Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R35
- Report title
- R35 Missouri District
- Workbook start page
- 119
- Workbook end page
- 120
- Source pages
- 119, 120
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R35 Missouri District The Missouri District is comprised of 286 congregations, with 106,686 baptized and approximately 84,214 communicant mem - bers. Its 99 educational ministries serve approximately 13,710 en- rolled students from early childhood through high school. There are also 1,704 rostered church workers serving in congregations, schools, recognized service organizations, and Synod entities. Dis- trict missions focus on church planting; multiethnic, urban, rural, and small-town missions; campus ministries; and military outreach as our congregations seek to reach our mission field of more than three million people. A. Missouri District 22nd Convention The district held its 22nd regular convention under the theme “Bold Hope in Christ,” drawn from 2 Cor. 3:12. The convention essayist was Rev. Dr. Kevin Golden, associate professor of exeget- ical theology, dean of theological research and publication, and di- rector of resident field education at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Special guests included LCMS First Vice-President Rev. Peter K. Lange, who served as preacher at the opening Divine Service and gave a report highlighting key ministry efforts across the Synod with a video from President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, and LCMS Second Vice-President Rev. Benjamin T. Ball, who assisted in the opening service and report by responding to questions on a variety of topics related to church life and mission. In his report to the convention, District President Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan highlighted four critical targets for the 2025–28 trienni- um: Church Worker Recruitment and Retention, Discipleship in the Home, Mission Field: Missouri, and Leadership Development, all rooted in the overarching theme of “Bold Hope in Christ.” The convention included a series of videos, including one shown during Hagan’s report, as well as videos on campus ministry, mul- tiethnic ministry, SHINE!, our seminaries, Lutheran schools, and family ministry. Delegates adopted Res. 4-01, which realigned cir- cuits across the district in an effort to bring circuits into conformity with the Synod requirements for electoral circuits. The convention 2026 Convention Workbook 120 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS (Res. 6-02A). Scholarships for men and women enrolled in church work programs at our Concordia universities and seminaries have increased (Res. 7-06B). In addition, the district board of directors has expanded student-loan repayment assistance for ordained and commissioned ministers (Res. 12-03A). The majority of district congregations average fewer than 50 worshipers on a weekend and more than 70 percent are in multi-par- ish relationships. These congregations care deeply for one another and actively seek ways to provide mutual support. The district con- tinues to work with the Office of National Mission to “aid small congregations and multi-congregation pastors and parishes” (Res. 1-02A). The district has a rich heritage of supporting life as a gift of God from cradle to grave. Congregations continue to support Lutherans For Life groups, local crisis pregnancy centers, and efforts to “pro- mote a culture of life” throughout the district (Res. 3-01). We also give thanks for our Lutheran schools (Res. 12-04A). Though the district has only six K–8 schools due to the number of small congregations, these schools receive strong support. During his visits, the president consistently encouraged support for Luther- an schools and teachers, as well as strong catechetical instruction— especially in the home (Res. 12-05A)—with the goal of fostering a next generation of Lutherans who know and live the faith. During the triennium, the district board of directors developed a new tool to assist in evaluating the district’s four subsidized congre- gations. The board seeks to be faithful stewards of the Lord’s gifts while identifying additional opportunities for Gospel proclamation. The new district triennium (2025–28) began with the theme “I am not ashamed of the gospel” (Rom. 1:16). We gave thanks to God for the faithful service and 19-year presidency of Rev. Terry Forke. The district elected and welcomed the Rev. Ryan D. Wendt as its ninth president. C. Strengths The district remains remarkably homogenous and evangelical in its dedication to the truth of God’s Word and the Lutheran Confes- sions. The ministerium demonstrates genuine love and care for one another, and the people of God are generous with their time and gifts. Congregational offerings to the district continue to increase, schools are growing, and the lamp is not hidden under a bushel in Montana. D. Weaknesses While the congregations of the district are predominantly small, they are also widely dispersed geographically. Pastors in the district cover extensive territory, and many serve in relative isolation. In- creasingly, it seems that pastors are reluctant to serve in multi-parish settings or to heed the Lord’s call to serve congregations many hun- dreds of miles from home and family. Some 50 percent of the active pastors in the district are already at retirement age or will reach it within the next five years. Although several younger pastors were welcomed into the district during the past triennium, some proved unable to serve faithfully and were removed from office. Filling pastoral and teaching vacancies has become increasingly difficult. Some 46 percent of retired pastors on the district roster continue to serve vacancies, many of them travel- ing hundreds of miles over a weekend. The need for more seminary-trained capable pastors and certified Lutheran teachers who are eager and willing to serve is a pressing and ongoing concern for the district. Missouri. Training workshops for elders and other congregational leaders will be held throughout the district during the triennium. Mission Field: Missouri training workshops will also be offered to congregations to support their efforts in reaching out to their communities. A “Tell the Next Generation” Conference was held in November 2025 to support family discipleship. D. Changes to District Staff The district executive staff had two significant additions since its last convention. Joshua Swartz began serving as the director of schools on July 1, 2022. His leadership and support of Lutheran schools and the introduction of MOScholars has been particular - ly important. Peter Kirby joined the staff as the executive direc - tor of congregational services in January 2023, overseeing support for congregations and the survey process of calling congregations. The district is blessed with the leadership of veteran staff members who are dedicated to the support of the congregations, schools, and church workers they are called to serve. The district has been operating without the leadership of its elected president, R. Lee Hagan, since his stroke in July 2025. Craig Otto, the elected first vice-president of the district, has been serving as interim president for most of the triennium so far. We continue to pray for President Hagan’s recovery and return to his position when he is ready. R. Lee Hagan, President Craig D. Otto, Interim President