Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 149

2026 Convention Workbook
114 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
convention.
Following is a brief summary of progress on the major direc -
tives and priorities that have guided our work since the last Synod 
convention:
District Resolutions
2022 Res. 22-01-03, To Encourage Kansas District Con-
gregations to Seek Opportunities to Collaborate and Partner 
to Enhance Mission and Ministry in the Kansas District: The 
Partnership Project was launched in 2020. District congregations, 
schools, and circuits are encouraged to consider ways in which they 
can be “better together” for the sake of advancing the Gospel in 
their location, and that the district identify, refine, and develop re-
sources as needed to support the Partnership Project and encourage 
use of these resources.
2022 Res. 22-02-02, To Recommend and Implement a Rigor-
ous Program of Study in Circuit Winkels: The district president 
provided to all circuit visitors and pastors of the district a template 
for the Traditional Synodical Conference Winkel Model, which 
provides, on a monthly basis, for significant and adequate time de-
voted to (a) the regular, formal study of God’s Word in the original 
languages led by a circuit pastor; (b) the regular, formal study of our 
blessed Confession and/or the Lutheran dogmatic tradition led by 
a circuit pastor; (c) the regular, formal study of an historical, pas-
toral-theological, or polemical topic led by a circuit pastor; and (d) 
regular, formal pastor-led critique of the winkel preacher’s sermon.
2022 Res. 22-03-01, To Encourage the Implementation of 
the Church Worker Care Manual in LCMS Kansas District 
Congregations: The lay leaders of district congregations are en-
couraged to implement the Church Worker Care Manual with their 
pastor(s) and other professional church workers (if applicable) 
within the 2022–25 triennium; and that church worker care teams 
or other appropriate boards or individuals within the congregation 
would focus their efforts on praying for, encouraging, and offering 
respite opportunities for church workers, promoting and supporting 
financially the continuing education of their called workers, and 
providing compensation for church workers that meets or exceeds 
established guidelines in the district.
Synod Priorities
Bylaw 4.4.4, Visitation: We conducted 31 “official” visitations 
in the district since the last convention. The visits were intentional-
ly based on Constitution Article III and Bylaw 4.4.4 (e). Visitation 
in this triennium will also be centered on the same focus.
2023 Res. 1-01A, “To Stimulate Training for Witness”: We are 
using and actively encouraging the use of all re:Vitality resources.
2023 Res. 1-03A, “To Plant More Churches”: Church Plant-
ing Simplified is currently being used with two new church plants.
2023 Res. 6-01, “To Affirm and Strengthen Set Apart to Serve 
in Word and Action”: The district is actively supporting this 
church worker recruitment initiative with prayer and active engage-
ment.
2023 Res. 6-09, “To Recognize and Honor the Pastor’s 
Wife”: We recognized all church workers and their anniversaries 
with dessert following the convention Divine Service.
Performance Assessment
We strive to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to our care. 
Here are a few ways the district staff and the board of directors have 
tant Mrs. Jill Davis (15) to Mrs. Michelle Hammersland; Lutheran 
Church Extension Fund Vice-President Mrs. Carole White Mander-
nach (26) to Mr. Josh Remington; and Gift Planning Coordinator 
Mr. Jim Schroeder (36) to Mr. Leon Shoenfeld.
With so many rookies and much to learn, we thank God for our 
continuing experience in the district office of (in decreasing order 
of years of experience): Business Manager Roger Curtis, Execu -
tive Assistants Ms. Rhonda Mohr and Rev. Dr. B. Keith Haney, 
Missionary-at-Large Rev. Pedro Lopez, and IOWAY Director Mrs. 
Julie Mann.
What about missions here and around the world? Rev. Lopez 
has been expanding ministry opportunities with Hispanic commu -
nities all around the district. Rev. Daniel Mapur has been working 
with the Sudanese congregation at Grace, Le Mars. There are possi-
bilities for additional Sudanese ministries in Denison, Storm Lake, 
and Des Moines.
In the middle of the district, Mission Central, under the leader -
ship of Mr. Gary Theis and Rev. Steve Schulz, promotes mission 
awareness and support for missionaries sent around God’s earth. 
Our Lutheran Women’s Missionary League with mites and prayers 
supports district, Synod, and worldwide outreach. Our district sends 
40 percent of our receipts on to the Synod for the Synod’s work.
Another blessing: More of our district congregations are return-
ing to our biblical, confessional, historical practice of every Sunday 
Communion: the Lord’s Supper for the Lord’s people each Lord’s 
day, answering the question “How often would Jesus like to meet at 
His table with hurting souls and care for them?”
We in the district look forward to our Lord’s work under His 
blessing as we gather for our 2026 Synod convention, celebrating 
Christ Is Risen Indeed! We live in this reality now and into days 
eternal by His grace. And we anticipate His return, crying out with 
all His faithful, “Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!”
Paul D. Egger, President
R30
Kansas District
Our work in the Kansas District is aptly reflected in the theme 
of our 2025 convention: “Abiding in the Word” (John 8:31–32). 
The baptized “abide in the word” as we are gathered at the pulpit, 
font, and altar to receive the gifts of Christ in Word and Sacrament. 
This is real, life-sustaining food. Receiving these gifts gives you a 
good conscience before Christ (Heb. 10:22; 1 Tim. 1:5). With sins 
forgiven and faith in Christ strengthened, we are set on the path 
to serve the living God. We have the privilege of supporting and 
encouraging the members of the district—155 congregations, 14 
elementary schools, 1 high school, 35 preschools, and nearly 400 
workers—in carrying out the mission Christ has given His Church. 
We’re also thankful for the opportunities we’ve had to maintain and 
enhance our work with other valued partners, including the Synod, 
recognized service organizations, auxiliaries, and related agencies.
Goals
If you click on “About Us” on the home page of our website, 
you’ll see the phrase “Synod in this Place.” It’s a nod to Bylaw 
4.1.1.1. Our “common work” in the district—captured in our 
mission statement, goals, and priorities—strongly aligns with the 
Synod’s constitutional objectives, bylaw purpose, and convention 
priorities while also taking into account directives from our district