All Peoples Commission
Resources Library > President’s Office > All Peoples Commission
All Peoples Commission
The mission (true north) of the Northwest District is to help and equip congregations and church workers live fully as committed followers of Jesus to reach the lost, disciple the saved, and be essential participants and witnesses in their communities. The District staff accomplishes this by helping leaders do their best work together.
In June 2022, the Northwest District in Convention approved Resolution 2-09a which directed the Northwest District Board of Directors to find ways to encourage ethnic representation and continue cultural competency in staff and board participation, consultation to district staff, and consideration by our convention nominating committee; and encourage congregations and local ministries to do likewise. As a result, the Board of Directors established the All Peoples Commission as an ad hoc working group (Northwest District Bylaw 6.0) to join the Board of Directors as non-voting members to carry out Resolution 2-09a.
The Commission’s specific purposes are to:
* Engage with key leaders of existing ethnic ministries.
* Make available culturally and linguistically accessible resources for Word and Sacrament ministry outreach in the unique cultural illustrations and context that are most fruitful in reaching the lost and discipling the saved, bringing the good news of Jesus Christ and His love for all people to every culture and ethnicity in the Northwest District.
* Engage with key leaders of existing ethnic ministries.
* Make available culturally and linguistically accessible resources for Word and Sacrament ministry outreach in the unique cultural illustrations and context that are most fruitful in reaching the lost and discipling the saved, bringing the good news of Jesus Christ and His love for all people to every culture and ethnicity in the Northwest District.
The specific terms of completion are that every culture and ethnicity in the Northwest District is identified and exposed to the good news of Jesus Christ and His love for all people.
The Commission has established the following goals:
- Identify and connect with existing cultural and ethnic outreach ministries and their key leaders.
- Identify people who already have “boots on the ground.”
- Identify “people of peace” (gatekeepers to communities) in each context.
- Broaden the Board of Directors’ cultural ministry awareness and raise their understanding of the need to expand ministries into cultures beyond traditional Western European heritage so that all cultural expressions of Lutheran theology and values are recognized and appreciated as equally Lutheran.
- Develop paths or processes that lead church workers and congregations of the Northwest District to understand, appreciate, value, and celebrate the various cultures within our district so that voices of all people groups are represented, affirmed, and acknowledged.
The Commission uses the following strategies:
- Facilitate ongoing conversations with District staff and Regional Vice Presidents to identify existing cultural and ethnic ministries.
- Intentionally expand cultural and ethnic engagement on all District boards and committees.
- Increase cultural and ethnic presence and participation at all District conventions, conferences, gatherings, and functions, including circuit meetings and semi-annual pastors’ conferences.
- Regularly and effectively communicate the Commission’s goals, objectives, and progress through regular District communications and processes.
The Commission is currently compiling a list of ministries and leaders who:
* Lead worship services in languages other than English.
* Lead or facilitate fellowship groups, Bible studies, or other ministries intentionally reaching non-Anglo people, communities, and/or languages (i.e.: Filipino Fellowship at All Nations – Hong Kong).
* Lead worship services in languages other than English.
* Lead or facilitate fellowship groups, Bible studies, or other ministries intentionally reaching non-Anglo people, communities, and/or languages (i.e.: Filipino Fellowship at All Nations – Hong Kong).
The intentional addition of people who bring to each APC and BOD meeting their unique perspective and commitment to serving on the All Peoples Commission (that meets each month), has been a profound blessing to our Board meetings, work, and perspective on behalf of the entire District.
