LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, front matter 120

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can do so while also aggressively tackling today’s financial
pressures, technological advances, and other challenges. Our
hostile and even anti-Christian society should not hinder our
primary objectives to conserve and promote the unity of the
true faith, and help, promote, and protect our congregations
and pastors. And we must face struggles within the LCMS
openly, directly, and as disciples of Christ. We can do so with
the Holy Spirit, who will use us to bring the saving message of
Jesus Christ to all people.

a place to teach? If we believe what our Synod preaches and
teaches, shouldn’t we be centered on church growth? Any
issue discouraging that growth should be resolved now. Our
financial resources, facilities, and dedicated servants should
be used wisely. With God’s guidance, we cannot fail.

CONCORDIA university at austin, tx

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1 ordained minister, 1 commissioned minister, 2 laypersons
to be elected
ORDAINED MINISTERS

Leslie K. Sramek, Mascoutah, IL;
Christ Our Savior, Freeburg (SI);
LCMS 36; Finance Manager. S.
BOR, Portland 6; Alternate Conv.
Deleg. 1; Fl. Com. 5 Mem. 1; Conv.
Deleg. 1. D. BOD 1; Fin. Com.
Secy. 1; Alternate Conv. Deleg. 1;
Conv. Deleg. 1; Cir. Forum Secy./
Treas. 3; Cir. Forum Deleg. 1. C.
Dir. of Ed. 4; Constitution Com. 1;
Church Counc. 11; Budget Com. 3;
6th Grade Confirmation Tchr. 10; School Bd. Mem. & Chm.
4; Family Min. Study Team 2; Employee Handbook Com. 5;
Nom. Com. 3; Staffing Com. 1; Staff/Volunteer, Appreciation
Com. 2; Miss./Vision Com. 4; Scholarship Com. 2; Stewp. Bd.
4; Treas. 4.

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Richard S. Cody, Monett, MO; St.
John’s (MO); LCMS 40; Pastor.
S. Conv. Deleg. 1; Vicarage
Supervisor, Conc., St. Louis 1. D.
BOD 3; Miss. Bd. 6, Chm. 3 &
Secy. 3; TF for N. Korean Miss.
Project 3; Coord. Counc. 3; Chm.,
Communications & Technology
Com. 3; LWML Zone Couns. 4;
Pres., SWMO Cir. 8; Campus
Pastor 2. C. Pastor 14; Vacancy
Pastor 3. O. Habitat for Humanity BOD 3; Lions Club 5.
We are living in exciting times. Living in a postmodern culture presents a greater challenge of reaching out with the
saving Gospel of Jesus Christ, especially important in higher
education, where the truth of God’s Word is often questioned. Having attended three LCMS learning institutions, I
understand firsthand the blessings and values that Christian
education can provide to young people. Having graduated
from CUA, I have a continued love for my alma mater and
want to do all I can to see her continue her task of educating people to carry out the Great Commission in their various
vocations.

Lutheran education has been a high priority for our Synod
since its beginning. I give thanks that God has blessed us
with the Concordia University System for the training of professional church workers and lay leaders. With this blessing
comes great responsibility. In a culture with great temptation
to “water down” doctrine, we must continue to teach God’s
Word in its truth and purity and the Lutheran Confessions as a
true and genuine exposition of this Word. Grounded in these
areas, students will, by God’s grace, boldly proclaim the Good
News to a hurting world in their various God-given vocations.

Michael P. Dorn,* Houston, TX;
Trinity (TX); LCMS 47; Senior
Pastor. S. Conc., Austin BOR 3;
Secy., BOED, Luth. Church Canada
2. D. Salary Review Com., LCC 9;
Cir. Couns., LCC 6. C. Pastor 19.

Thomas L. Staack, Waterloo, IA;
Immanuel (IE); Attorney at Law. D.
Discipline Com. C. Chm.; Elder;
Chm., School Bd.; SS; Bible Class;
Choir; Praise Team. O. Pres., Iowa
Chapter, American Bd. of Trial
Advocates; Vice-Pres. & Exec.
Com., Iowa Assn. for Justice; Bd.
Mem., American Assn. for Justice;
Fellow, Iowa Academy of Trial
Lawyers; Chm. & Mem., Recreation
& Arts Com.; Chm. & Bd. Mem., Black Hawk-Grundy Mental
Health Bd.; Mem., Various TF for School Dist.; Numerous
city bds. & com.

Our universities have made great
strides in providing excellent education and preparation of church
workers. Most importantly, through
them God brings non-Christians to us, an opportunity to help
them learn and grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus
Christ. Concordia Texas’s new campus has opened additional doors. A current member and secretary of its Board of
Regents, I hear firsthand about amazing things that God is
doing. I believe that He has given me gifts to assist Concordia
in its mission, including visionary leadership, analytical thinking, and project management. May God bless us all as we
serve Him!

During this critical time in our Synod’s history, I’m concerned
about our future. There is evidence membership in our Synod
is shrinking and efforts to increase membership are diminishing. I’m also concerned about the viability of Lutheran
primary and secondary education. Outstanding teachers continue to be educated at synodical schools, but will they have

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