Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R33
- Report title
- R33 Minnesota North District
- Workbook start page
- 117
- Workbook end page
- 117
- Source pages
- 117
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R33 Minnesota North District But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) Strengthened in Christ. Faithful. Visitations. Each week in the Minnesota North District, 194 congregations proclaim the crucified and risen Lord Jesus, forgive and retain sins, and mercifully serve their communities in His name. Every school day, our 7 elementary schools, 1 high school, and 17 preschools de- clare the truth of Christ to our young people and instruct them in His ways. I am deeply humbled by the commitment and steadfast faith of our workers, our congregational leaders, and all the baptized who abound in the mercy of Christ. The purpose of our district is to preserve and promote unity in the one true faith (1 Cor. 1:10). We pay careful attention to what we be- lieve, teach, and confess because salvation is at stake (1 Tim. 4:16). One of our central goals is to ensure that our confession of faith re- mains the same for generations to come. More than 70 percent of our congregations are over 100 years old. We pray that 100 years from now, our ministries will still confess the same inerrant Scriptures, the same bloodied and resurrected Christ as Lord, the same Small Catechism, and will trust the same Holy Spirit to grow the Church through His Word. The Lord grant it by His grace. To remain steadfast in Christ, we continue to prioritize visita - tions. Our office is lean, only three full-time staff, and ready to serve. Since 2022, we have visited 191 of our 194 congregations and are scheduled to complete visits to every ministry by the end of August 2026. Our ongoing goal is to visit each ministry at least once every triennium through the district president, vice-presidents, and circuit visitors. Each visit centers on prayer, building up the Body of Christ, encouraging our workers, and exhorting one another to holy living. We thank the Lord for the opportunities to uphold the sanctity of human life by two congregations, Redeemer Aurora and Faith in Silver Bay, extending mercy through their Swaddling Clothes min- istries. As pastoral vacancies continue to increase (currently 55 of our congregations are without a called pastor), more than 160 men attended an elders retreat to strengthen their spiritual leadership and assistance in their congregations. The importance of teaching the faith in the home is being actively promoted through circuit semi- nars and various district initiatives. While many changes occur each day, we cling to the same prom- ises of our Savior. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Brady L. Finnern, President