# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2026_S18 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS 18 create a strategic plan that addresses the wellness of church workers and assisted with the development of a District Wellness Initiative (2023 Res. 1-06A). • • • Created new resources and developed a pilot program to assist congregational lay leaders in creating a loving and supportive culture (2023 Res. 1-06A). Soldiers of the Cross provided $241,705 in financial assistance to 98 rostered church workers; Veterans of the Cross provided $717,751 to 30 recipients. $474,200 in grants were issued for district programs and to RSOs, including DOXOLOGY, Shepherd’s Canyon, and GracePoint Relational Health, that provide wellness programs and services to rostered church workers. Plans for the next triennium: • Address the wellness needs of young church workers identified in 2024 research. • Continue the District Wellness Initiative roll-out to all districts. Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, Director • As of Nov. 2025, there are 92 church plants either active or building to activity (2023 Res. 1-03A). • Church Planting Workshops for seminarians at both seminaries (2023 Res. 1-03A). • Work is being done to launch more education and training for church planting teams (2023 Res. 1-03A). Rev. Quintin Cundiff, Director C.3. Discipleship Ministry LCMS Discipleship Ministry is focused on supporting congregations through their districts as they develop lifelong disciples of Jesus. Discipleship Ministry offers resources that address both the “gathering” and the “shepherding” aspects of Jesus’ Great Commission. Accomplishments over the past triennium: • Promoted witness, outreach, and revitalization through Every One His Witness and re:Vitality workshops that provide training for church workers and laypeople in strategic planning, meaningful community outreach, and ministry to inactive members (2023 Res. 6-04). • Gathered and shared resources to aid small congregations and multi-congregation pastors and parishes with Partnership Project resources (2023 Res. 1-02A). • The process for using the Congregational Assessment of Development/Decline Status (CADDS) self-assessment tool has been reworked to enable more widespread use as districts and congregations have increased use of this tool. C. Witness Ministry Area The ONM Witness Ministry Area supports the local mission work that proclaims Christ in congregations and schools including urban areas, on college campuses, in rural areas and small towns, and among people of different ethnicities. Rev. Michael Meyer, Managing Director C.1. All Nations Ministry • All Nations Ministry equips churches to reach out to people “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Rev. 7:9). Whether black, Hispanic, Native American, or of another ethnicity, all people need to hear the saving message of Jesus Christ. United in Christ, LCMS members gather together in worship and reach out to more than 60 ethnic and 45 language groups in the U.S. Accomplishments over the past triennium: • Increased collaboration and wellness among leaders of ethnic ministries through the All Nations Council, through publication of an online directory and dashboard, and by providing grants for conferences and outreach (2023 Res. 1-05A). • Provided visitation, consultation, encouragement, and support to ethnic ministries throughout the U.S. (2023 Res. 1-05A). • Developed new multilingual materials for witness and discipleship plus a new catalog of existing materials in order to facilitate utilization. • Plans for the next triennium: Working with CPH for a scholarly book focused on the work of the LCMS in discipling peoples of all ethnicities, languages, and skin colors (2023 Res. 11-03A). Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe, Director C.4. Stewardship Ministry LCMS Stewardship Ministry continues to provide workshops, conferences, and resources to help pastors and congregations teach and practice faithful stewardship in their own settings. Four pastors have been trained to be circuit and district presenters. C.5. School Ministry LCMS School Ministry assists, equips, and uplifts school educators, district staff, and especially education executives, as well as congregational leaders so that through them children may be equipped as disciples of Jesus Christ. There are 1,664 early childhood centers, 722 elementary schools, and 114 high schools in the LCMS. Accomplishments over the past triennium: • National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA): 674 schools are accredited (early childhood centers, K–8 schools, and high schools). • Conducting Genesis Project studies as requested to help congregations discern the feasibility and mission effectiveness of starting a school. • School Leadership Development Program (SLED) has continued to form faithful, mission-driven administrators; expanded support for early childhood directors through the Early Childhood SLED initiative. • Facilitated a special offering to support grants by MinistryFocus for student debt of Commissioned Minister—Teachers Rev. Stephen Heimer, Manager C.2. Church Planting LCMS Church Planting comes alongside districts and their new church plants to support church planting teams with resources, training, and tools. Eligible church plants are able to apply for grant funds made possible through the generosity of the Bolick Foundation. Accomplishments over the past triennium: 2026 Convention Workbook New re:Vitality workshops focused on assimilation and incorporation of members, and a workshop on outreach for churches with schools.