One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism;
Ephesians 4:5
Article by Rev. Mark Brase
Under the theme "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, the delegates of the Iowa District East (IDE) congregations came together at the 36th Convention of the IDE-LCMS in Cedar Rapids on June 23rd & 24th. Gathered around the Word, we sat at the feet of the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ, and were taught of the one faith into which we were joined through the waters of one baptism.
Christ joins us not only to Himself, but to one another in His body by the work of the Holy Spirit through His Word and Sacrament. United in Christ, we live out our baptism because that is who God has made us. The unity which Christ brings through forgiveness and life given in His Word and Sacrament is evidenced in the unity of faith, taught and practiced, which overflows into the world in acts of mercy. All of this gives witness to the world of God’s love and grace for all people. This One Message of salvation in Christ through His Word & Sacrament unites us as One People redeemed for the One Mission of living out our faith as a witness by telling the good news about Jesus, by acts of mercy for our fellow man and by our service to one another.
This message was conveyed to delegates by: Rev. Matthew Harrison, the essayist; Rev. Dr. Robert King, LCMS 4th Vice-president; Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, LCMS President (via DVD); Rev. Dr. Gary Arp, IDE President; and Rev. Brian Saunders, Convention Chaplain.
The duties of the convention include elections and the passing of resolutions. The following were elected:
President-Rev. Dr. Gary Arp;
1st VP-Rev. Dr. Matthew Rueger;
2nd VP-Rev. Brian Saunders;
Secretary-Rev. Dean Duncan;
Treasurer-Mrs. Lois Mulbrook;
Board of Directors: Dr. Carl Egger, Lay; Miss Andrea Koenig, Commissioned;
Nominations Committee: Mr. Jerry Dusek & Mr. Stan Rogers, Lay; Rev. David Rempfer & Rev. David Zimmer, Ordained; Mr. John Bremer, Commissioned;
Constitution Review Committee-Rev. Tim Eckert & Rev. Gary Sears;
2007 Synodical Convention Nominating Committee-Rev. Dean Rothchild.
Along with approving the updated Bylaws, the convention passed resolutions encouraging congregations to use the “Living the Life of the Baptized” vocational materials and “Growing in Christ” Sunday School curriculum, to support POBLO, to consider participation in “Fan the Flame,” to keep full-time pastors, and to adopt the Salary Study Committee guidelines. Congregations were also encouraged in theologically sound worship for communicating the truth of God’s Word by using the Lutheran Service Book. Also approved were the consideration of staffing and structural changes, such as, considering the sharing of an education executive with Iowa West, exploring district funding for U of I hospital part-time chaplain, revising the process for filling vacancies on the IDE BOD and recommending a task force to study the restructuring of the district.
Other highlights of the convention included special introductions and/or presentations, such as Curt Ketelson from the Ministry to the Deaf in Davenport, Yi Xin (via video) and Martin, international students at the University of Iowa, a letter from Rev. Petkunas, greetings from IDE LWML President Kathy Schweer and IDE LLL President Keith Schmidt, Paul Berg from Concordia Publishing House, a Ministry to the Blind DVD, Rev. Brian Friedrich, President of Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, and Jason Toenges, St. Paul Chapel’s trip to Palanga, Carole White, LCEF Vice-president and Rev. Terry Small, Interim Director of Camp Iodiseca.
Special thanks are extended to the host congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church; her pastors, Rev. Jonathan Offt & Rev. Parker Knolls; Congregational Chairman, John Rodewald; Convention Chairman, Randy Oxley; and Trinity’s members who served as greeters, pages and office workers. Thanks!
With the Memorial and Installation Service, the convention closed. Again united in the Word of God, the delegates saw the installation of the officers and remembered the IDE church workers who were called to glory in the last triennium. While we in the Church Militant abide in Christ and are joined to Him through His Word and Sacrament, they enjoy the Church Triumphant and abide in Christ’s presence. Together, we have one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
