Greetings from your sisters and brothers in Christ in the Southeastern District, where we connect people with Jesus so that lives are transformed, and God’s kingdom grows. With you, we preach Christ crucified and risen from the dead. May His grace and mercy be extended to all people so that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:10–11).
A. Wellness and Witness A.1. Wellness A central aspect of the district’s work is the health of our mission stations and workers. Healthy workers make for healthy churches. Healthy churches make for a healthy and strong witness. The district is promoting worker wellness teams in every congregation. Teams are encouraged to engage the workers and to inquire about their spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial well-being. As worker wellness teams are created, the district will offer grants, partially matched by the congregation, that may be used to support workers’ health.
A.2. Witness The district includes seven states and the District of Columbia. The specific context of mission and ministry varies greatly across this geographical region. Context is celebrated and respected as we seek to share the Gospel with the people God has placed before us and expand the reach of the LCMS by planting new starts. The district is committed to 21 new starts in this current district triennium. This is a grassroots effort from congregations and their members, supported by a partnership with the district and the Synod’s church-planting efforts. The district will support 10 renewal efforts. These include ministries in areas where maintaining a Lutheran presence is essential to serving the community and proclaiming the Gospel. Renewal efforts will work in partnership with the district to develop a plan of action that creates new paths of service for the sake of the people God has placed before that ministry.
for roster ed workers and lay leaders to grow in faith, further develop their God-given gifts, and strengthen their leadership for the glory and praise of our Lord and King. Men and women, young and old, roster ed and lay alike, are equipped by God for service to His Church and for witness within the communities in which they live. We envision dynamic learning and growth where church workers and lay leaders are equipped to lead with confidence, courage, and compassion. Through conferences, web in ars, regional gatherings, the Lay Deacon Program, and wellness and witness cohorts, the district seeks to cultivate leaders who are spiritually grounded, mission-driven, and prepared to navigate the challenges of modern ministry. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and personal growth, we aim to raise up servant leaders who will inspire transformation in their communities and congregations for the sake of the Gospel.
D. Visitations and Engagement As we continue to walk together as the Church, being present within each ministry context allows us to understand both the unique aspects of each community and the people they are called to serve. To support this work, we have developed a model of engagement for our own use and as a resource for the wider Church, helping us faithfully carry out God’s command to love our neighbors. This model includes: • Rejoice: We rejoice in a God who does immeasurably more through the saving power of Jesus Christ. This rejoicing is our inspiration and foundation as we connect people with Jesus.
- Engage: We engage with our partners by listening, celebrating who they are, understanding their context, affirming their value, and building lasting relationships.
- Encourage: We walk alongside our partners to create an environment of possibility, rooted in the power of the Gospel, encouraging them in their unique callings.
- Serve: We love and serve our partners by supporting their callings as they connect people with Jesus—so that lives are transformed, and God’s kingdom grows.
B. Scholarships and Debt Reduction Vacancies remain a significant challenge as congregations seek pastoral leadership and care. The district in convention affirmed all routes to ordination and the expansion of routes to ensure that pastoral leadership will be offered to congregations and mission starts, and to provide opportunities for people in various contexts and life situations to receive quality education for service to the Lord and His Church. The district is honored to be part of Set Apart to Serve, in which several congregations and workers are serving as pilot congregations and cohort members. The district in convention elected to commit to raising up future workers in each congregation.
B.1. Scholarships In an effort to support students seeking theological education and church service, the district will increase scholarship dollars. These scholarships include undergraduate education and all routes through seminary to meet the growing needs of our congregations and mission stations, and the unique context they serve.
B.2. Debt Reduction The district is committed to assisting church workers with student debt accrued while in undergraduate and seminary programs leading to service in the Church. The district in convention voted to increase grants to help lower debt, there by relieving the financial burdens on our workers so they may focus on their callings and their vocations to their families.
C. Leadership Initiatives The district is committed to providing meaningful opportunities
E. Rejoice! We preach Christ crucified! Through His death and resurrection, we are set free from sin, made heirs of salvation, reconciled with God, and live with the promise of eternity. This is the good news for which we rejoice. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20–21 NIV).