Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 148

2026 Convention Workbook
113
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
During this triennium, we have been acting upon Synod and 
district convention resolutions concerning reaching out into our 
communities with Jesus’ love, church worker wellness, promoting 
a culture of life, encouraging and recruiting pastors and other pro-
fessional church workers, and more.
How are we reaching out into our communities? Rev. Dr. B. 
Keith Haney conducts “Art of Neighboring” workshops and vision-
ing workshops to help individuals and congregations see how they 
can be neighbors in their communities and bring people to hear the 
Word of God in our churches. Mrs. Julie Mann assists congrega -
tions in establishing Swaddling Clothes ministries as well as Lu-
theran Early Response Teams (LERT). The district reaches out to 
hurting families and congregations with our LERT training and vol-
unteers and has recently served homes and churches in our district 
impacted by tornados and flooding. LERT volunteers also traveled 
to Concordia Seminary to help clear trees and debris following a 
tornado. Our district also supports Orphan Grain Train.
What about church worker wellness and mental health issues? In 
addition to our two annual professional church worker conferences, 
we have begun an annual Mutual Consolation of the Brethren gath-
ering initiated and led by Rev. Chad Dietrich. We are renewing our 
emphasis among pastors on regularly attending our monthly circuit 
winkels. We host an annual pastors’ wives’ retreat at Camp Oko-
boji. We passed a resolution to encourage every congregation to 
enact sexual abuse prevention strategies. We’ve devoted 3 percent 
of our entire district budget to expand staff and resources of Lu-
theran Family Service under the care and direction of Rev. Max 
Phillips and Ms. Wanda Pritzel. Rev. Phillips shares that Lutheran 
Family Service is the oldest service organization in Iowa, having 
been organized in 1901. Its mission includes bringing comfort to 
those who have had an abortion, those who are unexpectedly preg-
nant, those suffering mental health challenges, and others in need. 
Rev. Jonathan Conner leads seminars encouraging appropriate use 
of social media. Also, we have begun regular circuit visitor Zoom 
meetings followed by in-person meetings to discuss opportunities 
and issues as we walk together, because Christ is risen indeed!
What about promoting a culture of life? Our district convention 
passed a resolution supporting and encouraging adoptions. Pastors 
travel to our state capital to discuss life issues and legislation with 
state government officials at lunch and learns and also Pastors Day 
on the Hill. Revs. Cory Kroonblawd and Paul Schulz are actively 
planning activities prior to and alongside the annual Iowa March 
for Life.
How are we encouraging and recruiting pastors and other pro-
fessional church workers? Our 35 preschools serve over 1,400 chil-
dren. Our eight Lutheran schools are each increasing in enrollment. 
By God’s grace, with our schools bringing Jesus Christ to God’s 
dear children, He may lead more into professional church work. 
The district has distributed over $250,000 in aid again this year 
to 18 district students attending our Concordia universities and 
seminaries. Also, our district provides a generous fund available 
for church workers to help with debt reduction. How about music 
among God’s children? David’s Harp is a recognized service orga-
nization of the Synod that is helping raise the next generation of 
church musicians in local congregations. It began in the district, at 
St. Paul, Council Bluffs, several years ago.
Our district office has recently experienced major transitions in 
staffing. From those retiring: District President Steve Turner (after 
10 years) to Paul Egger; Administrative Assistant Mrs. Sue Light 
(46) to Mrs. Emilie Jensen; District President Administrative Assis-
ified and wise administrators who lead competent and caring fac-
ulties. The directors of Christian education and deaconesses fulfill 
their calling with determination and commitment to Holy Writ so 
that our children and young adults may be equipped to withstand 
Satan’s assaults and give a clear testimony to the world of who 
Jesus is and the salvation that He has earned for us.
The rural areas of Iowa are continuing to decline in popula-
tion. Our rural congregations are valiantly remaining committed to 
reaching out to those who yet may live nearby. Adjustments and ar-
rangements with sister congregations to share a pastor are difficult 
considerations. Yet they bravely make decisions they need to so 
they may continue to be present in their local communities. 
Concerted efforts at church worker recruitment are bearing fruit. 
Partnering with the Synod office supplying us with materials and 
resources, we have seen an increase in students going to our Con-
cordia universities as well as young men heading off to one of our 
two seminaries. As was said above, we can only give thanks and 
praise to the Lord of the Church for answering our prayers to send 
more workers into the harvest field. 
In convention this past year, the Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann guided 
the assembly with a wonderful presentation on the topic “The Word 
of God Leads Us Through Life.” It was a time of worship, study, 
reports, and reflection on what we have been given in the Church 
and how each congregation and membership can communicate that 
message to the communities we live in. We have the holy treasures 
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our pastors preach “Christ Jesus and Him 
Crucified” with clarity. Our schools prepare our children rightly. 
We have everything Pentecost has given the Church in every era. 
We have work to do, and by God’s grace and strength we will do 
it. God help us all and bless us with the promise of eternal life in 
Christ Jesus our Lord. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Brian S. Saunders, President
R29
Iowa District West
One hundred sixty-five congregations comprise Iowa District 
West. Interstate 35, with a few exceptions, serves as our eastern 
border.
Our 2025 district convention convened under the theme “One 
generation commends Your works to another” (Psalm 145). LCMS 
President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison preached during our opening 
Divine Service, “The Word of God is living and active!”
District President Rev. Dr. Steve Turner expressed gratitude and 
love for the delegates and for the opportunity to serve as the district 
president for 10 years. He spoke of the strides our district has made 
in ethnic ministries, in partnerships between congregations, and in 
support for God’s mission. “Our strength does not lie in us, but in 
the grace and peace that comes from Jesus Christ.”
Our convention essayist, the Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich of Con-
cordia University, St. Paul, spoke of the changing of generations. 
President Friedrich told the story of his family’s history in the dis-
trict. “While times are changing, our theology and confession do 
not change.”
The Rev. Paul Egger was elected president of Iowa West Dis-
trict on the first ballot. The Rev. Jonathan Riggert was elected first 
vice-president and the Rev. Benjamin Dose, second vice-president, 
also on first ballots.