, Seymour Concordia High, Fort Wayne St. Paul’s, Munster Central Lutheran, New Haven Trinity High, Seymour White Creek, Columbus Emmaus, Fort Wayne St. John, Kendallville Holy Cross, Fort Wayne St. John, Kendallville Woodburn Lutheran, Woodburn Calvary, Indianapolis Our Savior, Louisville St. John, Indianapolis Zion, New Palestine St. Peter’s, Columbus Concordia, Fort Wayne Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Zion, Decatur 177 Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Tony Shull Amy Sievert Daniel Sievert Sue Sims Annette Skibbe Barbara Smith Charles Smith Dustin Smith Julie Smith Mary Smith Donna Smith Rider James Sollenberger Karen Sollenberger Kristie Sombke Joshua Sommermeyer Amanda Sorg Jonathan Sprengel Gary St. Clair Nancy St. Clair Julia Stafford Timothy Stair Tracy Stam Jeremy Staub Mindy Steele David Stellwagen Julie Stelter Megan Stites Randall Strakis Rachell Stratton Jacqueline Stuckwisch Sarah Styf Christina Swartz Karen Tate Larry Tews Rebecca Thibodeau Mychal Thom Jennifer Thomas Cynthia Toth Julie Tracey Lindsey Trah Evansville Lutheran, Evansville St. John, Seymour Trinity High, Seymour Immanuel, Seymour St. Peter, North Judson Trinity, Indianapolis Immanuel, Seymour Calvary, Indianapolis Wyneken Memorial, Decatur Emmanuel-St. Michael, Fort Wayne St. James, Lafayette St. Peter’s, Columbus St. Peter’s, Columbus Zion, New Palestine Concordia High, Fort Wayne Central Lutheran, New Haven Lutheran Central, Brownstown Holy Cross, Indianapolis Lutheran High, Indianapolis Our Shepherd, Avon Camp Lakeview, Seymour Immanuel, Seymour Holy Cross, Fort Wayne St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne St. John-Emmanuel, Monroeville St. John’s, LaPorte St. John, Kendallville St. James, Lafayette Lutheran South Unity, Fort Wayne Trinity High, Seymour Concordia High, Fort Wayne Emmaus, Fort Wayne Our Savior, Louisville St. Peter’s, Columbus Trinity, Indianapolis Concordia High, Fort Wayne St. John, Indianapolis Trinity, Hobart Immanuel, Seymour Trinity High, Seymour 178 Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Katherine Tucker Matthew Uffmann Matthew Urban Rebecca Van Spankeren Whitney Vandercar Chad VanMeter LeeAnna VanSoest Rebecca Veen Eric Vincent Heather Volmerding Jean VonDielingen Jordan VonDielingen Patricia vonStrohe Justin Vorthmann Carolyn Voshell Jennifer Wade Logan Waggy Monica Wagner Jeffrey Wallace Melanie Walter Timothy Walz John Weber Sarah Weber Gretchen Weerts Paul Wendt Arthur Wenzel Courtney Whipker Andrew Whirrett Kristen Whirrett Danielle White Don Wichman Lydia Wilcoxen Diane Williamson Cheryl Willig Fred Willig Kathryn Winningham Patrick Winningham Kristen Winsemann David Wippich Henry Wischmeier Redeemer, Kokomo St. Peter, North Judson Concordia High, Fort Wayne Central Lutheran, New Haven White Creek, Columbus Holy Cross, Fort Wayne St. Paul’s, Bremen Trinity, Elkhart Lutheran High, Indianapolis St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Seymour Immanuel, Seymour Our Shepherd, Avon Trinity High, Seymour Zion, Decatur St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne Evansville Lutheran, Evansville Lutheran High, Fort Wayne St. John, Indianapolis Concordia, Fort Wayne St. John, Kendallville Central Lutheran, New Haven St. Peter-Immanuel, Decatur Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne Trinity, Crown Point St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne Lutheran Central, Brownstown St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne Ascension, Fort Wayne Central Lutheran, New Haven Central Lutheran, New Haven Central Lutheran, New Haven Lutheran High, Indianapolis St. John, Indianapolis Lutheran High, Indianapolis Trinity, Indianapolis Lutheran High, Indianapolis Emmaus, Fort Wayne St. John’s, LaPorte St. Paul, Columbus 179 Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher-DCE DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher St. Peter’s, Columbus St. Peter’s, Columbus Emmanuel-St. Michaels, Fort Wayne St. John, Seymour Our Savior, Louisville Concordia, Fort Wayne Central Lutheran, New Haven Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne St. John, Indianapolis Anthony Wittman Stepahnie Wolff Bethann Wright Stacy Wright Wesley Wrucke Kristen Wyss Deborah Zeckzer Kristen Zilz Peggy Zilz Mark Zimmer Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher INACTIVE COMMISSIONED MINISTERS James Ackmann, Teacher Stephanie Adams, DCE Shirley Ahlbrand, Teacher Alyson Akey, Teacher Paul Albertin, Teacher Philip Amt, Teacher Kathleen Anderson, Teacher Sharon Arndt, Teacher Larry Baack, Teacher Raymond Bachmann, Teacher Judith Bauer, Teacher Edgar Baumgart, Teacher Jill Baumgartel, Teacher Dr. Floyd Behrens, Teacher Amy Benda, Teacher Evelyn Benning, Teacher Karen Bickel, Teacher Philip Bickel, Teacher Carol Bittner, Teacher Robert Blazek, Teacher Rosalyn Blazek, Teacher Renee Bleke, Teacher Dr. Barry Bobb, Teacher Donna Bobb, Teacher Karen Boerger, Teacher Mark Boerger, Teacher A. Lynn Bremer, Teacher Martin Brieschke, Teacher June Brutcher, Teacher Daniel Buchinger, Teacher Susan Buchinger, Teacher Dianna Bultemeier, Teacher Sandra Burbrink, Teacher Ronald Burger, Teacher Mark Buss, Teacher Micah Buss, Teacher Dale Busse, Teacher Darlene Buuck, Teacher Lois Buuck, Teacher Cheryl Carothers, Teacher Shelli Carothers, DCE Catherine Carr, Teacher Stephanie Christensen, Teacher-DCE Donna Claus, Teacher Kenneth Claus, Teacher Kay Clow, Teacher William Cmeyla, DCE Jessica Coffey, Teacher Dr. Janice Combs, Teacher Lauren Creutz, Teacher Diane Crist, Teacher Phyllis Dardeen, Teacher 180 Robert Boetel, Teacher Sheila Bolton, Teacher William Bonitz, Teacher Brian Bothwell, Teacher Kristin Bowland, Teacher Donnell Bradley, Teacher Dr. Marvin Brandt, Teacher Robert Brandt, Teacher Shirley Brandt, Teacher Sheila Brauer, Teacher Merlin Bray, Teacher Gloria Bredehoeft, Teacher Lynette Esslinger, Teacher Jeffrey Exner, Teacher Diana Fair, Teacher Eugene Falkenstern, Teacher Ricky Fitch, Teacher-DCE Sandra Foster, Teacher Reinhold Frank, Teacher Tommy Franke, Teacher Linda Fremder, Teacher Eugene Friedrich, Teacher Sandra Friedrich, Teacher Beverly Fritz, Teacher Jessica Fritzler, Teacher Shawn Frush, Teacher Caleb Funke, DPM Elizabeth Gadbaw, Teacher Tracy Gayer, Teacher Dawn Geisler, Teacher Diane Gleitz, Teacher Glenna Grannis, Teacher Alyssa Grawcock, Teacher Robyn Gray, Teacher Ralph Grewe, Teacher Carol Grimm, Teacher Daniel Grotelueschen, Teacher David Grotelueschen, Teacher Judith Grotelueschen, Teacher Lesley Grotelueschen, Teacher Neil Darlage, Teacher Shirley Davis, Teacher Mary DePew, Teacher Werner Dierks, Teacher Joann Dietel, Teacher Dr. Clifford Dietrich, Teacher Dr. Ralph Droege, Teacher Robert Eberhart, Teacher Rose Ebling, Teacher Kathryn Eisenbraun, Teacher Paul Eisenbraun, Teacher Karen Embree, Teacher Donata Haug-Owsley, Teacher Beverly Havera, Teacher Dorothy Heidorn, Teacher Cheryl Heitmann, Teacher Bethany Helwig, Teacher Jane Henwood, Teacher Molly Herbolsheimer, DCE Dr. H. Allen Herbst, Teacher Carol Herman, Teacher Sandra Herman, Teacher Norma Herre, Teacher Louis Herring, Teacher Paul Herring, Teacher Dr. Guenther Herzog, Teacher Robert Heublein, Teacher-DCE Janice Hieber, Teacher Jacqueline Hitzeman, Teacher Beth Ann Hoeppner, Teacher David Hoeppner, Teacher Craig Hoffman, Teacher William Hoffman, Teacher Gertrude Hoffschneider, Teacher James Hohnbaum, Teacher Dorothea Hollmann, Teacher Robert Holste, Teacher Marilyn Hopper, Teacher Connie Doyer, Teacher Dexter Hoyer, Teacher 181 Jeanette Groth, Teacher Paul Groth, Teacher Robert Groth, Teacher Lois Guebert, Teacher Carol Haak, Teacher Sally Haak, Teacher Cheryl Hallow, Teacher Donald Hankel, Teacher Gerald Hapke, Teacher Linda Harlow, Teacher Kimberly Kiess, Teacher Ross King, Teacher Harlan Klemz, Teacher-DCE Selma Kluender, Teacher Katherine Knea, Teacher Sara Knea, Teacher William Knea, Teacher Linda Knopf, Teacher George Knudten, Teacher Jacqueline Knudten, Teacher Carol Knueppel, Teacher David Koenig, Teacher W. Steven Koemer, Teacher James Kremer, Teacher Richard Jon Kruger, Teacher Gerald Kuker, Teacher Richard Kunst, Teacher Michael L’Heureux, Teacher Kristen Labahn, Teacher Randall Lafrentz, Teacher Lydia Landes, DPM Mary Lang, Teacher Edward LeBeau, Teacher LuAnn LeBeau, Teacher Karmen Leeper, Teacher Melissa Lehker, Teacher Kelli Leighty, Teacher Matthew Lewis, DCE Donald Luepke, Teacher Melissa Luepke, DCE Carol Hubacek, Teacher Renelle Hui, Teacher Janet Hunter, Teacher William Ihssen, Teacher Patricia James, Teacher Barbara Johnson, Teacher Nancy Jones, Teacher Charlene Jung, Teacher Marceil Kanning, Teacher Edward Kern, Teacher Heidi Mielke, DCE Eunice Miller, Teacher Elizabeth Moeller, Teacher Thomas Moellering, Teacher John Mueller, Teacher Michelle Mueller, DCE Allen Mundt, Teacher Janis Mundt, Teacher Judith Nack, Teacher Mary Nemeth, Teacher Rabel Newkirk, Teacher Mary Nichols, Teacher Paul Nickel, Teacher Joann Nixon, Teacher Nancy Osbun, Teacher Kim Overgaard, Teacher Michael Palmreuter, Teacher Donald Pape, Teacher Raymond Pasche, Teacher Jen-Yi Paul, Teacher Sarah Pennekamp, Teacher Denis Peters, Teacher Philfert Peters, Teacher Donna Pickett, Teacher Arthur Pinnow, Teacher Joyce Pixley, Teacher Karen Pollert, Teacher Elaine Ponder, Teacher Richard Poppe, Teacher Robert Pottschmidt, Teacher 182 Hersey Mangels, Teacher John Marks, Teacher Richard Maurer, Teacher Judy May, Teacher Elizabeth McClure, Teacher Stephen Mearling, Teacher Amy Mews, Teacher Karen Meyer, Teacher Fay Richert, Teacher James Richert, Teacher Susan Richert, Teacher Kathleen Riffel, Teacher Lyna Rinehart, Teacher David Rische, Teacher Allen Rodenbeck, Teacher Edith Rodenbeck, Teacher Ranld Rodenbeck, Teacher Sharon Rohr, Teacher Sarah Rothe, Teacher Dr. Mary Rowell, Teacher Emilie Rudzinski, Teacher Kathryn Rudzinski, DCE Bruce Rueber, Teacher Gloria Rueber, Teacher Chelsea Sagissor, Teacher Melvin Snadfort, Teacher Danny Sandmann, Teacher Pamela Satek, Teacher Mark Sattler, DCE Norbert Schaekel, Teacher Katherine Schafer, Teacher John Schamber, Teacher Robert Scheimann, Teacher Nathan Schiefer, Teacher Staci Schiefer, DCE Kenneth Schilf, Teacher-DCE Stuart Schipper, Teacher Orvin Schlegel, Teacher Tobias Schmidt, Teacher William Schmidt, Teacher Joan Preloger, Teacher Dr. Ronald Preloger, Teacher Elvira Preuss, Teacher Suzanne Ramsey, Teacher Louise Reabe, Teacher Richard Reddemann, Teacher Jon Rehwaldt, Teacher James Rettig, Teacher Daniel Schult, Teacher Sherry Schult, Teacher Cynthia Schumacher, Teacher Gordon Schumacher, Teacher James Schumpe, Teacher Kimberly Scott, Teacher Sherry Sebring, Teacher Jennie Shreve, Teacher Lynette Simmons, Teacher Janel Skrabanek, Teacher Joseph Skvarenina, Teacher Terri Smith, Teacher Frederick Snyder, Teacher Richard Soeken, DCE Deloris Sombke, Teacher Thomas Sommer, Teacher Renee Spieth, Teacher Ronald Stallman, Teacher Arlys Staub, Teacher Rebekah Staub, Teacher Scott Staub, Teacher Laurie Stellwagen, Teacher Kenneth Stelzer, Teacher Annetta Stork, Teacher Martha Stork, Teacher I. Delores Strietelmeier, Teacher Cleone Sturtevant, Teacher Karie Sutton, Teacher Kimberly Swanson, Teacher Katherine Swem, Teacher Timothy Taube, Teacher Judy Teague, Teacher 183 Karen Schoenefeld, Teacher Arnold Schroeder, Teacher Nancy Schroeder, Teacher Carl Schulenburg, Teacher Linda Schulenburg, Teacher Victor Schuler, Teacher Ellen Tjernagel, Teacher Sharon Toppe, Teacher Gary Truwe, Teacher-DCE Donald Voelker, Teacher Jean Voge, Teacher Cathie Wakeland, Teacher Kelsey Walworth, Teacher Lois Weikum, Teacher Frederick Weiss, Teacher Dean Wengert, Teacher Katherine Wentland, Teacher Kenneth Wentland, Teacher Gerald Werth, Teacher John Westrem, Teacher Earl Westrick, Teacher Cheryl Tellman, Teacher Susan Themer, Teacher Carl Thies, Teacher Erik Thomack, DCE Sheila Thomack, DCE Leroy Tietjen, Teacher Chrissy Whiteaker, Teacher Dr. Warren Wilbert, Teacher Melba Wilkie, Teacher Marlene Will, Teacher Lisa Willis, Teacher Kristin Winiger, Teacher Lisa Witte, Teacher Harold Wolf, Teacher Judith Woolsey, Teacher Jim Wudy, Teacher Sara Zielinski, Teacher Martin Zimmer, Teacher Aaron Zimmerman, Teacher Jennifer Zimmerman, Teacher NEW TO SYNOD 2012-2015 ORDAINED Barlau, Joseph John, (SL14) Beck, Christopher D. (FW14) Borg, Paul M. (CQ14) Gleitz, Monty D. (CQ12) Nwokeneme, Anthony (FW13) Peters, Roger (FW14) Sassaman, Roger L. (FW14) Schultz, James R. (CQ13) Sui, Liwei (FW14) West, Aaron M. (FW14) Redeemer, Seymour Faith, Bloomington Emeritus Holy Trinity, Leitchfield, KY St. Paul’s, Indianapolis Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne Peace, Owensboro, KY Divine Savior, Fishers Faith, Bloomington Holy Trinity, Greensburg 184 COMMISSIONED: Albertin, Matthew (CQ13) Bachman, Joshua (CQ14) Baglow, Ryan (MQ13) Barnett, Michelle (CQ14) Barreto, Blythe (RF14) Beck, Julia (CQ14) Bell, Julia (CQ09) Bothwell, Brian (SP12) Brune, Brittany (RF13) Brune, Christopher (RF12) Buuck, Amy (RF10) Carey, Malissa (S14) Carnahan, Joshua (IV12) Ebling, Rose (CQ11) Ervin, Katie (CQ13) Eschelbach, Emily (CQ13) Fleek, Sarah (CQ13) Fritzler, Jessica Jo (AA09) Gallup, Lydia (MQ12) Grimmer, Christine (FW14) Guse, Jonathan M. (CQ12) Hensz, Daniel (AU12) Hiett, Katelyn M. (FW12) Hodge, Kristin J. (FW13) Holle, Whitney (S13) Jacobs, Robert (CQ14) Johnson, Esther (S13) Keck, Jennifer L. (CQ13) Koehler, Jacob (RF13) Lutz, Jennifer (S14) Majorins, Jeremiah (S12) Martin, Megan (CQ12) Mayfield, Amanda (S12) McBee, Cayleigh (RF13) Mertz, Joshua (CQ12) Middleton, Andrew (MQ12) Mueller, Kathryn (S13) Mueller, Matthew (S13) Teacher Principal Teacher Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher/DPM Deaconess DCE DCE Deaconess Deaconess Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher 185 St. Paul’s, Munster Immanuel, Valparaiso Lutheran High, Indianapolis White Creek, Columbus Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Concordia, Fort Wayne Immanuel, Seymour Immanuel, Seymour St. Peter, Fort Wayne Holy Cross, Fort Wayne St. John, Kendallville Lutheran So. Unity, Fort Wayne Lutheran So. Unity, Fort Wayne St. John, Lanesville Ascension, Fort Wayne St. Paul, Fort Wayne Woodburn Lutheran Gloria Dei, Elizabethtown, KY St. Paul, Munster Shepherd of the City, Fort Wayne Luth. Ch. Our Redeemer, Kokomo Zion, Decatur Hands of Mercy, Fort Wayne Concordia Theo. Sem., Fort Wayne St. John, Kendallville Calvary, Indianapolis Lutheran So. Unity, Fort Wayne St. Paul, Fort Wayne Holy Cross, Fort Wayne St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne Emmanuel-St. Michael, Fort Wayne Emmaus, Fort Wayne Central Lutheran, New Haven Emmaus, Fort Wayne Concordia High, Fort Wayne Concordia, Fort Wayne Calvary, Indianapolis Lutheran High, Indianapolis Paluch, Lindsay (RF12) Pike, Brian N. (S11) Potter, Sarah (RF12) Priest, Kimberly (CQ12) Rast, Amy (FW14) Rice, Sarah (FW13) Ripke, Chelsea (CQ13) Salo, Andrea (CQ09) Schaefer, Hannah (RF14) Schatz, Gregory J. (CQ12) Schieber, Alisha (FW12) Schneider, Leah (CQ12) Sites, Megan (RF13) Sorg, Amanda (CQ13) Spelde, Emily L. (FW13) Stephenson, Erica A. (FW13) Stratton, Rachell (S13) Trombley, Kimberly E. (FW12) VonDielingen, Jordan (RF13) Waggy, Logan (S13) Whipker, Courtney (S12) Whitsett, Margaret (VU77) Wilcoxen, Lydia (MQ13) Zilz, Kristen (RF13) Teacher DCE Teacher Teacher Deaconess DCE Teacher Teacher Teacher DCE Deaconess Teacher Teacher Teacher Deaconess Deaconess Teacher Deaconess Teacher Teacher Teacher Deaconess Teacher Teacher 186 White Creek, Columbus Grace, Lafayette Wyneken Memorial, Decatur St. John-Emmanuel, Monroeville Concordia Theo. Sem., Fort Wayne Concordia, Greenwood Woodburn Lutheran Ascension, Fort Wayne Calvary, Indianapolis Mt. Olive, Indianapolis Doxology, Fort Wayne Trinity High, Seymour St. John, Kendallville Central Lutheran, New Haven Calvary, Indianapolis Concordia, Greenwood Lutheran So. Unity, Fort Wayne Bethesda Luth. Comm., Fort Wayne Immanuel, Seymour Evansville Lutheran St. Peter, North Judson Our Savior, Louisville Central Lutheran, New Haven Holy Cross, Fort Wayne ADDITIONAL OFFICIAL ACTS ORDAINED NEW TO DISTRICT: Barlow, William E. D., (OH), Emeritus Koch, Jerome R. (CID), Emeritus MacDougall, Steven A. (SID), Emeritus Miller, Gary (OH), Emeritus Nabinger, David (FG), Emeritus Voorman, James L. (OH) to Senior Pastor, Zion, Decatur, IN; installed 5/10/2015 by D. May Wright, Larry D. (MI) to Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN; installed 2/23/15 by L. Rast CHANGES WITHIN DISTRICT: Davis, Christopher, Assistant, Trinity, Elkhart, IN to Associate, Trinity, Elkhart, IN by action of the congregation 2/23/2015 Shank, Steve, SMP, Messiah, Indianapolis, IN; to SMP, Holy Cross, Crawfordsville, IN; installed 6/7/2015 by D. May Trombley, Michael W., Candidate, to Pastor, Trinity (Decatur Rd.), Fort Wayne, IN; installed 5/31/2015 by D. May CHANGE IN STATUS: Borchers, Dennis R., Concordia Lutheran High School, Fort Wayne, IN to Emeritus Fakih, Mark, Candidate to Non-Candidate Lewis, James, Emanuel, Arcadia, IN to Emeritus Meyer, Mel, IIM, St. John, Rochester, IN to Emeritus Ouellette, Dennis, Christ, Brownsburg, IN, to Non-Candidate Porter, Donald C., Mt. Calvary, Fort Wayne, IN, to Emeritus Putz, David, Our Redeemer, Knox, IN, to Candidate Sandmann, Donald W., IIM, Trinity (Decatur Rd.), Fort Wayne, IN to Emeritus OUT OF DISTRICT: Crane, Brian T., Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN to St. John, Quincy, WI and United in Christ, Akrdale, WI (SW) Frincke, Karl A., Emeritus, to Intentional Interim Pastor, Emmanuel, Van Wert, OH (OH) Gettinger, Stephen D., Risen Lord, Taylorsville, KY and Peace, Louisville, KY to Mt. Calvary, Dayton, OH (OH) Halche, Yared H., St. Augustine, Fort Wayne, IN to Candidate, Southeastern District (SE) 187 Paul, Michael John, St. Paul’s, Evansville, IN, to Missionary called by LCMS Office of International Mission (MO) Trampe, Heath A., St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne, IN, to Faith, York, Nebraska (NEB) CALLED TO GLORY: Lutze, Karl E. Meyer, Edward A. Meyer, Robert L. Schaible, H. John Studt, Donald O. 05/07/2015 04/07/2015 05/12/2015 04/27/2015 05/07/2015 COMMISSIONED NEW TO DISTRICT: Ayiku-Teye, Stephanie, (FW15), Deaconess, to Peace Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN; commissioned 3/22/2015 at St. John’s, Lanesville, IN by C. Truelsen; installed 4/12/2015 by P. Spira Beck, Julia (CQ14) teacher to Concordia, Fort Wayne, IN; commissioned and installed 1/18/2015 by D. Croucher Cullen, Michael P. (RF14) teacher to Concordia, Fort Wayne, IN; commissioned and installed 1/12/2015 by D. Croucher Hartley, Michael (SE) DCE to St. John, Lexington, KY; installed 3/8/2015 by J. Bettermann Hedtke, Scott (EN) DCE serving Ministry Consultant to Bethesda Lutheran Communities, deployed to Fort Wayne, IN; installed 3/28/2015 by R. Hedtke Leahy, Michelle (CQ13) DFLM to St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne, IN; commissioned and installed 3/7/2015 by S. Ahlersmeyer Rast, Amy (FW13), Deaconess, to Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN; commissioned 7/25/14 by L. Rast; installed 2/23/15 by L. Rast CHANGES WITHIN DISTRICT: Gurganious, Brady, DCE Candidate to Zion, New Palestine, IN; deployed to Lutheran Child and Family Services if IN/KY, Indianapolis, IN; installed 5/3/2015 by D. May Nelson, Eric, DCE non-candidate to Carmel Lutheran, Carmel, IN; installed 11/17/2014 by L. Brunette Rohde, Rebecca teacher non-candidate to Concordia, Fort Wayne, IN; installed 1/18/2015 by D. Croucher 188 CHANGE IN STATUS: Bradley, Donnell Sue, teacher, Evansville Lutheran, Evansville, IN to non-candidate Buchinger, Susan, teacher, non-candidate to emeritus Buss, Mark, teacher, non-candidate to emeritus Carothers, Shelli Ann, DCE, non-candidate to non-candidate, COP extension Dehning Terri L, teacher, non-candidate, resigned from roster Ebeling, David G., teacher, to emeritus Fremder, Linda, teacher, non-candidate to emeritus Funke, Caleb D., DPM, Zion, Seymour, IN to non-candidate Grannis, Glenna, teacher, non-candidate to emeritus Harlow, Linda, teacher, candidate to non-candidate Kemerling, Karla Rae, teacher, Praise, Fort Wayne, IN, to candidate Lang, Mary Ann, teacher, non-candidate to emeritus Mielke, Shelley L., teacher, non-candidate, resigned from roster Mueller, Michelle A., DCE, St. James, Marion, IN; to non-candidate Ponder, Elaine, teacher, non-candidate to emeritus Richert, James, teacher, non-candidate to emeritus Rogner, Kenneth, teacher emeritus, removed from roster Zimmer, Martin, teacher, non-candidate to emeritus OUT OF DISTRICT: Britton, Joshua, DFLM, St. Peter’s, Columbus, IN, to Michigan District (MD) Chase, Jana J., teacher, non-candidate to Minnesota South District (MNS) Durkin, John, DCE, St. John, Indianapolis, IN, to Southeastern District (SE) Meyer, Linda A., Deaconess to Northern Illinois (NID) CALLED TO GLORY: Kamprath, Victor, teacher Morrison, Terry L., teacher 4/6/2015 4/4/2015 189 REPORT OF THE RELOCATION TASK FORCE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS INDIANA DISTRICT OFFICE COMMITTEE MEMBERS: REV. DANIEL MAY REV. DOUG CHRISTIAN REV. JERRY NICHOLS KAREN CARLSON DR. DAVID EBELING REV. TIMOTHY SIMS THOMAS STEINMETZ RON BLEKE DENNIS HERMAN 190 Report of the Relocation Task Force Indiana District Office October 21, 2014 Committee Members: Rev. Dan May, President, Indiana District, Fort Wayne, IN Dennis Herman, Lutheran Soc. Svcs. of Indiana, Director of Church Relations, Ft. Wayne, IN Rev. Doug Christian, St. John, (Flatrock), Monroeville, IN Rev. Jerry Nichols, Asst. Pastor, St. Michael, Fort Wayne, IN Karen Carlson, Realtor, F.C. Tucker Realty, Indianapolis, IN Ron Bleke, Executive for Finance, Indiana District, Fort Wayne, IN Dr. David Ebeling, Asst. to the President, Indiana District, Fort Wayne, IN Thomas Steinmetz, Capstone Wealth Advisors, Indianapolis, IN Rev. Timothy Sims, Past President, Indiana District, New Haven, IN The Relocation committee met three times at the district office in Fort Wayne, IN. The dates of the meetings were: July 9, 2014; September 17, 2014, and October 22, 2014. The committee was charged to study relocating the district office per resolution 4-07 of the 2012 District Convention; and then to authorize the Board of Directors to move forward in the best interest of the District. After carefully considering distance from congregations (and schools) to the district office, the study shows that there are about the same number of congregations within 125 miles of Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Still, those farther south have a longer distance to travel to the Fort Wayne office. To accommodate this, the staff has scheduled many meetings at Carmel Lutheran Church and will continue to do so. (See chart below) LOCATION MILEAGE STATISTICS Congregations within 50 miles of Fort Wayne Congregations within 50 miles of Indianapolis 55 39 Congregations within 100 miles of Fort Wayne Congregations within 100 miles of Indianapolis 87 79 Congregations within 125 miles of Fort Wayne Congregations within 125 miles of Indianapolis 117 101 In the last survey (1987) pastors and lay leaders continually stated that they prefer that the District staff come to them as opposed to the local people traveling to the District office. While there is no formal current survey available, informal comments from pastors and other church workers seem to affirm the results of the earlier survey and the District executive staff has continued to do this on a regular basis. 