A MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT PRESIDENT,
Rev. Paul Linnemann
September 2010

My Schedule

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A lot sure has happened this summer. We’ve had a Synod convention, National Youth Gathering, and we have welcomed seven pastors into the Northwest District who are beginning their first ministries.

July’s Synod convention saw the convention delegates take the Synod in a new direction. The delegates elected Rev. Matthew Harrison to be the new LCMS president, and his election signals a shift of emphasis for the church. President-elect Harrison will be installed in early September, and I would encourage you to keep him in your prayers as he assumes a tremendous responsibility and challenge. The convention also approved a number of resolutions dealing with restructuring of the national Synod office. Two new mission boards are replacing numerous boards and commissions in an effort to better coordinate our work and achieve greater efficiency. Again, please pray for these new boards as they break new ground in Synod leadership.

The National Youth Gathering was a powerful experience. Over 25,000 teenagers and their leaders gathered in New Orleans from July 17-21. The theme of the gathering was We Believe, and the participants lived this message in their time together and in their service to the New Orleans community. What a great blessing to be a part of the worship, teaching, and fellowship experiences.

During both of these experiences there were many times when my heart and my thoughts turned toward home and my brothers and sisters in the Northwest District. I am deeply grateful that the Lord has placed me here… with you. He has provided us with an opportunity to be on the front lines of interfacing with the changing culture. We are surrounded by people who don’t know the love of Christ in their lives, and it is our challenge and calling to reflect His love to these people on a daily basis.

It’s with this in mind that I want to encourage you not to settle for less than excellence in your service to the Lord, whether that be in your family, in your neighborhood, in your workplace, or in your church. Whether you worship with a more traditional liturgy or with a contemporary one, seek to be fully present and ready to receive the gifts our Lord wants to give you. When God sets you apart for a unique task or to connect with a certain person in your circle of relationships, do it with your whole heart. As you love the people in your life that God has especially given to you, love them with love of Jesus. God gave us His best gift, and He invites us to join Him in bringing that best to the world around us.

In the current issue of the Northwest Passage (page 4) you are introduced to a new member of the Knott House team – Dustin Kunkel. I am thankful that our Lord has brought Dustin to serve with us as we seek to live and to share the love of Christ. I look forward to what the Lord has in store with anticipation and a renewed commitment to the mission of the Gospel in the great Northwest. God bless each of you.

Rev Paul Linnemann
President, Northwest District - LCMS
Phone:  503-288-8383
Fax:      503-284-2785