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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 127

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
in Belize and the Belize Mission Society, the district is actively
working in this Central American nation for the proclamation of the
Gospel, the care of those in need, and the planting of Lutheran congregations. To encourage involvement in the mission of Jesus, the
district has sponsored mission trips that include members of various
district congregations serving together. Of great excitement was the
building and dedication of a playground in Siene Beight, near Christ
Lutheran Church, in October 2025 through the Hearts for Jesus
offering from our district schools, congregations, and individuals.
Hearts for Jesus has been around for decades in the LCMS, supporting Lutheran mission and human care, especially through Lutheran
schools.
Location: The district offices have been located on the campus
of CUC since August 2022. We have partnered in education, conferences, and various church gatherings. Each year the district office
has had students who serve as student workers. These workers see
the work of the church at large and are very helpful. Together with
CUC, we hosted the November 2024 meeting of the LCMS Council
of Presidents.
Wellness: We have a church work care team that assists our
workers, on a non-professional basis, with the challenges our church
workers are facing. Healthy church workers help create healthier
ministries, along with healthy lay leadership. We desire to retain and
strengthen the workers we have. The district is grateful to be partnering with Concordia Plan Services for the addition of a part-time
staff position, a wellness officer.
Visitation: Since the front line of our work in the district happens in congregations, schools, and ministries, the staff spends much
time and many resources visiting, listening, encouraging, and assisting in the joys and challenges of church life. Circuit visitors and
vice-presidents of the district are also involved in visitation. How
blessed we are to be a church rich in the Word of God, committed to
our Lutheran Confessions, and giving thanks for opportunities to impact our communities with the power and presence of Jesus and His
Holy Gospel. Lord, keep the devil far from us and keep us humble!
Urban Ministry: In 2026, the district is engaged with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund as we embark with a Ministry Clarity
Process in our East Region. This region of the district consists of
Chicago and the collar counties. It has been noted that in the last 20
years, we have seen much decline in attendance in this region, and
many of the congregations in the East Region have or could close.
This is especially concerning because this is where most of the people are in our district, and most of them are living and dying without
Christ. The goal is to engage and encourage our existing congregations to look for new ministry opportunities and partnerships and
to find Spirit-given renewal. The district seeks a strategy and more
comprehensive plan for Chicago ministry and mission.
2025 Convention: March 7–8, 2025, was the 61st Convention
of the district. The theme was Stronger Together: Co-Workers for
the Kingdom of God (Col. 4:7–17). Our relationships in the Body
of Christ, regardless of our roles and titles, are significant as confessional Lutherans who are committed to the mission of Jesus. It
is the kingdom of God, not our personal kingdoms. The Lord sets
the agenda for the Church, and He graciously puts us together in our
roles for His purpose and glory. The kingdom centers on Jesus and
His work and Word!
At the convention, we were honored to serve as hosts and hear
from President Matthew Harrison, various district presidents, listen
to a presentation by a seasoned pastor and teacher and a new pastor

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and teacher, and hear students from several Lutheran schools and
Walther Christian Academy sing for worship.
Convention actions included a few significant resolutions:
•

To State Religious Objection to Governmental Interference
of Parents’ Duty

•

To Ask the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
to Study and Publish a Report on Christian Nationalism

•

To Encourage Congregations to Seek Wellness for Their
Church Workers

•

To Offer Thanks for Congregations and Individuals Who
Support with Financial Gifts the Work of the District and
the LCMS

•

To Give Thanks for 150 Years of Black Ministry in the
LCMS in 2027

Installation Services: Services of Installation were held at
Immanuel Lutheran Church, East Dundee, and Bethany Lutheran
Church, Naperville, on May 18, 2025. President Matthew Harrison
installed Rev. Dr. Allan Buss to his third term as district president;
he, in turn, installed the newly elected and reelected officers. Rev.
Dr. Lawrence Rast, president emeritus of Concordia Theological
Seminary, delivered a historically rich, Christ-centered message.
The offering provided resources for future church workers supported by the district through the Workers of the Word initiative.
It’s been said, “It’s a great time to be the Church!” This is our
time to be the Church, and for us that means in Northern Illinois …
and beyond. The Lord of the Church is at work … sometimes in
spite of us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Allan R. Buss, President
R43

Northwest District
The apostle Paul spoke of the dismal state the Church would be
in “if Christ has not been raised,” saying, “then our preaching is
in vain, and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). However, we are
not only a people united in Baptism to the death of Jesus. “If we
have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be
united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom. 6:6). This is true
since “indeed Christ has been raised” (1 Cor. 15:20), and in Baptism, so are we. Christ Is Risen Indeed. Therefore, we who live “no
longer live for [ourselves] but for him who for [our] sake died and
was raised” (2 Cor. 5:15). Grateful that our abbreviation among the
LCMS districts is NOW, raising up servant leaders to live for the
risen Christ is a task we find immediately before us, “now.”

A. Raising Up and Equipping Leaders
A.1. NOW Leadership Initiative (NOW LI)
Our Leadership Initiative (NOW LI) began in 2021 to invite
ministries across the district to identify servant leadership characteristics and behaviors, naming them in people and saying, “I see in
you,” so that those individuals are encouraged to step into new roles
of leadership. Bible studies, accompanying podcasts, and videos
provide resources for congregations to engage in NOW LI.

A.2. Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI)
We are now well into the next phase of Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI). Our YLI effort studied church workers across the
2026 Convention Workbook