191 A move out of town, perhaps to the Indianapolis area, will likely force the resignation or retirement of a majority of the current support staff. The cost of moving – across town or across state – significantly exceeds the appraisal sale value of the current building. Financial obligations likely would include purchasing or leasing property, renovating space (even if the building is donated), physically moving all items (including the substantial archives), physically moving the employees’ families outside of Allen County, new phone system and all stationery, realtor and architect fees. Thus there appears no financial gain; in fact, there will be added expenses to the District. The Indiana District office building (Currently valued at $525,000) is paid for, has no debt and is ideally functional after the 1997 expansion. An estimate of the cost of similar space in the Indianapolis area proved cost prohibitive to the committee. (See attached Market Analysis and Available Lease Options). Filling the building to full capacity since the Resource Center closed is being addressed by the staff. However, until the decision is made regarding possible relocation, potential clients are hesitant to sign on. Based on these statements, the committee recommends to the Board of Directors that the Indiana District office remain at 1145 S. Barr Street in Fort Wayne, IN. Attached to this summary: 1. Market Analysis of Indiana District Office by O. Karl Behrens, CCIM, SIOR. 2. Available Lease Options in Indianapolis Area by Cassidy and Turley Commercial Real Estate Services. 192 Indiana District – The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod 2015 Indiana District Convention - Supplement Stewardship and Structure – Report Audited Financial Report Notes As you may, or may not know, the rules for Not-for-Profit Accounting use some different terminology and procedures from those of a standard business. In the Not-for-Profit scenario, the owner equity is reported on the Statement of Financial Position (or Balance Sheet) under the three categories of Net Assets (Unrestricted, Temporary Restricted and Permanently Restricted). The Statement of Activities (Income Statement) is used to report income and expense activity under each of those three categories along with the total Change in Net Assets rather than a profit or loss. Due to those requirements, it is important to look at the District’s financial position based on the audited statement format. A copy of the Audited Financials is included in the Convention Supplement. The District’s purpose is not to show a profit. Rather, our mission and fiscal responsibility is to be good stewards in making proper and effective use of the gifts that are received. The executive staff and the Board of Directors have demonstrated this in their performance of managing the District’s resources. Going forward, the total Net Assets will increase and decrease on an annual basis as additional gifts are received and used to accomplish the Lord’s Work. Financial highlights: First of all, the District financial position is positive and healthy in this time of daily economic fluctuations. This is due to the dedication and generosity of our faithful congregations and the fiscal responsibility shown by the District Staff and the Board of Directors. Total Net Assets have increased from $5,186,727 as of the March 31, 2012 year end to $5,362,479 as of March 31, 2015. The major changes in Net Assets during the last three years are due to: o The reclassification of the Radio Station Endowment account to the New Ministry Initiative Board Designated Account (2012 Convention Action) o The payment of the (-$300,000) gift to Ann Arbor authorized by the 2012 convention o Receipts of the assets and properties from closed congregations (Bethel Lutheran, Austin, IN, Shepherd of Paradise, Newburgh, IN and Grace Lutheran, Winchester, KY). o Congregation Support receipts did decrease in each of the last three years, however through diligent expense monitoring and spending based on needs rather than budget, we were able to achieve small operating surpluses when comparing Congregation Support Receipts with expenses that were not covered by use of designated and restricted fund accounts. 193 2015 Indiana District Convention - Supplement Stewardship and Structure Report Board Designated and Temporary Restricted Funds Board Designated and Temporary Restricted Funds are the primary funding source for certain areas of the District operations. Increased awareness is being emphasized by the Executive staff and Board of Directors with regard to these funds to make sure that their use is being applied correctly and effectively in the District’s budgeting and finances. Following is a list of the current accounts and fiscal year end 3/31/15 balances. Board Designated funds Convention Urban Ministry New Mission Starts Closed Parish - Bethel - Austin, IN Closed Parish - Shepherd Of Paradise - Newburgh, IN Closed Parish - Grace - Winchester, KY Evangelism Materials Prison Ministry Interim Ministry No Interest Loan Fund Dublin/Latvian Ministry Wittenburg Project Congregation Outreach Grants - (2012 Convention action) Revitalization Process Mission Outreach/Evangelism Grants Lutheran WIFI Radio/Video Teacher Coloquy Consecrated Stewards Congregation Assist. Grants Urban Ministry - Gary Strategic Ministry Planning LCEF Funds - Designated for 2011-12 Budget Worship and Spiritual Care Disaster Relief LERT Team Training Program 26,509.76 4,124.89 14,000.00 33,648.54 445,817.89 237,162.21 4,442.09 5,000.00 30,235.89 476,313.85 4,298.53 18,169.78 746,997.12 22,635.70 58,845.36 29,852.45 1,068.58 5,017.67 52,725.15 42,926.22 1,648.23 112,476.93 917.82 32,540.00 724.28 Total Board Designated Funds 2,408,098.94 194 2015 Indiana District Convention - Supplement Stewardship and Structure – Report Temporarily Restricted Funds Rentz Scholarship Fund Crisis Mgmt. Trng-Thrivent Hispanic Ministry-Northwest Hispanic Ministry Family Friendly Network Partnerships Northern Pastor's Conference Southern Pastor's Conference Church School Secretaries Workshop Worship Workshops Parish Nurse Program Deaf Ministry Chinese Ministry African Ministry Prison Ministry Central Indiana Chinese Ministry School Curriculum Project NE IN CIRT Team Kokomo MAC Misssons Indianapolis East Mission Indianapolis West Mission Aurora Zone MAC Critical Incident Response Scheumann Fund Krueger Fund Pastor's Wives Conference Roesener Estate - Student Aid District Administrator's Conference Jr. High Youth Task Force District Teacher's Conf Financial Aid - Found. Grant DCE Conference Indiana District Disaster Relief LCMS Found-Split Int Gifts Malinda Scheuman Trust proceeds Mission Development NW Indiana Strategic Ministry Planning NW Indiana Ethnic Ministry Assistance NW Indiana Ministerial Excellence Fund Ministerial Excellence - Administration . MEF Fund II - IN District Convention 8,583.40 450.00 53,588.74 2,889.70 7,531.41 672.26 22,464.47 711.43 1,778.23 18.82 6,331.86 24,466.30 250.62 930.79 1,259.00 8.16 456.54 1,943.75 950.00 125.00 1,201.40 10,662.56 75,823.11 112,179.85 188.02 45,605.48 211.22 16,124.27 15,573.48 3,139.69 1,991.96 22,526.11 30,899.28 51,029.40 182,198.93 59,862.38 40,248.63 26,214.73 37,774.42 1,300.50 49,280.50 Total Temporary Restricted Funds 919,446.40 Total Bd. Designated & Temp. Restricted Funds 3,327,545.34 195 2015 Indiana District Convention - Supplement Stewardship and Structure Report District / Synod Support Income Receipts Reports of Congregation Support Receipts for the 3 years are included in the Convention Supplement. We are thankful for the continued and faithful financial support of our member congregations. Looking at the Summary of Congregations District / Synod Support page, the statistical numbers of congregations supporting the district have been fairly consistent for the 3 year period. For the year recently completed March 31, 2015, 77% of the congregations provided the support received for the work of the District and the Church at Large. Approximately 80% of the total support receipts were provided by 27% of the congregations. For those congregations who are struggling and unable, we continue to hold you up in our prayers and for those who have been blessed, we ask you to prayerfully consider sharing an increased portion of your blessings for the benefit of all, especially those less fortunate. How does the District use Congregation support dollars that are designated for District/Synod on their Remittance Form and does any of that go to Synod? Congregation remittances designated as District/Synod are referred to as Congregation Support and make up the primary source of funding for the District budget. In March of each year, the District submits a dollar amount commitment of support to Synod. The commitment amount is based on District Congregation’s Indications of Support that have been received and our projection for the total Congregation support income for the year. The Synod Support commitment has consistently been honored and fulfilled with no adjustment for shortfalls in our own Congregation Support income. Fiscal year 03/31/15 Synod support total was $550,000. The remaining funds are used to fund District programs In short, your congregation’s District / Synod support dollars provide funding for all Indiana District specific programs as well as all of the programs and LCMS entities that Synod supports. Congregation “Directed Gifts” In addition to the District/Synod Support, congregations also send other gifts to the District which they have designated for Agencies and/or Synod Designated Funds / programs or “Directed Gifts”. These “Directed Gifts” are handled as pass-thru items and they are forwarded to the designated agencies and/or Synod on a monthly basis. The third category of “Directed Gifts” is classified as “Direct Mission Support”. Congregations are encouraged to report “Direct Mission Support“ contributions that they have sent directly to missions or organizations. The Direct Support information reporting, although not required, has been very helpful as we look at trends and forecasting future District support income. As you can see in the chart at the bottom of the Summary page, there has been some shifting in the amounts in these three categories but the total is sizeable and commendable as evidence of the generosity of your congregations. What does this mean for the District and Synod? This question has been at the forefront of our budget planning discussions. With congregations choosing to directly support their missions of choice, the total pool of dollars to support the church at large has continued to decline. In order to maintain the programs at District level, our contributions to Synod have been reduced. I have discussed this with the Synod 196 Executive Director of Accounting who responded that they understand our situation and they are seeing the same scenario in other districts. 2015 Indiana District Convention - Supplement Stewardship and Structure Report Budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16 The budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16 is balanced with a total of $2,518,495 in income and expenses. Copies of the Budget Summary page and a pie chart illustration are included in the Supplement reports. (All financial reports are at the back of the Supplement.) 197 LATE OVERTURES 1-06: 500th Anniversary of the Reformation Whereas, the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation will occur in 2017 and Whereas, we remember the nailing of the 95 these on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany not so much for historic reasons, but primarily for theological reasons and Whereas, the theology developed and espoused in the Lutheran Reformation culminated in the Book of Concord of 1580 (U.A.C.) which all pastors and teachers of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod pledge to adhere to in their commissioning or ordination vow, and Whereas, this pledge is done because we believe that the Book of Concord is a true exposition of Holy Scripture, and Whereas, in the Book of Concord is stated that the Holy Scriptures are the sole, rule and norm for our faith and life, and Whereas, this is the faith that we live and are enjoined by God to teach our families and also to share with the world of unbelievers, and Whereas, we believe that Lutheran theology shares the Gospel of Christ in the purest form, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Indiana District in convention encourage all congregations and circuits to partake of the various activities and celebratory events marking this 500th anniversary; and be it further Resolved, that the Indiana District in Convention encourage the study of Christian Apologetics within our congregations; and be it further Resolved, that the convention instruct the Executive Staff of the district to prepare bulletin fliers, Sunday school activities, plays, bumper stickers, signs etc., and regional events to celebrate this 500th anniversary; and be it further Resolved, that congregational education and outreach activities be offered to all congregations of the Indiana District LCMS, and be it further Resolved, that these educational and outreach activities be prepared by the appropriate department of the Indiana District Executive Staff, and be it finally Resolved, that a district wide celebratory rally be considered to occur on October 31, 2017, in which we celebrate the pure teaching of the Gospel of Christ through preaching and teaching. Indiana District Board of Directors Rev. Dr. Daniel May, Chair. Rev. Douglas Christian, Sec. 198 1-07: To Memorialize the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Consider a Proposed Doctrinal Statement Whereas the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) has the authority to submit Doctrinal Statements “to the Synod in convention for further consideration and possible adoption by majority vote” 1; and Whereas an official district conference of ordained ministers may submit a proposal for a Doctrinal Statement to the CTCR; therefore be it Resolved that the Northern Indiana District Pastors’ Conference memorialize the CTCR to consider the attached proposed Doctrinal Statement; and be it finally Resolved that the Northern Indiana District Pastors’ Conference encourage the CTCR to favorably act upon this proposed Doctrinal Statement, pursuant to LCMS Bylaw 1.6.2(b)(2), with the purpose of submitting the proposed Doctrinal Statement (or one of similar substance) to the 2016 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for further consideration and possible adoption by majority vote. Concerning the Male-Only Pastorate In accord with the Word of God and the historic practice of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod accepts and affirms without reservation our Lord’s establishment of a male-only pastorate. The Word of God attests to the Pastoral Office being filled only by men in passages such as (but not limited to) 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:59. The Word of God expressly prohibits the Pastoral Office being filled by women in passages such as (but not limited to) 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-14. The Word of God exhibits a male-only pastorate in such ways as (but not limited to) the twelve apostles being men (Acts 1:9-26) and the seven deacons being men (Acts 6:1-6). We outright reject and condemn any teaching that promotes the ordination of women into the Pastoral Office. Likewise, we outright reject and condemn any practice whereby a woman is ordained into the Pastoral Office and/or any practice where a woman is permitted to publicly preach, teach, or administer the sacraments, as defined in Augsburg Confession, Article 14. Submitted by the Northern Pastors Conference Rev. M. Joshua Osbun, Chairman 1 Rev. Christopher Gillespie, Secretary Bylaw 1.6.2(b)(4) of the 2013 LCMS Handbook. 199 1-08: To Encourage Communion Statements Faithful to the Scriptural and Confessional Position of the LCMS Whereas, the official position of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod regarding admission to Holy Communion is: “That pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, except in situations of emergency and in special cases of pastoral care, commune individuals of only those Lutheran synods which are now in fellowship with us.” (1967 Resolution 2-19); and Whereas, the position of the LCMS regarding admission to Holy Communion is Biblical (1 Corinthians 10:21; 11:26-29), taught by our Lutheran Confessions (AC XXIV), and affirmed by the Synod in Convention (1969 Resolution 3-16 “To Refrain from Selective Fellowship”; 1986 Resolution 3-08 “To Maintain Practice of Close Communion”; 1995 Resolution 3-08 “To Reaffirm the Practice of Close[d] Communion”; 2007 Resolution 3-09 “To Address Administration of the Lord’s Supper”; and Whereas, LCMS President Matthew Harrison has reported to the Synod, through the April 2015 Reporter Supplement, that he has seen a variety of Communion Statements across the LCMS that do not always reflect the official position of the LCMS; and Whereas, President Harrison requested the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to provide guidance on formulating congregational Communion Statements that reflect the scriptural and confessional position of the LCMS; and Whereas, the guidelines prepared by the CTCR were mailed to all LCMS congregations and also printed in the April 2015 Reporter Supplement; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District commend President Harrison for his diligence and desire to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3); and be it further Resolved, that the Indiana District express its appreciation for the work of the CTCR in preparing “Guidelines for congregational, district, and Synod Communion statements;” and be it further Resolved, that the Indiana District encourage the pastors and congregations of the Indiana District to use the CTCR Guidelines to re-examine their Communion Statements and make whatever changes may be necessary in order that all Communion Statements of Indiana District congregations properly reflect the scriptural and confessional position of the LCMS; and be it finally Resolved, that the Indiana District publicly affirm the 2013 Synodical Convention Resolution 410 “To Encourage Proper Oversight in Administration of Lord’s Supper by Visitation from Ecclesiastical Supervisors” and support the Indiana District President in his (or his representative’s) congregational visits to address the congregation’s administration of the Lord’s Supper. 