Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 154

2026 Convention Workbook
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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
also adopted Res. 3-01, celebrating the upcoming 500th anniversa-
ry of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism (2029) by encouraging con-
gregations, and especially heads of households, to teach the faith in 
the home. The resolution affirms the Small Catechism’s vital role 
in faith formation and commends its use as part of the Church’s 
ongoing educational mission. Res. 1-03 encouraged and celebrat -
ed multiethnic ministry by recognizing Missouri’s historic legacy 
of outreach to diverse communities and by calling congregations 
to renew their commitment to reaching people of all backgrounds 
with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Delegates also adopted Res. 3-06, 
which publicly opposed Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3, 
which legalizes abortion up to fetal viability. The resolution affirms 
the LCMS’ long-standing stance in defense of the unborn and urges 
congregations to advocate for life in faithful, peaceful, and proac-
tive ways within their communities. Finally, Res. 2-01 approved 
the district’s Strategic Plan Critical Targets for the 2025–28 trienni-
um, providing a road map for ministry priorities and mission focus 
across congregations, schools, and ministries in the district.
The convention reelected Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan to his fourth 
term as district president. Also elected were Rev. Craig Otto as 
first vice-president, Rev. Randy Asburry as second vice-president, 
Rev. Samuel Powell as third vice-president, and Rev. Rick Cody as 
fourth vice-president.
B. Strategic Plan
The district’s strategic plan for the 2025–28 triennium has four 
critical targets:
1. Church W
orker Recruitment and Retention—The congrega-
tions and schools of the district have been richly blessed with 
faithful pastors, teachers, and other servants. As we look to-
gether at the challenges facing the Church, we recognize the 
need to be intentional about recruiting servants for the future 
and providing support to care for those who serve. This tar -
get remains a top priority for the district.
2.
 Discipleship in 
the Home—The Scriptures and the Confes-
sions teach that the home is the primary place of faith for -
mation. The district will continue this emphasis by working 
with congregations, schools, pastors, and school adminis -
trators to provide training and resources, so that each home 
can be a place where Christ is at the center and families are 
growing through learning God’s Word and the Small Cate-
chism.
3.
 Mission Field: 
Missouri—We live in a mission field of more 
than three million people who are not connected to any 
church. This critical target establishes the priority of provid-
ing resources and training for congregations to collaborate in 
reaching the lost with the Gospel.
4.
 Leadership 
Development—Congregations and schools are 
in need of leadership training for both staff and lay leaders. 
Governance models of the past are not serving our existing 
structures well. The district will provide training and sup-
port related to governance models and for various leadership 
roles in congregations and schools for both rostered workers 
and laity.
C. Key Initiatives
Supporting these four critical targets, the district has several key 
initiatives in the works. The Tomorrow’ s Teachers and Preachers 
initiative focuses on building the district’s church worker endow-
ment fund to support the education of aspiring church workers in 
while also encouraging youth to consider church work vocations. 
These efforts reflect the conviction that Lutheran schools are strate-
gic mission fields, forming faithful disciples and future leaders in a 
rapidly changing world.
7. Strengthen and Support the Lutheran 
Family in Living Out God’s Design
Amid cultural upheaval and challenges to marriage, family, and 
human identity, the district has clearly articulated what it stands 
for: the preciousness of human life, faithful marriages, active fami-
lies, and robust vocational living grounded in God’s Word. Through 
teaching, public policy engagement, education, and congregational 
life, the district has sought to strengthen Lutheran families as they 
live out God’s design in home, church, and community. Rather than 
retreating in uncertainty, the district continues to speak with confi-
dence and compassion, proclaiming the Gospel, caring for neigh-
bors, and equipping families to live faithfully in a gray-zone world. 
With Christ as Lord and His Word as guide, the district moves for-
ward unashamed, hopeful, and united in love for God and neighbor.
Lucas V . Woodford, President
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