The Rev. Dr. Steve Turner of Fort Dodge, Iowa, was elected to his second term as president of LCMS Iowa District West at the district’s 40th convention, June 24–26 in Milford, Iowa. Turner was elected on the first ballot.
Also re-elected were:
- Rev. Roger Carlisle, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Wall Lake, Iowa, first vice-president; and
- Rev. Paul Egger, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Galva, Iowa, second vice-president.
The officers were installed at the convention, held under the theme “Bound Together in Christ’s Love,” from Col. 3:12–17.
Recognizing the need for more professional church workers, delegates overwhelmingly adopted (by 99 and 100 percent, respectively) two resolutions: to encourage full-time church work as a career, and to celebrate and give thanks for the 125th anniversary of Concordia University, Nebraska, in Seward.
Acknowledging the growing need for financial education for the district’s congregation members — both to alleviate debt and promote good stewardship — delegates voted to encourage congregations to make use of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (FPU) for financial management. The adopted resolution also asks congregation members to consider using a Lutheran-theology-based resource, “Preview and Review of FPU,” created by district pastor Rev. Jonathan Conner.
Delegates also approved a revised district handbook, replacing a 1985 version, that includes updates in technology and Synod recommendations over the years. Among revisions in the new handbook, a proposed four-term limit for the Iowa West district president was removed. There is no term limit at present, and so that will not change.
The convention also accepted The Gate Lutheran Church in Ankeny, Iowa, as a new district congregation. The Rev. Aaron Hannemann is pastor of The Gate, located in one of the fastest-growing communities in the country.
Posted June 28, 2018
