Delegates to the 32nd convention of the LCMS Florida-Georgia District re-elected the Rev. Gregory S. Walton of Orlando, Fla., as district president. Walton — the only candidate nominated — was returned to the office, by acclamation, for his third three-year term.
The convention met June 12-14 in Orlando under the theme “Engaged in the Master’s Business,” inspired by Luke 19:11-27.
“The convention was a great celebration of our life and ministry together, responding to the call to ‘Engage in the Master’s Business,’ ” said Walton. “It was a time of inspiration, meditation and celebration of our mission to connect people to Jesus. We accomplished our work in a timely fashion, and enjoyed our time together.”
Also elected were:
- Rev. David Brighton, pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Warner Robins, Ga., district first vice-president and also elected Region 1 vice-president.
- Rev. Jon Zehnder, pastor of St. Michael Lutheran Church, Fort Myers, Fla., second vice-president and Region 4 vice-president.
- Rev. Dr. Brian Kneser, pastor of Woodlands Lutheran Church, Montverde, Fla., third vice-president and Region 3 vice-president.
- Rev. Stephen Wipperman, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Lake Worth, Fla., fourth vice-president and Region 5 vice-president.
- Rev. Frank Marshall, pastor emeritus of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, Fla., fifth vice-president and Region 2 vice-president.
All officers were installed at the convention.
All resolutions presented by four floor committees — for Leadership, Congregations, Outreach and Bylaws — were approved by the convention delegates, including those to:
- support the establishment of a new, collaborative lay deacon program. With its adoption, delegates affirmed that the Florida-Georgia District express its support for Concordia College—New York’s new Certified/Licensed Lay Deacon program as a collaborative means of raising up new lay leaders, and that congregations be encouraged to participate in the program.
- recommend that the LCMS move to a four-year convention cycle.
- establish a Florida-Georgia young-adult network, resolving that the district provide necessary resources and guidance.
- affirm the district’s outreach initiatives, “strongly” encouraging Florida-Georgia congregations and schools “to develop outreach plans for their ministry over the next year and begin to implement them on or before June 2016.”
- encourage congregations to conduct annual appeals for church planting in the Florida-Georgia District and to pray for workers who will focus on starting new ministries.
Posted June 24, 2015
