# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S167 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS for a strong and bold confession of the Lord Jesus Christ. During the past triennium, Christians worldwide observed the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. We are heirs of an astoundingly rich treasure of biblical and confessional theology. As with all that God has revealed in Holy Scripture, it is both our privilege and responsibility to literally hand over (1 Corinthians 11:23) what we have received from the Lord to the current generation. We have a body of truth, the faith, delivered once to the saints (Jude 3), to pass on to our children and grandchildren. It is not ours to alter, edit, embellish, diminish, or bury in the ground (Matthew 25:25). It is ours to preach, teach and proclaim with great patience (2 Timothy 4:2), confident that the Lord uses His living Word to accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 55:10–11). He alone creates faith where and when He will in those who hear the Word of God (Romans 10:17). This is the time for the Church to be strong, confident, and persistent in confessing Christ. Jesus is Lord! In Southern Illinois, we are witnessing a steady decline of congregations able to support their own full-time pastor. Five new dual parish arrangements have formed in this triennium. The congregations of the district strongly support parochial education. Changing demographics impacts schools too. By God’s grace faithful congregations, school boards, principals, and teachers meet these challenges with a fervent desire to teach the faith to the newest generation. Graduates from our schools form the backbone of leadership in many parishes. The Southern Illinois District supports an extensive prison and jail ministry. In any given week, some 25 pastors serve around 30 institutions on one day of the week. Prison ministry leaders from our district work closely with the LCMS Office of National Mission in promoting prison ministry throughout the Synod. Another bright mission outreach of our district is with campus ministry. Both campuses of Southern Illinois University are served by Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carbondale and Trinity Lutheran Ministries in Edwardsville respectively. Both ministries include a focus on international students. District office personnel underwent several changes this triennium. Mr. Roger Sprengel retired as the school and general executive (SAGE) after 9 years in the office. Mrs. Donna Wiesen retired from the administrative assistant to the district president after 16 years of service. Mr. Dan Roth retired after 9 years with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Previously, he served as the SAGE for 22 years. Mr. Jeff Fick, formerly of Elm Grove, WI, accepted the call to be the new school and general executive in 2017. Mrs. Leslie Sramek, the district bookkeeper since 2011, added the administrative assistant responsibilities to her duties with the district. “Confessing Christ: Jesus is Lord” was the theme of the 2018 district convention. Delegates were reminded that Jesus is passionate for your salvation. He humbled Himself taking the form of a servant. He died in your place that you may live in His eternally. The world around us is starving for truth that is not afraid to call something what it is. Sin is sin and always will be. God in Christ forgives your sins and purifies you from all unrighteousness. At His return, the whole world will be held accountable to Him. Now is the time to confess that Jesus is the Christ. He is the living Lord who rules over all things on behalf of His Church. He alone transfers us from the dominion of darkness and into His blessed kingdom (Colossians 1:12–13). All of these are reasons for us to be “Joy:fully Lutheran,” con- 167 fessing Christ that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Timothy J. Scharr, President R54 Texas District Texas District Identity The Texas District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod was organized in 1906 as a mission district, planted by the Southern District of the LCMS. A movement of the Gospel continues in Texas through the planting of new churches, bold outreach into communities by congregations and schools, and a joyful witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ by church workers and members of congregations. The mission of the Texas District is to strengthen congregations to reach the lost, disciple the saved, and care for one another locally and globally. Witness, mercy, and life together are embedded in the Texas District DNA. Witness, Mercy, and Life Together The objectives of the LCMS articulated in LCMS Constitution Article III were beautifully evident in the Texas District during the last triennium. Built upon the Reformation message of sola gratia, sola fide, and sola scriptura, the district has sought to put God’s Word to work through active mission outreach districtwide. To that end, the district has: •• Celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in local events, area gatherings, and at the 2018 district convention. •• Given generously to the Synod through regular offerings and special gifts (more than $4 million during the triennium). •• Poured more than $8 million into church planter training, church multiplication, new church worker scholarships, and returnable new church-planting seed funding. •• Saw the development of 30 new Word and Sacrament ministries during the triennium. •• Continued to fuel more than 100 missionaries in the district who are reaching more than 9,000 people every week with the love of Jesus across cultures, languages, and generations. •• Rejoiced in sending more than 50 students to be trained as pastors and deaconesses in the residential and alternate route tracks at the seminaries. •• Celebrated the development of 49 commissioned ministers of the Gospel for service to the church. •• Provided nearly $200,000 over the past triennium to assist church workers in need through counseling and financial support. •• Studied and discussed the living relationship between Confession and Mission at nine regional pastors conferences in 2018. 2019 Convention Workbook