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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 110

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

110

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to Affirm Unequivocally the
Practice of First Communion Prior to Confirmation as a God-pleasing Practice so as to Encourage Member Congregations and Pastors
of the English District to Recognize the Validity of the Aforementioned Practice and, On That Basis, Commune Visiting Children
Who, Though Not Yet Confirmed, Are Nevertheless Communicant
Members in Good Standing and Who, Therefore, Should Not Be
Denied the Lord’s Body and Blood Because They Have Not Yet
Been Confirmed
Resolution 1-02B: To State Religious Objection to Government
Interference of Parents’ Duty
Resolution 1-03S: To Request the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations (CTCR) to Produce a New Document on
Race
Resolution 2-01: To Affirm and Retain the Seven Mission Priorities of the LCMS
Resolution 2-03: To Memorialize the Synod to Encourage Congregations in the LCMS to Include in Their Annual Mission Budgets Support for a Regional University of the Synod’s Concordia
University System
Resolution 4-01A: To Request a Comprehensive Review of the
Theological Concerns and Practical Procedures When a Call Is Terminated or Self-Terminated

F. LCEF and Canada Corporation
A corporation was established in 1954 by English District congregations to make loans to our Canadian congregations. As the
need for funding grew, and with the blessing of the Canadian congregations of the English District, the LCEF became the sole member of the Canadian corporation. This has resulted in the Canadian
Corporation becoming Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Canada.
The board of directors includes members of our English District’s
Canadian congregations. We are excited to see how LCEF—Canada can expand its services to congregations and church workers
throughout Canada, including congregations and pastors in Lutheran Church—Canada. This project has taken four years to accomplish, and we are thankful to God for His grace to everyone
involved in the process.

G. Endowment Fund
The English District Endowment Fund is currently worth about
$5,000,000 and is bearing fruit each year to support the congregations’ efforts towards new missions, human care/disaster relief,
campus ministry, church worker debt reduction, and scholarships.

H. Regional Conferences
A highlight of each year is the round of four regional church
worker conferences held in September and October. Our church
workers, mostly pastors, come together for fellowship, education,
worship, and to hear reports from our bishop and district staff. Topics ranging from our Lord’s resurrection to the history of the Synod’s congregations in Chicago were enjoyed by those in attendance.

I. Living the Baptized Life
The English District joyfully looks to the future for our Lord’s
appearing, seeking to please Him in all we do for His glorious eternal kingdom.
Jeffrey G. Miskus, President
2026 Convention Workbook

R26

Florida-Georgia District
The Florida-Georgia District has for more than 75 years been
known for its focus on the mission of God. This is beautifully summarized in our Bylaws:
Since God’s mission and ministry occur through local congregations, and it is our desire that every congregation be a
church in mission; and every man and woman a missionary,
all working together under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, be
empowered by His Gospel, to share His Love. Therefore, the
Vision of the Florida-Georgia District is: Every member ...
Equipped, Empowered, Engaged ... Connecting People to
Jesus!
Our district board of directors went through a two-year process
of prayer, study, discussion, and visioning for its work ahead. Although we live in a day where the Church is faced with many challenges, the district believes that this is a time for us to remain steadfast and bold in our witness that many more might come to saving
faith. The result was a renewed vision and strategy built around
four critical ministry targets:
•

Cultivate the Christian Identity of Every Disciple … as those
created, loved, redeemed and sent by God;

•

Support Church Workers and Leaders in Healthy Ministry
Practices;

•

Help Congregations Engage Their Communities … moving
beyond the church doors and becoming actively involved in
their communities; and

•

Foster a Sense of Shared District Identity around a Culture
of Disciple-Making.

The district is diverse, stretching from the Florida Keys to the
mountains of north Georgia. Despite Lutherans being a minority
in a sea of denominations and religions, we are joyfully Lutheran,
proclaiming the message of God’s grace through Christ by faith
alone. We are committed to sharing this one true hope with all. We
are committed to standing upon God’s Holy Word and celebrating
the gift of the Sacraments.
We continue to support campus ministries across our district to
reach over 690,000 students spread out in our many universities.
These students are not only being fed on Word and Sacrament but
equipped and sent as witnesses and leaders for Christ. Financially,
our district has remained healthy and debt-free.
We are blessed with a wonderful spirit of unity. Pastors joyfully and faithfully gather for winkel conferences, sharing worship,
Bible and Confessions study, and brotherly encouragement. Commissioned workers gather locally and at our annual conferences. As
those who are God’s redeemed, we are sent to be a blessing. When
so many are hurting, struggling, and living outside of God’s grace,
it is our calling to “share the hope that is within us” (see 1 Peter
3:15). Therefore, we continue to provide opportunities to equip and
empower the people of the district to be the leaders that the Church
needs and to see each opportunity as a “divine appointment” for
outreach and service to the Lord.
Such equipping is accomplished through pastors’ conferences,
regional gatherings and workshops, convocations, emergent leader training, treasurer workshops, outreach/evangelism training, the
Kairos Network, Missionary Pathway Training, and other resources provided through the district and Synod. Others have been en-