Although New England is a fairly large geographic area that encompasses six states, the district is one of the smallest in the Synod as far as the number of congregations, parishioners, and church workers. The years 2021–2022 were a very difficult time in the district, and not only because of COVID-19. The former and much-loved president, the Rev. Dr. Tim Yeadon, became seriously ill in March 2021 and had to go on disability. This necessitated that I, as the first vice-president, assume the role of acting district president (while also pas to ring my congregation in Norwalk, Connecticut). President Yeadon was taken home to heaven in January 2022, and I was subsequently elected as district president in June 2022. Through this difficult time, our gracious Lord strengthened and upheld President Yeadon and his family; the pastors, other church workers, and congregations of the district; and especially me and my congregation. I thank and praise Him for His grace and mercy in Christ, and I also extend my thanks to President Harrison and the leaders of our Synod who, along with my brother district presidents and their staffs, often responded to my questions and calls for help. Above all, I thank the wonderful people of St. Peter in Norwalk, whom I had the joy to serve for over 28 years. Their love and support made a difficult 18 months not only doable but often enjoyable. May our good Lord raise up many such congregations!
A. Congregations
There are 67 congregations in the district, most of which are small (less than 200 members) but several of which are fairly large (over 500 members). In the first quarter of 2023, there were 17 congregations that were without a pastor. Some were in the process of calling a pastor, and some were being served by pastors who are retired or are currently without a call. In fall 2022, I sent a letter to the congregations of the district who were being served by pastors, asking if they would be willing to allow their pastor to serve a vacant congregation one Sunday every three months or so, while they
themselves had a lay-led service that day. Many gladly indicated their willingness to do so, and this not only has been a blessing to the vacant congregations of the district but also has helped to further unite our congregations. Although the New England states are some of the most un church ed and secular in the nation—and at times even boast of their opposition to basic Christian teaching and morality (in their support of abortion, for instance, which all the New England states offer with little restriction)—our pastors and congregations enjoy great peace and unity. New England is not an easy place for pastors and other church workers to serve, but the Lord has blessed us with joy by His Holy Spirit as we proclaim Christ crucified and bear His cross. Grace Lutheran in Nashua, New Hampshire, had the honor of being chosen to participate in a pilot project headed by the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education. Set Apart to Serve is providing resources and training to pastors and lay people to assist them in talking to youth about pursuing church work vocations. May the Lord bless this effort by raising up many workers for the harvest fields! Since the last Synod convention in 2019, New England has been blessed with five new graduates from our seminaries, one graduate of the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program who completed his studies and is now a general pastor, and one new SMP student. Our seminaries are training and graduating excellent pastors, and these men are proving to be a great blessing to our congregations. Thanks be to God!
B. Schools
There are three LCMS elementary schools in the district (one in New Hampshire, one in Massachusetts, and one in Connecticut), each of which is connected to a congregation. Although the past years of dealing with COVID-19 have been difficult, this has for the most part been a blessing for our schools. Enrollments are up, and the schools are doing well. We also have 11 preschools being run by district congregations. This ministry of our schools is increasingly important in a region where ignorance of, and even opposition to, the Gospel is strong and is growing.
C. Missions
In fall 2022, the district called the Rev. Adam Teferi as a missionary-at-large to serve a growing population of people in the Boston area from the Oromo tribe of Ethiopia. Pastor Teferi is himself an Ethiopian immigrant who was received into the LCMS as a pastor through colloquy. He is leading this growing group in weekly worship in one of our church buildings, and we hope that by the time of the Synod convention, they will be a newly constituted congregation of the district and the Synod. Another mission that started in the last triennium is in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire. This small but growing group of worshipers is being led primarily by retired pastors in the area. We thank God for their continued zeal to serve! Mission work to serve our neighbors in their bodily needs is also taking place. “Hands of Grace” is a food and clothing bank outreach of St. Paul’s in New Hartford, Connecticut. It is led by a specific ministry pastor from the congregation who also provides spiritual support and worship to those who are served. Two other congregations in Connecticut also support similar ministries: “The Bridge” in South Windsor and “Caring Shepherds” in Hebron.
D. Conclusion
Synodical Focuses
I have served all 37+ years since my ordination—and also served my vicarage—in the New England District. Although born and raised in Ohio, I have found New England to be an area where, for the most part, pastors are appreciated and their ministry is respected. Most of our congregations are small, but their worship is solidly Lutheran and joyful, and Christ crucified is faithfully preached. Come and visit us, and enjoy with us the joy of forgiveness and new life in Christ Jesus!
The seven mission priorities previously affirmed at the 2016 Synod convention and included in 2019 Res. 4-03A have helped shape the NJ District’s ministry response to its mission and challenges. They are
Robert D. Beinke, President R39
- plant, sustain, and revitalize Lutheran churches;
- support and expand theological education;
- perform human care in close proximity to Word and Sacrament ministries;
- collaborate with the Synod’s members and partners to enhance mission effectiveness;
- promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, financial, and physical well-being of pastors and professional church workers;
- enhance early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, and youth ministry; and
- strengthen and support the Lutheran family in living out God’s design.
