Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 155

2026 Convention Workbook
120 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
(Res. 6-02A). Scholarships for men and women enrolled in church 
work programs at our Concordia universities and seminaries have 
increased (Res. 7-06B). In addition, the district board of directors 
has expanded student-loan repayment assistance for ordained and 
commissioned ministers (Res. 12-03A).
The majority of district congregations average fewer than 50 
worshipers on a weekend and more than 70 percent are in multi-par-
ish relationships. These congregations care deeply for one another 
and actively seek ways to provide mutual support. The district con-
tinues to work with the Office of National Mission to “aid small 
congregations and multi-congregation pastors and parishes” (Res. 
1-02A).
The district has a rich heritage of supporting life as a gift of God 
from cradle to grave. Congregations continue to support Lutherans 
For Life groups, local crisis pregnancy centers, and efforts to “pro-
mote a culture of life” throughout the district (Res. 3-01).
We also give thanks for our Lutheran schools (Res. 12-04A). 
Though the district has only six K–8 schools due to the number of 
small congregations, these schools receive strong support. During 
his visits, the president consistently encouraged support for Luther-
an schools and teachers, as well as strong catechetical instruction—
especially in the home (Res. 12-05A)—with the goal of fostering a 
next generation of Lutherans who know and live the faith.
During the triennium, the district board of directors developed a 
new tool to assist in evaluating the district’s four subsidized congre-
gations. The board seeks to be faithful stewards of the Lord’s gifts 
while identifying additional opportunities for Gospel proclamation. 
The new district triennium (2025–28) began with the theme “I 
am not ashamed of the gospel” (Rom. 1:16). We gave thanks to God 
for the faithful service and 19-year presidency of Rev. Terry Forke. 
The district elected and welcomed the Rev. Ryan D. Wendt as its 
ninth president. 
C. Strengths
The district remains remarkably homogenous and evangelical in 
its dedication to the truth of God’s Word and the Lutheran Confes-
sions. The ministerium demonstrates genuine love and care for one 
another, and the people of God are generous with their time and 
gifts. Congregational offerings to the district continue to increase, 
schools are growing, and the lamp is not hidden under a bushel in 
Montana. 
D. Weaknesses
While the congregations of the district are predominantly small, 
they are also widely dispersed geographically. Pastors in the district 
cover extensive territory, and many serve in relative isolation. In-
creasingly, it seems that pastors are reluctant to serve in multi-parish 
settings or to heed the Lord’s call to serve congregations many hun-
dreds of miles from home and family. 
Some 50 percent of the active pastors in the district are already 
at retirement age or will reach it within the next five years. Although 
several younger pastors were welcomed into the district during the 
past triennium, some proved unable to serve faithfully and were 
removed from office. Filling pastoral and teaching vacancies has 
become increasingly difficult. Some 46 percent of retired pastors on 
the district roster continue to serve vacancies, many of them travel-
ing hundreds of miles over a weekend.
The need for more seminary-trained capable pastors and certified 
Lutheran teachers who are eager and willing to serve is a pressing 
and ongoing concern for the district. 
Missouri. Training workshops for elders and other congregational 
leaders will be held throughout the district during the triennium. 
Mission Field: Missouri training workshops will also be offered 
to congregations to support their efforts in reaching out to their 
communities. A “Tell the Next Generation” Conference was held in 
November 2025 to support family discipleship.
D. Changes to District Staff
The district executive staff had two significant additions since 
its last convention. Joshua Swartz began serving as the director of 
schools on July 1, 2022. His leadership and support of Lutheran 
schools and the introduction of MOScholars has been particular -
ly important. Peter Kirby joined the staff as the executive direc -
tor of congregational services in January 2023, overseeing support 
for congregations and the survey process of calling congregations. 
The district is blessed with the leadership of veteran staff members 
who are dedicated to the support of the congregations, schools, and 
church workers they are called to serve.
The district has been operating without the leadership of its 
elected president, R. Lee Hagan, since his stroke in July 2025. 
Craig Otto, the elected first vice-president of the district, has been 
serving as interim president for most of the triennium so far. We 
continue to pray for President Hagan’s recovery and return to his 
position when he is ready.
R. Lee Hagan, President 
Craig D. Otto, Interim President
R36
Montana District
With prayer and thanksgiving to God for His great mercy, the 
Montana District began its work for the 2023–26 Synod triennium 
under the theme “Your word is a lamp to my feet” (Psalm 119:105).
A. Presidential Activities
During the triennium, the president of the district visited ev-
ery congregation during a worship service, encouraging fidelity to 
God’s Word as our lamp in the darkness of this world. He also met 
with the elders of each congregation, using the same theme to teach 
how elders may support their pastors. 
In addition, he met with the pastors of the district to hear their 
joys and sorrows and to review their Pastor’s Information Forms, 
offering encouragement in their ministry. Finally, he visited the 
schools of the district, making similar presentations and providing 
encouragement and support. 
B. Goals Being Met
The district has made progress in implementing resolutions of 
the 2023 Synod convention. Several highlights follow: 
District congregations, schools, and church workers have been 
encouraged to engage zealously in the Set Apart to Serve (SAS) 
initiative (Res. 6-01). A district SAS committee was established and 
remains active. Renewed conversations with young men and wom-
en about church work vocations have borne fruit, and the number 
of full-time church work students from our congregations has in-
creased. 
The district convention directed up to 5 percent of yearly con-
gregational giving to the Joint Seminary Fund in continued support 
of “proper pastoral formation through our Synod’s Seminaries”