Augustana District 2011 Convention Report
Printable version here.
The Augustana District met in convention on Saturday, April 30, at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota, under the theme “How Firm a Foundation.” One hundred-forty one registered participants from 40 churches participated in the event. While 26 churches were from Minnesota, 7 other states and British Columbia were represented as well.
Highlights of the event included:
• John Beem, representing the Board of Theology and Ministry, presented proposed Ministry Standards, which were unanimously adopted by the convention. The booklet will be available in print form to pastors and churches of the Augustana District, as well as posted on this website. The Ministry Standards celebrate and uphold the classic functions of the Office of Public Ministry in three parts: “The Duties and Responsibilities of the Public Office of Ministry,” “The Pastor As an Example to Others,” and “We Hold One Another Accountable.”
• Pastor Ed Skutshek, President of the Canadian Association of Lutheran Churches (CALC) gave a greeting and helped us celebrate Augustana’s “Memorandum of Agreement” with CALC.
• Pastor Jaynan Clark (President of WordAlone Ministries), Professor Dennis Bielfeldt (President of the Institute of Lutheran Theology), and Pastor Paul Spaulding (Pastoral Certification Coordinator for LCMC) all brought greetings.
• Two new District Council members were elected: Mr. Ben Luense from St. John’s, Springfield, MN, and Mr. Mike Peterson from Gloria Dei, Redwood Falls, MN.
• Pastor John Beem (retired, Living Word, Alexandria, MN) and Pastor Mark Jamison (St. John, Sterling, NE) were re-elected to the Board of Theology and Ministry.
• Pastor Norm Olsen (retired, St. John’s, Starbuck, MN), a member of the Board of Congregational Services, reported on the District’s “Simplified Outline of the Call Process” that will soon become available in booklet form.
• Board reports were heard from Pr Steve King (Bd of Publications), Pr Scott Grorud (Bd of Theological Education), Pr Mark Richardson (Bd of Domestic Missions).
• Pastor Paul Knutson (Faith, Hutchinson, MN) provided the Board of World Missions report. BWM has provided a procedure for vetting missions organizations that congregational missions committees may use. Additionally, BWM vetted and invited some 14 missions organizations who were present with displays.
• Break Out sessions were held for Congregational Services, Institute of Lutheran Theology, Mission Start-Up Churches, ReClaim Resources, Sola Publishing, WordAlone Chapters, World Missions, Augustana’s Women of the Word, and Youth Ministry.
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