Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 170

2026 Convention Workbook
135
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
for rostered workers and lay leaders to grow in faith, further de-
velop their God-given gifts, and strengthen their leadership for the 
glory and praise of our Lord and King. Men and women, young and 
old, rostered and lay alike, are equipped by God for service to His 
Church and for witness within the communities in which they live.
We envision dynamic learning and growth where church work-
ers and lay leaders are equipped to lead with confidence, courage, 
and compassion. Through conferences, webinars, regional gather -
ings, the Lay Deacon Program, and wellness and witness cohorts, 
the district seeks to cultivate leaders who are spiritually grounded, 
mission-driven, and prepared to navigate the challenges of mod-
ern ministry. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and personal 
growth, we aim to raise up servant leaders who will inspire trans-
formation in their communities and congregations for the sake of 
the Gospel.
D. Visitations and Engagement
As we continue to walk together as the Church, being pres-
ent within each ministry context allows us to understand both the 
unique aspects of each community and the people they are called 
to serve. To support this work, we have developed a model of en-
gagement for our own use and as a resource for the wider Church, 
helping us faithfully carry out God’s command to love our neigh-
bors. This model includes:
•	 Rejoice: We rejoice in a God who does immeasurably more 
through the saving power of Jesus Christ. This rejoicing is 
our inspiration and foundation as we connect people with 
Jesus.
•	 Engage: We engage with our partners by listening, celebrat-
ing who they are, understanding their context, affirming their 
value, and building lasting relationships.
•	 Encourage: We walk alongside our partners to create an en-
vironment of possibility, rooted in the power of the Gospel, 
encouraging them in their unique callings.
•	 Serve: We love and serve our partners by supporting their 
callings as they connect people with Jesus—so that lives are 
transformed, and God’s kingdom grows.
E. Rejoice!
We preach Christ crucified! Through His death and resurrection, 
we are set free from sin, made heirs of salvation, reconciled with 
God, and live with the promise of eternity. This is the good news 
for which we rejoice. “Now to him who is able
 to do imm
easur-
ably more than all we ask  or imagin
e, according to His power that 
is at 
work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ 
Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 
3:20–21 NIV).
William A. Harmon, President
R52
Southern District
The Southern District covers Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, 
and the Panhandle of Florida. From the farthest east in Mexico 
Beach, Fla., to the farthest west in Shreveport, Miss., is 1,000 miles 
as the crow flies. Within this large geographic area we have 149 
congregations.
I attempt to visit every congregation in the district at least once 
A. Wellness and Witness
A.1. Wellness
A central aspect of the district’s work is the health of our mis-
sion stations and workers. Healthy workers make for healthy 
churches. Healthy churches make for a healthy and strong witness. 
The district is promoting worker wellness teams in every congre-
gation. Teams are encouraged to engage the workers and to inquire 
about their spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial well-being. 
As worker wellness teams are created, the district will offer grants, 
partially matched by the congregation, that may be used to support 
workers’ health.
A.2. Witness
The district includes seven states and the District of Columbia. 
The specific context of mission and ministry varies greatly across 
this geographical region. Context is celebrated and respected as we 
seek to share the Gospel with the people God has placed before us 
and expand the reach of the LCMS by planting new starts. 
The district is committed to 21 new starts in this current district 
triennium. This is a grassroots effort from congregations and their 
members, supported by a partnership with the district and the Syn-
od’s church-planting efforts.
The district will support 10 renewal efforts. These include min-
istries in areas where maintaining a Lutheran presence is essential 
to serving the community and proclaiming the Gospel. Renewal 
efforts will work in partnership with the district to develop a plan 
of action that creates new paths of service for the sake of the people 
God has placed before that ministry. 
B. Scholarships and Debt Reduction
Vacancies remain a significant challenge as congregations seek 
pastoral leadership and care. The district in convention affirmed all 
routes to ordination and the expansion of routes to ensure that pas-
toral leadership will be offered to congregations and mission starts, 
and to provide opportunities for people in various contexts and life 
situations to receive quality education for service to the Lord and 
His Church.
The district is honored to be part of Set Apart to Serve, in which 
several congregations and workers are serving as pilot congrega -
tions and cohort members. The district in convention elected to 
commit to raising up future workers in each congregation.
B.1. Scholarships
In an effort to support students seeking theological education 
and church service, the district will increase scholarship dollars. 
These scholarships include undergraduate education and all routes 
through seminary to meet the growing needs of our congregations 
and mission stations, and the unique context they serve. 
B.2. Debt Reduction
The district is committed to assisting church workers with stu-
dent debt accrued while in undergraduate and seminary programs 
leading to service in the Church. The district in convention voted 
to increase grants to help lower debt, thereby relieving the financial 
burdens on our workers so they may focus on their callings and 
their vocations to their families.
C. Leadership Initiatives
The district is committed to providing meaningful opportunities