200 Submitted by the Northern Pastors Conference Rev. M. Joshua Osbun, Chairman Rev. Christopher Gillespie, Secretary 2-04: TO THANK GOD FOR EXTENDING HIS KINGDOM THROUGH CAMPUS MINISTRY Whereas, God has blessed the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod with multiple campus ministry opportunities throughout the Indiana District, and Whereas, God has blessed the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod with congregational support for these campus ministries so that the congregations of the district through their mission support of the Indiana District – LCMS are together supporting campus ministry outreach at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana University Purdue University (I.P.F.W.) in Fort Wayne Indiana and Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Whereas, these campus ministries are training future called workers of the church as well as future lay leaders of our congregations, and Whereas, there are a number of campus ministry opportunities in our district which have not received Indiana District support, be it Resolved, that we praise God for the congregations who support the work of the campus ministries through their offerings to the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and be it further Resolved, that we through this resolution thank the congregations for their support, and be it finally Resolved, that the congregations of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod be encouraged to continue and increase in this good work so that more campus ministries might be supported financially throughout the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Council for Congregational Outreach 201 2-05: TO THANK GOD FOR EXTENDING HIS KINGDOM THROUGH MISSION CONGREGATIONS Whereas, God has blessed us with multiple mission congregations which have started in the last triennium; and Whereas, God has blessed the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod with five congregations chartering as members of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, therefore be it, Resolved, that we praise God for extending His Kingdom through these mission congregations; and giving us the blessing of five chartering congregations, and be it finally, Resolved, that we encourage congregations to continue this work with great zeal in the next triennium. Council for Congregational Outreach 2-06: TO THANK THE CIRCUITS FOR PRODUCING THEIR MISSION PLAN OF ACTIONS Whereas, a resolution was passed in the 2012 Indiana District Convention of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod which “encouraged each circuit to come up with a mission plan of action for their circuit for the next ten years of growth of Lutheranism within their circuit”; and Whereas, twenty two circuits did submit a mission plan of action for their circuit; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District in convention thank all who were involved in producing these mission plans of action, and be it further Resolved, that the Circuit Visitors be particularly thanked for taking the time to meet with the Executive Counselor for Outreach and Human Care in sharing those mission plans of action, and be it further Resolved, that the circuits be encouraged to by God’s grace strive to bring their mission plans of action to fruition, and be it finally Resolved, that the convention delegates rise and join together in singing the “Doxology” in thanksgiving to God for the opportunities for reaching the erring and the lost that He has placed in our midst. Council for Congregational Outreach 202 4-05 TO AMEND BYLAWS OF THE INDIANA DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD Whereas, Synod Bylaw 4.1.1.2 (see especially .a) requires that the bylaws of the districts of the Synod not conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod; and Whereas, the LCMS in convention (2013) adopted several changes to the LCMS Bylaws; and Whereas, the LCMS in convention (2013) adopted a resolution to change the terminology of “Circuit Counselor” to “Circuit Visitor” requiring the approval of the congregations of the Synod; and Whereas, the congregations of the LCMS adopted this terminology change; and Whereas, the District B.O.D. submitted to the Synod CCM for prior approval (in accordance to Synod Bylaws 3.9.2.2.3 and 4.1.1.2) proposed changes to the District Bylaws to clarify the transition procedures for newly elected officers of the District; and Whereas, the Synod CCM approved the proposed District Bylaw changes and upon review of the current District Bylaws provided a list of required changes to bring the District Bylaws into conformity with the LCMS Bylaws; therefore be it Resolved, that the 2015 Indiana District convention approve the terminology change from Circuit Counselor to Circuit Visitor in the Indiana District By-laws (2.15.c; 2.17.b; 2.35.a; 2.67.b; 2.71.d; 2.75.7; 7.23; 7.37.j; 7.65), and be it further Resolved, that the 2015 Indiana District Convention approve the corrected references to the Synod Constitution and Bylaws in the following District Bylaws: 2.01; 2.05; 2.67; 7.23; and be it further Resolved, that the 2015 Indiana District Convention adopt the following wording changes to be in line with the Synod Constitution and Bylaws: Bylaw 1.13 b. The Synod/District expects every member congregation to respect it’s resolutions and to consider them of binding force if they are in accordance with the Word of God, and if they appear expedient applicable as far as the condition of the congregation is concerned. The Synod/District, being an advisory body, recognizes the right of the congregation to be the judge of the expediency applicability of the resolution as applied to its local condition. However, in exercising such judgment, a congregation must not act arbitrarily, but in accordance with the principles of Christian love and charity. Bylaw 2.09 One-third of the voting congregations represented by at least one of their respective delegates (Minister of Religion - Ordained Pastor or lay delegate) shall constitute a quorum Bylaw 2.14 203 a. The electoral circuit forum shall be made up of a Ministry of Religion – Ordained the Pastor of each congregation and one lay member of each congregation designated by the congregation. Bylaw 2.17 a. To elect the Minister of Religion – Ordained Pastor and lay delegate and their alternates to the national convention of the Synod according to the bylaws of the Synod, provided the visitation circuit forum is an electoral circuit forum (see 2.14). The delegates shall upon their election serve a term of three years as advisory members of the circuit forum. (H.B. 5.3.3) b. To elect select the circuit counselor visitor following the bylaws of the Synod (H.B. 5.2.2) Bylaw 2.35 a. The following officers shall be elected by the Indiana District in Convention, each for a three-year term of office : a) The District President, nominated from the Minister of Religion - Ordained roster of the Synod; b) four Regional VicePresidents, one from each region, nominated from the Ministry of Religion – Ordained roster of the region; c) a Circuit Visitor for each circuit established by the District, selected by the Circuit Forum and ratified by the District Convention; and d) a District Secretary, nominated from the Minister of Religion – Ordained roster of the District. for three year terms of office: The District President, four Vice-Presidents, the Secretary and a Circuit Counselor Visitor for each circuit established by the District. Bylaw 2.81 Nomination of the Vice Presidents a. Vice-Presidents shall be nominated and elected from the roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained of the Synod District (H.B. 4.3.1), giving consent to serve upon nomination, including consent to relocate as necessary to fulfill the expectations of the office (H.B. 4.3.3) Bylaw 2.91 Duties of the Secretary c. He along with the President of the district shall prepare and sign official papers and documents of the District as may be required by government entities or corporations with which the District conducts business. Bylaw 2.107 Duties of the B.O.D The B.O.D. represents the congregations of the District, and shall have power to conduct and transact all business necessary to carry out the purposes of the District. The B.O.D. defines the general sphere of duties for each council or committee. The authority to carry out the purposes of the District is vested in this B.O.D. as limited by the Constitution and Bylaws of Synod, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and resolutions of the District. Bylaw 7.11 Nomination of Vice Presidents a. Six months prior to the District Convention the district office shall notify each congregation of its privilege to nominate candidates for the office of Regional Vice President from the Synod’s District’s roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained. The notification will include a current list of Ministers of Religion – 204 Ordained currently members of congregations of each region of the District. The notification will include information that nominees must give consent to relocate as necessary in order to fulfill the office of Regional Vice President. (H.B. 4.3) Bylaw 7.15 Ranking of Vice Presidents After the Vice-Presidents have been elected, the voting delegates will rank the VicePresidents in the following manner. The first ranking-ballot will include the names of all four Vice-Presidents in random order; the first of the Vice-Presidents to receive a majority of the Vice-President receiving the most votes cast will be the First VicePresident. The second ranking-ballot for the Second Vice-President position will follow the same procedure with the three remaining Vice-President names. will list the three remaining Vice-Presidents; the Vice-President receiving the most votes cast will be the Second Vice-President. The third ranking-ballot for the Third Vice-President position will follow the same procedure with the two remaining Vice-President names. For each ranking-ballot run-off ranking-ballots will continue until a Vice-President receives a majority of votes cast. will list the remaining Vice-Presidents; the Vice-President receiving the most votes cast will be the Third Vice-President. In the event of a tie in receiving the most votes cast on any ranking-ballot, the name receiving the fewest votes cast will be removed from the run-off ranking-ballot. Bylaw 7.37 Nomination Committee Function and Procedures j. Nominations for positions held by laity are to be members of member congregations of the District, and if the position requires, residents of the appropriate region of the District. Nominees for positions held by Ministers of Religion – Commissioned are to be members of a District congregation, and if the position requires, residents of the appropriate region of the District. Nominees for District President, are to be from the Synod’s roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained. Nominees for Regional Vice Presidents are to be from the District’s roster of Minister of Religion – Ordained from that region. Nominees for Secretary are to be from the District’s roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained. and Circuit Counselors Visitors are selected by the Circuit Forum from the roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained of that circuit. to be from the Synod roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained; all All other positions (councils, committees, etc.) that are to be filled by Ministers of Religion – Ordained shall be filled with members of the District roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained, and if the position requires, residents of the appropriate region of the District. and, be it further Resolved, that the 2015 Indiana District Convention adopt the proposed change to the District Bylaws 7.05 and 7.51 in order to clarify the transition for newly elected officers of the District: 7.05 Transition a. When there is a change in the presidency, a period of ninety days shall be allowed for the orderly transfer of duties to the new president. During this period of time the successor may continue in his previous activity, and in that case shall be given additional salary by the District. His combined salaries shall equal the amount he will receive as President. The new president will assume office on September 1 205 following the District convention. The incumbent president shall serve until September 1 during which time he will bring his administration to a close and assist the newly elected president as requested to become acquainted with the responsibilities of the office. The new president may continue in his previous Call responsibilities during the time of transition (90 days) during which the combined salaries shall equal the amount the successor will receive as District President. b. A An incumbent District President who is not reelected, or elects to resign his position, shall receive his full salary (and benefits package) for ninety (90) days following the close of the District convention at which a new president was elected. during the period of transition. Thereafter, the B.O.D. shall determine his stipend until such time as he receives a Call, or until other permanent arrangements for his future are made. The B.O.D. shall also determine for what length of time it seems advisable for the District to provide for his sustenance. And 7.51 Induction a. All elected officers and members of the elected B.O.D, Councils, and Committees The newly elected and re-elected, except for the District President, Regional Vice-Presidents and Secretary, shall be inducted into office in a special service following the final session of the District Convention. The incumbent President shall officiate at the induction. b. Those who are not present at the Convention shall be inducted into office at the Orientation Meeting or the first meeting of the B.O.D., Council, or Committee to which they have been elected, following the Convention. b. The District President, Regional Vice-Presidents and Secretary shall assume office on September 1 following the District convention and shall be inducted into office on a date prior to September 1 following the convention. The induction shall take place during a worship service held at the time of the Orientation Meeting for the elected members of District Boards, Councils and Committees. The President of the Synod or his representative shall install the District President, and the newly elected President shall induct all other elected persons. c. Incumbents shall serve until their successors assume office. and, be it finally Resolved, that the 2015 authorize the Indiana District Board of Directors, with the recommendation of the District Committee on Constitutional Matters, to make minor changes in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization and format to ensure internal consistency of the bylaws prior to formal publication of the District Bylaws. Rev. Dr. Daniel May District President Rev. Douglas Christian District Secretary 206 4-06: TO TRANSFER ST. AUGUSTINE LUTHERAN CHURCH FROM FORT WAYNE SOUTH (8) CIRCUIT TO FORT WAYNE NORTH (7) CIRCUIT Whereas, “The Synod divides itself into districts and authorizes its districts to create circuits and authorizes its districts to create circuits” (Bylaws: 1.3.2); and Whereas, St. Augustine Lutheran Church has moved from the Southeast part of Fort Wayne and now conducts worship, education, and administrative matters from the campus of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in the Northeast section of Fort Wayne; and Whereas, St. Augustine Lutheran Church has requested to be placed in the geographical circuit in which it conducts its congregational activities; and Whereas, both Fort Wayne South (8) Circuit and Fort Wayne North (7) Circuit approve St. Augustine’s request; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District in convention transfer St. Augustine Lutheran Church from Fort Wayne South (8) Circuit to Fort Wayne North (7) Circuit. St. Augustine Lutheran Church Ferdinand Moussou, President 207 BALLOT DISTRICT PRESIDENT INDIANA DISTRICT – LCMS 2015 Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege Rev. Douglas M. Christian Rev. Dr. Daniel P. May Rev. David A. Mommens Rev. Geoffrey L. Robinson Rev. Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch 208 BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION NOMINATIONS FOR DISTRICT PRESIDENT Brege, Daniel J., Rev. Dr., 62, St. Paul, Decatur, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.S.; M.Div.; D.Min.; Rev. Oswald Bertram Award Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (1986, 95, 07); MissionTaught in Ethiopia (2/15) Service-District: Vice President (2012-present); Council for Outreach (2011-12); Circuit Counselor (1991-03); Board of Education (1985-87) Christian, Douglas M., Rev., 57, St. John, Monroeville, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; M.Div.; D.Min. (in process) Service-Synod: Bd. of Regents, Concordia, Ann Arbor (199598); Convention Delegate (1989) Service-District: Secretary (2006-15); Council for Outreach (2000-06); Seminary Student Interview Comm. (2006-06) Service-Community: Secretary of Circuit (2000-06); LWML Zone Pastoral Counselor (1998-2000) *May, Daniel P., Rev. Dr., 72, Emmanuel, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; B.D.; D.Min. Service-Synod: Council of Presidents (2003-present); Delegate to Convention; Floor Committees; Youth Consultant Service-District: District President (2003-present); Vice President (1992-2003); Circuit Counselor (1984-92); Education, Youth, Evangelism, Stewardship (1976-85) Service-Community: Boy Scouts; 4-H; Ministerial Assn. 209 Mommens, David A., Rev., 67, St. Johns, Columbia City, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (4 times) Service-District: Vice President (2003-12); Circuit Visitor (2012-15) Service-Community: Bd. of Dir., Haiti Lutheran Mission Soc.; Siberian Lutheran Mission Soc.; Jail Ministry Task Force; Northern Pastors Conf. Comm.; New Mission Start Task Force Robinson, Geoffrey L., Rev., 61, St. Paul, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Exec. Counselor for Outreach and Human Care M.Div.; Certified Mission Coach Service-Synod: Floor Committee on Missions (2004); Floor Committee on Stewardship, Finance and Church Extension (1991) Service-District: CID: Bd. of Directors (2003-07); Constitution Comm. (2000-03); Rural Ministry Comm. (199406); Chair, Comm. on Missions (2000-06); Comm. on Missions (1994-97); Chair. Comm. on Stewardship (1993-94) Sec. (1991-93); Secretary of District (1997-03) Service-Community: Illinois State Police Chap. Dist. 12 (1995-2000); Host of radio programs (2000-07); Adj. Prof. Kaskaskia College, Centralia, IL (1997-00); Adj. Prof., Lake Land Comm. College, Mattoon, IL (1995-07) 210 Stuckwisch, D. Richard, Rev. Dr., 49, Emmaus, South Bend, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; M.Div.; M.A.; S.T.M.; Ph.D Service-Synod: Pastoral Mentor in Indonesia (2009, 11, 12); Seminary in Novosivirsk (1999, 2001, 03, 05, 08); LSB Hymnal Project (1998-06); Delto Teaching (2000-04) Service-District: Circuit Visitor (2012-present); Worship and Spiritual Care (2003-12) Service-Community: Chaplain, Higher Things (2006, 08, 11); Presenter, Concordia Catechetical Symposia (2002-14); Michiana Lutheran Education Ass. (1998-13) 211 INDIANA DISTRICT 2015 REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT BALLOT NORTHWEST REGION Rev. William Foy Rev. Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch NORTHEAST REGION Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Brege Rev. Dr. Lane Burgland Rev. Douglas Punke CENTRAL REGION Rev. David R. Mueller Rev. David Shadday Rev. Arthur Wehrmeister SOUTHERN REGION Rev. Nathan Rastl Rev. Robert Schneider 212 BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION NOMINEES FOR REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT NORTHWEST REGION Foy, William, Rev., 54, Prince of Peace, Valparaiso, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A. , Finance and Real Estate; M.Div. Service-District: Council for Resources (2009-2015) Stuckwisch, D. Richard, Rev. Dr., 49, Emmaus, South Bend, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; M.Div.; M.A.; S.T.M.; Ph.D Service-Synod: Pastoral Mentor in Indonesia (2009, 11, 12); Seminary in Novosivirsk (1999, 2001, 03, 05, 08); LSB Hymnal Project (1998-06); Delto Teaching (2000-04) Service-District: Circuit Visitor (2012-present); Worship and Spiritual Care (2003-12) Service-Community: Chaplain, Higher Things (2006, 08, 11); Presenter, Concordia Catechetical Symposia (2002-14); Michiana Lutheran Education Ass. (1998-13) 213 NORTHEAST REGION *Brege, Daniel J., Rev. Dr.,, 62, St. Paul, Decatur, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.S.; M.Div.; D.Min.; Rev. Oswald Bertram Award Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (1986, 95, 07); MissionTaught in Ethiopia (2/15) Service-District: Vice President (2012-present); Council for Outreach (2011-12); Circuit Counselor (1991-03); Board of Education (1985-87) Burgland, Lane, Rev. Dr., 63, Faith, Churubusco, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor Th.D. Service-Synod: Professor, CTS (1992-98) Service-District: Circuit Counselor (2003-12) Punke, Douglas, Rev., 58, Zion, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Senior Pastor B.S. Mathematics; M.S. Mathematics; M.S. Computer Science; M.Div. Circuit Visitor (2009-present); Urban Ministry Task Force (2013-present); No. Pastors Conference Chairman (2007-2012) Service - District: 214 CENTRAL REGION Mueller, David R., Rev., 49, Trinity, Goodland & St. John’s, Rensselaer, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A. Secondary Education; M.Div. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2004, 2010) Service-District: Circuit Visitor (2012-present); Council for Services (2006-12); Evangelism Task Force (2009-present) Service-Community: Goodland Vol. Fire Dept. (2000-present); Brook Youth Soccer Program (2000-present); South Newton Comm. Advisory Council (2005-13) *Shadday, David, Rev., 57, St. Paul’s, Indianapolis, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; M.Div.; S.T.M. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (1986, 2001) Service-District: Vice President (2012-present); Circuit Counselor (1988-91; 2006-09); Council for Outreach (200912) Service-Community: LMM Pastoral Advisor (2007-present); LCFS Pastoral Advisor (2008-present) Wehrmeister, Arthur, Rev., 66, Calvary, Indianapolis, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Pastor M.Div. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (1986, 1992); Ablaze/Fan into Flame Comm. (2009) Service-District: Circuit Counselor (1997-06); Circuit Visitor (2009present) Service-Congregation: Thrivent Builds/Habitat Coordinator (current) Service-Community: LCFS Spiritual Adv. Comm. (present); Lutheran High School Board (1996-99) 215 SOUTHERN REGION Rastl, Nathan, Rev., 53, St. Peter, Vincennes, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div.. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2001) Service-District: Worship and Spiritual Care (2000-09), 2014present); Circuit Counselor (IE 1995-97) Schneider, Robert, Rev., 58, Our Saviour, Evansville, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor A.A.S.; M.A.; M.Div. Service-District: Circuit Counselor (2002-present); Circuit Counselor-MO (1990-02) Service-Community: Bd. of Directors, Birthright (2014-present; Bd. of Directors, Tri State Food Bank (2005-14); Pastoral Adv. Luth. Mission Action Council (2014-present); Pastoral Adv. Luth. Family Counsel Service (2014-present); Revitalization Task Force (2013-present) 216 INDIANA DISTRICT 2015 CONVENTION PROPOSED BALLOT SECRETARY TREASURER Brock, Peter Steinmetz, Thomas Noland, Martin Punke, Douglas BOARD OF DIRECTORS NW-COMMISSIONED NE-COMMISSIONED Eichinger, Kenneth Friedrich, Eugene Koelper, Larry Weber, John CE-COMMISSIONED SO-COMMISSIONED Borcherding, Mark Behmlander, Todd Lewer, Steve Wischmeier, Henry NW-LAY NE-LAY Kent, Allen Franke, Mark Niemann, John Hawk, Michael Veit, Stan CE-LAY SO-LAY Mears, Andrew Stuckwisch, Roy Scifres, Don 217 COUNCIL FOR CONGREGATIONAL OUTREACH NW-ORDAINED NE-ORDAINED Boshoven, Richard Pulse, Jeffrey Fickel, Erich Sims, Timothy Wielert, Cory CE-ORDAINED SO-ORDAINED Alexander, Jeffrey Boyd, Michael Smith, Raymond NW-COMMISSIONED NE-COMMISSIONED Eichinger, Kenneth Muehl, Mark CE-COMMISSIONED SO-COMMISSIONED Benning, Evelyn NW-LAY NE-LAY Brettin, Timothy Fickenscher, Claire Hawkins, Michael Franz, Allen Smith, Dave Kyler, Patrick Mann, Ellen CE-LAY SO-LAY Meyer, Wayne Helwig, Matthew 218 COUNCIL FOR CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES NW-ORDAINED NE-ORDAINED Barnes, Michael Fichtner, Lesley Joe Harris, Jason Olsen, Roy Spira, Paul CE-ORDAINED SO-ORDAINED Greenwald, Kenneth Ensley, Steven Mierow, Seth Galligar, Patrick NW-COMMISSIONED NE-COMMISSIONED Hayes, Jaymes Nagy, Krista Reimers, Rhonda Ostermann, Joyce CE-COMMISSIONED SO-COMMISSIONED Huntington, Jeffrey Schumacher, Scott Mitchell, Shaina NW-LAY NE-LAY Potratz, Roger Sutton, Roger CE-LAY SO-LAY Frank, Timothy Meyer, Gary A. Leach, Don Wolka, Jr., Frank Searcy, Michelle 219 COUNCIL FOR CONGREGATIONAL RESOURCES NW-ORDAINED NE-ORDAINED Foy, William Shoemaker, Paul Rohde, Roger Winegarden, Jerry CE-ORDAINED SO-ORDAINED Blakey, Charles Riordan, Todd Sievers, Philip NW-COMMISSIONED NE-COMMISSIONED Cunningham, Sara Schilf, Kenneth Hayes, Jaymes CE-COMMISSIONED SO-COMMISSIONED Schulenburg, Carl Baumgartel, Jonathan NW-LAY NE-LAY Niemann, John Kiefer, Robert Lybarger, Gary Oetting, Mark CE-LAY SO-LAY Mears, Andrew Clow, Gerald North, Paul Wischmeier, Roger Schulenburg, Kenneth 220 COMMITTEE ON WORSHIP AND SPIRITUAL CARE NW-ORDAINED NE-ORDAINED Gillespie, Christopher Lange, George Osbun, M. Joshua Moehring, Martin Wollman, Andrew CE-ORDAINED SO-ORDAINED Sutton, Jacob Armstrong, John Rastl, Nathan NW-COMMISSIONED NE-COMMISSIONED Rhein, Sandra Eifert, Jonathan Machemer, Matthew Moellering, Dianne Muehl, Mark CE-COMMISSIONED SO-COMMISSIONED Carlson, Matthew Wischmeier, Henry Johnson, Paul NW-LAY NE-LAY Niemann, John Beardsley, Charles Bienz, Nathan Herman, Dennis Hollman, Michael 221 CE-LAY SO-LAY Zimmerman, Joyce Kensell, Terence Wischmeier, Roger NOMINATING COMMITTEE NW-ORDAINED NE-ORDAINED Ahlemeyer, Eric Radtke, Richard Rohde, Roger Sims, Timothy CE-ORDAINED SO-ORDAINED Mackey, Daniel Keller, Martin Mueller, David Rastl, Nathan NW-COMMISSIONED NE-COMMISSIONED Wendt, Paul Muehl, Mark Mueller, John Schwantz, Richard CE-COMMISSIONED SO-COMMISSIONED Johnson, Paul NW-LAY NE-LAY Potratz, Roger Hawk, David Smith, Dave 222 CE-LAY SO-LAY Ferguson, Robert Claybourn, James Wischmeier, Roger COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS ORDAINED (Elect 2) COMMISSIONED (Elect 2) Barber, Alan Koeneman, Darin Kendall, Chad Willig, Fred Lepley, Daniel Nuffer, Richard Wright II, Kyle LAY (Elect 2) Franke, Mark Hedges, Norman SYNODICAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE (Ordained or Commissioned) Noland, Martin, Rev. Sims, Timothy, Rev. 223 INDIANA DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD 2015 DISTRICT CONVENTION BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Secretary Rev. Peter Brock, 31, St. John’s (Bingen), Decatur, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A., Classics and Theology; M.Div. Service-Synod: Guest Instructor, CTS; Infertility Ethics Symposium Presenter, CSL; Guest Professor, Ev. Luth. Ch., Tanzania, Africa; President’s “CUS Think Tank” Participant; Concordia Deaconess Conference Presenter; CTQ Contributor; Logic Contributor Service-Community: Shepherds United (2013-present) Rev. Martin Noland, 58, Trinity, Evansville, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A., M.Div.; S.T.M.; M/Phil.; PhD. Service-Synod: C.H.I. Director (2002-2008); CHIQ Managing Editor (2002-2008); CTS Adjunct Professor (1989-2000) Service-Community: LOGIA, Associate Editor (1996-present); Luther Academy, BOD (1993-2008) Rev. Douglas Punke, 58, Zion, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Senior Pastor B.S. Mathematics; M.S. Mathematics; M.S. Computer Science; M.Div. Circuit Visitor (2009-present); Urban Ministry Task Force (2013-present); No. Pastors Conference Chairman (2007-2012) Service - District: 224 Treasurer Thomas Steinmetz, 56, Trinity, Indianapolis, Indiana Occupation: Education: Partner, Financial Planning Firm B.S.; M.S.; CPA; CFP Service-District: Treasurer, BOD (2011-present); Ministerial Excellence Fund (2008-present) Service- Congregation: President (current); Board of Elders (current) Service-Community: Lutheran High, Indianapolis Board Member, Treasurer, President (2000-2006) Board of Directors Northwest – Commissioned Kenneth Eichinger, 64, St. Paul’s, Bremen, Indiana Occupation: Education: Teacher A.A.; B.S.: M.S. Service-District: Mission Bd.; Bd. of Directors; Constitution Comm. Service-Congregation: Recording Secretary 225 Northeast – Commissioned Eugene Friedrich, 70, St. Peter’s, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Lutheran School Administrator; Grant Advisor, The Lutheran Foundation, Ft. Wayne B.A., Education; M.S.E.D. Service- District: BOD (1994-03); Evangelism Bd. (1980s) Service-Congregation: Capital Campaign Chair. (2012-15); Building Comm. (2013-15) Social Min. Bd. (2001-present); Vice Chairman (2001-07) Service-Community: Lutheran Ministries Media (2011-present); Cross Border Partners (2011-present) Larry Koelper, 53, St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Teacher B.A. Elementary Education; DCE certification; M.A. Service- District: Council for Resources (2004-2012) *John Weber, 36, St. Paul’s, New Haven, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Director of Advancement Master’s Education Administration Service- District: BOD (2012-present); Synod Adv. Delegate (2013) Service-Congregation: Bible Class Leader (2002-present); Bd. of Elders (2004-05) Service-Community: BOD, The Lutheran Schools Partnership (2011present) 226 Central – Commissioned Mark Borcherding, 61, Carmel Lutheran, Carmel, Indiana Occupation: Education: Director of Christian Education (DCE) B.S. Ed; DCE certificate; Lutheran Teacher Diploma; M.S. Family Life Service- Synod: Community Life Builder, National Youth Gathering (1992; 2007; 2010; 2013 Service-Community: Carmel H. S. Asset Training Team (2002-07); Carmel H. S. Listening Post (2000-09) *Steve Lewer, 53, Zion, New Palestine, Indiana Occupation: Education: Teacher M.S.; M.A.R. Service- District: BOD (2012-present); Council for Outreach (20032012) Service-Congregation: Board of Elders (2006-present) Southern – Commissioned *Dr. Todd Behmlander, 54, Immanuel, Seymour, Indiana Occupation: Education: Principal Ed. D.; M.A. Service- District: BOD (2012-present); NLSA Team Captain (2005) 227 Henry Wischmeier, 70, St. Paul (Clifty), Columbus, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Retired (Preschool/Kindergarten Development); Farming B.A.; Masters Service- District: BOD ; Stewardship; Education; Worship and Spiritual Care Service-Congregation: Elder Service-Community: 4-H leader; BOD, Lutheran Community Home (2015-present) Northwest – Lay *Allen Kent, 58, Prince of Peace, Valparaiso, Indiana Occupation: Education: President/CEO B.S., Business Administration Service-District: BOD (2012-present); Council on Services (200612) Service-Congregation: Elders (2014); S. S. Teacher; Bd. of Parish Education John Niemann, 66, Immanuel, Michigan City, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired M.S. Education Service-Congregation: Chairman; Vice Chairman; Nominating Committee Service-Community: Gary “Community Focus”, Interview TV Program ( 1985-present) 228 Northeast – Lay Mark Franke, 63, Ascension, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired, Higher Education Administration B.SB. Economics, M.S.B.A.; MBA Service-Synod: Delegate, 1995, 2001 Service-District: Constitution Committee (2009-15); IPFW Lutheran Student Fellowship (2008-13) Service-Congregation: President (1989-04, 2009-present); Bd. Christian Discipleship (2005-08); S. S. Teacher (1985-14) Service-Community: Lutheran Life Villages (2009-present); Lutheran Foundation (1999-2009); Matthew 25 (2011present) Michael Hawk, 40, St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne, Indiana No picture Occupation: Education: Attorney B.A. Political Science and History; J.D. Service-Congregation: Bd. of Elders (2008-present); Call Committees (2007-08; 2015) Service-Community: BOD, Lutheran Social Services (2007-10); BOD, LSS Foundation (2007-10); BOD, Lutheran Life Villages Foundation (2009-present) Stan Veit, 62, St. John (Flatrock), Monroeville, Indiana Occupation: Retired-former Exec. Dir. Lutheran Social Services of Indiana B.A.; Master of Social Work; Miles Christi – CTS (2008) Education: Service-Synod: Bd. of Human Care and World Relief (2004-07) Service-Congregation: Elder (1995-97); Bd. of Ed Chair. (1981-82); Secretary (1992-95) Service-Community: BOD, Lutheran Foundation (1999-09); BOD, Lutheran Life Villages (1997-03); BOD, Fort Wayne Urban League (2005-11) 229 Central – Lay Andrew Mears, 46, Our Shepherd, Avon, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Financial Services College Service-Congregation: President (2012-13); Vice President (2010-11) Don Scifres, 56, Mt. Olive, Greenwood, Indiana Occupation: Education: Venture Capital Fund Managing Partner; Entrepreneur B.S; Exec. Ed; PU College of Technology; Distinguished Alumnus Service-Congregation: President; Vice President; Bd. of Christian Day School; Bd. of Stewardship and many others Service-Community: BOD, Lutheran H. S., Indianapolis; BOD, Lutheran Child and Family Services; many others Southern – Lay Roy Stuckwisch, 65, Zion, Seymour, Indiana Occupation: Retired-Cummis Inc. & Dir. of Ed and Extend Care B.S; M.S., Secondary Business Education Education: Delegate, 1984 Service-Synod: Service-District: Service-Congregation: Service-Community: Council of Outreach (1994-06); Pastoral Cand. Interview Comm. (2000-06); Lay Delegate President; Treasurer; V. P; Dir. of Lay Ministry; Christian Witness; School Board; Church Foundation IN District LLL Treasurer (2007-11); Zion 12 LLL President (2000-02); Seymour Community Schools Bd. of Education (1994-06); Indiana State School Board Assn. BOD (2000-06) and more 230 COUNCIL FOR CONGREGATIONAL OUTREACH Northwest – Ordained Rev. Richard Boshoven, 54, Trinity Memorial, Merrillville, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.S., Broadcasting & Cinimatic Arts; M.Div. Service-District: No. Ind. Pastors Conf. chair. (2012-14) *Rev. Erich Fickel, 45, St. Paul, Chesterton, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Service-District: Circuit Visitor; Council for Outreach Rev. Cory Wielert, 35, Trinity, Crown Point, Indiana Occupation: Education: Institutional Chaplain M.Div. CPE Service-Community: Wittenberg Village (2006-present); LWML (2009present) 231 Northeast – Ordained *Rev. Jeffrey Pulse, 56, Shepherd of the City, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor/Professor B.S. Ed.; M.Div.; S.T.M; Ph.D Candidate Service-Synod: Rural Ministry Task Force (1992-95) Service-District: Chair. Youth Comm. (IW 1988-95); Bd. of Gov. (IW 1988-95); BD of Gov. Camp Okoboji (198995); Council for Outreach (2012-present) Service-Community: Pres., Lions Club (1989-91) Chaplain Rotary (1996-07) Rev. Timothy Sims, 76, Emanuel, New Haven, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Pastor B.S.; B. D.; M.Div. Service-Synod: Nominating Committee (2001) Service-District: President (1991-2003); Stewardship Exec. (19871991); Vice President (1980s) Service-Congregation: Interim Pastor, St. Thomas, Ohio City, OH (2003present) Central – Ordained Rev. Jeffrey Alexander, 35, Mt. Olive, Greenwood, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A., Communications; M.Div. Service-Community: Lutheran Multicultural Mission of Indianapolis (2013-present); Lutheran High School, Indianapolis (2015-present) 232 Rev. Raymond A. Smith, 47, Emmaus, Indianapolis, Indiana No photo Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Service-District: Mission Start, Centerville, IN; vacancy pastor, St. Paul, Cross Plains Southern – Ordained Rev. Michael Boyd, 62, Concordia, Louisville, KY Occupation: Education: Pastor B.S.; B.A., Accounting; M.Div. Service-District: Outreach Board (3 years); Stewardship Board (3 years) Northwest – Commissioned Kenneth Eichinger, 63, St. Paul’s, Bremen, Indiana Occupation: Education: Teacher A.A.; B.S.: M.S. Service-District: Mission Bd.; Bd. of Directors; Constitution Comm. Recording Secretary Service-Congregation: 233 Northeast – Commissioned Mark Muehl, 53, Zion, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Exec. Director, The Lutheran School Partnership B.A.; M.A. Service-Synod: Board of Regents, Concordia University Chicago Service-District: Various Committees Service-Community: Treasurer, Allen County Non-Public Schools (2006-present); INPEA (2009-present) Central - Commissioned *Evelyn Benning, 72, Living Christ, Plainfield, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Retired Teacher B.S.; M.A. Service-District: Nominating Comm. (2009-2015); Council for Outreach (2012-2015) Service-Congregation: Secretary (1998-08; 2010-present); L.I.F.T. Activity Coordinator (2012-2015); Bd. of Christian Ed Chair. (2003-08); Stewardship and Evangelism Committees Southern – Commissioned Northwest – Lay *Timothy Brettin, 72, St. Peter, North Judson, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Retired High School Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2001; 1995); Laborers For Christ (2006-present) Service-District: Convention Delegate (2013) Service-Community: Bass Lake Lions (1972-present); Starke County History Soc. (2000-present) 234 Michael Hawkins, 60, St. Paul’s, Munster, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Transportation B.A. Political Science Service-Congregation: Deacon; Adult Ed Classes; S. S. teacher; chairman (IL cong. ) Dave Smith, 54, Emmaus, South Bend, Indiana Occupation: Education: Technical Service Business Owner AAS; EET Service-Synod: Convention Delegate 2013, 2013 Service-District: Council for Resources (2006-present); Nominating Committee (2003-12) Service-Congregation: President (2009-present); Elder (2006-present); Trustee (2003-08) Service-Community: St. Joseph Co Election Bd. (2004-present) Northeast – Lay Claire Fickenscher, 54, St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Homemaker/Volunteer College Service-District: Katie Retreat Committee (2012 and twice prior) Service-Congregation: Evangelism/Outreach (2012-present); Youth Dir. (2007-11); S. S. Co-superintendent (2000-07) Service-Community: Study Connection Tutor (2012-present); ACRL Diaper Distribution (2011-present); Red Cross Blood Donor (50+ pints) 235 Allen Franz, 64, St. Peter, Decatur, Indiana Occupation: Education: Farmer and AG Enumerator High School Service-District: Lay Delegate (2000, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15) Service-Congregation: Treasurer (1993-94, 1999-00, 2007-08); Elder (2003-04); Cemetery Trustee (1992-present) Service-Community: St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School Athletic Bd. (2007-15); Allen County Farm Bureau BOD (20012present *Patrick Kyler, 61, St. John, Columbia City, Indiana No Picture Occupation: Education: Production Manager High School Service-District: Council for Outreach (2009-present) Service-Congregation: Various positions Service-Community: BOD, Mission Society Ellen Mann, 60, Concordia, Fort Wayne, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Business and Life Transition Coach B.S. in Secondary Education Service-Congregation: Seven mission trips Service-Community: United Way/Noble County Bd. (2013-14) 236 Central – Lay *Wayne Meyer, 68, Zion, Kokomo, Indiana Occupation: Education: Self employed B.S. Agriculture Service-District: Council for Outreach (2012-present); Mission Bd. Service-Congregation: Financial Secretary (2009-present); Trustee (2007present) Southern – Lay Matthew Helwig, 33, Trinity, Vallonia, Indiana Occupation: Education: Payroll Manager B.S., Business Service-Congregation: Financial Secretary (2008-10); Bd. of Stewardship (2012-14); Sunday School Teacher (2013-15) Service-Community: Jackson Co. Mission Federation Trustee (2015-17) COUNCIL FOR CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES Northwest – Ordained Rev. Michael W. Barnes, 57, St. Peter’s, Warsaw, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Service-District: Adult Education (WY 1995-00); LWML Counelor (WY 1997-00) Service-Community: Northland Amateur Radio Club (Pres. -2002-04) 237 Rev. Jason Harris, 34, Trinity, Westville, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Northeast – Ordained Rev. Lesley Joe Fichtner, 62, Our Hope, Huntertown, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor Lutheran Ed Diploma; M.Div. