wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Southeastern elects Diefenthaler

["LCMS e-News" <LCMSENEWS@lcms.org>]

	 <http://www.lcms.org>
e-News
	LCMS News

	PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL MESSAGE! This message comes
from a "Send Only" Mailbox that does not recognize replies.

	May 23, 2003 .......................... LCMSNews -- No. 43

	Southeastern District elects
	Diefenthaler as president

	The Southeastern District has a new president -- Dr. Jon
Diefenthaler of Laurel, Md. Diefenthaler, 60, was chosen by delegates at
the district's 33rd convention, May 16-18 in Durham, N.C. He was elected
on the first ballot.

	Diefenthaler is pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Laurel
and also served as the district's first vice president. He succeeds Dr.
Arthur W. Scherer, who did not seek re-election. Scherer has served as
district president since 1997.

	Also elected were Rev. James Wiggins of Washington, D.C., first
vice president; Rev. Mark Hricko of Silver Spring, Md., second vice
president; and Rev. Paul Kibler of Cary, N.C., third vice president.

	Among resolutions adopted, delegates voted to support mission
outreach within the Southeastern District, the Synod and especially
among families whose children attend Lutheran schools.

	Delegates also passed resolutions to:

	* develop congregational resources and support training programs
for leaders of ethnic ministries.

	* train and equip workers for ministry. Delegates designated the
convention offering of more than $3,000 for scholarships in the Training
Leaders for Ministry program.

	* challenge congregations to increase adult baptisms, develop
outreach plans, recruit church workers and be involved in daily Bible
study and prayer.

	* commend Dr. Wallace Schulz for his 25 years of service as
associate Lutheran Hour speaker and to commend the International
Lutheran Laymen's League for its ongoing efforts to spread the Gospel of
Jesus Christ.

	* request the Synod president to continue or renew dialogue
regarding "Renewal in Missouri," and to encourage the Synod to promote a
Scriptural process to resolve disputes and doctrinal issues at the
lowest administrative level.

	* direct the district Board of Directors and staff to work
toward increasing funding for mission work, and to develop a plan to
provide full health benefits to district staff families.

	The convention also recognized recipients of the district's
"Servant of Christ" award. Receiving the award were Ralph and Lola
Behrens, members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Va.; Rev.
Stewart Burk, St. John's, Long Green, Md.; Lewis Coiner,
Bethany-Trinity, Waynesboro, Va.; Fred Forster, Mount Pisgah,
Hendersonville, N.C.; and Nikki Rochester, Berea, Baltimore.

	****************************************

	LCMSNews is published by the News and Information Division,
Board for Communication Services, of The Lutheran Church--Missouri
Synod. If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996 1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

	To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your e-mail address for
LCMSNews, go to the following Web address: www.lcms.org/enews
<http://www.lcms.org/enews>  .

	****************************************

	  This Edition of "LCMS News" e-News is provided by:

	Board for Communication Services
Contact Editor <http://www.lcms.org/enews/contact_editor.asp?title=LCMS
News&editorid=6>

		To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this Newsletter and
many others, please visit LCMS e-News <http://www.lcms.org/enews> .
		Share this Newsletter
<http://www.lcms.org/enews/forward.asp?m=561>  with a friend.

MessageId=561
  _____

) Copyright 2003 The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.
<http://www.lcms.org>
No reproduction without consent. All rights reserved.