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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 119

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
while also encouraging youth to consider church work vocations.
These efforts reflect the conviction that Lutheran schools are strategic mission fields, forming faithful disciples and future leaders in a
rapidly changing world.

7. Strengthen and Support the Lutheran
Family in Living Out God’s Design
Amid cultural upheaval and challenges to marriage, family, and
human identity, the district has clearly articulated what it stands
for: the preciousness of human life, faithful marriages, active families, and robust vocational living grounded in God’s Word. Through
teaching, public policy engagement, education, and congregational
life, the district has sought to strengthen Lutheran families as they
live out God’s design in home, church, and community. Rather than
retreating in uncertainty, the district continues to speak with confidence and compassion, proclaiming the Gospel, caring for neighbors, and equipping families to live faithfully in a gray-zone world.
With Christ as Lord and His Word as guide, the district moves forward unashamed, hopeful, and united in love for God and neighbor.
Lucas V. Woodford, President
R35

Missouri District
The Missouri District is comprised of 286 congregations, with
106,686 baptized and approximately 84,214 communicant members. Its 99 educational ministries serve approximately 13,710 enrolled students from early childhood through high school. There
are also 1,704 rostered church workers serving in congregations,
schools, recognized service organizations, and Synod entities. District missions focus on church planting; multiethnic, urban, rural,
and small-town missions; campus ministries; and military outreach
as our congregations seek to reach our mission field of more than
three million people.

A. Missouri District 22nd Convention
The district held its 22nd regular convention under the theme
“Bold Hope in Christ,” drawn from 2 Cor. 3:12. The convention
essayist was Rev. Dr. Kevin Golden, associate professor of exegetical theology, dean of theological research and publication, and director of resident field education at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Special guests included LCMS First Vice-President Rev. Peter K.
Lange, who served as preacher at the opening Divine Service and
gave a report highlighting key ministry efforts across the Synod
with a video from President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, and
LCMS Second Vice-President Rev. Benjamin T. Ball, who assisted
in the opening service and report by responding to questions on a
variety of topics related to church life and mission.
In his report to the convention, District President Rev. Dr. R.
Lee Hagan highlighted four critical targets for the 2025–28 triennium: Church Worker Recruitment and Retention, Discipleship in the
Home, Mission Field: Missouri, and Leadership Development, all
rooted in the overarching theme of “Bold Hope in Christ.”
The convention included a series of videos, including one shown
during Hagan’s report, as well as videos on campus ministry, multiethnic ministry, SHINE!, our seminaries, Lutheran schools, and
family ministry. Delegates adopted Res. 4-01, which realigned circuits across the district in an effort to bring circuits into conformity
with the Synod requirements for electoral circuits. The convention

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also adopted Res. 3-01, celebrating the upcoming 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism (2029) by encouraging congregations, and especially heads of households, to teach the faith in
the home. The resolution affirms the Small Catechism’s vital role
in faith formation and commends its use as part of the Church’s
ongoing educational mission. Res. 1-03 encouraged and celebrated multiethnic ministry by recognizing Missouri’s historic legacy
of outreach to diverse communities and by calling congregations
to renew their commitment to reaching people of all backgrounds
with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Delegates also adopted Res. 3-06,
which publicly opposed Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3,
which legalizes abortion up to fetal viability. The resolution affirms
the LCMS’ long-standing stance in defense of the unborn and urges
congregations to advocate for life in faithful, peaceful, and proactive ways within their communities. Finally, Res. 2-01 approved
the district’s Strategic Plan Critical Targets for the 2025–28 triennium, providing a road map for ministry priorities and mission focus
across congregations, schools, and ministries in the district.
The convention reelected Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan to his fourth
term as district president. Also elected were Rev. Craig Otto as
first vice-president, Rev. Randy Asburry as second vice-president,
Rev. Samuel Powell as third vice-president, and Rev. Rick Cody as
fourth vice-president.

B. Strategic Plan
The district’s strategic plan for the 2025–28 triennium has four
critical targets:
1. Church Worker Recruitment and Retention—The congregations and schools of the district have been richly blessed with
faithful pastors, teachers, and other servants. As we look together at the challenges facing the Church, we recognize the
need to be intentional about recruiting servants for the future
and providing support to care for those who serve. This target remains a top priority for the district.
2. Discipleship in the Home—The Scriptures and the Confessions teach that the home is the primary place of faith formation. The district will continue this emphasis by working
with congregations, schools, pastors, and school administrators to provide training and resources, so that each home
can be a place where Christ is at the center and families are
growing through learning God’s Word and the Small Catechism.
3. Mission Field: Missouri—We live in a mission field of more
than three million people who are not connected to any
church. This critical target establishes the priority of providing resources and training for congregations to collaborate in
reaching the lost with the Gospel.
4. Leadership Development—Congregations and schools are
in need of leadership training for both staff and lay leaders.
Governance models of the past are not serving our existing
structures well. The district will provide training and support related to governance models and for various leadership
roles in congregations and schools for both rostered workers
and laity.

C. Key Initiatives
Supporting these four critical targets, the district has several key
initiatives in the works. The Tomorrow’s Teachers and Preachers
initiative focuses on building the district’s church worker endowment fund to support the education of aspiring church workers in
2026 Convention Workbook