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2010, 2013) Service-District: Aging Comm.; Principal’s Prog. Dir. Southwest (1987-88); Sec. of Principal’s (IW 1976-78) Service-Community: Lutheran Assn. Inst. Min. (2012-current); LAIM Chap. (2012-current) Rev. Roy Olsen, 43, Emmaus, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.A.; Education; M.Div. Service-Congregation: Principal (Sarasota, FL 1999-2001) Rev. Paul Spira, 54, Peace, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div.; MBA Service-Synod: Convention Delegate 2010 Service-Community: Marketing Director (1985-2002) 238 Central - Ordained *Rev. Kenneth Greenwald, 58, St. John’s, Peru, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; M.Div. Service-District: SELC: Circuit Counselor; Circuit Treasurer Service-Community: LWML Pastoral Advisor; BOD, Urban Ministries of Jefferson Co. Rev. Seth Mierow, 34, St. Peter’s, Indianapolis, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A, M.Div. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2013) Service-Community: LMM VP for Human Care 92011-15); Campus Ministry, Butler/IUPUI (2008-present) Southern – Ordained Rev. Steven Ensley, 57, Redeemer, Louisville, Kentucky Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Service-District: Council for Services (2009-2012) Service-Community: LMM VP for Human Care 92011-15); Campus Ministry, Butler/IUPUI (2008-present) Rev. Patrick Galligar, 50, St. Peter’s, Columbus, Indiana Occupation: Education: Associate Pastor M.Div. 239 Northwest – Commissioned Jaymes Hayes, 28, St. Paul’s, Munster, Indiana Occupation: Education: Director of Christian Education Theology, DCE certification Service-District: Jr. High Rally; IDYG Rhonda Reimers, 57, St. Peter’s, North Judson, Indiana Occupation: Education: Teacher/Administrator B.S. Elem. Ed.; M.A. Elem. Ed.; Admin. Licensure Service-Synod: SLED Service-District: Council for Services (2003-12); NLSA Visitation Teams (2009, 2014, 2015) Service-Congregation: Adult Choir (1980-present); Adv. Various Bds. And Comm.; VBS; S.S. Substitute Service-Community: Starke County Preschool Project Advisory Bd. (2013-15) Northeast – Commissioned Krista Nagy, 47, Bethlehem, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: School Administrator and missionary B.S.; M.S.; Teacher of the Year (1997); Administrator of the Year (2000); Fine Arts Leadership (2015) Service-Synod: Congregational Services (1996-01) Service-District: Congregational Services (1995-98) Service-Congregation: Interim Children’s Min. (2002-03) Service-Community: Good Shepherd Min. Bd. of Dir. (2003-060; Thanksgiving English Fellowship (China 2010-12) 240 Deaconess Joyce Osterman, 63, St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Deaconess Deaconess Certification; Master Public Affairs Central – Commissioned *Jeffrey Huntington, 40, Our Shepherd, Avon, Indiana Occupation: Education: Principal B.A. Service-District: Council for Services (2012-present) Service-Community Lutheran High, Indianapolis BOD (2013-present) Deaconess Shaina Mitchell, 32, Grace, Muncie, Indiana Occupation: Education: Deaconess; Dir. of Campus Ministry B.A.; M.A.; C.P.E. Service-Synod: Bd. for National Mission (2014-present); “Unwrapped” Conf. Steering Comm. (2011-13); President’s Campus Ministry Think Tank (2012) Service-District: Campus Min. Sectional IDYG; WLAB Funding Task Force (2009); District Campus Ministry Task Force (2008-present) Service-Congregation: Coordinated LCMS U Lock-in LYF (2015); S.S. Teacher; VBS Service-Community: Hospital Volunteer (2009-present); Riverside Community Garden (2009-2013); Ball State University Council of Religious Advisors (2008present) 241 Southern – Commissioned *Scott Schumacher, 43, St. Peter’s, Columbus, Indiana Occupation: Education: Principal M.A. Ed. Administration Service-District: Council of Services (2009-present) Northwest – Lay *Roger Potratz, 72, Immanuel, Michigan City, Indiana Occupation: Education: Architect Bachelor of Architecture Service-District: Council for Services (2012-2015); Bd. of Directors (2003-12); Worship and Spiritual Care (1994-2003) Service-Community: Michigan City Mainstreet Assn. (2007-09); McNEAT Bd. (Chamber of Commerce) (2007present); Social & Learning Institute, BOD (2006present) Roger Sutton, St. Peter’s, North Judson, Indiana Occupation: Education: Service-Congregation: B.S.; M.S.; Ed. S. Governing Bd. Chair.; Stewardship Committee; Chair, School Addition Bldg. Comm. Northeast – Lay 242 Central – Lay *Timothy Frank, 58, Zion, New Palestine, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Architect B.S.; B.Arch. Service-District: Council for Services (2009-present) Service-Congregation: Bd. Stewardship (2009-present); Bd. of Elders (1999-09); Bd. of Christian Ed (1992-99) Service-Community: Lutheran High, Indianapolis BOD (2012-present); Ind. Arch. Found. BOD (1996-09) Don Leach, 61, Christ, Noblesville, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Public School Administrator B.S.; M.S. Service-Congregation: Usher (2013-15) Michelle Searcy, 53, Holy Cross, Indianapolis, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Church and School Administrator B.S. Physical Therapy, MBA Service-District: NLSA Commission; NLSA Team Captain Service-Congregation: Administrator (2002-present) 243 Southern – Lay Gary A. Meyer, 68, Zion, Seymour, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Hospital CEO B.S.; Master in Health Administration Service-Congregation: Dir. Lay Ministry (2014-2015); Various positions Service-Community: Jackson County Industrial Development Council (2001-15); Jackson County Ambulance Authority (1989-15); Seymour Boy’s and Girl’s Club (1988present) Frank Wolka Jr., 61, Trinity, Vallonia, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Electronic Application Engineer Assoc. Mechanical Engineering Technician Service-District: Council for Outreach (2006-15); LERT (2012-2015); Rural Congregations Committee Service-Congregation: Bd. of Stewardship (2010-13); Elder; Chairman; Trustee Service-Community: Pres. Driftwood Fire District Bd. (2012-15); Muscatatuk Chapter D.V. Chair. (2008-15); Lutheran Central School Foundation Bd. (2010-15); Lutheran Central School Bd. COUNCIL FOR CONGREGATIONAL RESOURCES Northwest – Ordained *Rev. William Foy, 53, Prince of Peace, Valparaiso, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A. , Finance and Real Estate; M.Div. Service-District: Council for Resources (2009-2015) 244 Rev. Roger Rohde, 64, St. Paul’s, Bremen, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Service-District: Vice President (2006-15); Nominating Committee; Circuit Counselor; Bd. of Christian Education Service-Community: LWML Pastoral Counselor (1990-96, 2004-08); LWML Zone Pastoral counselor; Pastoral Advisor South Bend Mission Assn.; LLL Zone Pastoral Counselor Northeast – Ordained Rev. Paul Shoemaker, 63, Emanuel, New Haven, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate Service-District: Northern Pastors Conf. Committee Service-Community: The Lutheran Foundation (2006-present); Worship for Shut-Ins (1994-present); Star 88.3 Board (1994present) Rev. Jerry Winegarden, 58, Shepherd by the Lakes, Syracuse, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div.; M.S. 245 Central – Ordained Rev. Charles Blakey, 62, St. James, Reynolds, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor A.A.S.; B.A.; M.Div. Service-Community: Honey-Creek Scholarship Committee (2005present) Rev. Philip Sievers, , Living Christ, Plainfield, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor A.B.; B.E.; M.B.A.; M.Div.; S.T.M. Southern – Ordained *Rev. Todd Riordan, 44, Faith, Columbus, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; M.Div. Service-District: Council for Resources (2012-2015); Chair. Pastors Conf. Comm. (SW-1998-2001) 246 Northwest – Commissioned *Sara Cunningham, 60, Immanuel, Valparaiso, Indiana Occupation: Education: Teacher B.S., Education Service-Synod: CTCR Floor Committee (2010) Service-District: Council for Resources (2009-2015) Jaymes Hayes, 28, St. Paul’s, Munster, Indiana Occupation: Education: Director of Christian Education Theology, DCE certification Service-District: Jr. High Rally; IDYG Northeast – Commissioned *Kenneth Schilf, 71, Holy Cross, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired B.A.; M.Ed. Service-District: Worship for Shut-Ins Service-Community: Family Life Ministry Council (1999-present); Concordia Center for Family, Ann Arbor (2013present); Northeastern Ind. Athletic Officials Assn. (1980-present) 247 Central – Commissioned Carl Schulenburg, 67, Zion, New Palestine, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Teacher-Retired Masters Service-District: Board of Directors (2009-12 and 1997-06) Service-Congregation: Elders (2013-15; 2005-09); President (2009-13; 2001-05) Southern – Commissioned Jonathan Baumgartel, 41, St. John, Seymour, Indiana Occupation: Education: Principal M.A., Curriculum and Development Northwest – Lay John Niemann, 66, Immanuel, Michigan City, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired M.S. Education Service-Congregation: Chairman; Vice Chairman; Nominating Committee Service-Community: Gary “Community Focus”, Interview TV Program ( 1985-present) 248 Northeast – Lay Robert Kiefer, 63, Ascension, Fort Wayne, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Retired-Banking College Service-District: Treasurer (2002-12) Service-Congregation: Financial Secretary; Bookkeeper *Gary Lybarger, 68, Emmanuel (Soest), Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired-Banking B.A., Business Administration Service-District: Council for Resources (2012-15) Service-Congregation: President (2011-12) Service-Community: Treasurer, New Allen Alliance (2003-present); Treasurer, Hoagland Chamber of Commerce (2013-present) Mark Oetting, 56, Holy Cross, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Independent Insurance Agent B.A. Economics; CPA Service-District: Audit Committee (2011-present) Service-Congregation: Girls Basketball Coach (2011-present); Various Basketball Coaching (2000-11) Service-Community: LAMB Bd. Member (2011-present); Lutheran Ministries Media (2011-present); Camp Lutherhaven Bd. Member and Treasurer 249 Central – Lay Andrew Mears, 46, Our Shepherd, Avon, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Financial Services College Service-Congregation: President (2012-13); Vice President (2010-11) Paul North, 72, Emanuel, Tipton, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired-Banking College Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2013 and Wichita) Service-District: BOD (2007-present and 1989-98); Treasurer (1998-07); LCEF Loan Committee; Stewardship Board; Audit Committee Service-Congregation: Elders (1985-present) Emanuel Trust Fund (1987present) Service-Community: Tipton County Housing Corp. (1978-present) Kenneth Schulenburg, , Emanuel, Tipton, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired ASEET; BSEET Service-District: Council for Resources (2012-15) Service-Congregation: Bd. of Education; Elder; Assistant Treasurer; Dir. Emanuel Child Care Service-Community: Habitat for Humanity 250 Southern – Lay *Gerald Clow, 66, St. Paul’s, Jonesville, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Retired-Education B.S.; M.S. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2013, 2011) Service-District: Council for Resources (2009-2015) Service-Congregation: Elder; Chairman Service-Community: LLL Ambassador; Thrivent Board Roger Wischmeier, 59, St. Paul’s, Brownstown, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Technician High School COMMITTEE ON WORSHIP AND SPIRITUAL CARE Northwest – Ordained *Rev. Christopher Gillespie, 37, Grace, Dyer, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A., Communications/Music; M.Div. Service-Synod: Higher Things Media (05/14-present) Service-District: Worship and Spiritual Care (2012-present); N. Pastors Conf. (2014-present) Service-Community: Luther East High School Bd. (2011-2014); NI Confessional Lutherans (2010-present); Tri-town Ministerial Alliance (2005-present) 251 Rev. M. Joshua Osbun, 34, Emmaus, South Bend, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor; Pro-Life Advocacy M.Div. Service-District: No. Indiana Pastors’ Conf. (2011-15) Rev. Andrew Wollman, , Prince of Peace, Goshen, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Service-District: Council for Services (2012-present) Northeast – Ordained Rev. George Lange, 80, Zion, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Seminary Staff B.Th. Service-Synod: Board for Public Relations (1977-81) Service-District: Financial Aid Comm. (1990s); NID Town and Country Mission Comm (1980s); TX Div. of Public Relations (1964-74) Service-Congregation: Chair. Bd. of Elders (1997-15); Elders (1990-97) Service-Community: Lincoln Village Comm. Assn. Officer (2001-15) 252 Rev. Martin Moehring, 59, St. Peter, Decatur, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; M.Div. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2013); Bd. of Regents, CUAA (2010-13) Central – Ordained *Rev. Jacob Sutton, 41, Immanuel, Terre Haute, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.S., Chemistry; M.Div. Service-District: Worship and Spiritual Care (2012-present) Southern – Ordained Rev. John Armstrong, 62, Grace, Columbus, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div.; S.T.M., Exegetical Theology Service-District: Circuit Counselor (2004-12) *Rev. Nathan Rastl, 52, St. Peter, Vincennes, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div.. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2001) Service-District: Worship and Spiritual Care (2000-09), 2014present); Circuit Counselor (IE 1995-97) 253 Northwest – Commissioned *Deaconess Sandra Rhein, 57, Emmaus, South Bend, Indiana Occupation: Education: Deaconess M.A., Theology Service-District: Council for Outreach (2003-10); Worship and Spiritual Care (2012-15) Service-Congregation: LWML (2001-present) Service-Community: South bend Area Music Teachers Assn. (2010-15); American Guild of Organists (1994-08) Northeast – Commissioned Jonathan Eifert, 48, Ascension, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Music Educator M.M. , Choral Conducting; D.M.A., Organ Performance Service-Synod: Luth. Musician Enrichment Instr. (2000-020; Higher Things Organist (2011, 12, 15); LSB Introductory Workshop Organist (2006) Service-District: Service-Congregation: Service-Community: Liturgy Workshop (OK 2007) Conf. Presenter; Choir Festivals Assoc. Chorus Dir., FW Phil. Chorus (2014); Steering Comm. AGO Region VII Conv. (2013) Matthew Machemer, 30, St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Associate Kantor, Concordia Theological Seminary Bachelor of Music Education Service-Synod: Assoc. Kantor, CTS Service-Congregation: Kantor; Music Minister; Parish Musician 254 Dianne Moellering, , St. Paul, New Haven, Indiana Occupation: Education: Teacher Masters in Education, Music/Math Service-Congregation: Choir Director Mark Muehl, 53, Zion, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Exec. Director, The Lutheran School Partnership B.A.; M.A. Service-Synod: Board of Regents, Concordia University Chicago Service-District: Various Committees Service-Community: Treasurer, Allen County Non-Public Schools (2006-present); INPEA (2009-present) Central – Commissioned Matthew Carlson, 32, Christ, Noblesville, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Director of Christian Education B.A., Parish Administration; M.A. Youth Ministry Service-District: No. Jr. High Youth Rally Coordinator (2013present); No. Jr. High Youth Rally Co-coordinator (2012-13) Service-Community: Vice President of Education, Toastmasters with Attitude (2008-09; 2012-14) 255 *Paul Johnson, 59, St. John, Indianapolis, Indiana Occupation: Education: Teacher/Director of Outreach M Mus Ed. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (1988, 2010) Service District: Worship and Spiritual Care (2012-present); Music Curriculum (2000) Service-Congregation: Elders (1995-2013) Southern – Commissioned *Henry Wischmeier, 70, St. Paul, Columbus, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Retired (Preschool/Kindergarten Development); Farming B.A.; Masters Service- District: BOD ; Stewardship; Education; Worship and Spiritual Care Service-Congregation: Elder Service-Community: 4-H leader; BOD, Lutheran Community Home (2015-present) Northwest – Lay John Niermann, 66, Immanuel, Michigan City Occupation: Education: Retired M.S. Education Service-Congregation: Chairman; Vice Chairman; Nominating Committee Service-Community: Gary “Community Focus”, Interview TV Program ( 1985-present) 256 Northeast – Lay Charles Beardsley, 70, Zion, Corunna, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Engineering Manager B. S., Mathematics and Economics Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2013) Service Congregation: Treasurer (2012-present); Elder (2000-present); Chairman, Elders (2005-09) Nathan Bienz, 23, Emmanuel (Soest), Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Student College in progress Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2013) Service-District: Convention Delegate (2012, 2015) Service Congregation: Elder (2012-15); Constitution Comm. (2014); Council (2011-14); Dir. Evangelism (2012-14); Daycare Bd. Chair. (2012-14); Youth Dir. (2013); Worship Comm. (2010-13); Youth Planning Comm. (2006-11, 2013-14) Dennis Herman, 68, Emanuel, New Haven, Indiana Occupation: Education: Church Relations Dir., LSSI B.S., Education; CLU, CHFC Service-Synod: Nominating Committee Service-District: Volunteer (2013-15) Service Congregation: Elder (2009-present); Chairman (1988); Evangelism Bd. (1992) Service-Community: Chair, 1965 Class Reunion, New Haven High School (2015) 257 Michael Hollman, 54, Zion, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Director of Music/Organist M. Mus, Organ Performance and Literature; B. Mus. Ed., Organ Concentration Service-Synod: Service-District: Service Congregation: Organist for Pres. Harrison’s Installation (9-11-10) Worship and Spiritual Care (1985-91) Dir. of Music/Organist (1984-present); Elder (1988-13) Organ Recitalist (1984-present); Am. Guild of Organists; Lecturer on Hymn Playing/Organ Repertoire (1984-present); Am. Guild of Organists: Program Dir., 2001 Region V Convention (1996-01) Service-Community: Central – Lay *Joyce Zimmerman, 64, Our Shepherd, Avon, Indiana Occupation: Education: Church Musician B.A. Music Ed.; M.A. Education Service-District: Worship and Spiritual Care (2012-present) Service Congregation: Dir. of Music (1977-present); Organist (1984-96); Dir. of Music (1976-82) Southern – Lay *Terence Kensell, 67, St. Paul, Evansville, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Purchasing 2 yrs. Lay Ministry, Concordia University Mequon Service-Synod: Intern Service District: Worship and Spiritual Care (2012-present) 258 Roger Wischmeier, 59, St. Paul, Brownstown, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Technician High School Nominating Committee Northwest - Ordained Rev. Eric Ahlemeyer, 43, Calvary, Plymouth, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; M.Div.; F.C.A. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2010) Service-District: Nominating Committee (2009-2015); Circuit Counselor (2009-2012) Rev. Roger Rohde, 63, St. Paul’s, Bremen, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Service-District: Vice President (2006-15); Nominating Committee; Circuit Counselor; Bd. of Christian Education Service-Community: LWML Pastoral Counselor (1990-96, 2004-08); LWML Zone Pastoral counselor; Pastoral Advisor South Bend Mission Assn.; LLL Zone Pastoral Counselor 259 Northeast – Ordained Rev. Timothy Sims, 76, Emanuel, New Haven, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Pastor B.S.; B. D.; M.Div. Service-Synod: Nominating Committee (2001) Service-District: President (1991-2003); Stewardship Exec. (19871991); Vice President (1980s) Service-Congregation: Interim Pastor, St. Thomas, Ohio City, OH (2003present) Central – Ordained Rev. Daniel Mackey, 38, Grace, Muncie, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; M.Div. Service-Synod: Delegate (2007, 2013) Service-District: Campus Ministry Task Force (2013-present); Circuit Counselor (MO 2009-12); Planning Comm. Western Region Pastors’ Conf. (2006) Service-Community: Appleton City, MO Ministerial Alliance (2006-11) *Rev. David Mueller, 48, Trinity, Goodland/St. John’s, Rensselaer, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A. Secondary Education; M.Div. