Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R38
- Report title
- R38 New England District
- Workbook start page
- 122
- Workbook end page
- 123
- Source pages
- 122, 123
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R38 New England District The New England district was created out of the Atlantic Dis- trict by the 1971 Synod convention. It encompasses six states: Ver- mont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Some of our congregations are in the fairly large cities of Boston, Mass.; Providence, R.I.; and Nashua, N.H. Most, how- ever, are suburban or rural congregations which are fairly small and are at a significant distance from one another. For this reason, the district is divided into only five circuits, with five circuit visi- tors and three elected vice-presidents assisting the district president with his work. When the numbers of congregations and parishioners are tal- lied, New England is a small district: 65 congregations with around 9,300 confirmed members. There are certainly disadvantages in this, one being the small district staff. Only the president is full- time; the business manager is half-time (and also serves as the Lu- theran Church Extension Fund [LCEF] regional district vice-pres - ident half-time), a deaconess serves part-time, and the president’s administrative assistant is part-time. All other district workers serve as volunteers. One significant advantage of being small, however, is that the pastors and other church workers of the district know one another well and are very supportive of one another. The district president visits every congregation of the district at least once (and some, several times) over the triennium. During the 2022–25 trien- nium, those visits were to evaluate and encourage the pastors and other church workers of the district. During the 2025–28 triennium, the congregation members, and especially their leaders, will hear their district president preach and teach on Church and Ministry, using Dr. Walther’s theses as a basis for discussion. Our business manager is also a great resource to our congregations, providing help and guidance with LCEF resources and especially with finan- cial and tax issues. Most of the pastors of the district faithfully attend their circuit winkels, which provide opportunities for worship together as well as in-depth discussion of matters of doctrine and practice. Discus- sion is robust and fraternal. They also faithfully attend the pastoral conferences which the district provides twice a year. Commissioned workers are also welcomed at these winkels and conferences. Won- derful fellowship and learning opportunities are fostered at these gatherings. The district also has several deaconesses serving within it, with one having completed her training this spring and now serving the district as a called worker. Her focus is especially upon the families of church workers, whom she checks in on regularly. Another dea- coness started and runs a recognized service organization in Ban- gor, Maine, called Hope for Healing. She uses horses to connect with military veterans who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, and then to minister to them with God’s Word of healing and comfort in Christ. A. Congregations Most of the 65 congregations in the district have fewer than 200 members, and over half of the congregations average fewer than 50 in worship on any given Sunday. This makes it difficult to support a pastor or other church worker. Currently, 10 percent of our con- gregations are being served by visiting pastors, as available, as they cannot support a pastor of their own. Another 10 percent are, or were recently, vacant and involved in the call process. 2026 Convention Workbook 123 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS an advantage. It means that, while the district is the smallest of districts in terms of churches and geography, we are close. First, we are close in distance, meaning that circuits are small and sis- ter congregations are nearby. As our congregations struggle with the high cost of living and housing, they are finding it ever more advantageous to build relationships with nearby congregations and share a pastor and ministry. Our close proximity makes this easier to do. Second, we are close in relationship. Our close proximity enables us to gather more easily for circuit meetings, district meet- ings, training, and fellowship. We enjoy a high level of collegiality and friendship, which fosters the care and well-being of our pastors and church workers. Third, district president visitation is facilitated as most congregations are within an hour’s drive of the president’s home and all are within two hours. To that end, all the district con- gregations received a presidential visit in the first 16 months of the new district president taking office in September 2021 and most a second “official visit” by June 2025. Some, for various reasons, have received additional visits. Synod Focuses The district has sought to respond to the resolutions of the 2023 Synod convention. The following is a brief report of the work ac- complished according to the resolutions directed to districts: 1-03A Plant churches – Strategic Plan, Target 3 1-07A Care of workers – Strategic Plan, Target 2 2-07A Support International Missions – FORO exploration trip to the Dominican Republic 3-01 Life Ministries – Participation in New Jersey March for Life 3-04A Disaster Relief – Disaster Relief Team training 4-01A Koinonia – Participated in SMP Koinonia 5-13A Online T echnology – Subject at Pastor Conferences 6-02A, 6-03A Pastoral Formation – Subject at Pastor Confer - ences / Discussions with pastoral candidates 6-04 Service of Laity – Presidential missive 6-06A PALS – Work with area districts to form a group 6-09 Provide for pastors’ families – Strategic Plan, Target 2 7-06B Support Universities – District Scholarships The seven mission priorities dating back to the 2016 Synod con- vention continue in the background, helping to shape the district’s ministry response to its mission and challenges. Ministry and Strategic Plans Back in 2021, it was determined that a ministry plan was needed to help stabilize congregations and move them forward in minis- try. The result was the Initiative for Ministry Development (IMD). Working in conjunction with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s Ministry Solutions unit, the district has developed a long- term, ongoing plan to help congregations develop and implement ministry plans. The plan had three phases: • Small Church Clarity (SCC) helps smaller congregations develop and implement a manageable and effective annual ministry plan. The plan includes a simple guiding statement, goals and action steps in the areas of worship, study of the Word, fellowship, service (outreach), and a printed brochure presenting the ministry of the congregation for distribution Lutheran Church, the most recent mission start in New England. This group of dedicated believers is supported as a campus of Grace Lutheran in Nashua, N.H., and worships in Moultonborough, N.H. The surrounding populace is 70 percent unchurched, so the need for the Gospel in that region is great! In Connecticut, Our Savior in South Windsor has an outreach to the Asian Indian community, with a member just having finished his seminary studies and been ordained and installed in the congre- gation for service to that community. Service to our neighbors for their bodily needs is also taking place through our congregations. St. Paul’s in New Hartford, Conn., supports Hands of Grace, a food and clothing bank that is led by a specific ministry pastor from the congregation who also brings the Gospel to those who are served. Two other congregations in Con- necticut support similar ministries: Our Savior in South Windsor with The Bridge and Christ in Amston with Caring Shepherds. New England is a challenging area of the country for proclaim- ing Christ, as the states of New England rank as having the highest percentage of unchurched people in the country. The people also tend to be well educated and very liberal in their thinking. Even so, serving my entire ministry in New England—beginning with serving as a vicar at St. Luke’s in Dedham, Mass., in 1984–85—has been a joy. Serving since March 2021 as district president has been an honor and a privilege. To our heavenly Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, be the glory; and by the work of the Holy Spirit, may His blessing rest upon us! Robert D. Beinke, President