Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R37
- Report title
- R37 Nebraska District
- Workbook start page
- 121
- Workbook end page
- 122
- Source pages
- 121, 122
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R37 Nebraska District Christ Is Risen Indeed and He lives in us and works through us! God is at work drawing us into Himself, building each one of us, growing us together, and reaching out through us that others, too, might believe. Amid our brokenness, God has chosen you and me as members of His Body to perform His gracious work. Follow- ing the seven mission priorities of the Synod, the Nebraska District congregations and staff are working to: 1. Plant, Sustain, and Revitalize Lutheran Churches The work of the district is fundamentally the work of each con- gregation serving the Body of Christ with Word and Sacrament and sending people out into their vocations as witnesses of the Savior. Parents, grandparents, and guardians are called to make disciples of the children God has placed in their life. Ministry opportunities like Vacation Bible School, daycares, preschools, schools, youth ministry, and small groups are used to develop relationships and foster discipleship, service, and outreach. V ocations of neighbor and coworker give us the opportunity to reach out with Christ’s compassion and Gospel. We have had the joy of planting several congregations, with plans to plant at least three more in the near future. We have outlined a clear process to help congregations evaluate their current culture and assess next steps for ministry. As district president, assisting in the call process is my highest prior - ity. Visitation and evaluation to encourage congregations are also critical priorities. 2. Support and Expand Theological Education Our seminaries receive great support from individuals, congre- gations, and the district. While seminaries have responsibility for preparing our pastors, theological education and formation begins in the home and congregation. Conferences, circuits, and leader - ship development focus on lifelong formation of our pastors. 3. Perform Human Care in Close Proximity to Word and Sacrament Ministries Human care is the work of every congregation as we live out the compassion of the Lord. Nebraska is also the proud home of many service organizations, including Orphan Grain Train, GracePoint Institute for Relational Health, Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Outreach and School, Lutheran Family Services, Our Place After School Care, and Homestead Refuge. Nebraska also has very active Lu- theran Early Response Teams. 2026 Convention Workbook 122 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS Fifty-five pastors serve our congregations, mostly full-time, but some part-time. Of these, 17 have been in their congregation less than 10 years. So, although there have been many new pastors in the district, many more have enjoyed lengthy ministries in their current congregations. We also have five specific ministry pastors serving congregations and several retired pastors who are still regu- larly serving. We are blessed with faithful pastoral leadership! Liturgical worship, using the liturgies in our hymnals (mostly Lutheran Service Book), is also what is taking place in most of our congregations on Sundays (and other days). The Word of God’s salvation in Christ is being clearly proclaimed and also given out sacramentally. The weekly reception of the Lord’s Supper is stan- dard in the majority of New England congregations. B. Schools There are three elementary schools in New England: Immanuel Lutheran School in Danbury, Conn.; Immanuel Lutheran School in Bristol, Conn.; and Trinity Christian School in Keene, N.H. The schools are visited annually by District President Beinke and Busi- ness Manager Brenda Bacon, with classrooms visited and a lunch for the teachers and staff provided. The district also hosts the prin- cipals of the schools at the district office quarterly, providing an opportunity for mutual help and support. Finally, the district also provides for ongoing training and support for the teachers at an annual training day, which is held at one of the schools. There are also 16 preschools and early childhood centers that are run by congregations in the district. They serve as a service to and outreach into their communities and provide a wonderful opportunity for bringing the Gospel of Christ to children and their families. C. Missions For several years now there has been a congregation in the Bos- ton area that is reaching out to and serving immigrants from Ethi - opia. Bethel Oromo Lutheran Church is a small congregation and is currently without a pastor, but it has been receiving assistance from LCMS Oromo pastors and church leaders from throughout the Synod to help them during this vacancy. This help from our brothers and sisters across the Synod is much appreciated, as there are currently no Oromo-speaking pastors in New England. First Lutheran in Boston has for years had an outreach to the many college students attending the schools in the Boston area. This has resulted in many students embracing Christ and our Lu- theran teaching of His Gospel and also joining the congregation. It is a vibrant congregation with people of many different cultures and language groups … and foods, which are often shared together on their patio! If you’re visiting the Boston area, plan to attend on a Sunday and rejoice together in the Gospel and fellowship! North of Boston, Messiah Lutheran in Lynnfield, Mass., has an outreach to people of Portuguese heritage, of whom there are many. The pastor has learned the Portuguese language and offers a service in that language, yet also each month joins together in worship the English- and Portuguese-speaking members of the congregation. St. Paul’s Lutheran in Providence, R.I., is a congregation that is made up primarily of Liberian people who have emigrated to the U.S. One of their members is now enrolled in the seminary and is preparing for service to them. They also support mission work among the Gbarnga people of Liberia. In the Lakes region of central New Hampshire is Lakes Region