# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S140
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

140

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

tion for SMP colloquy. In two additional cases, congregations
have requested an exception to continue to be served by their
LLD for a limited time and for a specific reason.

••

Added a new position: Communication Specialist

••

Redesigned website and logo

Performance Assessment

••

Added new information to the website, including
board report summaries, Board of Directors minutes,
and an enhanced budget summary

••

Conducted “Meet the District Staff ” events in 10
locations throughout the district

A few months prior to our 2018 convention, we took stock
of how we’ve used the “talents” the Lord has given us (Matt.
25), assessing what we’ve accomplished and where we might go
next. That stock-taking exercise yielded over two dozen items
(listed below), all of which are aimed at enhancing our service to
district members, strengthening our partnership with the Synod
and other organizations, and exercising faithful stewardship of
the gifts entrusted to us.

Administration
••

Developed a new strategic plan

Worker Support

••

Realigned and balanced budgets

••

••

Refined the procedure for annual pastors’ conference
elections and business meeting

••

Conducted an assessment of the Kansas District
Retreat Center; launched a plan for improvement

••

Made numerous improvements to the District Office
building

••

Extensively revised the District Operations Manual

••

Welcomed a new volunteer archivist, with plans to
improve organization and access to resources

Increased emphasis on church worker care through
the Core Needs Survey, expanded committees for
follow-up, broadened executive staff involvement,
and renewed focus on organization and efficiency

••

Increased the number of Winkel visits

••

Implemented PALS (Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support) and launched a new worker orientation event

••

Appointed a District Life Coordinator

••

Increased intentional attention to congregations and
workers in central and western Kansas

Congregational Support
••

Improved the call process

••

Increased congregational visitation

••

Reviewed 45 congregational constitutions and gave
final approval to 32 of them

••

Reorganized District Disaster Response (appointed a
District Disaster Response Coordinator; encouraged
the involvement of LERT teams)

Missions
••

Filled a vacancy: Assistant to the President for Missions and Stewardship

••

Filled a vacancy: Administrative Assistant for Missions and Stewardship

••

Established a partnership with Mission Central and
LCMS Mission Advancement

••

Established a partnership with the LCMS Office of
International Mission (West Africa/Guinea)

••

Planted two new worship sites: Ascension, Pratt
(chartered in 2017) and Concordia (exploratory; now
conducting weekly services)

••

Designated 10 percent of congregational receipts
each year to district mission grants

Communication/Transparency
••

Created new mission and vision statements

2019 Convention Workbook

Looking Ahead
Shortly after our 2018 convention, we created a strategic
direction document to guide our work in the new triennium. At
the core of the document are three key aims:
1. Witnessing Faithfully
2. Fostering Unity
3. Helping Ministries Thrive
The challenges we face as we pursue these aims are likely
very similar to those in other districts: demographic and cultural shifts, shrinking resources, and resistance to change. But we’re
excited about the opportunities we’re exploring—including potential partnerships, networks, and grant-funded projects—that
will help us address those challenges and strengthen our ministries in the Kansas District.
Perhaps most encouraging is the growing spirit of unity
and fellowship in the district. At our 2018 convention, we asked
delegates to respond to the statement, “I am optimistic about
life together in the Kansas District.” The vast majority (84 percent) strongly agreed or agreed. In an open-ended comment,
one delegate noted: “I believe the theme for this year’s convention [Life Together in Mission] was well chosen and served to
remind all participants that working together in Christian love
towards our common goals is far more beneficial than doing
otherwise.”
United in our Baptism, confession, and common work, we
in the Kansas District are “Joy:fully Lutheran!” And we have
every reason to “Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks!”
Peter Lange, President