Reflections on the Ohio District Convention#1

Blessings in Jesus Christ,

From June 8th through the 10th, I attended the Ohio District Convention in Dublin, Ohio. My congregation, St. John, Strongsville, submitted 9 overtures, non of which passed at the Convention (The overtures were suggested by Consensus). My goal was to bring up for discussion on the floor of the Convention significant issues that still plague our District and our Synod. I was told right after the Convention that District Conventions are not the place for these type of overtures. I must respectfully disagree. I think District Conventions are the perfect place to discuss our issues of disagreement. One of the overtures that we submitted dealt with Closed Communion and the need for us to continue to practice it. This resolution overwhelmingly failed. I am curious how a resolution about Closed Communion can fail at a District Convention, seeing that it has always been Lutheran practice. Nevertheless, we will continue to press on.

Generally, I was encouraged by the Convention. I got the opportunity to meet other pastors committed to Confessional Lutheranism. It is my hope- and the plans are already in the works- to have more congregations submit overtures in 2009. If you or your congregation would like to assist St. John, please contact me.

After the Convention, I am committed more than ever to Confessional Lutheranism in Cleveland and throughout Ohio. I also have hope, after the Convention, that our District will return to a more confessional position in the future. We have a lot of work to do. May God bless us now and always.

In Christ's service,

Pastor Jim Haugen