
By Anthony Oliphant
Delegates of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Central Illinois District (CID) met July 13–15 in Springfield, Ill., for their 61st regular convention. The Rev. Michael Mohr of Springfield was re-elected on the first ballot to a second term as district president.
Also elected were:
- Rev. Michael Burdick (Effingham, Ill.), to a first term as first-vice president after previously serving as second vice-president; and
- Rev. Mark Eddy (Taylor Ridge, Ill.), to a first term as second vice-president after previously serving as first vice-president.
Guided by the convention theme from Acts 13:30–31, “Witnessing Christ to the People,” delegates adopted resolutions to:
- Encourage congregations to make use of Every One His Witness and the CID’s supplemental witnessing helps;
- Launch a $3 million funding campaign for mission support in the CID;
- Encourage church planting, making use of tools from the LCMS;
- Encourage study of the right- and left-hand modes of governance and memorialize the LCMS to direct Synod organizations to exercise caution when advocating for positions in the left-hand kingdom where Christians of good conscience may differ; and
- Clarify policies regarding application and renewal of Recognized Service Organization status by memorializing the LCMS to direct district presidents to uphold Synod Bylaw 6.2.1.
The Rev. Anthony Oliphant is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, Ill.
Posted Sept. 26, 2025

