By Anthony Oliphant
Delegates of the Indiana District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) met for their 24th regular convention June 19–20 in Fort Wayne, Ind. The convention theme, drawn from John 15:5 (a passage on the Indiana District official seal), was “I Am the Vine, Ye Are the Branches.” The Rev. Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch of Fort Wayne was re-elected on the first ballot to a second term as district president.
Also elected were:
- Rev. Peter J. Brock, Decatur, Ind., Northeast Region, re-elected to a third term as first vice-president;
- Rev. David R. Mueller, Goodland, Ind., Central Region, re-elected to a second term as second vice-president;
- Rev. Douglas D. Bauman, Columbus, Ind., Southern Region, elected to a first term as third vice-president; and
- Rev. Erich R. Fickel, Chesterton, Ind., Northwest Region, re-elected to a second term as fourth vice-president.
All elected officers will be installed Sept. 24.
Delegates also resolved:
- To continue the Indiana District’s support within and beyond Tanzania, especially by means of theological education through regional seminaries in Africa, training centers, Bible institutes, symposia and homes for vulnerable children;
- To affirm recommendations of the Task Force on Classical Lutheran Pedagogy and encourage and assist the proclamation of the Gospel through distinctly Lutheran education, including implementation of daily liturgical worship led by a pastor whenever possible, prioritization of Lutheran authors when possible when evaluating textbooks, and teaching traditional English grammar and formal logic; and
- To promote awareness of Christian adoption and fostering needs, agencies and opportunities among the Recognized Service Organizations of the LCMS engaged in these efforts, and to memorialize the 2026 LCMS convention to further support them with prayer, advocacy and financial contributions.
The Rev. Anthony Oliphant is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, Ill.
Posted Aug. 1, 2025/Updated Aug. 5, 2005
