14301 Grand Avenue South, Burnsville, MN 55306 (952) 435-2550 [email protected] March 18, 2014 Volume 14 Issue 12 LINKS OF INTEREST:(CLICK ON LINK) District Initiatives Networking Classifieds Call Update District Calendar MNS District website LCMS website MNS LWML website eNews archives The Lutheran Witness Lutheran Witness- MNS Mission Prayers Camp Omega Concordia Plans CSP news Minnesota South District Pictorial Leadership Directory. LCEF news Readiness For Marriage Check out NETWORKING, listed above, for other interesting events and opportunities. The Minnesota South District- LCMS, Burnsville, MN, is seeking a person for the position of District Treasurer/Business Manager (a full-time position with benefits). A four-year degree in accounting is required with 7-15 years of accounting experience, CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred. At least three years supervisory experience and excellent verbal and written communication skills are also required. Applicants must be lay members of a LCMS congregation. To apply, please send a resume by mail to: Rev. Dr. Dean Nadasdy, President, Minnesota South District, LCMS, 14301 South Grand Avenue, Burnsville, MN 55306 or by email to [email protected]. To request a position description or other information, please contact Debra Connolly, Assistant to the President, by email at [email protected]. Résumés will be received up to April 1. Minnesota State Pastors Conference, Theme: “The Next Generation” May 12-14, 2014, Maddens Resort. Monday we’ll ask, “What will pastoral formation look like in the next generation.” President Dale Meyer, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Prof. Jeff Pulse, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, presenters. LCMS President Matt Harrison will preach Monday night and on Tuesday present his thoughts on the LCMS in the next generation. Wednesday morning, David Kinnaman (author, unChristian and You Lost Me) will help us reach the next generation of millennials inside and outside the church. MNS District DCEs, DCOs, and deaconesses will join us for this Wednesday session. Special events are being planned for pastor’s wives. Registration materials and other information about the upcoming State Pastoral Conference is posted on our website, www.mns.lcms.org under “Upcoming Gatherings > Minnesota State Pastors Conference.” Emeritus Pastors will be receiving their registration materials by mail. Other pastors that would prefer a mailed packet should contact Debra at [email protected] or by phone at 952-223-2158 (direct dial). The Constitution Committee will meet April 11 to review new and revised constitutions for approval by the Board of Directors during their May meeting. If you have documents that you wish to have reviewed please send five (5) hard copies to the chairman of the committee by the deadline which is April 1, 2014. Please use the following address: Rev. Evan G. Schiller, Chairman / 1105 7th Ave SW / Pipestone, MN 56164. $10,000 in scholarships Offered to Lutheran Students by Bethesda Lutheran Communities. Click here for info. LCMS Foundation is seeking a Gift Planning Counselor I for Iowa East, and a part of Minnesota South District. Deadline for application March 22, 2014. Click here for more info. 2014 Poehler Lecture, Thurs., March 20, 2014, 7 PM, Graebner Memorial Chapel, CSP. Dr. David Mennicke, “When in our Music God is Glorified” Unpaved, March 28-29, 2014, CSP. Rev. Bill Wrede, Director of Admissions, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis will be in the MNS District April 6-10, 2014. To schedule an appointment call 314-505-7221. Evening At The Timberwolves, Fri., April 11, 2014, 7PM, Target Center. Sponsored by MNS District DCE Assoc. Click here for more information. 31st Annual Jr. Hi. Youth Gathering, “Mourning to Morning”, April 11-12, 2014. Cost 46 bucks. Click here for more information. Pre-retirement Workshop, May 2-3, 9 AM – 3 PM, MNS District Office. All workers under Concordia Plans are invited. (Includes lay workers) S.A.G.E.S. Gathering XXVI, May 5-6, 2014, Best Western, Mankato, Dr. Paul Maier, speaker. Attention churches and church leaders! Help your members and friends receive news from around the MNS District. Please send e-mail addresses, & contact information to the Minnesota South District STEWARDSHIP CORNER (for Bulletins/newsletters) March 23: Lent 3 (Oculi) Luke 11:21-22 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.” Jesus has disarmed Satan in a most unusual way: He has disarmed him by allowing Satan to cast all his weapons into Jesus. Satan has nothing left to attack us with: He spent it all on Jesus. And now Jesus is our Stronger Man. He guards and keeps us and ours – and we have none to fear. STEWARDSHIP NEWSLETTER ARTICLE for April, 2014. RESOURCES Lectionary Illustration: March 23, 2014, Third Sunday In Lent John 4:5-26 THE MEANING OF THIRST Do you know the importance of water to our physical bodies? When our bodies fail to retain the right amount of water, dehydration sets in. It is the water in our body that determines the vitality, strength, and energy associated with daily living. Think about these facts associated with our body and water: -The human body is ⅔ water. -The body absorbs cold water faster than hot water. -By the time you are 70years-old, you will have required 1½ million gallons of water. -Studies show that increasing water consumption can decrease fat deposits. -Water is a natural appetite suppressant. -If you lose 2% of your body’s water supply, your energy will decrease by 20%. A 10% decrease in water, you will be unable to walk, and a 20% decrease – you’re dead. You get the point. And what is true of the physical is also true of the spiritual. Because God has made you with a spirit, soul, and body that get thirsty, if you fail to satisfy that thirst, your spirit, soul, and body become dehydrated. Do you know where to look for satisfaction? Check out John 4:10 CHURCH LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES: Articles and media from a variety of resources to raise your awareness and assist you in your leadership. Church Transfusion | Neil Cole and Phil Helfer Church Transfusion: Changing Your Church Organically From the Inside Out Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, CA, 2012. 219 pages. (Click on the book cover for the review) MINISTERIAL HEALTH RESOURCES Lutheran Hour Ministries offers daily devotions. Be Well Rewards Program Now Open! Need a Christian counselor? Check out the listing of counselors. Ministerial Health resources Recovery issues? In need of support? Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy. Weekly on-line meetings. Completely anonymous for clergy only. Every Thursday, noon central time. IN OUR PRAYERS: -Circuit 11, Lake Pepin, Rev. Dr. Scott Fiege, circuit visitor. For map of circuits/regions click here. -Rev. Mark Shockey and family. His mother passed away recently. Do you have an outreach/ministry story to share? Please send to the Minnesota South District. Ready for Your Health Screening? What: The health screening includes: • Total Cholesterol • BMI (height/weight ratio) • Glucose • Blood Pressure • LDL • HDL • Triglycerides Members have the option of the fasting (8 hours) or non-fasting biometric. The non- fasting test does not include results for triglycerides. When: 7:00 a.m. until 12 Noon Tuesday, May 13 & Wednesday, May 14 Where: Pillsbury Room – Town Hall Conference Center How: Register for your health screening when checking in at the Minnesota State Pastors Conference Cost: • Free to Concordia Health Plan members • NonCHP members: $42 for a non-fasting biometric and $44 for a fasting biometric (checks payable to Concordia Plan Services) It only takes 20 minutes to get a health screening and review your results with a health coach. Plus, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and HDL numbers are needed for the health assessment that is required to participate in the 2014 Be Well Rewards program. All results are confidential.