September 2024 – Fall Ministry Update: Information from the President’s Office
Mission Focus: Filled with living hope in Christ, Confessing – Praising – Advancing His Kingdom
The LCMS Northern Illinois District has always recognized the importance of laity and their roles in congregations, but the District also sees that congregations and laity face enormous challenges in carrying out their mission, including shrinking resources and church workers shortages.
Your District office is helping lead Partnership Gatherings for our circuits in order to promote cooperative ministry efforts between congregations. The purpose of these gatherings is to provide congregational leadership with the opportunity for learning, fellowship, and mutual uplifting. Congregations seek to work together to meet the challenges they face and take advantage of the strengths they share. District staff learns by listening.
“Immanuel Lutheran, Belvidere’s mission is ‘Connecting people to Christ for life.’ While this statement stems from one church, it is a mission we all can embrace. Laity in the church is as important now as ever, as we look for ways to use our God-given gifts and talents to build up the church and serve others. Laity represent our diverse backgrounds, professions, and experiences, reflecting the richness and breadth of the body of Christ. We are not called merely to be recipients of ministry, but our value is in active participation in the life of the church and our communities. ‘The laity are not second-class citizens in the church, but rather vital partners in ministry, each with unique gifts and callings to serve God and neighbor.’ – Martin Luther” – James Meinen, Lay Leader, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Belvidere
The District’s New Worker Orientation provides an opportunity to familiarize these new workers with how the NID can be of service to them in their work, ensuring that they feel supported and equipped to fulfill their roles effectively. Relationships help our workers flourish.
Another priority for our District is in providing guidance and resources for a smooth and successful beginning to a new pastoral call. One such opportunity is PALS (Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support), a collaborative effort of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and its Districts. Rev. Leonard Payton and his wife, Lori, serve as our District’s PALS coordinators. The PALS program brings recent seminary graduates and experienced pastors within the same district together to provide support, encouragement, and practical learning. The NID’s PALS Program is one of the largest and strongest in the LCMS.
“From a human resources and financial perspective, to have a pastor ‘flame out’ in their early years is a catastrophe. To invest in these workers is an investment that answers our prayers to send workers into the field for the harvest.” -Rev. Dr. Leonard Payton, PALS Facilitator for the NID
Reconciliation: A Testimony of Guidance and Grace
The District office is committed to helping congregations be more centered on a rich life of Word and Sacrament, offering congregational support during transitions, as well as in times of joy and sorrow. This includes walking alongside our churches, schools, and church workers through challenging times.
The church is meant to be a place where members can seek help in applying God’s message of reconciliation to their individual conflicts. District staff help guide pastors, elders, teachers, administrators, and others in the midst of conflict through coaching and Gospel-centered counseling.
In the midst of life’s challenges and conflicts, the District office serves with God’s love and grace, guiding toward reconciliation and embodying Christ’s presence throughout the journey.
The District has walked alongside our leadership through some very sensitive and challenging moments of our church. They bring a voice of reason, calm, and reconciliation to some very difficult situations and display the presence and nature of Christ to us in reminding us to be reconciled with one another. They invested in meeting with individuals to ensure that they felt heard and valued, seeing both sides of the situation, in order to offer Godly counsel.
Personally, the District office has been a lifeline to me. On one particular day, when I was at the lowest point in my ministry, in the midst of plummeting in despair, God used them to speak directly to me in order to rescue me. They were a messenger of love and grace in a moment where all I could see was down – God’s light in the middle of the darkness. I am so thankful for them. -Anonymous
Supporting Church Workers, Stronger Together – Workers of the Word: Today + Tomorrow
What would The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be without our church workers? The Lord of the Church cares for these workers, and He chooses to do that through the saints within His churches. We are grateful for our current church workers and have the privilege of caring for them. With our financial gifts, we can support them in times of need.
We are also grateful for our future church workers. Their energy and enthusiasm for Kingdom work is inspiring. Scholarships help ease the financial burden of higher education as they prepare for professional church work.
Please prayerfully consider a gift to Workers of the Word in support of our church workers serving today and those serving in the future.
Scholarships Awarded: Aid for Church Work Students at Concordia Universities & Seminaries
For the 2023-2024 school year, twenty church work students received scholarships totaling over $52,000 in student financial aid to Concordia universities & seminaries.
Through the generosity of individual donors and Board of Directors designated funding, donations for Workers of the Word allowed an increase of approximately 150% in annual amounts awarded to eligible church worker students.
“During my time at seminary, it was a huge encouragement to know that the district I grew up in was behind me all the way. I can’t imagine becoming a pastor without the support of the NID.”
– Rev. Ted Fischer, Messiah Lutheran Church, Chicago
The Katie Conference
Please make plans to attend this year’s Katie Conference! What a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and learning designed especially for pastors’ wives and widows!
The 2024 Katie Conference
Saturday, October 5, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
St Peter Lutheran Church, 202 E Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL, 60194-3517
“Attending The Katie each year is a highlight as a pastor’s wife. It’s a place where I feel rejuvenated and valued in my role. Connecting with friends and meeting new women is also a special blessing the event offers. The speakers always provide enriching insights, assurance, and comfort. Our District’s commitment to supporting pastors’ wives is evident in this event, and I am truly grateful.” – Jennifer Nesbit, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, IL
Learn more here: nidlcms.org/the-katie-event
