Convention Recap: Day 2

Pacific Southwest District

2022 Convention

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

46th Regular 2022 District Convention | Day 2 Recap

Morning Opening

Call to Order
Devotion: Rev. Dr. S T Williams, St. Paul's, Los Angeles, Region 1 VP, reminded us that our God says "I will do abundantly more in your life, if you realize that I will never leave you or forsake you." To God be the Glory for all that He is doing and continues to do in the Pacific Southwest District!

Resolutions

Morning Resolutions

Resolution 22.1.1 - 100 New faith communities established within the Pacific Southwest District by the time of the 100th anniversary of the District at the 2031 Convention - as amended – approved with 92.59% of vote

Afternoon Resolutions

Resolution 22.2.2 - To realign the Las Vegas and River Circuits –approved with 98.6% of vote

Resolution 22.2.5 - To Apply Term Limits to the President, First VP, Secretary and Treasurer of the PSD – Defeated

Resolution 22.2.1 - To Update the Pacific Southwest District Bylaws –approved 97% of vote

Resolution 22.2.1 To Strengthen the Nonvoting Advisory Delegate Participation at (District) Conventions - following continued discussion from yesterday – approved with 68.18% of vote as amended

Evening Resolutions

Resolution 22.3.2 - To Reject Racism and Recognize the PSD's Successes, Failures, and Opportunities in ministry within Communities of Color – approved with 87% vote as amended

Resolution 22.1.3 - To Increase the Number of Pacific Southwest District Men & Women Preparing for Church Work Professions –approved with 91.53% of vote

Resolution 22.1.5 - To celebrate the work of the Mission Training Center (MTC) and encourage congregations to make use of this excellent resource for their ministries – approved with 93.26% of vote

Amended Resolutions will be reflected in app as the committee is able to get them updated

Synod President Report

President Harrison opened his report with a video highlighting the synod's efforts worldwide in the midst of COVID-19. Overall congregational giving increased during COVID-19. President Harrison praised Concordia Irvine as the best system of governance in our Concordia University System, highlighting their commitment to theological training throughout the school (students, faculty, athletics, etc.), not just in the church-work programs. In addition, he made notes on the synod's stance on issues of race, among other social issues. Lastly, he gave updates on work of the various partnerships, missions, and ministries throughout the synod. Afterwards, he took time for Q&A.

Convention Registration Report

As of 10:10am and again at 1:00pm, Convention was represented by:

230 Voting Delegates (121 Pastoral Voters + 109 Lay Voters)
31 Non-Voting Advisory Delegates (23 Pastoral Advisors + 8 Commissioned Advisors)
30 Commissioned Minister Representatives
46 Guests
32 Exhibitors
Total: 369 individuals

Mission Moment - 100 in 10 Initiative - Dominic Rivkin, Mission & Ministry Executive, PSD

The intention of the district is to launch 100 new faith communities in the next 10 years. In the words of Rev. Dominic Rivkin, it's all about sharing the good news of Christ to the world. We are a global church that happens to be local to one another!

Keynote - Gospel DNA - Rev. Dr. Michael Newman, President of the Texas District

President Newman presented us with two questions:

Do you know the LCMS?
Will you be the LCMS?

The Gospel DNA is not tenets or practices, but rather the markers of a flourishing church. President Newman shared the Five DNA Strands:

People-we are are each called to lift the narrative of the Gospel. How's your heart for people?
Multiplication- new churches reach new people. Biblical faithfulness to the sharing of the Gospel
Truth- “In the exclusive doctrinal position of the Lutheran Church is not only to be found its strength, but therein also lies its great missionary possibility.” (Rev. John H.C. Fritz, 1919)
Adaptability- adaptability is a hallmark of who we are; we have a history of adaptability to our needs & contexts while remaining faithful to our confessions
Self-Sacrifice- summarized in the 1950 synodical convention, "that the LCMS call upon it's total membership for a greater love & devotion to the Lord and Savior of mankind, and a consequent burning zeal for the lost souls of men."

To close, President Newman challenged us with the following Questions for Discussion

What one course correction for your church & ministry has the Spirit stirred in you during this convention?
What new outreach action might God be showing you that could you & your congregation to reach new people with the Gospel?
What one step can you take in the next 30 days?

Find a copy of the book, Gospel DNA here. Today's presentation will be available on YouTube very soon.

