# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2010_S53
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Jonathan C. Laabs, Roselle, IL;
Trinity (NI); LCMS 55; Exec. Dir.,
Luth. Education Assn. S. CUS—
CUEnet Management Counc. 16;
CMGS, Commissioned Min. Com.
5; Bd. for Com. Serv. 9. D. BOD 4;
Technology Com. 11; Accreditation
Com. 5. C. Adult Min. Com. 11; Bd.
of Ed. 3. C. Nat’l. Distinguished
Prin. Selection Com., NAESP & US
Dept. of Ed. 12; Western Assn. of
Nonpublic Schools BOD 2.

System is to shape the future leaders of our church and society. It must prepare its graduates to engage an increasing
pluralistic culture with the incomparably good news of Jesus
Christ—and to do so in a faithful, intelligent, winsome, and
genuinely caring manner. I would approach the opportunity
to serve on the Board of Regents, Bronxville, with humility
characterized by prayer and the willingness to listen and learn,
making a conscientious effort to provide fiscal accountability
and strategic guidance.
James T. Jahnke, Bronxville, NY;
Village Lutheran (AT); LCMS 23;
Investment—Private Equity. C. Bd.
of Trustees 4; Stewp. Bd. 3; Treas.
& Mem., Bldg. Com. 6.

God has richly blessed the spreading of His Word through
mission and ministry in The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod. The challenge of all God’s people is to respond to His
call with one voice and united in action. My vision for the
LCMS includes bold movement forward through adequate
funding, preparation, and support of workers, and creative
new approaches to ministry around the world. Tomorrow’s
LCMS will be shaped by today’s leaders. Walking together,
we will confidently and joyfully proclaim Jesus’ love for us as
One People: Forgiven.

LAYPERSONs 

As a father of college-aged children and a financial professional,
I am particularly concerned with
the cost of higher education, especially for young people who want
to pursue church-service vocations. We need to emphasize
and strengthen existing programs like “For the Sake of the
Church” in order to build endowments that our young people
can utilize in their pursuit of service to our Lord. Also, as good
stewards, we need to be vigilant in containing the rising costs
of higher education. A pipeline of qualified and motivated
church-service workers and lay leaders is critical to the long
run health of our Church.

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Chester M. Edelmann Jr.,
Bronxville, NY; St. Mark, Yonkers
(AT); LCMS Lifelong; Professor of
Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College
of Medicine. C. Elder; Pres.; VP;
Deacon; Secy.; Chm., School Bd.

Robert Weber, Muskego, WI;
Peace, New Berlin (EN); LCMS
50+; College Professor, Marquette
Univ. C. Pres.; Worship Com.;
Elder; Choir; Usher. O. Lions Club,
Pres., VP, Treas.; Melvin Jones
Award.

As a lifelong Missouri Synod
Lutheran, I am most concerned that
we encourage our young people to
pursue church-service careers; they
are the lifeblood of our church and critical to the vitality of our
Concordia University System and our seminaries. As someone who has worked as an academic physician for more than
50 years, my knowledge and experience should be valuable in
furthering the goals of Concordia College—New York, particularly with regard to the health-related programs.

The Gospel calls the church to be
in mission. Plans must be designed
and implemented based on the
Gospel’s call to meet the needs of others. Empty pews in
Lutheran churches and declining youth participation in the
Lutheran services call on Lutheran educational institutions
and Lutheran churches alike to explore unchartered territory
for involving youth. Our Concordia universities and Lutheran
churches alike must focus on identifying and promoting
new evangelistic mission initiatives that empower, energize,
and prepare students for missionary service opportunities,
including reviving existing Lutheran churches in Africa and
providing them with the tools to evangelize their own people.

Heidi J. Fields, Atlanta, GA;
Grace (FG); Librarian; Currently
Stay-at-Home Mom & Independent
Piano Teacher. S. Miss. Serv.
Volunteer, Russia 2. D. Participant,
PALS (Post-Sem. Applied Learning
& Support) 2. C. Pastor’s Wife
8; Dir. of Christian Ed./SS Tchr.
8; Fellowship Com. 8. O. Music
Tchrs. Nat’l. Assn. 2; Children’s
Librarian 6.
As a product of Lutheran education from kindergarten through
college, I understand that the goal of our Concordia University

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