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page | page 101
Workbook page 101
2026 Convention Workbook 101 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS R19 Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans; Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services Concordia Plan Services (CPS) manages benefits that improve and support the health and financial wellness of workers at minis- tries of the Synod so that they can focu...
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Workbook page 104
2026 Convention Workbook 104 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS o Partnership with ADF, First Liberty, and Liberty Coun- sel in various efforts to offer both our two-kingdom voice/training coupled with their legal support to the issues that beset our churches and schools today. Challenge: While the LCRL pres...
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Workbook page 105
2026 Convention Workbook 105 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS people reside in this district that is composed of the vast rural areas in its northern and eastern regions; the sprawling suburban areas throughout its northern, central, and eastern regions; and the bus- tling metropolitan areas of Albany (in its n...
page | page 106
Workbook page 106
2026 Convention Workbook 106 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS several unique contexts including the greater Bay Area, an extreme- ly diverse population with over 7 million people. The central val- leys of California contain some of the world’s richest farmland and sizeable population centers. The coasts, foothi...
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Workbook page 107
2026 Convention Workbook 107 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS es in CID’s staff. The Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb moved to modified (part-time) service for the district on Sept. 1, continuing to work in evangelism. Taking up his former activities in missions is new staff member Rev. Patrick Gumz, M.B.A., who doubles as...
page | page 108
Workbook page 108
2026 Convention Workbook 108 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS greetings from Pioneer on the Lake; Deaconess Susan Knowles, who represented Ambassadors of Reconciliation and spoke of her call to serve as director of deaconess formation at Concordia Theo- logical Seminary, Fort Wayne; and the Rev. Robert Marshal...
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Workbook page 109
2026 Convention Workbook 109 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS the congregations and their call committees to develop call lists. As the number of calling congregations has increased (more than doubled in the past year), we have sought to increase the time and focus of our staff for this critical ministry to ou...
page | page 110
Workbook page 110
2026 Convention Workbook 110 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS R26 Florida-Georgia District The Florida-Georgia District has for more than 75 years been known for its focus on the mission of God. This is beautifully sum- marized in our Bylaws: Since God’ s mission and ministry occur through local con- gregations...
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Workbook page 111
2026 Convention Workbook 111 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS tions calling for pastors and fewer than 28 percent of our educators across the Synod are rostered. This reality cries out for our daily prayers. The Lord says, “Pray that the Lord would send out workers into the harvest.” In our district we urge ev...
page | page 113
Workbook page 113
2026 Convention Workbook 113 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS During this triennium, we have been acting upon Synod and district convention resolutions concerning reaching out into our communities with Jesus’ love, church worker wellness, promoting a culture of life, encouraging and recruiting pastors and othe...
page | page 114
Workbook page 114
2026 Convention Workbook 114 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS convention. Following is a brief summary of progress on the major direc - tives and priorities that have guided our work since the last Synod convention: District Resolutions 2022 Res. 22-01-03, To Encourage Kansas District Con- gregations to Seek Op...
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Workbook page 115
2026 Convention Workbook 115 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS dismantling the main campus ministry and restricted the remnant of the school to an auxiliary nearby university-owned facility. The 2025 district convention was bittersweet, as our delegates realized it would be our last convention held on the belov...
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Workbook page 116
2026 Convention Workbook 116 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS to provide the necessary resources to strengthen congregations and schools to assist them in the fullest use of precious resources of the Gospel and all God’s gifts. A strong emphasis has been placed on assisting congregations to be faithful stewar...
page | page 117
Workbook page 117
2026 Convention Workbook 117 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS ers, and the kingdom of God with the Good News of the Gospel. Roger C. Paavola, President R33 Minnesota North District But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellenci...
page | page 118
Workbook page 118
2026 Convention Workbook 118 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS Jesus goes first to heal, forgive, and restore broken sinners. The dis- trict president and staff have devoted significant time to caring for pastors, church workers, congregations, and families experiencing conflict, crisis, burnout, or moral failu...
page | page 119
Workbook page 119
2026 Convention Workbook 119 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS also adopted Res. 3-01, celebrating the upcoming 500th anniversa- ry of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism (2029) by encouraging con- gregations, and especially heads of households, to teach the faith in the home. The resolution affirms the Small Catechi...
page | page 121
Workbook page 121
2026 Convention Workbook 121 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS 4. Collaborate with the Synod’s Members and Partners to Enhance Mission Effectiveness Individuals, congregations, and the district have a strong part- nership with Mission Central, but God’s mission is also right here. Every One is His Witness. We ar...
page | page 122
Workbook page 122
2026 Convention Workbook 122 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS Fifty-five pastors serve our congregations, mostly full-time, but some part-time. Of these, 17 have been in their congregation less than 10 years. So, although there have been many new pastors in the district, many more have enjoyed lengthy ministr...
