# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S133
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
The 2016–2109 Triennium has been a time of extensive natural disasters in the CNH District. The CNH District has been
blessed to receive and continues to work to fully distribute gifts
from around our generous church body to fire victims in Santa
Rosa, Napa, Clear Lake, Redding, Butte County (Paradise),
California, as well as volcano flow victims on the Big Island of
Hawaii. Because of the state of the forests in California, we expect that opportunities to continue to support future fire and
natural disaster victims may escalate in the near future.
Michael R. Lange, President

R23

Central Illinois District
This district is highly tuned to the work of the Lord being
done among us as Word and Sacrament ministry. We are fully
committed to speaking a word of pardon to repentant sinners
as the objects of our heavenly Father’s love and His Son’s holy
sacrifice. We are eager to see even more join the number of the
saints through a confident trust in Jesus. We desire to see CID
congregations thrive and grow. Our professional church workers are encouraged to seek faithfulness knowing that God will
supply the success of the mission.
The challenge looms before us here in the heartland that
is experienced elsewhere. We live in a post-Christian age. The
church doesn’t have the effect and influence that it formerly had.
Society is fomenting an environment that is more and more hostile to the Church, its message, and its adherents. Our congregations are finding several generations lukewarm or missing to the
preaching of the Gospel. The Gospel is perceived as irrelevant
in our cities and communities. The cross is viewed as a quaint
enough story of ancient times, but callous hearts are cold to
the divine practicality of atonement and redemption. Where the
disease is ignored, so is the Physician.
Our 2018 district convention brought our delegates together under the banner of the cross and the theology of the
cross. Again, Jesus was held before our eyes to confirm that all
has been done so that we might stand “not guilty” before our
Father. The results of Jesus’ salvific work were proclaimed as
solid ground in facing the difficulties and challenges of life. Our
regional Vice-President, the Rev. Dr. Daniel Preus, representing the Synod together with the LCMS First Vice-President, the
Rev. Dr. Herbert Mueller, also served as our convention essayist. Building on Jesus’ substitutionary work from His conception, through His suffering and death, and onto His victorious
resurrection, and focused on His life-giving Word, we are given
grace and hope to embrace when things and times get tough. We
have made it a point to strongly emphasize Gospel themes for
our last several conventions.
Having a strong contingent of faithful pastors and teachers, ecclesiastical supervision has been more a blessing than a
bane. We spend more time celebrating God’s grace than the
devil’s attacks. We rejoice in victory more than weep in defeat.
This is all God’s love showered upon us, undeserved. Yet there
has been quite a turnover in the number of pastors, principals,
teachers, and other rostered personnel that need replacing in
our congregations and schools.
At the district office, we saw Mr. Glenn Goeres retire from
his position as Assistant to the President for Education and

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Congregational Life. But after a rather lengthy illness that retirement turned to glory as the Lord called Glenn to be with
Him in 2018. Mr. Lewis “Trip” Rodgers most ably stepped in
to take over where Glenn left off. A long-time teacher and principal in the Central Illinois District he entered the position already possessing the respect of his peers. The Rev. Joel Cluver,
Assistant to the President for Missions, Evangelism, and Stewardship, also retired during this triennium and the Rev. Dr. Ken
Schurb has served superlatively as his replacement. His many
gifts and keen intelligence have been a wonderful blessing to this
district in the almost two years he has been among us.
Our Central Illinois District Church Extension Fund, one
of four independent funds still extant in the Synod, oversees
investments of over $35 million and is still providing funding for
church construction, several generous gifts to congregational
and district projects, and support for various ministries in our
district. Mr. David Rohe retired in 2018 and has been replaced
by Mrs. Christine Anderson who is assisted by long-time Executive Assistant, Mrs. Susan Short. This fund has the strong
support of the district and its congregations that should sustain
it for quite some time.
Our support staff, Hugh and Marsha Shown, has been of
great assistance to our office and the district. Their expertise
and efficiency have kept things running smoothly over the years.
Hugh is our bookkeeper/co-business manager and Marsha, our
receptionist and administrative assistant for over twenty years,
is scheduled to retire in May 2019.
We continue to pray for God’s mercy and blessing as we
look to the future which despite the seeming insurmountable
challenges that threaten Christ’s church in this place, we are assured that the same Jesus who has redeemed us will bring us
safely through and the gates of hell shall not prevail.
It is a privilege to be The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod in the midsection of the state of Illinois, serving over
half of its 104 counties. God has blessed us with close to 50,000
communicant members whom He is shaping every day into His
faithful servants. We continue in mission for our King knowing that what He has begun He will bring to completion to His
glory. He will bless because that is His promise!
Mark A. Miller, President

R24

Eastern District
The 99th Convention of the Eastern District was held at
Daemen College in Amherst (Buffalo), New York, June 15 and
16, 2018. 250 were in attendance. Rev. Dr. David Maier, Michigan district president, served as the convention keynote speaker
and Bible Study presenter. Rev. Christopher Esget, Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod Vice-President for the East Region,
served as synodical representative. The theme of the convention
was “Always Reforming” (“Ecclesia Semper Reformanda Est”).
A major portion of the convention was dedicated to breakout sessions and small-group presentations. Three resolutions
were forwarded to the 2019 Synod Convention. New church
professionals were recognized and welcomed into the District.
A memorial time was observed to honor church worker brothers and sisters who had gone to glory over the past triennium.
2019 Convention Workbook