# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S146
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

146

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

Looking Forward in the 2018–21 Triennium
Our June 21–23, 2018, district convention gathered around
the theme, “Chosen to Proclaim,” based on 1 Peter 2:9 and emphasizing the high privilege of every Christian in being set aside
by God for the task of proclaiming Jesus Christ. The convention saw the retirement of incumbent President Dean Nadasdy
and the election of Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford as new district
president on the second ballot to a first term.
Our staff and board of directors agreed on eleven initiatives for the 2018–21 triennium, all based on specific resolutions
adopted by the convention and designed to keep us in step with
God’s mission. These initiatives, along with our re-affirmed
Mission Statement and Promise Statement to those we serve,
will guide and organize our work over the next three years. Additionally, a major focus of the new triennium will be a districtwide push to engage and encourage congregational Bible study.

Our 2018–21 Initiatives:
1.

Rooted in the Word. To move toward more excellent
preaching, teaching, hearing, and understanding of
the Word (2 Timothy 2:1–2).

2.

Visitation, Listening, and Encouragement. To be
present with our circuits, congregations, schools, and
workers to encourage them, thank them, and give attention to the joys and challenges they are experiencing (Galatians 6:2, 10).

3.

Oneness. To nurture our growing unity, concord, and
harmony (Ephesians 4:1–6).

4.

Outreach Ministries. To encourage and support congregations and individuals in refreshing existing and
developing new outreach ministries in their communities (1 Peter 2:9).

5.

Church Planting. To encourage congregation involvement in church planting by supporting church
planters in their efforts, by becoming mother congregations, and by participating in the New Church
Incubator (Luke 19:10–27).

6.

Networking and Collaboration. To develop and
encourage cooperative ministry partnerships and
resource sharing (Philippians 4:8–9).

7.

Schools and Early Childhood Centers. To strengthen
our existing schools and early childhood centers and
expand education ministries (Matthew 19:14).

8.

Campus Ministry. To encourage congregations toward greater evangelistic activity and efforts among
college and university students (Psalm 78:1–7).

9.

Public Policy Advocacy. To advocate for scriptural
truth and provide resources in the following areas of
public policy: marriage and sexuality, sanctity of life,
religious freedom, and parental choice in education
(Matthew 22:21).

10. Wellness. To provide resources that promote wellness
among church workers, their families, and congregations (Mark 12:30–31).
2019 Convention Workbook

11. Professional Conduct. To hold one another accountable for conduct worthy of the Gospel of Christ
(Philippians 1:27).
Our Mission Statement: “Cultivating leaders intentionally
engaged in the mission of God.”
Our Promise Statement to those we serve: “Rooted in the
Scriptures and growing in a relationship of mutual trust and
Christian love, we promise to equip, support, and encourage
you in your ministries, joyfully serving together to make disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Our entire district is a ripe mission field, with over 1.75 million unclaimed (no religious affiliation) people and nearly onethird of the overall population being of non-Anglo descent (and
often immigrants or refugees). We strive in this 2018–21 triennium
to be found faithful stewards of the Gospel and all its gifts, helping our pastors, leaders, and congregations learn how to be intentionally engaged in this mission field while rejoicing fully in our
“Joy:fully Lutheran” identity.
Lucas V. Woodford, President
R35

Missouri District
The Missouri District is comprised of 291 congregations,
with 128,000 baptized and 100,000 communicant members. The
113 educational ministries serve approximately 14,000 enrolled
students.
The Missouri District held its 20th regular convention under the theme “Faithful Witnesses,” based upon Isaiah 44:8.
The convention essayist was Dr. Adam Francisco, professor at
Concordia University, Irvine. Francisco’s presentation focused
the delegates on apologetics as a way to hold to the truthfulness
of the Bible in contrast to a post-modern worldview. He said,
“Apologetics does not convert people to saving faith. It provides
a basis for factual knowledge of the Christian faith.” Special
guests included Synod President, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison,
who led a Bible study, and Fifth Vice-President, Rev. Dr. Daniel
Preus, who served as the preacher at the opening Divine Service.
In his report to the convention, President Lee Hagan highlighted the three critical targets for the 2015–2018 triennium:
Healthy Servants, Peaceful Ministries, and Mission-Focused
Congregations, which led to an initiative called “Plus One,” an
effort for every congregation in the district to add one new way
to reach out to their community with the Gospel. The convention included a series of Plus One videos, highlighting various
community engagement projects. President Hagan also reported that by the time of the convention, 104 district congregations
were participating in Plus One.
The convention adopted a major restructuring proposal
that replaced four service boards with a single Council on Mission and Ministry and allowed for the appointment of members
to the board of directors and council. The convention also adopted a resolution to encourage participation in Plus One and
to expand Plus One to schools. Other actions included resolutions that called for the district to offer “Every One His Witness” training in each circuit in the triennium, study district
support for church worker recruitment, retention, and financial
support and to encourage Synod to develop resources to aid
congregations and schools regarding sexual orientation and
gender identity issues.