page | page 125
Workbook page 125
2026 Convention Workbook 125 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS God’s Work in the District Through the Rev. Dr. Dwayne Lueck, President In June of 2025, upon the completion of his 13th year as district president and his 38th year of service in the district, the Rev. Dr. Dwayne Lueck retired from his call. God us...
page | page 126
Workbook page 126
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 th...
page | page 127
Workbook page 127
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 •...
page | page 128
Workbook page 128
2026 Convention Workbook 128 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS to invite the leadership of believers from all ethnicities. D. Supporting LCMS Pastoral Formation In light of the continual challenge to provide pastors for our con- gregations (we face vacancy rates of 25–30 percent, which is 10–15 percent higher t...
page | page 129
Workbook page 129
2026 Convention Workbook 129 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 o...
page | page 13
Workbook page 13
2026 Convention Workbook 13 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS tions have also shown value in discussing international church rela- tions challenges, as LCMS sister and associate churches frequently work in similar geographical areas as NALC sister churches. Ecclesiastical Relations of the LCMS The LCMS enjoys ecc...
page | page 130
Workbook page 130
2026 Convention Workbook 130 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS using the tools we have always had in the LCMS. We treasure the Bible, the Book of Concord, and the hymnal. The ordinary elements of water, bread, and wine become extraor - dinary when connected to the Word of God. What amazing power comes into the...
page | page 131
Workbook page 131
2026 Convention Workbook 131 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS es available through Office of National Ministry to assist congre- gations in finding a path in a changing season of ministry. (Res. 1-02A, “To Aid Small Congregations and Multi-Congregation Pas- tors and Parishes”) Koinonia Project The district hoste...
page | page 134
Workbook page 134
2026 Convention Workbook 134 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS planters in place seeking to move them to charter. One other church plant is underway in Slinger, but has not yet reached critical mass. We continue to have our target list for at least 10 new starts in the coming years. Our Lutheran Neighborhood S...
page | page 135
Workbook page 135
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 f...
page | page 136
Workbook page 136
2026 Convention Workbook 136 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS Initiative 1: Focused Outreach Activity Our Lord Jesus has called us to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 2...
page | page 137
Workbook page 137
2026 Convention Workbook 137 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS R54 Texas District Christ is risen indeed! This triumphant proclamation, grounded in 1 Cor. 15:20–22, where Paul declares Christ as “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep,” echoes throughout the Texas District as we rejoice in the hope of...
page | page 14
Workbook page 14
2026 Convention Workbook 14 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS Confessional Lutheran Church of South Africa, CLCSA 18. Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan, Sudan, ELCSS/S Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church, CELC (Sri Lanka) 19. China Evangelical Lutheran Church, CELC (Taiwan) Lutheran Church of Togo, E...
page | page 141
Workbook page 141
2026 Convention Workbook 141 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS We continue to plan according to these primary focus areas: • Proclaiming Christ Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! (Psalm 96:3) • Supporting Missions And he said to them, “Go into all the world and pro...
page | page 142
Workbook page 142
2026 Convention Workbook 142 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS In concluding its work and submitting its report to the conven- tion, the task force wishes to recommend several courses of action to the Synod and its entities to further address pressing issues of sexual orientation and gender identity and to help...
page | page 144
Workbook page 144
2026 Convention Workbook 144 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS By 1998 the decline in the number of congregations and par - ishes and the number of communicant members had resulted in an increasing number of exceptions requested of the Synod President. The number of exceptions has ranged from 3 percent and 9 pe...
page | page 145
Workbook page 145
2026 Convention Workbook 145 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS which do not share knowledge of each other and which would need to elect delegates who are unknown to each other would create its own set of problems. The task force discussed simply changing the composition of circuits from “congregations” to “pari...
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Workbook page 146
2026 Convention Workbook 146 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS district shall have at least one electoral circuit. (c) V oting delegates shall consist of one pastor and one layper - son from each electoral circuit. These pastoral and lay del- egates and their alternates shall be elected according to the regulat...
page | page 147
Workbook page 147
2026 Convention Workbook 147 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS1 2023 Res. 9-06A Task Force1 To Evaluate Electoral Circuit Parameters2 Whitepaper I3 John W. Sias, Secretary4 September 9, 2024 (Revised October 4, 2024)5 This whitepaper is intended to supplement the historical context found in the rationale of...
page | page 148
Workbook page 148
2026 Convention Workbook 148 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS 3 The heights of solid bars inFigure 1(excluding the slashed portion at the top, which reflects visitation circuits 1 “combined away” into others to reach electoral circuit requirements) represent the number of electoral 2 circuits formed for each...
page | page 149
Workbook page 149
2026 Convention Workbook 149 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS5 number of exceptions that would be required in the next two conventions, it is clear that “doing nothing” is 1 not a realistic option.112 Figure 4 adds another dimension of the 2023 convention circuit apportionment, indicating on the vertical 3 ax...
