Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R43
- Report title
- R43 Northwest District
- Workbook start page
- 127
- Workbook end page
- 128
- Source pages
- 127, 128
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R43 Northwest District The apostle Paul spoke of the dismal state the Church would be in “if Christ has not been raised,” saying, “then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). However, we are not only a people united in Baptism to the death of Jesus. “If we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom. 6:6). This is true since “indeed Christ has been raised” (1 Cor. 15:20), and in Bap- tism, so are we. Christ Is Risen Indeed. Therefore, we who live “no longer live for [ourselves] but for him who for [our] sake died and was raised” (2 Cor. 5:15). Grateful that our abbreviation among the LCMS districts is NOW, raising up servant leaders to live for the risen Christ is a task we find immediately before us, “now.” A. Raising Up and Equipping Leaders A.1. NOW Leadership Initiative (NOW LI) Our Leadership Initiative (NOW LI) began in 2021 to invite ministries across the district to identify servant leadership charac - teristics and behaviors, naming them in people and saying, “I see in you,” so that those individuals are encouraged to step into new roles of leadership. Bible studies, accompanying podcasts, and videos provide resources for congregations to engage in NOW LI. A.2. Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) We are now well into the next phase of Youth Leadership Ini- tiative (YLI). Our YLI effort studied church workers across the in Belize and the Belize Mission Society, the district is actively working in this Central American nation for the proclamation of the Gospel, the care of those in need, and the planting of Lutheran con- gregations. To encourage involvement in the mission of Jesus, the district has sponsored mission trips that include members of various district congregations serving together. Of great excitement was the building and dedication of a playground in Siene Beight, near Christ Lutheran Church, in October 2025 through the Hearts for Jesus offering from our district schools, congregations, and individuals. Hearts for Jesus has been around for decades in the LCMS, support- ing Lutheran mission and human care, especially through Lutheran schools. Location: The district offices have been located on the campus of CUC since August 2022. We have partnered in education, confer- ences, and various church gatherings. Each year the district office has had students who serve as student workers. These workers see the work of the church at large and are very helpful. Together with CUC, we hosted the November 2024 meeting of the LCMS Council of Presidents. Wellness: We have a church work care team that assists our workers, on a non-professional basis, with the challenges our church workers are facing. Healthy church workers help create healthier ministries, along with healthy lay leadership. We desire to retain and strengthen the workers we have. The district is grateful to be part- nering with Concordia Plan Services for the addition of a part-time staff position, a wellness officer. Visitation: Since the front line of our work in the district hap- pens in congregations, schools, and ministries, the staff spends much time and many resources visiting, listening, encouraging, and as- sisting in the joys and challenges of church life. Circuit visitors and vice-presidents of the district are also involved in visitation. How blessed we are to be a church rich in the Word of God, committed to our Lutheran Confessions, and giving thanks for opportunities to im- pact our communities with the power and presence of Jesus and His Holy Gospel. Lord, keep the devil far from us and keep us humble! Urban Ministry: In 2026, the district is engaged with the Lu- theran Church Extension Fund as we embark with a Ministry Clarity Process in our East Region. This region of the district consists of Chicago and the collar counties. It has been noted that in the last 20 years, we have seen much decline in attendance in this region, and many of the congregations in the East Region have or could close. This is especially concerning because this is where most of the peo- ple are in our district, and most of them are living and dying without Christ. The goal is to engage and encourage our existing congrega - tions to look for new ministry opportunities and partnerships and to find Spirit-given renewal. The district seeks a strategy and more comprehensive plan for Chicago ministry and mission. 2025 Convention: March 7–8, 2025, was the 61st Convention of the district. The theme was Stronger Together: Co-Workers for the Kingdom of God (Col. 4:7–17). Our relationships in the Body of Christ, regardless of our roles and titles, are significant as con- fessional Lutherans who are committed to the mission of Jesus. It is the kingdom of God, not our personal kingdoms. The Lord sets the agenda for the Church, and He graciously puts us together in our roles for His purpose and glory. The kingdom centers on Jesus and His work and Word! At the convention, we were honored to serve as hosts and hear from President Matthew Harrison, various district presidents, listen to a presentation by a seasoned pastor and teacher and a new pastor 2026 Convention Workbook 128 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS to invite the leadership of believers from all ethnicities. D. Supporting LCMS Pastoral Formation In light of the continual challenge to provide pastors for our con- gregations (we face vacancy rates of 25–30 percent, which is 10–15 percent higher than the Synod average) and in keeping with 2023 Res. 6-02A, “To Encourage Proper Pastoral Formation through Our Synod’s Seminaries,” our district has invested in the distance education pastoral formation programs of our Synod seminaries. Even as we continue to send men to residential study at our Synod seminaries, we have made a commitment to fund tuition grants for students entering Center for Hispanic Studies, Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology, Specific Ministry Pastor, and Cross-Cultural Ministry Center because we recognize that the congregations uti- lizing these avenues to provide for pastoral ministry are often the congregations least in position to afford calling a full-time pastor to fill that need. We have found these distance avenues for pastoral formation to be a tremendous blessing for the district and for our Synod. E. Summary These are simply a few of our initiatives. As all LCMS districts do, we are continually seeking to resource and support our congre- gations, schools, and church workers. We have 240 congregations, 22 elementary schools, 4 high schools, and 85 early childhood programs across the district, which includes four states (Washing- ton, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska) and a church in Hong Kong. With the largest geographic reach of any LCMS district, and being the fifth most ministries, we have a variety of challenges and endless oppor- tunities as we carry the good news that Christ is risen; He is risen indeed. Michael T. V on Behren, President