District representatives meet for mutual sharing, encouragement

Staff from the LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM) and representatives from the LCMS Central Illinois District (CID) discuss the efforts of the CID to foster evangelism training among congregations. Pictured, clockwise from lower left, are Deaconess Cara Patton (ONM); Rev. Michael Mohr, Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb and Rev. William Jensen (CID); and Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe, Rev. Michael Meyer and Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador (ONM). (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

By Roy S. Askins

On Dec. 3–4, 2024, representatives from 33 of the 35 districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) met in St. Louis to discuss and coordinate work with the LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM). They covered topics including worker wellness, church planting, evangelism and outreach, and equipping and encouraging smaller congregations.

The Rev. Dan Galchutt, ONM executive director, pointed out the symbiotic relationship between the ONM and LCMS districts. Working from Proverbs 15:22 — “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” — Galchutt said: “You district workers serve as our advisors and counselors. … [Over the last year,] you helped guide us in our work so that it can be a benefit and blessing to the church at large.”

At the previous meeting in 2023, the ONM and district leaders discussed revitalizing congregations, aligning congregations with limited resources, and providing help for LCMS schools. Previous attendees found the approach particularly helpful. The Rev. James Maxwell, LCMS Rocky Mountain District president, noted how the last meeting had a collaborative feel: “This [meeting] was, ‘How can we partner with you? How can we encourage you? How can we come alongside you? Oh, and by the way, we have these resources. You are not alone.’ ”

The sense of a shared mission and support for one another pervaded this year’s gathering too. The Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador, LCMS Stewardship Ministry assistant coordinator and LCMS South Wisconsin District mission executive, said that “one of the devil’s favorite ploys is to get us thinking we’re the only ones who are thinking and feeling this way.” But when we hear common stories of other districts sharing the same issues, we can “pool ideas for better solutions.”

Each section of the conference began with an introduction to the topic along with the sharing of thoughts and existing resources. Attendees then gathered into small groups and held discussions, eventually sharing results of the discussion with the larger group.

Evangelism and outreach

The Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb, LCMS Central Illinois District (CID) evangelism executive, shared a set of “witnessing helps” developed and gathered by the CID. They support the work of programs such as Every One His Witness (the joint LCMS/CPH evangelism program) with specific suggestions in four areas: beginning an evangelistic conversation, listening discerningly to a non-churched person, making a simple statement of the Gospel, and defending the resurrection.

“People usually ask the question, ‘I’ve been through basic Every One His Witness training, but when I come to that moment [of talking to someone about Jesus], what do I say?’” Schurb said. The resources from the CID offer “ideas about what you can say to begin and continue an evangelistic conversation.” For the full list of resources, visit www.cidlcms.org/outreach-witness-ministry.html.

Worker wellness

The 2023 LCMS convention directed the Synod to continue to focus on improving the health and well-being of church workers. This work includes input from the ONM, districts, Recognized Service Organizations and other LCMS entities. Three district presidents that served as representatives from the worker wellness alliance provided an update on the current status of the work.

“It is very beneficial for the districts to be talking to each other,” said Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, ONM managing director. She noted the benefit of sharing the work of the worker wellness alliance and also explained the importance of coordinating among districts: “We want them to know what other districts are doing so that they can gain ideas and share resources, practices and programs that have worked well in their districts.”

For example, one district is testing worker wellness teams that operate at the circuit level rather than the congregational level. The district noted that circuit-level teams lift the burden of care out of the congregation, thus removing the church workers from having to self-advocate and providing unbiased outside guidance. At the same time, such teams create a significant workload that might be unsustainable for team members.

And more

The district forum also addressed church planting as well as encouraging and supporting smaller congregations, one of the most requested topics. In addition, a ministry fair provided opportunities for attendees to discuss resources available for district and congregational use.

The entire gathering concluded with a roundtable discussion of what participants learned and topics for the next district leaders’ forum.

Elsa Mort, administrative assistant to the LCMS Southern Illinois District president, encourages every district to send a representative. “It’s fantastic to connect with people that you’ve never met before, but you’ve chatted with; having that connection and fellowship really helps with our work.” She also sees more benefits: “There is also a lot of learning, and having the face-to-face interactions and discussion tables is much more effective than a Zoom call.”

This coordination and sharing is the key goal of the forum. Galchutt said, “We’re trying to be advisors for the districts, but we’re also asking and praying that they’ll be advisors for us and for one another.”

Posted Feb. 13, 2025