Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ holds its national gathering in Denver
Representatives of the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) met in Denver, Colorado, October 7-10, 2012, for their 12th Annual Gathering. With membership expansion to almost 800 congregations and 325,000 members, the LCMC has had to find larger quarters for its yearly meeting (having outgrown even its largest congregational buildings). So the gathering was held at the Denver International Airport and Convention Center.
The gathering attracted more than 1,000 delegates and visitors from the United States and Canada, along with international visitors from Europe and Africa. The central theme of the gathering was, “Ambassadors for Christ” (based on 2 Corinthians 5:16-21), and attendees were urged in plenary discussions and in workshops to orient their congregations in outreach to the unchurched in the world.
This theme was continually emphasized by the convention keynote speakers, the Rev. Dr. Gemechis Buba, mission director, North American Lutheran Church; the Rev. Dr. Reggie McNeal, missional leadership specialist, Leadership Network, Dallas, Texas; and the Rev. Mike Breen, a missional leadership leader and consultant. Attendees at the gathering also participated in numerous and varied worship opportunities, as well as over 25 workshops and breakout sessions, many of which were directly related to the conference theme.
In terms of its annual business, the LCMC adopted a 2013 budget of $989,610, and approved a number of changes and updates to the group’s bylaws. The gathering recognized the service of outgoing members of the LCMC Board of Trustees, the Rev. Bruce Wilder, Albuquerque, New Mexico; the Rev. John Waak, Victoria, Texas; and the Rev. Kirk Dean (treasurer), Fargo, North Dakota.
Laurel Swanson, Altoona, Iowa, was elected at large as the new LCMC treasurer. Newly elected to the Board of Trustees were the Rev. Sean S. Kelly, San Diego, California, and the Rev. Enrique Estrada, Monterrey, Mexico. Also, the Rev. Stephen L. Anenson, Story City, Iowa, was chosen to serve on the ministry board, replacing Rev. Tim White, Columbus, Nebraska.
Tags: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Ambassadors for Christ, Bruce Wilder, Enrique Estrada, Gemechis Buba, John Waak, Kirk Dean, Laurel Swanson, LCMC, Leadership Network, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, Mike Breen, North American Lutheran Church, Reggie McNeal, Rev. Bruce Wilder, Rev. Dr. Gemechis Buba, Rev. Dr. Reggie McNeal, Rev. Enrique Estrada, Rev. John Waak, Rev. Kirk Dean, Rev. Mike Breen, Rev. Sean S. Kelly, Rev. Stephen L. Anenson, Rev. Tim White, Sean S. Kelly, Stephen L. Anenson, Tim White
