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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 113

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
ified and wise administrators who lead competent and caring faculties. The directors of Christian education and deaconesses fulfill
their calling with determination and commitment to Holy Writ so
that our children and young adults may be equipped to withstand
Satan’s assaults and give a clear testimony to the world of who
Jesus is and the salvation that He has earned for us.
The rural areas of Iowa are continuing to decline in population. Our rural congregations are valiantly remaining committed to
reaching out to those who yet may live nearby. Adjustments and arrangements with sister congregations to share a pastor are difficult
considerations. Yet they bravely make decisions they need to so
they may continue to be present in their local communities.
Concerted efforts at church worker recruitment are bearing fruit.
Partnering with the Synod office supplying us with materials and
resources, we have seen an increase in students going to our Concordia universities as well as young men heading off to one of our
two seminaries. As was said above, we can only give thanks and
praise to the Lord of the Church for answering our prayers to send
more workers into the harvest field.
In convention this past year, the Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann guided
the assembly with a wonderful presentation on the topic “The Word
of God Leads Us Through Life.” It was a time of worship, study,
reports, and reflection on what we have been given in the Church
and how each congregation and membership can communicate that
message to the communities we live in. We have the holy treasures
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our pastors preach “Christ Jesus and Him
Crucified” with clarity. Our schools prepare our children rightly.
We have everything Pentecost has given the Church in every era.
We have work to do, and by God’s grace and strength we will do
it. God help us all and bless us with the promise of eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Brian S. Saunders, President
R29

Iowa District West
One hundred sixty-five congregations comprise Iowa District
West. Interstate 35, with a few exceptions, serves as our eastern
border.
Our 2025 district convention convened under the theme “One
generation commends Your works to another” (Psalm 145). LCMS
President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison preached during our opening
Divine Service, “The Word of God is living and active!”

113

During this triennium, we have been acting upon Synod and
district convention resolutions concerning reaching out into our
communities with Jesus’ love, church worker wellness, promoting
a culture of life, encouraging and recruiting pastors and other professional church workers, and more.
How are we reaching out into our communities? Rev. Dr. B.
Keith Haney conducts “Art of Neighboring” workshops and visioning workshops to help individuals and congregations see how they
can be neighbors in their communities and bring people to hear the
Word of God in our churches. Mrs. Julie Mann assists congregations in establishing Swaddling Clothes ministries as well as Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT). The district reaches out to
hurting families and congregations with our LERT training and volunteers and has recently served homes and churches in our district
impacted by tornados and flooding. LERT volunteers also traveled
to Concordia Seminary to help clear trees and debris following a
tornado. Our district also supports Orphan Grain Train.
What about church worker wellness and mental health issues? In
addition to our two annual professional church worker conferences,
we have begun an annual Mutual Consolation of the Brethren gathering initiated and led by Rev. Chad Dietrich. We are renewing our
emphasis among pastors on regularly attending our monthly circuit
winkels. We host an annual pastors’ wives’ retreat at Camp Okoboji. We passed a resolution to encourage every congregation to
enact sexual abuse prevention strategies. We’ve devoted 3 percent
of our entire district budget to expand staff and resources of Lutheran Family Service under the care and direction of Rev. Max
Phillips and Ms. Wanda Pritzel. Rev. Phillips shares that Lutheran
Family Service is the oldest service organization in Iowa, having
been organized in 1901. Its mission includes bringing comfort to
those who have had an abortion, those who are unexpectedly pregnant, those suffering mental health challenges, and others in need.
Rev. Jonathan Conner leads seminars encouraging appropriate use
of social media. Also, we have begun regular circuit visitor Zoom
meetings followed by in-person meetings to discuss opportunities
and issues as we walk together, because Christ is risen indeed!
What about promoting a culture of life? Our district convention
passed a resolution supporting and encouraging adoptions. Pastors
travel to our state capital to discuss life issues and legislation with
state government officials at lunch and learns and also Pastors Day
on the Hill. Revs. Cory Kroonblawd and Paul Schulz are actively
planning activities prior to and alongside the annual Iowa March
for Life.

Our convention essayist, the Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich of Concordia University, St. Paul, spoke of the changing of generations.
President Friedrich told the story of his family’s history in the district. “While times are changing, our theology and confession do
not change.”

How are we encouraging and recruiting pastors and other professional church workers? Our 35 preschools serve over 1,400 children. Our eight Lutheran schools are each increasing in enrollment.
By God’s grace, with our schools bringing Jesus Christ to God’s
dear children, He may lead more into professional church work.
The district has distributed over $250,000 in aid again this year
to 18 district students attending our Concordia universities and
seminaries. Also, our district provides a generous fund available
for church workers to help with debt reduction. How about music
among God’s children? David’s Harp is a recognized service organization of the Synod that is helping raise the next generation of
church musicians in local congregations. It began in the district, at
St. Paul, Council Bluffs, several years ago.

The Rev. Paul Egger was elected president of Iowa West District on the first ballot. The Rev. Jonathan Riggert was elected first
vice-president and the Rev. Benjamin Dose, second vice-president,
also on first ballots.

Our district office has recently experienced major transitions in
staffing. From those retiring: District President Steve Turner (after
10 years) to Paul Egger; Administrative Assistant Mrs. Sue Light
(46) to Mrs. Emilie Jensen; District President Administrative Assis-

District President Rev. Dr. Steve Turner expressed gratitude and
love for the delegates and for the opportunity to serve as the district
president for 10 years. He spoke of the strides our district has made
in ethnic ministries, in partnerships between congregations, and in
support for God’s mission. “Our strength does not lie in us, but in
the grace and peace that comes from Jesus Christ.”

2026 Convention Workbook