Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 145

2026 Convention Workbook
110 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
R26
Florida-Georgia District
The Florida-Georgia District has for more than 75 years been 
known for its focus on the mission of God. This is beautifully sum-
marized in our Bylaws:
Since God’ s mission and ministry occur through local con-
gregations, and it is our desire that every congregation be a 
church in mission; and every man and woman a missionary, 
all working together under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, be 
empowered by His Gospel, to share His Love. Therefore, the 
Vision of the Florida-Georgia District is: Every member ... 
Equipped, Empowered, Engaged ... Connecting People to 
Jesus!
Our district board of directors went through a two-year process 
of prayer, study, discussion, and visioning for its work ahead. Al-
though we live in a day where the Church is faced with many chal-
lenges, the district believes that this is a time for us to remain stead-
fast and bold in our witness that many more might come to saving 
faith. The result was a renewed vision and strategy built around 
four critical ministry targets:
•	 Cultivate the Christian Identity of Every Disciple … as those 
created, loved, redeemed and sent by God;
•	 Support Church Workers and Leaders in Healthy Ministry 
Practices;
•	 Help Congregations Engage Their Communities … moving 
beyond the church doors and becoming actively involved in 
their communities; and
•	 Foster a Sense of Shared District Identity around a Culture 
of Disciple-Making.
The district is diverse, stretching from the Florida Keys to the 
mountains of north Georgia. Despite Lutherans being a minority 
in a sea of denominations and religions, we are joyfully Lutheran, 
proclaiming the message of God’s grace through Christ by faith 
alone. We are committed to sharing this one true hope with all. We 
are committed to standing upon God’s Holy Word and celebrating 
the gift of the Sacraments.
We continue to support campus ministries across our district to 
reach over 690,000 students spread out in our many universities. 
These students are not only being fed on Word and Sacrament but 
equipped and sent as witnesses and leaders for Christ. Financially, 
our district has remained healthy and debt-free. 
We are blessed with a wonderful spirit of unity. Pastors joyful-
ly and faithfully gather for winkel conferences, sharing worship, 
Bible and Confessions study, and brotherly encouragement. Com-
missioned workers gather locally and at our annual conferences. As 
those who are God’s redeemed, we are sent to be a blessing. When 
so many are hurting, struggling, and living outside of God’s grace, 
it is our calling to “share the hope that is within us” (see 1
 Peter 
3:15). Therefore, 
we continue to provide opportunities to equip and 
empower the people of the district to be the leaders that the Church 
needs and to see each opportunity as a “divine appointment” for 
outreach and service to the Lord.
Such equipping is accomplished through pastors’ conferences, 
regional gatherings and workshops, convocations, emergent lead -
er training, treasurer workshops, outreach/evangelism training, the 
Kairos Network, Missionary Pathway Training, and other resourc-
es provided through the district and Synod. Others have been en-
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to Affirm Unequivocally the 
Practice of First Communion Prior to Confirmation as a God-pleas-
ing Practice so as to Encourage Member Congregations and Pastors 
of the English District to Recognize the Validity of the Aforemen-
tioned Practice and, On That Basis, Commune Visiting Children 
Who, Though Not Yet Confirmed, Are Nevertheless Communicant 
Members in Good Standing and Who, Therefore, Should Not Be 
Denied the Lord’s Body and Blood Because They Have Not Yet 
Been Confirmed
Resolution 1-02B: To State Religious Objection to Government 
Interference of Parents’ Duty
Resolution 1-03S: To Request the Commission on Theology 
and Church Relations (CTCR) to Produce a New Document on 
Race
Resolution 2-01: To Affirm and Retain the Seven Mission Pri-
orities of the LCMS
Resolution 2-03: To Memorialize the Synod to Encourage Con-
gregations in the LCMS to Include in Their Annual Mission Bud-
gets Support for a Regional University of the Synod’s Concordia 
University System
Resolution 4-01A: To Request a Comprehensive Review of the 
Theological Concerns and Practical Procedures When a Call Is Ter-
minated or Self-Terminated
F. LCEF and Canada Corporation
A corporation was established in 1954 by English District con-
gregations to make loans to our Canadian congregations. As the 
need for funding grew, and with the blessing of the Canadian con-
gregations of the English District, the LCEF became the sole mem-
ber of the Canadian corporation. This has resulted in the Canadian 
Corporation becoming Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Canada. 
The board of directors includes members of our English District’s 
Canadian congregations. We are excited to see how LCEF—Can-
ada can expand its services to congregations and church workers 
throughout Canada, including congregations and pastors in Lu-
theran Church—Canada. This project has taken four years to ac-
complish, and we are thankful to God for His grace to everyone 
involved in the process.
G. Endowment Fund
The English District Endowment Fund is currently worth about 
$5,000,000 and is bearing fruit each year to support the congre-
gations’ efforts towards new missions, human care/disaster relief, 
campus ministry, church worker debt reduction, and scholarships. 
H. Regional Conferences
A highlight of each year is the round of four regional church 
worker conferences held in September and October. Our church 
workers, mostly pastors, come together for fellowship, education, 
worship, and to hear reports from our bishop and district staff. Top-
ics ranging from our Lord’s resurrection to the history of the Syn-
od’s congregations in Chicago were enjoyed by those in attendance.
I. Living the Baptized Life
The English District joyfully looks to the future for our Lord’s 
appearing, seeking to please Him in all we do for His glorious eter-
nal kingdom.
Jeffrey G. Miskus, President