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2004, 2010) Service-District: Circuit Visitor (2012-present); Council for Services (2006-12); Evangelism Task Force (2009-present) Service-Community: Goodland Vol. Fire Dept. (2000-present); Brook Youth Soccer Program (2000-present); South Newton Comm. Advisory Council (2005-13) 260 Southern – Ordained Rev. Martin Keller, 58, St. Paul, Brownstown, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A. History; M.A.Th.; Colloquy Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (1992, 2004) Service-District: Vice President (2006-15); Circuit Counselor (199706); Pres. Southern Pastoral Conference (2000-06) Rev. Nathan Rastl, , St. Peter’s, Vincennes, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div.. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2001) Service-District: Worship and Spiritual Care (2000-09), 2014present); Circuit Counselor (IE 1995-97) Northwest – Commissioned *Paul Wendt, 56, Trinity, Crown Point, Indiana Occupation: Education: Director of Christian Education B.A.; CSP; DCE Certification Service-District: Nominating Committee; Evangelism Task Force; Evangelism Board; Bd. for Parish Services (EN) 261 Northeast – Commissioned Mark Muehl, 53, Zion, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Exec. Director, The Lutheran School Partnership B.A.; M.A. Service-Synod: Board of Regents, Concordia University Chicago Service-District: Various Committees Service-Community: Treasurer, Allen County Non-Public Schools (2006-present); INPEA (2009-present) John Mueller, 76, Holy Cross, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Minister of Music M.A. Service-District: Worship and Spiritual Care; Board of Directors Service-Community: Tennis Coach/Dir. FW P&R (1966-75); Tennis Coach/Dir. New Haven Parks (1975-80) Richard Schwantz, 45, Concordia, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Lutheran teacher B.A.; M.A. Ed. Service-Synod: Advisory Delegate (2010, 2013) Service-District: Advisory Delegate (2012); Ed. Conf. Presenter (2007) Service-Congregation: Bible Class Leader/Coordinator (2005-present); Board of Directors (2009-12) Service-Community: LEA Presenter (2011, 2013) 262 Central – Commissioned Paul Johnson, 59, St. John, Indianapolis, Indiana Occupation: Education: Teacher/Director of Outreach M Mus Ed. Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (1988, 2010) Service District: Worship and Spiritual Care (2012-present); Music Curriculum (2000) Service-Congregation: Elders (1995-2013) Southern – Commissioned Northwest – Lay *Roger Potratz, 73, Immanuel,, Michigan City, Indiana Occupation: Education: Architect Bachelor of Architecture Service-District: Council for Services (2012-2015); Bd. of Directors (2003-12); Worship and Spiritual Care (19942003) Service-Community: Michigan City Mainstreet Assn. (2007-09); McNEAT Bd. (Chamber of Commerce) (2007present); Social & Learning Institute, BOD (2006present) 263 Dave Smith, 54, Emmaus, South Bend, Indiana Occupation: Education: Technical Service Business Owner AAS; EET Service-Synod: Convention Delegate 2013, 2013 Service-District: Council for Resources (2006-present); Nominating Committee (2003-12) Service-Congregation: President (2009-present); Elder (2006-present); Trustee (2003-08) Service-Community: St. Joseph Co Election Bd. (2004-present) Northeast – Lay David Hawk, 67, St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Attorney B.S.; J.D. Service-Synod: Service-District: Concordia University Systems BOD (2010present); BOD (2001-07); Convention Delegate (2010, 2013); Floor Committee 6 (2013) Service-Congregation: Endowment Trustee (2004-present) Service-Community: CTS Foundation (2007-present); Concordia Education Foundation (1976-13); Lutheran Homes (1987-93); Parkview Health Systems Audit Comm. (2009-present) Central – Lay *Robert Ferguson, 48, Emanuel, Tipton, Indiana Occupation: Education: Vice President B.S., Industrial Management; M.S. Industrial Management Service-District: Council for Resources (2009-12); Nominating Committee (2012-15) Service-Congregation: Board of Properties (1998-01); Elder (2008present); Chair of Elders (2015) 264 Southern – Lay *James Claybourn, 62, St. Paul’s, Evansville, Indiana Occupation: Education: Inventory Manager College Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2010) Service-District: Delegate (2009, 2012); Nominating Committee (2012-present) Service-Congregation: President; Deacons; S. S. Teacher; Bible Class Teacher; Stewardship Comm. Service-Community: Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Youth Sports Coach and Commissioner; R-Men Scholarship Organization BOD Roger Wischmeier, 59, St. Paul, Brownstown, Indiana No Photo Occupation: Education: Technician High School Committee on Constitutional Matters Ordained *Rev. Alan Barber, 68, Peace, Greencastle, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A., History; J.D.; M.Div. Service-Synod: Reconciler Hearing Officer (current); Commission on Structure (1999-05); CCM (1989-95); Commission on Appeals (1989-95) Service-District: Comm. on Constitutional Matters (2009-15) Service-Community: Rotary (1989-12); Putnam County Foundation BOD (2000-05) 265 *Rev. Chad Kendall, 44, Trinity, Lowell, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div.; D.Min in progress Service-Synod: Convention Delegate (2007, 2010) Service-District: Committee on Constitutional Matters (2012present) Service-Community: Research Asst., CTS (1998-2001) Rev. Daniel Lepley, 36, Our Shepherd, Avon, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A.; M.Div.; Fellow of the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program Service-District: Ministerial Excellence Fund Task Force (2008) Service-Community: Compassionate Social Care Ministry (2010present); Trinity Lutheran High School Board (2010-13); LaPaz de Christo Board (2007-11) Rev. Dr. Richard Nuffer, , Zion, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: CTS Professor B.A.; M.Div.; J.D. Service-Synod: Commission on Handbook (2010-present); Res. 5.14A Task Force (2014-present); Commission on Structure (2001-04) Service-District: Committee on Constitutional Matters (2006-12) Service-Congregation: Chair., Evangelism Committee (1998-present); Elder (2014-present) Service-Community: Lutheran Heritage Foundation BOD (2007present) 266 Rev. Kyle Wright II, 35, St. Matthew, Hamlet, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor M.Div. Commissioned Darin Koeneman, 37, Ascension, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Teacher B.A.; M.Ed. Service-District: Council for Services (2006-15) Service-Congregation: Recording Secretary (2002-present) Service-Community: CTS Schola Kantorei (2001-present); Autumn Chase Community Assn. Sub-Committee for Covenant Revisions (2008, 2011) Fred Willig, 62, St. John, Indianapolis, Indiana Occupation: Education: Calculus Teacher B.S., Math; M.S., Math; Sec. Ed. Admin. Service-District: Committee on Constitutional Matters (2003-12) Service-Congregation: Elder (2008-11); Trustee (2012-present); Trustee Chair (2015-present) 267 Lay Members *Mark Franke, 63, Ascension, Fort Wayne, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired, Higher Education Administration B.SB. Economics, M.S.B.A.; MBA Service-Synod: Delegate, 1995, 2001 Service-District: Constitution Committee (2009-15); IPFW Lutheran Student Fellowship (2008-13) Service-Congregation: President (1989-04, 2009-present); Bd. Christian Discipleship (2005-08); S. S. Teacher (1985-14) Service-Community: Lutheran Life Villages (2009-present); Lutheran Foundation (1999-2009); Matthew 25 (2011present) Norman Hedges, 43, Our Shepherd, Avon, Indiana Occupation: Education: Professor of Law B.S., Mechanical engineering; J.D. Service-Congregation: President (2014-present); Vice Presidnet (201213); Building Committee (2007-10) 268 Synodical Nominating Committee Professional Church Worker Ordained or Commissioned Rev. Dr. Martin Noland, 58, Trinity, Evansville, Indiana Occupation: Education: Pastor B.A., M.Div.; S.T.M.; M/Phil.; PhD. Service-Synod: C.H.I. Director (2002-2008); CHIQ Managing Editor (2002-2008); CTS Adjunct Professor (1989-2000) Service-Community: LOGIA, Associate Editor (1996-present); Luther Academy, BOD (1993-2008) Rev. Timothy Sims, 76, Emanuel, New Haven, Indiana Occupation: Education: Retired Pastor B.S.; B. D.; M.Div. Service-Synod: Nominating Committee (2001) Service-District: President (1991-2003); Stewardship Exec. (19871991); Vice President (1980s) Service-Congregation: Interim Pastor, St. Thomas, Ohio City, OH (2003present) 269 RESOLUTIONS 1-02: TO CELEBRATE THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION (Overture 1-06, Supplement to the Workbook, page 198) Whereas, the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation will occur in 2017 and Whereas, we remember the nailing of the 95 these on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany not so much for historic reasons, but primarily for theological reasons and Whereas, the theology developed and espoused in the Lutheran Reformation culminated in the Book of Concord of 1580 (U.A.C.) which all pastors and teachers of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod pledge to adhere to in their commissioning or ordination vow, and Whereas, this pledge is done because we believe that the Book of Concord is a true exposition of Holy Scripture, and Whereas, in the Book of Concord is stated that the Holy Scriptures are the sole, rule and norm for our faith and life, and Whereas, this is the faith that we live and are enjoined by God to teach our families and also to share with the world of unbelievers, and Whereas, we believe that Lutheran theology shares the Gospel of Christ in the purest form, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Indiana District in convention encourage all congregations and circuits to partake of the various activities and celebratory events marking this 500th anniversary; and be it further Resolved, that the Indiana District in Convention encourage the study of Christian Apologetics within our congregations; and be it further Resolved, that the convention instruct the Executive Staff of the district to prepare bulletin fliers, Sunday school activities, plays, bumper stickers, signs etc., and regional events to celebrate this 500th anniversary; and be it further Resolved, that congregational education and outreach activities be offered to all congregations of the Indiana District LCMS, and be it further Resolved, that these educational and outreach activities be prepared by the appropriate department of the Indiana District Executive Staff, and be it finally 270 Resolved, that a district wide celebratory rally be considered to occur on October 31, 2017, in which we celebrate the pure teaching of the Gospel of Christ through preaching and teaching. Committee on Theology and Administration Rev. Dr. Lane Burgland, Chairman Mark Franke, Secretary 1-02: TO ENCOURAGE CONCORDIA (Overture 1-05, Workbook page 142) Whereas, LCMS Lutherans have loved Concordia in the past as evidenced by the fact that both of our LCMS seminaries have in their names Concordia, the official archives of our church body has the name Concordia Historical Institute, our ten universities have Concordia in their name, our Lutheran high school in Fort Wayne is named Concordia Lutheran High School, many of our overseas missions have Concordia in their names and numerous churches have Concordia in their names, in effect Concordia is an LCMS moniker; and Whereas, “Concordia comes from two Latin words meaning ‘with’ and ‘heart.’ It describes a commitment to the truth so strong and so deep, it is as if those who share it have a single heart beat."1; and Whereas, there is only one absolute book of truth found in the world, namely, the Holy Scriptures; and Whereas, these Scriptures are the sole, rule and norm for faith and life; and Whereas, all pastors and congregations of the Indiana District – LCMS have sworn their commitment to uphold the teachings of Holy Scripture as expounded in the Book of Concord of 1580 (U.A.C.); therefore be it Resolved, that pastors and members of the congregations be encouraged to continue to study God’s Word diligently; and be it further Resolved, that the pastors and members of the congregations of the Indiana District – LCMS be encouraged to actively seek ways to share this Word of God with their communities through intentional outreach as well as in their daily vocations; and be it further Resolved, that pastors and their congregational members be encouraged to work together in furthering the Mission of God locally, and corporately as members of the Indiana District – LCMS; and be it further 1 Paul Timothy McCain, ed., Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions -- A Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord, 2nd edition (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing, 2007), xiii. 271 Resolved, that collectively we rejoice in the cooperation that is ongoing in the Indiana District – LCMS and that we thank the congregations of the Indiana District – LCMS for their support of mission work throughout the district; and be it finally Resolved, that pastors and members of the congregations of the Indiana District – LCMS be encouraged to support the Indiana District – LCMS in a robust way through their prayers, fraternal comments and financial offerings so that the Word of God might be proclaimed loudly and boldly in new areas within the Indiana District – LCMS. Committee on Theology and Administration Rev. Dr. Lane Burgland, Chairman Mark Franke, Secretary 1-03: TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNION STATEMENTS FAITHFUL TO THE SCRIPTURAL AND CONFESSIONAL POSITION OF THE LCMS (Overture 1-08, Supplement, page 200) Whereas, The official position of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod regarding admission to Holy Communion is: “That pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, except in situations of emergency and in special cases of pastoral care, commune individuals of only those Lutheran synods which are now in fellowship with us.” (1967 Resolution 2-19); and Whereas, The position of the LCMS regarding admission to Holy Communion is Biblical (1 Corinthians 10:21; 11:26-29), taught by our Lutheran Confessions (AC XXIV), and affirmed by the Synod in Convention (1969 Resolution 3-16 “To Refrain from Selective Fellowship”; 1986 Resolution 3-08 “To Maintain Practice of Close Communion”; 1995 Resolution 3-08 “To Reaffirm the Practice of Close[d] Communion”; 2007 Resolution 3-09 “To Address Administration of the Lord’s Supper”; and Whereas, LCMS President Matthew Harrison has reported to the Synod, through the April 2015 Reporter Supplement, that he has seen a variety of Communion Statements across the LCMS that do not always reflect the official position of the LCMS; and Whereas, President Harrison requested the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to provide guidance on formulating congregational Communion Statements that reflect the scriptural and confessional position of the LCMS; and Whereas, The guidelines prepared by the CTCR were mailed to all LCMS congregations and also printed in the April 2015 Reporter Supplement; therefore be it Resolved, That the Indiana District commend President Harrison for his diligence and desire to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3); and be it further 272 Resolved, That the Indiana District express its appreciation for the work of the CTCR in preparing “Guidelines for congregational, district, and Synod Communion statements;” and be it finally Resolved, That the Indiana District encourage the pastors and congregations of the Indiana District to use the CTCR Guidelines to re-examine their Communion Statements and make whatever changes may be necessary in order that all Communion Statements of Indiana District congregations properly reflect the scriptural and confessional position of the LCMS. Committee on Theology and Administration Rev. Dr. Lane Burgland, Chairman Mark Franke, Secretary 1-04: TO MEMORIALIZE THE COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS TO CONSIDER A PROPOSED DOCTRINAL STATEMENT Whereas, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) has the authority to submit Doctrinal Statements “to the Synod in convention for further consideration and possible adoption by majority vote” 1; and Whereas, an official district conference of ordained ministers may submit a proposal for a Doctrinal Statement to the CTCR; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District Convention memorialize the CTCR to consider the attached proposed Doctrinal Statement; and be it finally Resolved, that the Indiana District Convention encourage the CTCR to favorably act upon this proposed Doctrinal Statement, pursuant to LCMS Bylaw 1.6.2(b)(2), with the purpose of submitting the proposed Doctrinal Statement (or one of similar substance) to the 2016 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for further consideration and possible adoption by majority vote. Concerning the Male-Only Pastorate In accord with the Word of God and the historic practice of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod accepts and affirms without reservation our Lord’s establishment of a male-only pastorate. The Word of God attests to the Pastoral Office being filled only by men in passages such as (but not limited to) 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:59. The Word of God expressly prohibits the Pastoral Office being filled by women in passages such as (but not limited to) 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-14. The Word of God exhibits a male-only pastorate in such ways as (but not limited to) the twelve apostles being men (Acts 1:9-26) and the seven deacons being men (Acts 6:1-6). We outright reject and condemn any teaching that promotes the ordination of women into the Pastoral Office. Likewise, we outright reject and condemn any practice whereby a woman 273 is ordained into the Pastoral Office and/or any practice where a woman is permitted to publicly serve in the Pastoral Office, as defined in Augsburg Confession, Article 14. Committee on Theology and Administration Rev. Dr. Lane Burgland, Chairman Mark Franke, Secretary 1-05: A MEMORIAL TO SYNOD TO ADDRESS C ASES OF ROSTERED LCMS WORKERS WHO TEACH CONTRARY TO OUR LCMS BIBLICAL CONFESSION REGARDING THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY (Overture 1-01, Workbook pg. 137) Whereas: Holy Scripture declares, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17); and Whereas: Membership in the Synod requires acceptance "without reservation" of "the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and practice" (Constitution of the LCMS Articles II and VI; and Whereas: Our Synod has consistently held that the Scriptures c a l l s o n l y m e n to be pastors (for example, 2004 Res. 3-08A; I Corinthians 14:34-36; I Timothy) and Whereas: Some ordained members of the Synod, have publicly taught and written that women should be permitted to be pastors; and Whereas: In response to a formal dissent by an ordained LCMS member, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations found: a) t hat there was a difference in teaching and confession concerning the authority of Scripture. b) that dissent on matters of women in the pastoral office is at odds with our understanding of Scripture and, c) that “such dissent does not provide a sufficient scriptural or confessional basis to support the claim that the doctrinal position of the Synod is in need of revision" (2013-LCMS Convention Workbook, 399) and Whereas: These public teachings constitute a public offense to the Synod and members of the Synod; and Whereas: "... where the sin is public, the reproof also must be public, that every one may learn to guard against it." (Large Catechism, 8th Commandment, para. 284), and Whereas: We at the same time are called to safeguard the reputation of our brothers and sisters; therefore, be it 274 Resolved, that the Indiana District in Convention encourage everyone throughout the Indiana District to pray fervently to the Lord of the Church that His Holy Spirit, working through the holy and inerrant Word of God, would lead those who teach contrary to our confession to repentance and once again affirm doctrinal unity in and with the LCMS; and be it further Resolved: That the Indiana District commend President Matthew Harrison for his faithful leadership in working to "conserve and promote unity of the true faith" (Constitution of the LCMS Article III) and encourage him to advise the appropriate ecclesiastical leaders to carry out the duties of their office (Article XI); and be it further Resolved, that the Indiana District encourage President Harrison to provide an appropriate report to the synod concerning this and other matters involving false teaching, and be it finally Resolved, that the Indiana District in Convention petition the Synod in the 2016 LCMS Convention to review and consider revision of the dispute resolution process to be more