Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2026 · 69th Convention, Phoenix › Page 135

LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 135

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

A. Wellness and Witness
A.1. Wellness
A central aspect of the district’s work is the health of our mission stations and workers. Healthy workers make for healthy
churches. Healthy churches make for a healthy and strong witness.
The district is promoting worker wellness teams in every congregation. Teams are encouraged to engage the workers and to inquire
about their spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
As worker wellness teams are created, the district will offer grants,
partially matched by the congregation, that may be used to support
workers’ health.

A.2. Witness
The district includes seven states and the District of Columbia.
The specific context of mission and ministry varies greatly across
this geographical region. Context is celebrated and respected as we
seek to share the Gospel with the people God has placed before us
and expand the reach of the LCMS by planting new starts.
The district is committed to 21 new starts in this current district
triennium. This is a grassroots effort from congregations and their
members, supported by a partnership with the district and the Synod’s church-planting efforts.
The district will support 10 renewal efforts. These include ministries in areas where maintaining a Lutheran presence is essential
to serving the community and proclaiming the Gospel. Renewal
efforts will work in partnership with the district to develop a plan
of action that creates new paths of service for the sake of the people
God has placed before that ministry.

for rostered workers and lay leaders to grow in faith, further develop their God-given gifts, and strengthen their leadership for the
glory and praise of our Lord and King. Men and women, young and
old, rostered and lay alike, are equipped by God for service to His
Church and for witness within the communities in which they live.
We envision dynamic learning and growth where church workers and lay leaders are equipped to lead with confidence, courage,
and compassion. Through conferences, webinars, regional gatherings, the Lay Deacon Program, and wellness and witness cohorts,
the district seeks to cultivate leaders who are spiritually grounded,
mission-driven, and prepared to navigate the challenges of modern ministry. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and personal
growth, we aim to raise up servant leaders who will inspire transformation in their communities and congregations for the sake of
the Gospel.

D. Visitations and Engagement
As we continue to walk together as the Church, being present within each ministry context allows us to understand both the
unique aspects of each community and the people they are called
to serve. To support this work, we have developed a model of engagement for our own use and as a resource for the wider Church,
helping us faithfully carry out God’s command to love our neighbors. This model includes:
•

Rejoice: We rejoice in a God who does immeasurably more
through the saving power of Jesus Christ. This rejoicing is
our inspiration and foundation as we connect people with
Jesus.

•

Engage: We engage with our partners by listening, celebrating who they are, understanding their context, affirming their
value, and building lasting relationships.

•

Encourage: We walk alongside our partners to create an environment of possibility, rooted in the power of the Gospel,
encouraging them in their unique callings.

•

Serve: We love and serve our partners by supporting their
callings as they connect people with Jesus—so that lives are
transformed, and God’s kingdom grows.

B. Scholarships and Debt Reduction
Vacancies remain a significant challenge as congregations seek
pastoral leadership and care. The district in convention affirmed all
routes to ordination and the expansion of routes to ensure that pastoral leadership will be offered to congregations and mission starts,
and to provide opportunities for people in various contexts and life
situations to receive quality education for service to the Lord and
His Church.
The district is honored to be part of Set Apart to Serve, in which
several congregations and workers are serving as pilot congregations and cohort members. The district in convention elected to
commit to raising up future workers in each congregation.

B.1. Scholarships
In an effort to support students seeking theological education
and church service, the district will increase scholarship dollars.
These scholarships include undergraduate education and all routes
through seminary to meet the growing needs of our congregations
and mission stations, and the unique context they serve.

B.2. Debt Reduction
The district is committed to assisting church workers with student debt accrued while in undergraduate and seminary programs
leading to service in the Church. The district in convention voted
to increase grants to help lower debt, thereby relieving the financial
burdens on our workers so they may focus on their callings and
their vocations to their families.

C. Leadership Initiatives
The district is committed to providing meaningful opportunities

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E. Rejoice!
We preach Christ crucified! Through His death and resurrection,
we are set free from sin, made heirs of salvation, reconciled with
God, and live with the promise of eternity. This is the good news
for which we rejoice. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that
is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ
Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph.
3:20–21 NIV).
William A. Harmon, President
R52

Southern District
The Southern District covers Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
and the Panhandle of Florida. From the farthest east in Mexico
Beach, Fla., to the farthest west in Shreveport, Miss., is 1,000 miles
as the crow flies. Within this large geographic area we have 149
congregations.
I attempt to visit every congregation in the district at least once
2026 Convention Workbook