# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S138
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

138

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

present with their people as they faithfully visit the sick and
shut-ins of their congregations. They lead the people in worship, that is teachers, deaconesses, directors of Christian education, and other church professionals are forming and informing
the next generation of Christians. Church members are volunteering to serve in their congregations and communities. Hundreds of quilts are prayerfully constructed and other projects
of mercy are offered by willing servants to the Glory of God.
These are acts of compassion and kindness.
The Holy Spirit sanctifies us and in doing so He gives us
hearts of mercy. This is God’s work in us as He calls us to put
on compassion and kindness. The Holy Spirit in Holy Baptism
calls us to be the Holy people of God, to live in perfect Koinonia
fellowship with one another. This is our identity as God’s chosen people. Jesus says it like this, “By this all people will know
that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”
(John 13:35 ESV).
The culture of worship in Iowa District West is faithful in the common order for the distribution and reception of
The Lord’s Supper. There is a great love for the Lutheran heritage in Christian worship. Lutheran Service Book has become
the primary worship resource for many of our congregations
while also identifying and encouraging the many musical treasures and gifts that the Holy Spirit continues to pour upon the
Church.

Trends across the District
We are witnessing a dramatic change in the demographics
in Iowa. It is not a surprise to anyone living in the rural areas
of Iowa District West that in the past 20 years there has been
a major shift in the population. Our small towns are becoming
smaller, and the Des Moines metro is growing significantly. I
have witnessed the pain people feel as they consider closing a
congregation and the growing pains of people as they consider
how they will serve an increasing population. To be sure, both
the increase and the decrease in population can cause a burden
to our churches. There are areas of the district that are growing
at an astonishing rate.

On a Mission to Support Christ’s Mission
This is the mission statement of the board of directors, “to
assist the congregations and their members in conserving and
promoting the unity of faith and in carrying out their mission . . .
more effectively and efficiently together with other member congregations” (LCMS Handbook 1.3.3, emphasis added). IDW
continues to be a leading District in the support of our national
and international mission work. In the past triennium, the District has passed on to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
50 percent of funds received from congregational support. At
the same time, we encourage our congregations to directly support our LCMS missionaries over and above our district commitment to the Synod through Mission Central.
The district has identified five strategic missionary partners
who are intentionally seeking to reach the unchurched in their
communities. Each of the missionary partners are engaged in
unique types of ministry. The goal of our strategic partnerships
is to provide sufficient financial support and organizational resources so they can carry out the work of sharing the love of
Christ.
Since our last convention, the district has welcomed Rhonda Mohr as assistant to the president for education, youth, and
2019 Convention Workbook

family life. She assists our Lutheran schools with workshops
and conferences for school boards, principals, and teachers.
Our principals meet monthly at the district office to share information, strategic planning, and bolster the Lutheran identity
in each of our schools. We are blessed to have over 40 Lutheran
preschools in Iowa District West. Our Family Life Ministry provides Christian education resources to assist our congregations
and families with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, confirmation instruction, and adult education programs. The district
assists congregations and workers in the faith formation of our
young people for Christian life in this rapidly changing world.
The district continues to host annual youth gatherings, facilitate national youth gatherings, coordinate servant events and
mission trips, and work with Camp Okoboji in summer camp
programs.
The congregations in Iowa West have a long history of caring for and sharing our burdens with one another. We have a
close relationship with Lutheran Family Service of Iowa. We
were very involved in disaster relief efforts in Texas, Florida,
and Puerto Rico. I thank God for congregations that are ready
and willing to work with one another in this common confession and common mission. I praise God for pastors who are
willing to take on the extra work of vacancies and congregations that will release them for service. Our congregations have
been ready and willing to make use of pastors on candidate status as vacancy and visitation pastors. I believe we need to be
pioneering in how we continue, bearing with one another, in our
ministry together.
Endowment and legacy gifts have allowed us to provide
increasing amounts of financial aid to students preparing for
church work careers, students attending Concordia University
System schools, and for our workers seeking continuing education. We have also addressed some of the issues of church
workers’ indebtedness through the district’s Ministry Excellence
Fund.
The district continues a partnership with the Lutheran
Church Foundation to provide a Christian estate planning
counselor to assist congregations and laity wishing to fund ministries through endowment and legacy gifts. IDW also partners
with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund to provide an LCEF
Vice-President to serve our congregations, workers, and laity
with investment opportunities, loans, and an arch of churchextension services.
I count it a joy and a blessing to be a pastor in IDW. But
times are changing. Rural Iowa is changing, but so are our urban and suburban communities. We rejoice in the timeless blessings of Christ and the changeless message of the Gospel. This
Good News brings peace and confidence in “changing times.” I
believe congregations throughout Iowa District West are sensing that they could fulfill their God-given mission better together than separately. Because we are “Bound Together in Christ’s
Love,” I encourage the leaders throughout Iowa District West
to explore new ways to join forces with neighbor congregations
to bring the changeless message of God’s love for the world to
your communities.
Steve Turner, President