expedient in dealing with cases of false doctrine. Committee on Theology and Administration Rev. Dr. Lane Burgland, Chairman Mark Franke, Secretary 2-01: TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE FOR MINISTRY TO AND WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (Overture 2-01, Workbook, page 145) Whereas, our Lord ministered to the needs of all people and asks His followers to emulate His example; and Whereas, “all people” includes individuals with disabilities (those who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hearing impaired, have developmental disabilities, live with severe mental illnesses, [currently about 16 percent of the total population]) which significantly limit major life activities; and Whereas, the Son of God embarked on a ministry of mercy and restoration for those who live on the margins of life, that they too might hear that their sins are forgiven by Him who shows mercy and restores body, soul and spirit, and thus “all people” were welcomed and participated in the Body of Christ; and Whereas, people with disabilities are often faced with physical and attitudinal barriers to full participation in worship, education, fellowship and service activities, with many church members having difficulty in accepting people with disabilities, identifying their needs, and providing ways to welcome them into their congregations; and 275 Whereas, the removal of physical and attitudinal barriers significantly enhances the spiritual, emotional and social life of people with disabilities, and is a sign of Christian love and hospitality to all; and Whereas, people with disabilities are able to make positive contributions to parish life lived under the cross; therefore, be it Resolved, that the Indiana District establish a Disability Ministry Task Force modeled after the LCMS Disability Ministry Task Force, and under the supervision of the President of the Indiana District; and be it further Revolved, that the Indiana District Disability Task Force (DTF) be established for initial 3 year term and, thereafter, through convention resolution, be considered for renewal of a 3-year term at every convention; and be it further Resolved, that the President of the Indiana District appoint members to the DTF from members of the Indiana District with representation by people with disabilities, and including professionals in the areas of spiritual life supports, medical care, education, building design, law, as others are needed, to give pertinent information to congregations and church workers that they may provide excellent services to people with disabilities; and be it finally Resolved, that the DTF address the following (including but not limited to): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. A mission statement for the work of the task force; A congregational self-assessment tool to assess the needs of people with disabilities; Plans and guidelines to address physical, attitudinal, and other barriers in churches; Suggestions whereby people with disabilities can ore fully participate in the life and ministry of the congregation; Provide a list of available resources which will help individuals with disabilities, their families, and congregation members network with nearby agencies and other families with disability; Request financial support from LCEF and other synodical auxillaries (e.g. LWML’s mission mite grants) to provide funds necessary to make physical changes to existing buildings to improve services for meeting the needs of people with disabilities. Committee on Outreach Rev. Paul Shoemaker, Chairman Don Henry, Secretary 276 2-02: TO SUPPORT THE WELL-BEING OF ALL THE CHURCH’S WORKERS IN THE INDIANA DISTRICT (Overture 2-02, Workbook, page 146) Whereas, the well-being of the church’s workers is vital to the ministry and mission of the church; and Whereas, those who are called to serve the church in various capacities are well advised to care for themselves so that they can carry out their ministries to the best of their ability; and Whereas, congregations, schools, and other agencies are vital to the well-being of their ministers as they support those ministers in pursuit of their well-being; and Whereas, major challenges to the well-being of the church’s ministers are known and documented, along with effective strategies to deal with those challenges to enhance their wellbeing; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District in convention express its support for all efforts of congregations, schools, and agencies to care for our workers and support them in their wellbeing, including the following components of holistic well-being: spiritual, financial, vocational, intellectual, relational, emotional, and physical; and be it further Resolved, that our congregations, schools, and agencies be encouraged to do all they can to support the holistic well-being of their ministers, focusing on intentional, strategic, practical efforts at preventing problems before they develop and resolving them before they become crises; and be it further Resolved, that our congregations, schools, and agencies be encouraged to support the holistic well-being of all their other workers as well; and be it finally Resolved, that the church’s workers of the Indiana District be encouraged to care for themselves in every aspect of holistic well-being so that they can continue to serve to the best of their ability with the gifts and strength that God supplies. Committee on Outreach Rev. Paul Shoemaker, Chairman Don Henry, Secretary 277 2-03: TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA BY PROFESSIONAL CHURCH WORKERS (Overture 2-03, Workbook, page 147) Whereas, the prevalence of social media in the 21st century has introduced a new blend of both private and public discourse; and Whereas, many professional church workers in the LCMS utilize social media; and Whereas, we are called by the Gospel and enlightened with God’s gifts to be His witnesses in both private and public settings;, and Whereas, the Eighth Commandment (Exodus 20:16) commands us to “not give false testimony against your neighbor,” and Whereas, Martin Luther’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment in the Small Catechism exhorts us to “put the best construction on everything;” and Whereas, the Apostle Peter’s words in 1 Peter 3:15 instruct us to witness in both word and action “with gentleness and respect;” and Whereas, employers throughout the United States are developing systems to safeguard the integrity of their organizations through professional agreements with their workers regarding their personal and public use of social media; and Whereas, as servant leaders, professional church workers are called to live as examples both for the Christian church and for the secular world; and Whereas, the public witness of the LCMS to the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ can be either helped or hindered by professional church workers’ use of social media; therefore be it Resolved, that the President of the Indiana District, in coordination and cooperation with all appropriate commissions and task forces, review the social media policy for the Indiana District office to be modified for congregational use. This will be completed by the end of 2015; and be it further Resolved, that the President of the Indiana District will equip all Circuit Visitors to utilize this agreement for the blessing of all professional church workers and congregations they serve; and be it further Resolved, that the President of the Indiana District will address the issue of responsible use of social media with all professional church workers at their respective conferences in 2016; and be it finally 278 Resolved, that the 2015 Indiana District Convention memorialize the 2016 LCMS Convention to develop a comprehensive “Social Media Agreement for Professional Church Workers” that will be studied and implemented throughout the LCMS. Committee on Outreach Rev. Paul Shoemaker, Chairman Don Henry, Secretary (See page 293 for Guidelines for Use of Social Media) 2-04: TO THANK GOD FOR EXTENDING HIS KINGDOM THROUGH CAMPUS MINISTRY (Overture 2-04, Supplement, page 201) Whereas, God has blessed the Indiana District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod with multiple campus ministry opportunities throughout the Indiana District; and Whereas, God has blessed the Indiana District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod with congregational support for these campus ministries so that the congregations of the district through their mission support of the Indiana District – LCMS are together supporting campus ministry outreach at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana; Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana; University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky; Indiana University-Purdue University (IPFW) in Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana; and Whereas, these campus ministries are training future called workers of the church as well as future lay leaders of our congregations; and Whereas, there are a number of campus ministry opportunities in our district which have not received Indiana District support; therefore be it Resolved, that we praise God for the congregations who support the work of the campus ministries through their offerings to the Indiana District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; and be it further Resolved, that we, through this resolution, thank the congregations for their support; and be it finally Resolved, that the congregations of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod be encouraged to continue in this good work and to increase their financial gifts to the Indiana District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod so that more campus ministries might be supported. Committee on Outreach 279 Rev. Paul Shoemaker, Chairman Don Henry, Secretary 2-05: TO THANK GOD FOR EXTENDING HIS KINGDOM THROUGH MISSION CONGREGATIONS (Overture 2-05; Supplement, page 202) Whereas, God has blessed us with multiple mission congregations which have started in the last triennium; and Whereas, God has blessed the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod with five congregations chartering as members of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, therefore be it, Resolved, that we praise God for extending His Kingdom through these mission congregations; and giving us the blessing of five chartering congregations, and be it finally, Resolved, that we encourage congregations to continue this work with great zeal in the next triennium. Committee on Outreach Rev. Paul Shoemaker, Chairman Don Henry, Secretary 2-06: TO THANK THE CIRCUITS FOR PRODUCING THEIR MISSION PLAN OF ACTIONS (Overture 2-06, Supplement, page 202) Whereas, a resolution was passed in the 2012 Indiana District Convention of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod which “encouraged each circuit to come up with a mission plan of action for their circuit for the next ten years of growth of Lutheranism within their circuit”; and Whereas, twenty two circuits did submit a mission plan of action for their circuit; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District in convention thank all who were involved in producing these mission plans of action; and be it further Resolved, that the Circuit Visitors be particularly thanked for taking the time to meet with the Executive Counselor for Outreach and Human Care in sharing those mission plans of action; and be it further 280 Resolved, that the circuits be encouraged to by God’s grace strive to bring their mission plans of action to fruition, and be it finally Resolved, that the convention delegates rise and join together in singing the “Doxology” in thanksgiving to God for the opportunities for reaching the erring and the lost that He has placed in our midst. Committee on Outreach Rev. Paul Shoemaker, Chairman Don Henry, Secretary 3-01: TO COMMEND, AFFIRM, AND ENCOURAGE THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH EFFORTS IN THE GARY COMMUNITY (Overture 3-01, Workbook, page 149) Whereas, in the early 60’s through the mid-1970’s an association Lutheran school once existed and was operated by multiple LCMS congregations in the Gary community to teach young adults and children about Jesus; and Whereas, changing demographics, declining membership, and socioeconomic status of and around the Gary area made it more challenging for these congregations to sustain Christian instruction through the operation of a Lutheran school; and Whereas, Word and Sacrament ministry continues to exist and continues to be made available to congregational members that embody these LCMS congregations in the Gary community; and, Whereas, schools of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod have been established to encourage, support, equip, and empower parents in their duty and responsibility to bring their children up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4); and Whereas, the Indiana District has and continues to have a strong presence in the Gary community and surrounding areas with Word and Sacrament ministry and, now with the beginnings of an After School Initiative, have an opportunity for Christian education at Our Saviour Lutheran; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District continue to affirm, encourage, and strengthen the After School Initiative that currently exists at Our Saviour Lutheran; and be it further Resolved, that the Indiana District, plus congregations and schools that embody the Indiana District, continue to invest financial resources in efforts to start a new school and support the After School Initiative currently in operation; and be it Resolved, that thanks be given to those who have faithfully and continue to faithfully serve our Heavenly Father in the Gary community. 281 Committee on Education and Congregational Services Rev. Ronald Brauer, Chairman Richard Schwantz, Secretary 3-02: TO COMMEND LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD LUTHERAN SCHOOLS AND ALL THOSE WHO SERVE IN THEM (Overture 3-02, Workbook, page 149) Whereas, schools of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod have predated some congregations within our own Indiana District; and Whereas, Christian teachers in our schools of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod strive to teach young adults and children about Jesus through instruction and witness; and Whereas, schools of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod have been established to encourage, support, equip, and empower parents in their duty and responsibility to bring their children up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4); and Whereas, schools of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod strive to connect the congregation to the community they serve through daily instruction, activities, and programs; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District thank our Heavenly Father for the blessings of schools of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and those who serve therein; and be it further Resolved, that thanks be given to those who have faithfully served and continue to faithfully serve the church in these LCMS schools; and be it Resolved, that the member churches, schools, and recognized service organizations of the Indiana District encourage church workers and parents to embrace the responsibility and privilege of nurturing the lambs He has placed into their care with joy and thanksgiving as they do so with the study of His Word and prayer at the forefront of all they think, say, and do. Committee on Education and Congregational Services Rev. Ronald Brauer, Chairman Richard Schwantz, Secretary 3-03: TO AFFIRM AND ENCOURAGE USE OF MULTIPLE COLLOQUY PROGRAMS FOR PARISH WORKERS (Overture 3-03, Convention Workbook, page 150) Preamble: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has established multiple Colloquy programs to provide the necessary class work for those serving in our Lutheran congregations to obtain 282 Lutheran doctrinal training and be eligible for roster status in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The Indiana District affirms and acknowledges these multiple Colloquy programs. Whereas, more congregations are raising up workers from amidst their membership; and Whereas, most of these lay parish workers are teaching doctrine directly and indirectly in many aspects of their ministry; and Whereas, the Colloquy programs provide opportunity for contracted lay parish workers to receive doctrinal training and be on the Commissioned Minister roster of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and Whereas, two Directors of Christian Education (DCE’s) and one Director of Family Life Ministry (DFLM) have completed the Colloquy Program and are commissioned and one Director of Parish Ministry (DPM) is currently enrolled during this triennium; and Whereas, a number of lay parish workers have enrolled since the inception of the program; and Whereas, the Indiana District has made it a priority to support the LCMS Colloquy programs through scholarship money; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District continue to affirm and support the Colloquy programs through scholarship funds for lay parish workers who desire to enroll and graduate from these programs; and be it further Resolved, that the Indiana District congregations and association schools continue to encourage the use of these Colloquy programs for their lay parish workers. Committee on Education and Congregational Services Rev. Ronald Brauer, Chairman Richard Schwantz, Secretary 3-04: TO AFFIRM AND ENCOURAGE USE OF THE TEACHER COLLOQUY PROGRAM (Overture 3-04, Workbook, page 151) Preamble: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has established a teacher Colloquy program to provide the necessary class work for those teaching in our Lutheran schools to obtain Lutheran doctrinal training, to receive their Lutheran teacher diploma and be eligible for roster status in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The Indiana District affirms and acknowledges this teacher Colloquy program. 