Executive Minister's
Report
2004 District Conference
"Every time you
cross my mind,
I break out in exclamation of thanks to God.
Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer.
I find myself praying for you with a glad heart.
I am so pleased that you have continued in this with us,
believing and proclaiming God's Message,
from the day you heard it right up to the present."
Philippians 1:3-5 (The Message)
As I complete my 10th year of service in the
Northern Indiana District, this report will include reflections
and celebrations over this ten year period.
- I celebrate long-tenured pastors. Ten
pastors within our district have served 10 years or
longer in their current congregation: Bob Rice, Don
Shankster, Tom Hostetler, Roger Eberly, Craig Myers,
David Bibbee, Mike Overpeck, Tony Schneiders, Alice
Archer, and Dan Petry. We thank you for your commitment
to your congregations and this district.
- I celebrate our district's openness to women in
ministry. Twelve women are currently serving in
pastoral roles while another dozen have served during the
past ten years. 60% of our congregations have, in the
past 10 years, had a woman as pastor or interim pastor or
have licensed or ordained a woman to ministry. Beyond
that 10 year period that number rises to around 70%.
- I celebrate those who are being called to
ministry. During the past 10 years we have
called 73 individuals from 38
congregations to be licensed to ministry. 24 of
those have been ordained in this district and some were
later ordained in other districts. Some have tested the
call and decided not to pursue ordained ministry, and 19
continue to be licensed ministers. May we continue to be
congregations that call out gifted individuals to test
their call to ministry.
- I celebrate all who have provided pastoral
leadership in this district. According to my
record book, I have participated in 57 installation
services over the past 10 years. Several of those pastors
have been with us for 9+ years and several were with us
for only a few years, but all have touched the lives of
individuals and congregations.
- I celebrate our interim pastors who
serve for a few months or a couple of years but who
assist congregations in the midst of transition. I don't
have a record of how many interims there have been but I
know Northern Indiana has been blessed by many excellent
interims.
- I celebrate the lay leadership in our
congregations. Each year thousands of
individuals provide leadership within our congregations
serving on Church Boards, Commissions, Leadership Teams,
Sunday School or Bible study teachers, deacons and
caregivers, musicians, search committee members, Annual
and District Conference delegates, and the list goes on.
Thank you for building up the body of Christ.
- I celebrate our unique and diverse congregations.
We are rural and urban, small and larger, conservative
and progressive - all with important ministries to their
members, their community and beyond. In every
congregation, I have been made to feel welcome and I have
celebrated both the traditional and unique aspects of
congregational ministries. While each
congregation desires to grow, I have found that size need
not limit effective ministry. During the past 10 years,
1/3 of our congregations have been involved in building
projects or major capital improvements - all for the
Glory of God and our Neighbors Good.
- I celebrate our district leadership. I
have been honored to work with 12 excellent
Moderator/Moderator-elects and 7 different Board Chairs.
In addition, hundreds have been involved on District
Board, Commissions, Committees, Task Teams and various
appointments. Northern Indiana District is blessed with
many volunteer leaders who share with us a variety of
gifts. I also express appreciation to
the other members of our district staff. Keith Carter
brings energy and enthusiasm to a very part-time Youth
Ministry position. Sandy Adams has completed 9 years as
Office Manager, adding her writing and computer gifts to
a district communication ministry. Ann McNerney completed
10 years as District Resource Coordinator in March of
this year. In her ½ time position she connects
congregations and leadership persons with resources to
enhance their ministry.
- I celebrate a spirit of generosity that
permeates Northern Indiana District. Per capita giving in
this district is 3rd among all 23 districts.
Per capita giving to the General Board is 2nd
among the 23 districts. Total giving to Bethany Seminary
ranks us 2nd among the districts, while
support for On Earth Peace and ABC is 3rd and
4th respectively. Your support of district
ministry has been solid over the past years, and your
response to our financial crisis in early 2003 was
awesome and has continued strong in the first half of
2004. Thank you for supporting Church of the Brethren
ministry beyond your local congregation.
- Most of all, I celebrate our God who blesses us
with grace, forgiveness, and love; who creates us in
God's own image as creative and generous people. I
celebrate Jesus the Christ who came in the flesh to make
God real and to teach us how to live together as God's
people. I celebrate the Holy Spirit who inspires and
guides us into new truths. I celebrate the church as we
continue the work of Jesus.
I thank you for your support and encouragement throughout the
past ten years, and especially during this past year. It has been
an honor to work and serve with you in the ministries of this
district and to equip our family of churches for service to
build up the Body of Christ.
May we continue to experience the blessings of
God
as we continue to grow
to become all that God has created us to be.
Herman Kauffman