New Jersey District Ministry Situation and Challenges From the Jersey Shore to the Highlands and from the New York or Philadelphia suburbs to the Pinelands, New Jersey is a wonderful and diverse place to live and preach Christ crucified. Yet the geography only points to an even more diverse demography. New Jersey is the home to more scientists and engineers per square mile than any other area of the world. Religiously and ethnically, it is host to the second largest population in the U.S. of Jews, Muslims, and Cubans; the largest population of Peruvians; as well as high numbers of Portuguese, Brazilians, Hispanics, Arabs, African Americans, Asians, Chinese, and Italians. This great diversity within a population of over 9.4 million and growing is all gathered together into 8,721 square miles, making New Jersey the most densely populated state in the U.S.. Yet there are only four cities with a population greater than 100,000! That means the population is spread out over a multitude of smaller cities and municipalities. The challenges of culture, language, religion, thought, and worldview are readily evident within this environment. How does a well-established, relatively long-term resident, primarily of northern European descent church share the Gospel of Christ crucified with such a diverse population? The good news is that this has begun to happen and with God’s blessing will accelerate in the coming days. Both our prayers and our work aim at reaching all the people of New Jersey in their great diversity one person at a time. Ironically, the dense population of New Jersey is, in some ways, an advantage. It means that while the NJ District is the smallest of districts in terms of churches and geography, we are relatively close. First, we are close in distance meaning that circuits are small and sister congregations are nearby. As our congregations struggle with the high cost of living and housing, they find it evermore 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 meetings, 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 drive and all are within two hours. To that end, all of the NJ District congregations received a presidential visit in the first 16 months of the new president taking office in September 2021.
In addition, 2019 resolutions regarding church planting, strengthening multi ethnic outreach, shared ministry, active witness, church worker recruitment, continuing education, and more helped shape the district’s ministry response.
Ministry Plan
In 2022, the New Jersey District celebrated her 50th anniversary! Back in 1972, the Atlantic District was divided into three new districts: Atlantic, New England, and New Jersey. One of the stated purposes at the time recognized the unique characteristics of each of these regions and allowed each new district to focus ministry on the unique needs within its territory. So, after 50 years of ministry, the NJ District gathered at the Princeton University Chapel for a service of praise and thanksgiving to God for this wonderful opportunity and to ask for His inspiration and blessing in the years ahead. Con greg ants were blessed by the address of previous and current district presidents from New England and Atlantic. The Initiative for Ministry Development (IMD) is the flagship of the district’s short- and long-term ministry plans. Working in conjunction with LCEF’s Ministry Solutions, the district has developed a long-term, ongoing plan to help congregations develop and implement ministry plans. Phase 1, Small Church Clarity (SCC), is meant to help small congregations that have done little in terms of ministry planning to develop and implement a manageable and effective annual ministry plan. The end result starts with a simple guiding statement and boasts of goals and action steps in the areas of worship, study of the Word, fellowship, and service (outreach). It presents the ministry of the congregation in a printed brochure for distribution to visitors and at outreach events. Phase 2, NJ District University (NJDU), is a fuller, more in depth version of SCC for more mature congregations. Since these are larger congregations, their plans will encompass more areas of ministry, in a more sophisticated way. NJDU is a seven-session, seven-month process compared to SCC’s four-session, four-month process. Phase 3 is Advanced Development. Congregations that have completed either SCC or NJDU are eligible to enroll in
Advanced Development sessions that will cover a host of topics such as Elder Training, Discipleship Program Development, Stewardship and Finance, Outreach Ministry, Understanding Your Demographics, Next Gen Ministries, Ethnic and Mission Starts, etc.
It is recognized that congregations will need continued support and encouragement throughout this planning process. As a result, a NJ District coaching network has been developed to aid pastors and congregations as they do the work of IMD. Each congregation that completes any phase of IMD is offered an NJ District coach to assist them through challenges and hold them accountable to their stated desires. In addition, annual Renewal Sessions will be offered to help congregations evaluate and update their ministry plans. Helping our district to more closely reflect the ethnic diversity of our state is also a part of the NJ District’s plans. • Our African American congregation meets in Newark.
- Our Hispanic congregation meets at multiple sites and is seeking to add additional sites while training leaders.
- Our Korean ministry is seeking a site to start an educational/ Gospel ministry.
- Our new Jewish ministry in conjunction with Apple of His Eye Missions is beginning work in the northeast section of New Jersey.
To address the pastor shortage our Synod is experiencing, the NJ District has been assisting and encouraging congregations, where practical and advantageous, to enter into ministry sharing situations where a pastor is shared between congregations. In addition, the district has started recruiting efforts and anticipates being involved with Set Apart to Serve. As always, pastor retention is a key part of the equation, so pastor and church worker well-being receive high priority in the ministry plans and actions of the NJ District. May our triune God be honored in all we do. Stephen A. Gewecke, President