Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 164

2026 Convention Workbook
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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
moved from active to emeritus status. The district also had 4 tran-
sitional interim pastors accept calls to serve district congregations. 
In the past triennium, 37 commissioned ministers accepted calls 
to the district schools and churches. A total of 17 commissioned 
ministers transferred out of the district.
Sanctity of Human Life
In 2023, the state of Ohio proposed a constitutional amendment 
to legalize abortion. District congregations and church workers re-
ceived a pastoral letter concerning the proposed amendment, urging 
members to vote against the proposed amendment. Churches and 
church workers also received legal guidance from the district with 
parameters for addressing such issues of public policy. In addition, 
statements outlining the LCMS biblical stance on abortion were 
provided to state and national news outlets. 
To provide further support for the sanctity of human life, the 
district participated in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., in 
January. LCMS participation was led by the LCMS Life Ministry 
and supported by all 35 LCMS districts.
Kevin A. Wilson, President
R45
Oklahoma District
The 78 congregations of the Oklahoma District met at its 51st 
convention June 13–14, 2025, under the theme Praying to the Lord 
of the Harvest, based on Luke 10:2. Our main focus was the LCMS 
Set Apart to Serve initiative to raise up church workers from our 
congregations. The district is a fellowship of congregations com-
mitted to caring, sharing, teaching, preaching, and reaching people. 
Through God’s Divine Service in Word and Sacrament, the Holy 
Spirit brings them into a living relationship with the Lord Jesus 
Christ.
On May 19, 2024, the district celebrated its 100th anniversa-
ry at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche. Some of the partic -
ipants in the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 were members of the 
Lutheran Church. They helped establish a foothold for the church 
in the Oklahoma Territory. Many had migrated to Oklahoma from 
Kansas. Lutheran pioneers also came from Nebraska, Illinois, Mis-
souri, Iowa, and the northern states. In 1922, the Kansas District 
petitioned the Synod to create an independent Oklahoma District.
The district is able to designate three-fourths of its budget for 
mission work, with the remaining budget used for administration, 
professional growth, and ministerial wellness. The district board 
of directors also steadfastly pledges one-fourth of its budget as a 
financial commitment to the Synod.
Several communities in our Central Region are good spots to 
plant new churches. These include Piedmont, Yukon, and Tuttle. 
Piedmont is the fastest growing zip code in the U.S. The Yukon 
and Mustang areas are not far behind. Tuttle is also experiencing 
exponential growth. Currently, Piedmont, Yukon, and Tuttle have 
no LCMS presence. We are working with the Office of National 
Mission to plant a new church there.
The district educates children from infants to twelfth grade. We 
currently have 17 early childhood programs and 8 elementary/mid-
dle schools across the state. Our oldest school, established in 1926, 
is St. Paul in Enid. Immanuel in Broken Arrow (Tulsa area) is home 
to our only Lutheran high school.
ministrators and district staff. In the end, three areas of special focus 
became apparent for the next triennium: Equip and train congrega-
tion and school leaders in their areas of service; deepen and broaden 
our knowledge and understanding of Scripture and the Confessions; 
launch and develop new Gospel outreach ministries. 
The district plan was the tipping point for decisions concerning 
staffing. Rev. John Greig was called to serve as executive director of 
Mission and Ministry. Nicole Levy was called to serve as education 
executive and superintendent of Ohio Lutheran Schools. Together 
with Karen Dutton, director of Youth and Family Life Ministry, these 
mission and ministry staff are leading the implementation of the min-
istry plan. 
To address these needs, the district’s mission and ministry staff 
created three themes for the next triennium. Each theme flows from 
Eph. 4:15–16: 
Connected reflects God’s design and call for His people to walk 
and grow together in Christ as one Body held together in His love.
Equipped reflects God’s ongoing care for His people, providing 
what we need to grow in Christ and serve faithfully as each part of 
His Body works together in love.
Sent describes the natural overflow of a church connected and 
equipped in Christ, moving outward to share the Gospel while caring 
for and loving their neighbor. 
Actions on Convention Resolutions
2022 Ohio District convention Resolution 4 called on the conven-
tion to support the strengthening of the faith and biblical worldview 
of district church members. The resolution was approved by the con-
vention. 
The Resolution 4 Task Force was formed to implement the resolu-
tion, chaired by Rev. Dr. Eric Tritten (Gloria Dei Hudson, Ohio). Af-
ter researching the topic, the task force determined that God’s Word 
is the key for strengthening the faith on a daily basis. The task force 
put together two primary resources for congregations to use to engage 
members in the Word of God daily. The first is a collation of resources 
used by our congregations. The second is a series of videos to provide 
on-ramps for God’s people to study Scripture. An additional series of 
on-ramps are being produced. 
2023 Res. 1-06A called on the Synod and its districts to create a 
strategic plan for worker wellness. The Synod used the annual LCMS 
Ministerial Care Coalitions meeting to start planning. The meeting 
was held in March in Orlando, Fla. Rev. Chris Eldridge, the Ministe-
rial Health Commission chairman, and I participated in the meeting. 
The district addressed 2023 Res. 1-07, “To Address Mental 
Health among Pastors and Other Professional Church Workers,” in 
three ways. First, the district affirmed the positions of care partners, 
who provide a confidential “listening ear” for any church worker or 
church worker family member in the district. The district’s Commis-
sion for Ministerial Health produced resources supporting sabbat-
icals for church workers, identifying resources for church worker 
wellness and guidance for congregational leaders in order to care for 
church workers. Finally, the 2025 Fall Professional Church Worker 
Conference was led by DOXOLOGY . 
Church Workers
In the past triennium, 27 pastors accepted calls into the district. 
This includes 10 candidates from the seminaries. Meanwhile, 15 pas-
tors took calls to congregations outside the district, and 21 pastors