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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 167

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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-

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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