Concordia University Irvine Report - Rev. Dr. Steven Mueller, Chief Mission Officer, CUI

Concordia Irvine is firmly committed to our Lutheran Christian identity and to you, our church. Dr. Mueller reported that every faculty member of CUI is Christian. New programs include Computer Science, Engineering, expanded health care programs, all still guided by our doctrine of vocation. For over four years and continuing, our church work students are guaranteed $27k in financial aid plus free housing. In the midst of COVID-19, though CUI, like many other higher ed. institutions, experienced a dip in enrollment, they continued to finish each fiscal year in the black. Renovations are occurring this summer to expand the worship, performance, and athletic spaces on CUI's campus. Concordia Irvine is proud to be your university.

View the Campus Tour

District Board of Directors Nominations & Elections

District Secretary: Rev. Jonathan Burkee
District Treasurer: Ms. Leona Tschopp, acclamation vote
Board of Directors, Regional Commissioned Ministers:
Region 1: Ms. Bonnie Hicks, acclamation vote
Region 2: Mrs. Kayleigh Lopez
Region 3: Mrs. Conni Schramm
Region 4: Mrs. Lori Doyle
Board of Directors, Regional Lay Representatives:
Region 1: Ms. Laura Rusch, acclamation vote
Region 2: Ms. Joyce Cabrera
Region 3: Mr. Joel Held
Region 4: Ms. Keri Self Sparks
Lutheran Church Extension Fund Committee Chairperson: Mr. James Clark
District Constitution Committee:
Ordained: Rev. Kerwin Duerr & Rev. Paul G. Wenz, acclamation vote
Lay: Mr. John T. Egley
Circuit Visitors: ratified by vote of acclamation
Board of Regents, Concordia University Irvine
Ordained: Rev. Glenn A. Lucas
Commissioned: Mrs. Xavria Schwarz
Lay: Mr. Neil Cowen & Mr. Matthew Flandermeyer
2025 District Nominations Committee
Region 1
Ordained: Rev. Anthony Foster
Commissioned: Mr. John Chapman
Lay: Ms. Susan Shiller
Region 2
Ordained: Rev. Jonathan Brandenburg
Commissioned: Mr. Brenda Nguwen
Lay: Mr. Mike Benzow
Region 3
Ordained: Rev. Travis Ferguson
Commissioned: Amy Blane, acclamation vote
Lay: Mr. Joshua Marsh, acclamation vote
Region 4
Ordained: vacant, Board of Directors and Region 4 VP will be tasked with filling position
Commissioned: Annie Tiberg Anderson, acclamation vote
Lay: Shannon Bagnara, acclamation vote

Board of Director's Report - Rev. Vince Harman, 1st VP, BOD Chair

Rev. Vince Harman reported on the workings of the Board of Directors these past four years. Highlights include resourcing throughout COVID-19, the efforts of the Mission Training Center, support of the All-Workers Conference, resourcing schools. We thank the Board of Directors for their service in our district.

Mission Moment - Mission Development Center - Dominic Rivkin, Mission & Ministry Executive, PSD

Each root is vital and important in engaging communities

The Mission Develop Center in Norwalk, CA is focused on meeting the needs of the local neighborhood and community. The Mission Development center is engaging communities with the Gospel, joining together, sharing gifts, and opening doors in compassion and hospitality.

Interested in more information about the the 3r's? Email us with subject line: Retain, Remodel, Replant

School Ministries Report - Rachel Klitzing, Executive for Schools

Executive Director of School Ministries, Rachel Klitzing, opened her report celebrating the impressive ongoing efforts of the teachers, educators, administrators, DCEs, etc. over these last four years. 2021-2022 was the highest overall school enrollment in the PSD in the last 5 years, representing over 19,000 students, a 2000 student increase from the previous school year, across 91 Preschools, 50 Elementary Schools, and 9 High Schools. Close to 2000 students were baptized and 591 adults confirmed in the faith through our Lutheran schools in the last five years. Additionally, Rachel shared video testimony from our schools with first-hand accounts of God doing abundantly more these last few years. Praise God for the Abundant, Wonderful Life we have in Jesus!

Convention resumes tomorrow, Friday, at 8:00am

Convention Resources

Convention Workbook

Resolution List

Convention Map

Convention App Apple App Store

Convention App Google Play Store