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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 115

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
sought to advance the mission and vision of the district, strengthening our partnership with the Synod and other organizations since
the last convention.

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dismantling the main campus ministry and restricted the remnant
of the school to an auxiliary nearby university-owned facility. The
2025 district convention was bittersweet, as our delegates realized
it would be our last convention held on the beloved campus on the
Huron River. As a whole, the district has experienced disappointment in life together in the Synod.

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Annual visits by the district president (DP) and assistant to
the DP for congregational and school services to monthly
circuit conferences for pastors, DCE clusters, and schools.

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Congregational treasurers’ workshops

B. Addressing Synod Priorities

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Church planting and church revitalization

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District disaster response efforts through district disaster response coordinator and Lutheran Early Response Teams

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Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support for pastors in
first three years of ministry

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“Church Worker Care Manual” and the implementation of
Church Worker Care Teams across the district

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Partnership with the LCMS Foundation for planned giving
services

District congregations supported a strong program of mental
health and care for district church workers (Res. 1-07, Res. 1-06A).
The district employs a mental health case manager, an experienced
deaconess who helps church workers find the care they need in
times of personal crisis. The Committee for Church Worker Care
is very active in support of new church workers (Res. 6-06A, Res.
6-02A) and encouraging and guiding those entering church work
training. The district also provides a regular conference for new
workers in the district. In addition, the district provides support for
the wives and families of pastors (Res. 6-09) through an annual
wives’ conference (The Katie Conference) and retreats at Camp
Arcadia.

Looking Ahead
Our strategic plan to guide our work as we “Abide in the Word”
in the coming triennium, involves these key aims:
1. “Abiding in the Word” as a mission and ministry focus
2. Cultivating a culture of life in our congregations and schools
3. Encouraging National Lutheran School Accreditation
4. Planting schools, Lutheran early childhood centers, and
churches
5. Promoting partnership in the Gospel
6. Actively engaging in training for witness and outreach
We have His charge to live as His baptized priests, confessing
His Word and living it out in word and deed to all whom we come
into contact with, so that they may know that “Christ is risen indeed!”
Justin A. Panzer, President
R31

Michigan District
As People of Hope, vigorously making known the love of
Christ, the Michigan District addresses four critical targets: (1)
Great Commission Ministry, (2) Great Compassion Ministry, (3)
Healthy Congregations, and (4) Healthy Church Workers.
We seek above all things, through our congregations, workers,
laity, as well as every program and activity, to fix people’s eyes on
Jesus. For Christ is risen. Indeed.
The district is comprised of 146,295 baptized members, 334
congregations, 2 missions, 5 high schools, 66 elementary schools,
and 122 early childhood centers.

A. Concordia University Ann Arbor
The most bitter experience in the district in this triennium was
the closure of the Concordia University main campus in Ann Arbor. Although experiencing record-setting enrollment, a vibrant
and positive campus life, and generous emergency financial support pledged from many within and outside of the district, the administration of Concordia University Wisconsin moved ahead with

Our circuit visitors report strong participation in circuit life
(Res. 6-07A, Res. 4-03), where our pastors are built up together and continue to learn from one another. Some of our circuits
have formed subcommittees for church planting (Res. 1-01A, Res.
1-05A) as part of a Harvest Partner Network, and some are becoming connected directly to International Mission through a FORO
(Res. 2-07A) or other means. In addition, the district provides online training in personal witness, as well as conferences (“Beyond
the Breakwater”) designed to train individuals and congregations
in outreach to their communities. During the last triennium we held
26 circuit convocations (Bylaw section 5.4) focused on mission
outreach.
In addition to our circuit visitors, the district provides regional
facilitators who guide, resource, and encourage congregations, especially smaller and multi-point ministries (Res. 1-02A).

C. Mission/Ministry Initiatives
In an effort to move ahead in college-age ministry without the
presence of Concordia, the district is dedicating resources to network and expand campus ministries at colleges around the state.
We have also begun work on a vocational education ministry. We
have built a robust granting program to support the initiation of new
community-focused ministries through existing congregations. We
have seen growth in key urban and ethnic ministries that are focused on neighborhood engagement. Expansion of homeschool
support has grown alongside the growth of many of our day schools
and high schools.

D. Michigan District Convention
Our convention theme was Nourished for the Journey: Remember, Renew, Return. Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann served as keynote
speaker. President Matthew C. Harrison gave a report for the Synod
and a review of the Augsburg Confession. Rev. Dr. Jeff Schrank
assisted various congregations to provide food and hospitality. The
convention adopted resolutions expressing dismay over the handling of Concordia Ann Arbor, a request for the publication of the
Council of Presidents Manual, a commitment to an every-congregation visitation, questions about the term Lutheran Identity, a call
for clarity on the prior approval process, encouragement for personal witness, and an affirmation of our deacon training program.
2026 Convention Workbook