Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R22
- Report title
- R22 California-Nevada-Hawaii District
- Workbook start page
- 106
- Workbook end page
- 107
- Source pages
- 106, 107
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R22 California-Nevada-Hawaii District The California-Nevada-Hawaii District (CNH) encompasses 2026 Convention Workbook 107 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS es in CID’s staff. The Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb moved to modified (part-time) service for the district on Sept. 1, continuing to work in evangelism. Taking up his former activities in missions is new staff member Rev. Patrick Gumz, M.B.A., who doubles as the CID office’s business manager. Stewardship responsibilities have been assumed by the district’s campus pastor at Illinois State University, the Rev. William Jensen. Also, Rev. Charles Olander retired from his position as planned giving counselor at the end of 2025. Mr. Trip Rodgers continues as assistant to the president for Con- gregational Life and Education. Mr. Hugh Shown serves as office bookkeeper, as well as in a variety of other ways. Mrs. Amy Holmes works on a deployed basis in district communications. They have provided continuity in our work, along with Mrs. Christine Ander- son and Mrs. Susan Short, the staff of the Central Illinois District Church Extension Fund. CID has also been served by capable volunteer coordinators in several areas: the Rev. Rodney Blomquist in Prison Ministry, Mr. David Ward in Life Ministry, and until recently Mr. Stephen Born and Dr. Cynthia Steinwedel in Disaster Response (LERT). We ap- preciate their valuable contributions. In consultation with Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ, CID developed a set of “Witnessing Helps” to assist congregations in teaching the four witnessing skills specified in the Synod’s 2023 Res. 1-01A, “To Stimulate Training for Witness”: (1) beginning an evangelistic conversation, (2) listening discerningly to un- churched people, (3) making a simple statement of the Gospel, and (4) defending the resurrection. These Witnessing Helps and associated materials may be found online at cidlcms.org/outreach- witness-ministry.html. Since 2022, CID has cooperated with the Southern Illinois District and, specifically, one of its northernmost congregations (Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Farmersville) in offering a Small Church Summit. It meets twice a year, winter and summer, in various locations in the two districts, offering an opportunity for edification, learning, networking, and mutual encouragement. On two occasions its keynote speaker was from the Synod’s Office of National Mission (ONM). This is one way of carrying out 2023 Res. 1-02A, “To Aid Small Congregations and Multi-Congregation Pastors and Parishes.” The CID board of directors has not yet established a wellness plan for workers and their families, per 2023 Res. 1-06A. However, the district was the first to cooperate with Concordia Plan Services, which has made monetary grants available to districts to enhance church worker wellness. As a result, information on the Vitality program is soon to be released within CID, and one person in the district is on the way to certification as a mental health first aid trainer. CID is honored to have been involved by ONM in field-test - ing “Beyond the Classroom.” This is an adaptation of the existing re:Vitality “Connect to Disciple” module specifically designed for congregations that have Lutheran schools—elementary, secondary, or preschool. It helps the congregations reach out to unchurched family members of school pupils. We will be thrilled to see it upon its general release. Training for Lutheran school administrators, entry-level and on- going, has been a priority. CID continues to offer increased admin- istrative leadership opportunities through Future Lutheran Admin- istrators Mentoring and Education (FLAME). Since 2023, it has working to identify and develop leaders, partner in clarity and coaching, and assist in mission expansion. C. Notable Executive Staff Support • Rev. Paul Ferguson has shown expertise in mission lead - ership, offering an upgraded mission granting system and quality professional coaching. He also facilitates congrega - tional clarity work. • Mr. Joel Wahlers, our education executive, took the lead in developing our first All Workers’ Conference in recent his- tory; he facilitates the accreditation of our schools and has become our governance guru. • Ms. Denise Lo, operations executive, has consistently as- sured high fiscal accountability and displays an increasing adaptability as more properties come into the temporary or permanent ownership of the district. • Rev. Allen Steinbeck provides valuable support and leader - ship in Transitional Interim Ministry and his special assign- ments. • Mr. Matt Molinari, a long-term commissioned worker of the district, has functioned with high relational skills enhancing the LCEF district vice-president role. Operating under the mission statement of We strengthen God’ s people to serve and bear witness to Christ, the district thanks God for the ongoing growth of our single high school in Carson City, Nev., which just completed a major building addition. We thank God for the continued relief work of our congregations and leaders as well as the generosity of God’s people as we reach into our com- munity with the love of Christ during times of disaster, the most de- structive disaster of this triennium being the devastating fire in the town of Lahaina on Maui and the loss of many lives. We thank God for faithful partners like LCMS Disaster Relief, Lutheran Church Charities, Orphan Grain Train, and LCEF. We strive by His grace to live into our mission statement: We strengthen God’ s people to serve and bear witness to Christ. Michael R. Lange, President