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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 129

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

129

ministrators and district staff. In the end, three areas of special focus
became apparent for the next triennium: Equip and train congregation and school leaders in their areas of service; deepen and broaden
our knowledge and understanding of Scripture and the Confessions;
launch and develop new Gospel outreach ministries.

moved from active to emeritus status. The district also had 4 transitional interim pastors accept calls to serve district congregations.

The district plan was the tipping point for decisions concerning
staffing. Rev. John Greig was called to serve as executive director of
Mission and Ministry. Nicole Levy was called to serve as education
executive and superintendent of Ohio Lutheran Schools. Together
with Karen Dutton, director of Youth and Family Life Ministry, these
mission and ministry staff are leading the implementation of the ministry plan.

Sanctity of Human Life

To address these needs, the district’s mission and ministry staff
created three themes for the next triennium. Each theme flows from
Eph. 4:15–16:
Connected reflects God’s design and call for His people to walk
and grow together in Christ as one Body held together in His love.
Equipped reflects God’s ongoing care for His people, providing
what we need to grow in Christ and serve faithfully as each part of
His Body works together in love.
Sent describes the natural overflow of a church connected and
equipped in Christ, moving outward to share the Gospel while caring
for and loving their neighbor.

Actions on Convention Resolutions
2022 Ohio District convention Resolution 4 called on the convention to support the strengthening of the faith and biblical worldview
of district church members. The resolution was approved by the convention.
The Resolution 4 Task Force was formed to implement the resolution, chaired by Rev. Dr. Eric Tritten (Gloria Dei Hudson, Ohio). After researching the topic, the task force determined that God’s Word
is the key for strengthening the faith on a daily basis. The task force
put together two primary resources for congregations to use to engage
members in the Word of God daily. The first is a collation of resources
used by our congregations. The second is a series of videos to provide
on-ramps for God’s people to study Scripture. An additional series of
on-ramps are being produced.
2023 Res. 1-06A called on the Synod and its districts to create a
strategic plan for worker wellness. The Synod used the annual LCMS
Ministerial Care Coalitions meeting to start planning. The meeting
was held in March in Orlando, Fla. Rev. Chris Eldridge, the Ministerial Health Commission chairman, and I participated in the meeting.
The district addressed 2023 Res. 1-07, “To Address Mental
Health among Pastors and Other Professional Church Workers,” in
three ways. First, the district affirmed the positions of care partners,
who provide a confidential “listening ear” for any church worker or
church worker family member in the district. The district’s Commission for Ministerial Health produced resources supporting sabbaticals for church workers, identifying resources for church worker
wellness and guidance for congregational leaders in order to care for
church workers. Finally, the 2025 Fall Professional Church Worker
Conference was led by DOXOLOGY.

Church Workers
In the past triennium, 27 pastors accepted calls into the district.
This includes 10 candidates from the seminaries. Meanwhile, 15 pastors took calls to congregations outside the district, and 21 pastors

In the past triennium, 37 commissioned ministers accepted calls
to the district schools and churches. A total of 17 commissioned
ministers transferred out of the district.
In 2023, the state of Ohio proposed a constitutional amendment
to legalize abortion. District congregations and church workers received a pastoral letter concerning the proposed amendment, urging
members to vote against the proposed amendment. Churches and
church workers also received legal guidance from the district with
parameters for addressing such issues of public policy. In addition,
statements outlining the LCMS biblical stance on abortion were
provided to state and national news outlets.
To provide further support for the sanctity of human life, the
district participated in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., in
January. LCMS participation was led by the LCMS Life Ministry
and supported by all 35 LCMS districts.
Kevin A. Wilson, President
R45

Oklahoma District
The 78 congregations of the Oklahoma District met at its 51st
convention June 13–14, 2025, under the theme Praying to the Lord
of the Harvest, based on Luke 10:2. Our main focus was the LCMS
Set Apart to Serve initiative to raise up church workers from our
congregations. The district is a fellowship of congregations committed to caring, sharing, teaching, preaching, and reaching people.
Through God’s Divine Service in Word and Sacrament, the Holy
Spirit brings them into a living relationship with the Lord Jesus
Christ.
On May 19, 2024, the district celebrated its 100th anniversary at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche. Some of the participants in the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 were members of the
Lutheran Church. They helped establish a foothold for the church
in the Oklahoma Territory. Many had migrated to Oklahoma from
Kansas. Lutheran pioneers also came from Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and the northern states. In 1922, the Kansas District
petitioned the Synod to create an independent Oklahoma District.
The district is able to designate three-fourths of its budget for
mission work, with the remaining budget used for administration,
professional growth, and ministerial wellness. The district board
of directors also steadfastly pledges one-fourth of its budget as a
financial commitment to the Synod.
Several communities in our Central Region are good spots to
plant new churches. These include Piedmont, Yukon, and Tuttle.
Piedmont is the fastest growing zip code in the U.S. The Yukon
and Mustang areas are not far behind. Tuttle is also experiencing
exponential growth. Currently, Piedmont, Yukon, and Tuttle have
no LCMS presence. We are working with the Office of National
Mission to plant a new church there.
The district educates children from infants to twelfth grade. We
currently have 17 early childhood programs and 8 elementary/middle schools across the state. Our oldest school, established in 1926,
is St. Paul in Enid. Immanuel in Broken Arrow (Tulsa area) is home
to our only Lutheran high school.
2026 Convention Workbook