283 Whereas, the Colloquy program provides opportunity for teachers to receive their Lutheran teaching diploma and be on the roster of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; and Whereas, a significant number of teachers have enrolled in the Colloquy program since the inception of the program; and Whereas, approximately one third of the teachers in the schools of the Indiana District are eligible for the Colloquy program; and Whereas, over the past three trienniums, fifty-seven (57) servants have enrolled into the Colloquy program, forty (40) teachers have completed all course work and twenty-eight (28) of those forty (40) have been commissioned and are now on the roster of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod; and Whereas, the Indiana District has made it a priority to support the Colloquy program through scholarship money; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District continue to affirm and support the Colloquy program through scholarship funds for teachers who desire to enroll and graduate from this program; and be it further Resolved, that Indiana District congregations and association schools continue to encourage the use of the Colloquy program for their teachers. Committee for Education and Congregational Services Rev. Ronald Brauer, Chairman Richard Schwantz, Secretary 3-05: TO ENCOURAGE SUPPORT OF “FAMILY FRIENDLY” MINISTRIES (Overture 3-05, Convention Workbook, page 152) Whereas, the teaching of the faith is a necessary responsibility and function of the family, in partnership with the congregation; and Whereas, Luther’s Small Catechism exhorts the heads of households to teach each chief part and section to their family in a simple way; and Whereas, a role of the congregation is to encourage and assist the heads of households in their responsibility and task of leading their family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and Whereas, the “Family Friendly Partners Networks” facilitated by DCE Ben Freudenburg, Director of the Concordia Center for the Family and Family Ministry Professor at Concordia 284 University, Ann Arbor, trains teams from congregations to provide such encouragement and assistance; and Whereas, nineteen congregations of the Indiana District (listed below) have committed their time and resources to participate in that training; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District in convention express its support for congregations to encourage and assist the heads of households to be leaders of faith formation in the home; and be it further Resolved, that the Indiana District in Convention encourage all congregations of the Indiana District to seek ways to emphasize the role of the head of the household in teaching the faith; and be it finally Resolved, that the Indiana District continue to support congregations who participate in Family Friendly Partners Networks and other family ministry initiatives. Congregations of the two Indiana District Family Friendly Partners Networks FFPN-IN: 2011-2014 Dave Ebeling, coordinator Faith, Bloomington Grace, Columbus Trinity, Crown Point Our Savior, Louisville Calvary, Indianapolis Messiah, Indianapolis Grace, Lafayette Zion, New Palestine St. Peter, North Judson Zion, Seymour FFPN-FW, 2015-2018 Brian Horning, coordinator Ascension, Fort Wayne Emmanuel, Fort Wayne Holy Cross, Fort Wayne Our Hope, Huntertown Peace, Fort Wayne St. John Bingen, Decatur St. Michael, Fort Wayne Suburban Bethlehem, Fort Wayne Zion Friedheim, Decatur 285 4-01: TO REALIGN COLUMBUS (CIRCUIT 16) AND AURORA (CIRCUIT 19) CIRCUITS (Overture 4-01, Convention Workbook, page 153) Whereas, “The Synod divides itself into districts and authorizes its districts to create circuits” (Bylaws: 1.3.2); and Whereas, an Electoral Circuit “…shall consist either of one or two adjacent visitation circuits, as shall be determined by the district board of directors on the basis of the following requirements: each pair of delegates shall represent from 7 to 20 member congregations, involving an aggregate communicant membership ranging from 1,500 to 10,000” (Bylaws: 3.1.2a); and Whereas, the Aurora Circuit, although having eight congregations, has less than 1,500 communicant members in these eight congregations; and Whereas, merging the Columbus and Aurora Circuits would exceed the maximum number of congregations for an electoral circuit (22 congregations); and Whereas, St. Paul (Clifty) Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, Indiana, is less than ten miles from Decatur County, the present boundary of the Columbus and Aurora circuits; and Whereas, the addition of St. Paul (Clifty) Evangelical Lutheran Church to the Aurora Circuit would increase the Aurora Circuit’s communicant membership above 1,500; and Whereas, it is an amicable arrangement of St. Paul (Clifty) Evangelical Lutheran Church that she become a member of the Aurora circuit; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District in convention realign the Columbus and Aurora Circuits, moving St. Paul (Clifty) Evangelical Lutheran Church from the Columbus Circuit (Circuit 16) into the Aurora Circuit (Circuit 19). Committee for Stewardship and Structure Rev. Daniel Schumm, Chairman Rev. Michael Boyd, Secretary 286 4-02: TO PETITION SYNOD REGARDING DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP OF THOSE ROSTERED WORKERS TEACHING IN ANY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT (Overture 4-04, Convention Workbook, page 154) Whereas, for the sake of harmony and unity it is desirable for proper ecclesiastical supervision of all rostered workers of the LC-MS; therefore, be it Resolved, that the Indiana District in convention petition the LC-MS in convention (2016) TO clarify the ecclesiastical supervision of rostered workers (ordained and commissioned) who are serving in areas outside of the geographical district in which they hold membership. Committee for Stewardship and Structure Rev. Daniel Schumm, Chairman Rev. Michael Boyd, Secretary 4-03: TO AMEND THE LANGUAGE IN INDIANA DISTRICT BYLAW CHANGES (Overture 4-05, Convention Workbook, page 155) Whereas, Synod Bylaw 4.1.1.2 (see especially “.a”) requires that the bylaws of the districts of the Synod not conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod; and Whereas, the LCMS in convention (2013) adopted several changes to the LCMS Bylaws; and Whereas, the LCMS in convention (2013) adopted a resolution to change the terminology of “Circuit Counselor” to “Circuit Visitor” requiring the approval of the congregations of the Synod; and Whereas, the congregations of the LCMS adopted this terminology change which now require the terminology change in the District Bylaws at 2.15.c; 2.17.b; 2.35.a; 2.67.b; 2.71.d; 2.75.7; 7.23; 7.37.j; 7.65); and Whereas, the District B.O.D. submitted to the Synod CCM for prior approval (in accordance to Synod Bylaws 3.9.2.2.3 and 4.1.1.2) proposed changes to the District Bylaws 7.05 and 7.51 to clarify the transition procedures for newly elected officers of the District; and Whereas, the Synod CCM approved the proposed District Bylaw changes and upon review of the current District Bylaws provided a list of required changes to bring the District Bylaws into conformity with the LCMS Bylaws, specifically to correct references to the Synod Constitution and Bylaws in the following District Bylaws: 2.01; 2.05; 2.67; 7.23; and to correct the wording in the bylaws as follows: Bylaw 1.13 b. The Synod/District expects every member congregation to respect it’s resolutions and to consider them of binding force if they are in accordance with the Word of God, and if they appear expedient applicable as far as the condition of the 287 congregation is concerned. The Synod/District, being an advisory body, recognizes the right of the congregation to be the judge of the expediency applicability of the resolution as applied to its local condition. However, in exercising such judgment, a congregation must not act arbitrarily, but in accordance with the principles of Christian love and charity. Bylaw 2.09 One-third of the voting congregations represented by at least one of their respective delegates (Minister of Religion - Ordained Pastor or lay delegate) shall constitute a quorum Bylaw 2.14 b. The electoral circuit forum shall be made up of a Ministry of Religion – Ordained the Pastor of each congregation and one lay member of each congregation designated by the congregation. Bylaw 2.17 c. To elect the Minister of Religion – Ordained Pastor and lay delegate and their alternates to the national convention of the Synod according to the bylaws of the Synod, provided the visitation circuit forum is an electoral circuit forum (see 2.14). The delegates shall upon their election serve a term of three years as advisory members of the circuit forum. (H.B. 5.3.3) d. To elect select the circuit counselor visitor following the bylaws of the Synod (H.B. 5.2.2) Bylaw 2.35 a. The following officers shall be elected by the Indiana District in Convention, each for a three-year term of office: a) The District President, nominated from the Minister of Religion - Ordained roster of the Synod; b) four Regional VicePresidents, one from each region, nominated from the Ministry of Religion – Ordained roster of the region; c) a Circuit Visitor for each circuit established by the District, selected by the Circuit Forum and ratified by the District Convention; and d) a District Secretary, nominated from the Minister of Religion – Ordained roster of the District. for three year terms of office: The District President, four Vice-Presidents, the Secretary and a Circuit Counselor Visitor for each circuit established by the District. Bylaw 2.81 Nomination of the Vice Presidents a. Vice-Presidents shall be nominated and elected from the roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained of the Synod District (H.B. 4.3.1), giving consent to serve upon nomination, including consent to relocate as necessary to fulfill the expectations of the office (H.B. 4.3.3) Bylaw 2.91 Duties of the Secretary c. He along with the President of the district shall prepare and sign official papers and documents of the District as may be required by government entities or corporations with which the District conducts business. Bylaw 2.107 Duties of the B.O.D The B.O.D. represents the congregations of the District, and shall have power to conduct and transact all business necessary to carry out the purposes of the District. The B.O.D. 288 defines the general sphere of duties for each council or committee. The authority to carry out the purposes of the District is vested in this B.O.D. as limited by the Constitution and Bylaws of Synod, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and resolutions of the District. Bylaw 7.11 Nomination of Vice Presidents a. Six months prior to the District Convention the district office shall notify each congregation of its privilege to nominate candidates for the office of Regional Vice President from the Synod’s District’s roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained. The notification will include a current list of Ministers of Religion – Ordained currently members of congregations of each region of the District. The notification will include information that nominees must give consent to relocate as necessary in order to fulfill the office of Regional Vice President. (H.B. 4.3) Bylaw 7.15 Ranking of Vice Presidents After the Vice-Presidents have been elected, the voting delegates will rank the VicePresidents in the following manner. The first ranking-ballot will include the names of all four Vice-Presidents in random order; the first of the Vice-Presidents to receive a majority of the Vice-President receiving the most votes cast will be the First VicePresident. The second ranking-ballot for the Second Vice-President position will follow the same procedure with the three remaining Vice-President names. will list the three remaining Vice-Presidents; the Vice-President receiving the most votes cast will be the Second Vice-President. The third ranking-ballot for the Third Vice-President position will follow the same procedure with the two remaining Vice-President names. For each ranking-ballot run-off ranking-ballots will continue until a Vice-President receives a majority of votes cast. will list the remaining Vice-Presidents; the Vice-President receiving the most votes cast will be the Third Vice-President. In the event of a tie in receiving the most votes cast on any ranking-ballot, the name receiving the fewest votes cast will be removed from the run-off ranking-ballot. Bylaw 7.37 Nomination Committee Function and Procedures j. Nominations for positions held by laity are to be members of member congregations of the District, and if the position requires, residents of the appropriate region of the District. Nominees for positions held by Ministers of Religion – Commissioned are to be members of a District congregation, and if the position requires, residents of the appropriate region of the District. Nominees for District President, are to be from the Synod’s roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained. Nominees for Regional Vice Presidents are to be from the District’s roster of Minister of Religion – Ordained from that region. Nominees for Secretary are to be from the District’s roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained. and Circuit Counselors Visitors are selected by the Circuit Forum from the roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained of that circuit. to be from the Synod roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained; all All other positions (councils, committees, etc.) that are to be filled by Ministers of Religion – Ordained shall be filled with members of the District roster of Ministers of Religion – Ordained, and if the position requires, residents of the appropriate region of the District. Therefore be it 289 Resolved, that the 2015 Indiana District Convention approve the change in terminology for the Circuit Visitor, and the corrected Synod Bylaw references and wording as presented in whereas six (above), and be it further Resolved, that the 2015 Indiana District Convention adopt the proposed change to the District Bylaws 7.05 and 7.51 in order to clarify the transition for newly elected officers of the District: 7.05 Transition a. When there is a change in the presidency, a period of ninety days shall be allowed for the orderly transfer of duties to the new president. During this period of time the successor may continue in his previous activity, and in that case shall be given additional salary by the District. His combined salaries shall equal the amount he will receive as President. The new president will assume office at the time of his induction on or before September 1 following the District convention. The incumbent president shall serve until his successor is inducted during which time he will bring his administration to a close and assist the newly elected president as requested to become acquainted with the responsibilities of the office. The new president may continue in his previous Call responsibilities during the time of transition (up to 90 days from the close of the District convention) during which the combined salaries shall equal the amount the successor will receive as District President. b. A An incumbent District President who is not reelected, or elects to resign his position, shall receive his full salary (and benefits package) for ninety (90) days following the close of the District convention at which a new president was elected. during the period of transition. Thereafter, the B.O.D. shall determine his stipend until such time as he receives a Call, or until other permanent arrangements for his future are made. The B.O.D. shall also determine for what length of time it seems advisable for the District to provide for his sustenance. And 7.51 Induction a. All elected officers and members of the elected B.O.D, Councils, and Committees The newly elected and re-elected, except for the District President, Regional Vice-Presidents and Secretary, shall be inducted into office in a special service following the final session of the District Convention. The incumbent President shall officiate at the induction. b. Those who are not present at the Convention shall be inducted into office at the Orientation Meeting or the first meeting of the B.O.D., Council, or Committee to which they have been elected, following the Convention. e. The District President, Regional Vice-Presidents and Secretary shall assume office following the District convention. The induction shall take place no later than September 1 during a worship service held at the time of the Orientation Meeting 290 for the elected members of District Boards, Councils and Committees. The President of the Synod or his representative shall install the District President, and the newly elected President shall induct all other elected persons. f. Incumbents shall serve until their successors assume office. and, be it finally Resolved, that the 2015 Indiana District Convention authorize the Indiana District Board of Directors, with the recommendation of the District Committee on Constitutional Matters, to make minor changes in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization and format to ensure internal consistency of the bylaws prior to formal publication of the District Bylaws. Committee on Stewardship and Structure Rev. Daniel Schumm, Chairman Rev. Michael Boyd, Secretary 4-04: TO PRESERVE HISTORIES OF THE INDIANA DISTRICT LCMS CONGREGATIONS AND OTHER ENTITIES OF THE INDIANA DISTRICT (Overture 4-03, Convention Workbook, page 154) Whereas, the Indiana District Archives is a collection of historical records from the congregations of the Indiana District; and Whereas, once it is not written down, and once it is gone, it’s gone forever; and Whereas, in the past, records from some congregations that have closed have not been submitted to the Indiana District archives; therefore be it Resolved, that the Indiana District LCMS in convention encourage congregations and other entities to preserve all historical records; and be it finally Resolved , to encourage congregations at times of celebration (anniversaries, maturing mortgages, expansions, etc.) to submit documents of historical value to the Indiana District archives. Committee on Stewardship and Structure Rev. Daniel Schumm Rev. Michael Boyd, Secretary 291 4-05: TO SEND DISTRICT SALARY GUIDELINES TO CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS AND PASTORS (Overture 4-02, Convention Workbook, page 153) Whereas, District Salary Guidelines for professional church workers are prepared yearly and provided on the District web site; and Whereas, such guidelines are not always accessed by district pastors, rostered church workers and those congregation and school leaders who make budgetary decisions; be it Resolved, that the District make every effort to make all congregations and school associations aware that these guidelines are available and that congregations and schools be strongly encouraged to give prayerful consideration to these guidelines in caring for their professional church workers; and be it Resolved, that to this end the District Salary Guidelines are to be sent via electronic means to District pastors, congregations, schools and their treasurers with the encouragement that they discuss them within their congregation and schools; and be it finally Resolved, for those congregations who are unable to receive by electronic means a single printed copy of salary guidelines will be sent via “surface mail.” Committee on Stewardship and Structure Rev. Daniel Schumm, Chairman Rev. Michael Boyd, Secretary OMNIBUS B Whereas, The Synod has created many offices, boards, commissions and departments and Whereas, Proposals related to the responsibilities of such administrative units should ordinarily be directed to them; therefore be it Resolved, that the following overtures be referred to the listed administrative unit. Overture or Report Overture 1-02 Overture 1-03 Overture 1-04 Subject To Revise the Dispute Resolution Process To Encourage Calling Congregations to Consider and Call Ministers of Religion on Inactive Status To Publish the Names of all Ministers of Religion on Inactive Status 292 Board or Commission Synodical Handbook specifies timeline for dispute process 2013 Synodical Convention Resolution 3-10A Listed in Lutheran Annual and available through District President by request INDIANA DISTRICT-LCMS Social Media Guidelines Social Media is the term given to websites, Twitter, Facebook and so forth, which allow users to interact with one another electronically. Social media involves the building of communities or networks encouraging participation and engagement. 1. Be credible 1.1. Be accurate, fair, thorough and transparent 2. Be Judicious 2.1. Make sure your efforts to be transparent don’t violate any confidentiality issues. Don’t reveal anything of a confidential nature. Always put the best construction on everything. Obey the 8th commandment in all that you communicate online. Be smart about protecting yourself, your privacy and Indiana District confidential information. 3. Be consistent 3.1. Encourage constructive criticism and deliberation. Be cordial, honest and professional at all times. 4. Be responsive 4.1. When you gain insight, share it where appropriate. 5. Be integrated 5.1. Whenever possible align online participation with offline communications 6. Be a Christian servant 6.1. Remember that you are an ambassador for the Indiana District. Whenever possible disclose your position as a representative of your department. 6.2. Remember that you are an ambassador for Jesus Christ. Whenever, possible share appropriate Scripture and always conduct yourself in such a manner that Christ would approve of what you are doing online. 7. Write what you know 7.1. You have a unique perspective on the work of the Indiana District due to your talents, skills and current responsibilities. Share your passions, your knowledge and your personality in your posts by writing what you know. People value interest and authentic conversation. Don’t spread gossip, hearsay or assumptions. 8. Are you adding value? 8.1. There are myriads of words expressed through online media. Through your communications are you adding value to someone’s life, ministry, etc. If you are not, then don’t communicate. If you want people to read what you write, write things that people value. Social communication from the Indiana District should help our called workers and laypeople improve on their knowledge of what the district is doing. It should help people understand their role in partnering in the work of the Indiana District as collectively we serve Christ. It should encourage opportunities for greater participation in the mission of Christ. It should also encourage Christian maturation on the part of those involved in the community. 9. Your responsibility 9.1. Participation in social media for the Indiana District is not a right but an opportunity. Treat the opportunity with respect and seriously. Please follow the Indiana District code of conduct. (a good thing to think before you communicate in this media is to ask yourself if the Holy Spirit is guiding you to communicate what you wish to communicate. If the answer is no, then don’t communicate.) 293
