Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 161

2026 Convention Workbook
126 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
We rejoice that the Word of God works and the Gospel is the power 
of God to salvation! Our congregations are rich in a life of Word 
and Sacrament!
We are grateful for our called church workers in the district; 
men and women who are coworkers for the kingdom of God (Col. 
4:17–17). At its 2025 convention, the district reaffirmed its focus 
on God’s Word, Wellness of workers and ministries, and Witness to 
the Gospel inside and outside the Church. In this work, we have: 
•	 216 active pastors
•	 285 active commissioned workers 
•	 809 active non-rostered workers 
•	 98 ordained pastors emeriti 
•	 324 commissioned workers emeriti 
Next Gen: The district is actively involved in the LCMS initia-
tive Set Apart to Serve, with its desire to raise up the next genera -
tion of called church workers under the blessing of the Holy Spirit. 
We also are deeply grateful for the leadership and participation of 
Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support in the district, which 
works with each new pastor and their spouse during the first three 
years of called ministry. The district is grateful that its support for 
students preparing for church work has increased by over 160 per -
cent since 2023. The district’s initiative is called Workers of the 
Word. 
Priesthood of the Baptized: This includes the lay women and 
men in our congregations, schools, and ministries who serve in re-
sponse to the Gospel and are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We 
thank God for the thousands upon thousands of faithful Christians 
who serve in the Church and in the community. As district presi-
dent, it has been an honor to meet committed, prayerful, thoughtful, 
generous women and men in every part of the district. 
Lay Leadership: In response to the question of a lay leader in 
one of our congregations, we initiated a “Lay Leadership Summit” 
in August 2024 at Walther Christian Academy in Melrose Park. 
This event included worship and Bible study, singing (very much 
appreciated by those gathered), and workshops on topics of interest 
to lay leaders serving on the frontlines of ministry in congregations 
and the community. This event reached maximum capacity, with 
over 350 attending. Future summits are planned. 
Partnership Gatherings: Several times a year, district staff 
and circuit visitors gather at individual circuit or circuits together. 
These gatherings include the pastor, chair and vice-chair, elders, 
treasurers, and other interested lay leaders. It is a joy for people to 
meet their neighbors, gather around Word and prayer, talk about op-
portunities and challenges, and more fully understand the blessings 
of the district and the Synod. From this type of gathering comes en-
couragement, relationships, new ministry and service, mergers, and 
new congregational partnerships. We hear many comments like, 
“We are not alone,” and “When can we do this again?” 
Back to School: For the last several years, the district has spon-
sored a “Back to School Worship” gathering in one of our larger 
churches to accommodate the hundreds (350–400) who serve in 
our Lutheran schools as the school year approaches. After Word, 
prayer, and song, a plenary speaker engages and edifies those pre-
paring for their important work of teaching in our schools and es-
pecially communicating the Good News of Jesus. These speakers 
have come from our Concordia Universities. 
Belize Mission: In partnership with the LCMS missionaries 
Freeing Them to Live in God’s Image—to Serve
We know God is the one who serves, protects, provides, sacrific-
es, and saves. We know He created us in His image. The stewardship 
initiative will work to set people free through the Gospel to reflect 
God’s image at home, at work, and in their communities and congre-
gations. We plan to host workshops and introduce simple material 
accessible by social media.
Revitalizing Congregations
Ninety-nine district congregations have fewer than 50 people in 
worship each week. Church Clarity is a ministry tool to help congre-
gations reclaim their purpose, identify their current ministry actions 
and needs, assess facility and financial limitations and capabilities, 
and establish a ministry plan for the sake of the Gospel. We believe 
a number of district congregations, by God’s blessing, can grow in 
faith and accomplish more with a plan in place.
Expanding Our Missions Footprint
The district participates in a FORO in Peru and supports French 
African Missions, and a number of congregations support missionar-
ies directly. The goal is to expand the missions impact the district is 
making across our district and to facilitate personal, congregational, 
and district participation in our Synod’s national and international 
missions. One avenue will be the sending of one or more people 
from this committee to a FORO.
It is my honor for the district to have elected me to serve as 
president. It is my prayer that He will well use us working together 
to bring Christ and His Word to people every day. The One who 
showed them His hands and side is the One who claims us, forgives 
us, and promises never to lose us, for He is risen indeed!
Timothy J. Shoup, President
R42
Northern Illinois District
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, al-
ways abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the 
Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58)
By the mercy of our God, all that we have been given to do in the 
Northern Illinois District is empowered and guided by the fact that 
Christ Is Risen Indeed! Or said differently, “Jesus wins.” He shares 
His victory with us as His baptized people. He shares that victory 
with His beloved Church! What He gives in both Law and Gospel 
is what we are privileged to share, as we witness to our neighbors 
and our increasingly secular society. The district covers the northern 
third of Illinois:
•	 196 active congregations
•	 40 elementary schools
•	 2 high schools 
•	 25 stand-alone preschools/childcare centers
•	 1 university, Concordia University Chicago (CUC)
•	 1 camp—Walcamp Outdoor Ministry and Retreat Center
•	 2 new congregations
•	 5 closed congregations 
Sadly, this represents some decline since the last reporting to the 
Synod convention in 2023. That does not mean that our congrega -
tions, schools, and ministries are not hard at work, because they are!