Buss elected to third term in Northern Illinois

Buss

By Anthony Oliphant

The delegates to The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) Northern Illinois District (NID) convention re-elected the Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss of Belvidere, Ill., on the first ballot to a third term as district president.

Also elected were:

Rev. Cory Estby, pastor of Zion, Grant Park, Ill., as first vice-president (South Region);

Rev. Caleb Schauer, senior pastor of St. John’s, Union, Ill., as second vice-president (West Region);

Rev. Steven Anderson, pastor of Gloria Dei, Chicago, and Hope, Countryside, Ill., as third vice-president (East Region); and

Rev. Michael Brown, pastor of St. Matthew, Barrington, Ill., as fourth vice-president (North Region).

Elected officers will be installed May 18 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, East Dundee, Ill., and Bethany Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill.

The theme of the NID’s 61st convention, held March 7–8 in River Forest, Ill., was “Stronger Together: Co-Workers for the Kingdom,” drawn from Colossians 4:7–17. Under this theme, seasoned and new church workers discussed mentorship and mutual support. Bishop Torkild Masvie of the Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland spoke to the convention about the fellowship in Christ shared by sister church bodies.

In addition, delegates also adopted resolutions to:

Encourage congregations to pursue wellness for their workers and provide support to worker families;

Commend and encourage parents in the role of raising children in the faith in Lutheran schools and encourage collaboration among congregations, schools and ministries; and

Honor 150 years of Black ministry, thanking God for His enduring faithfulness.

Posted May 7, 2025