Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 162

2026 Convention Workbook
127
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
and teacher, and hear students from several Lutheran schools and 
Walther Christian Academy sing for worship. 
Convention actions included a few significant resolutions:
•	 To State Religious Objection to Governmental Interference 
of Parents’ Duty
•	 To Ask the Commission on Theology and Church Relations 
to Study and Publish a Report on Christian Nationalism
•	 To Encourage Congregations to Seek Wellness for Their 
Church Workers
•	 To Offer Thanks for Congregations and Individuals Who 
Support with Financial Gifts the Work of the District and 
the LCMS
•	 To Give Thanks for 150 Years of Black Ministry in the 
LCMS in 2027
Installation Services: Services of Installation were held at 
Immanuel Lutheran Church, East Dundee, and Bethany Lutheran 
Church, Naperville, on May 18, 2025. President Matthew Harrison 
installed Rev. Dr. Allan Buss to his third term as district president; 
he, in turn, installed the newly elected and reelected officers. Rev. 
Dr. Lawrence Rast, president emeritus of Concordia Theological 
Seminary, delivered a historically rich, Christ-centered message. 
The offering provided resources for future church workers support-
ed by the district through the Workers of the Word initiative. 
It’s been said, “It’s a great time to be the Church!” This is our 
time to be the Church, and for us that means in Northern Illinois … 
and beyond. The Lord of the Church is at work … sometimes in 
spite of us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Allan R. Buss, President
R43
Northwest District
The apostle Paul spoke of the dismal state the Church would be 
in “if Christ has not been raised,” saying, “then our preaching is 
in vain, and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). However, we are 
not only a people united in Baptism to the death of Jesus. “If we 
have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be 
united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom. 6:6). This is true 
since “indeed Christ has been raised” (1 Cor. 15:20), and in Bap-
tism, so are we. Christ Is Risen Indeed. Therefore, we who live “no 
longer live for [ourselves] but for him who for [our] sake died and 
was raised” (2 Cor. 5:15). Grateful that our abbreviation among the 
LCMS districts is NOW, raising up servant leaders to live for the 
risen Christ is a task we find immediately before us, “now.” 
A. Raising Up and Equipping Leaders
A.1. NOW Leadership Initiative (NOW LI)
Our Leadership Initiative (NOW LI) began in 2021 to invite 
ministries across the district to identify servant leadership charac -
teristics and behaviors, naming them in people and saying, “I see in 
you,” so that those individuals are encouraged to step into new roles 
of leadership. Bible studies, accompanying podcasts, and videos 
provide resources for congregations to engage in NOW LI.
A.2. Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI)
We are now well into the next phase of Youth Leadership Ini-
tiative (YLI). Our YLI effort studied church workers across the 
in Belize and the Belize Mission Society, the district is actively 
working in this Central American nation for the proclamation of the 
Gospel, the care of those in need, and the planting of Lutheran con-
gregations. To encourage involvement in the mission of Jesus, the 
district has sponsored mission trips that include members of various 
district congregations serving together. Of great excitement was the 
building and dedication of a playground in Siene Beight, near Christ 
Lutheran Church, in October 2025 through the Hearts for Jesus 
offering from our district schools, congregations, and individuals. 
Hearts for Jesus has been around for decades in the LCMS, support-
ing Lutheran mission and human care, especially through Lutheran 
schools.
Location: The district offices have been located on the campus 
of CUC since August 2022. We have partnered in education, confer-
ences, and various church gatherings. Each year the district office 
has had students who serve as student workers. These workers see 
the work of the church at large and are very helpful. Together with 
CUC, we hosted the November 2024 meeting of the LCMS Council 
of Presidents. 
Wellness: We have a church work care team that assists our 
workers, on a non-professional basis, with the challenges our church 
workers are facing. Healthy church workers help create healthier 
ministries, along with healthy lay leadership. We desire to retain and 
strengthen the workers we have. The district is grateful to be part-
nering with Concordia Plan Services for the addition of a part-time 
staff position, a wellness officer.
Visitation: Since the front line of our work in the district hap-
pens in congregations, schools, and ministries, the staff spends much 
time and many resources visiting, listening, encouraging, and as-
sisting in the joys and challenges of church life. Circuit visitors and 
vice-presidents of the district are also involved in visitation. How 
blessed we are to be a church rich in the Word of God, committed to 
our Lutheran Confessions, and giving thanks for opportunities to im-
pact our communities with the power and presence of Jesus and His 
Holy Gospel. Lord, keep the devil far from us and keep us humble! 
Urban Ministry: In 2026, the district is engaged with the Lu-
theran Church Extension Fund as we embark with a Ministry Clarity 
Process in our East Region. This region of the district consists of 
Chicago and the collar counties. It has been noted that in the last 20 
years, we have seen much decline in attendance in this region, and 
many of the congregations in the East Region have or could close. 
This is especially concerning because this is where most of the peo-
ple are in our district, and most of them are living and dying without 
Christ. The goal is to engage and encourage our existing congrega -
tions to look for new ministry opportunities and partnerships and 
to find Spirit-given renewal. The district seeks a strategy and more 
comprehensive plan for Chicago ministry and mission.
2025 Convention: March 7–8, 2025, was the 61st Convention 
of the district. The theme was Stronger Together: Co-Workers for 
the Kingdom of God (Col. 4:7–17). Our relationships in the Body 
of Christ, regardless of our roles and titles, are significant as con-
fessional Lutherans who are committed to the mission of Jesus. It 
is the kingdom of God, not our personal kingdoms. The Lord sets 
the agenda for the Church, and He graciously puts us together in our 
roles for His purpose and glory. The kingdom centers on Jesus and 
His work and Word! 
At the convention, we were honored to serve as hosts and hear 
from President Matthew Harrison, various district presidents, listen 
to a presentation by a seasoned pastor and teacher and a new pastor