The launching of a special debt retirement offering as well as the initial report of the Ad Hoc Commission will be two major items coming to the 12 district conventions, all held during the second week of June.

The 12 districts meet individually every even-numbered year to study God’s Word, hear reports about work done on their behalf since the last synod convention, examine and comment on current and future synodical and district issues, and elect district officials. Every pastor, male teacher, and male staff minister—as well as a representative from each congregation—attends.

“It’s really an attempt to gain grassroots input on a whole range of issues, either looking back or looking forward,” says Mark Schroeder, WELS president.

Year of Jubilee

At the conventions this year, the district presidents will be launching the Year of Jubilee, a special offering authorized by the 2007 synod convention to address the synod’s capital debt of $22.4 million. “If God blesses us with the elimination of this debt, we will have $2.7 million annually to use for the expanded mission and ministry efforts approved by the convention,” says Schroeder.

The Ministry of Christian Giving will be sending materials—including a Bible study, sermons, worship suggestions, offering envelopes, a DVD, and promotional materials—to each congregation in June. Convention delegates will be the first to see the DVD, which shares the inspiring story of a new member who came to faith through the ministry efforts of Beautiful Savior, Las Vegas, Nev., one of WELS’ home missions. The DVD emphasizes the point that even more ministry can be conducted if the synod’s debt is eliminated.

“The Year of Jubilee offering is an opportunity for a fresh start—a time for us to be freed from this debt so we can carry out more ministry,” says Schroeder.

Congregations will have flexibility in how much time they use to celebrate the Year of Jubilee. Christian Giving has designed it for use during the four-week period of Nov. 23 to Dec. 14. The celebration will culminate at the 2009 synod convention.

Ad Hoc Commission report

At the conventions this year, delegates also will be given an opportunity to provide input on recommendations from the Ad Hoc Commission, which was authorized by the 2007 synod convention to analyze the way the synod works and to propose strategies to help the synod carry out its mission.