Our work in the Kansas District is aptly reflected in the theme of our 2025 convention: “Abiding in the Word” (John 8:31–32). The baptized “abide in the word” as we are gathered at the pulpit, font, and altar to receive the gifts of Christ in Word and Sacrament. This is real, life-sustaining food. Receiving these gifts gives you a good conscience before Christ (Heb. 10:22; 1 Tim. 1:5). With sins forgiven and faith in Christ strengthened, we are set on the path to serve the living God. We have the privilege of supporting and encouraging the members of the district—155 congregations, 14 elementary schools, 1 high school, 35 preschools, and nearly 400 workers—in carrying out the mission Christ has given His Church. We’re also thankful for the opportunities we’ve had to maintain and enhance our work with other valued partners, including the Synod, recognized service organizations, auxiliaries, and related agencies.
Goals If you click on “About Us” on the home page of our website, you’ll see the phrase “Synod in this Place.” It’s a nod to Bylaw 4.1.1.1. Our “common work” in the district—captured in our mission statement, goals, and priorities—strongly aligns with the Synod’s constitutional objectives, bylaw purpose, and convention priorities while also taking into account directives from our district
convention. Following is a brief summary of progress on the major directives and priorities that have guided our work since the last Synod convention:
District Resolutions 2022 Res. 22-01-03, To Encourage Kansas District Congregations to Seek Opportunities to Collaborate and Partner to Enhance Mission and Ministry in the Kansas District: The Partnership Project was launched in 2020. District congregations, schools, and circuits are encouraged to consider ways in which they can be “better together” for the sake of advancing the Gospel in their location, and that the district identify, refine, and develop resources as needed to support the Partnership Project and encourage use of these resources. 2022 Res. 22-02-02, To Recommend and Implement a Rigorous Program of Study in Circuit Winkels: The district president provided to all circuit visitors and pastors of the district a template for the Traditional Synodical Conference Winkel Model, which provides, on a monthly basis, for significant and adequate time devoted to (a) the regular, formal study of God’s Word in the original languages led by a circuit pastor; (b) the regular, formal study of our blessed Confession and/or the Lutheran dogmatic tradition led by a circuit pastor; (c) the regular, formal study of an historical, pastoral-theological, or polemical topic led by a circuit pastor; and (d) regular, formal pastor-led critique of the winkel preacher’s sermon. 2022 Res. 22-03-01, To Encourage the Implementation of the Church Worker Care Manual in LCMS Kansas District Congregations: The lay leaders of district congregations are encouraged to implement the Church Worker Care Manual with their pastor(s) and other professional church workers (if applicable) within the 2022–25 triennium; and that church worker care teams or other appropriate boards or individuals within the congregation would focus their efforts on praying for, encouraging, and offering respite opportunities for church workers, promoting and supporting financially the continuing education of their called workers, and providing compensation for church workers that meets or exceeds established guidelines in the district.
Synod Priorities Bylaw 4.4.4, Visitation: We conducted 31 “official” visitations in the district since the last convention. The visits were intentionally based on Constitution Article III and Bylaw 4.4.4 (e). Visitation in this triennium will also be centered on the same focus. 2023 Res.
1-01A, “To Stimulate Training for Witness”: We are using and actively encouraging the use of all re:Vitality resources. 2023 Res.
1-03A, “To Plant More Churches”: Church Planting Simplified is currently being used with two new church plants. 2023 Res. 6-01, “To Affirm and Strengthen Set Apart to Serve in Word and Action”: The district is actively supporting this church worker recruitment initiative with prayer and active engagement. 2023 Res.
6-09, “To Recognize and Honor the Pastor’s Wife”: We recognized all church workers and their anniversaries with dessert following the convention Divine Service.
Performance Assessment We strive to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to our care. Here are a few ways the district staff and the board of directors have sought to advance the mission and vision of the district, strengthening our partnership with the Synod and other organizations since the last convention.
dismantling the main campus ministry and restricted the remnant of the school to an auxiliary nearby university-owned facility. The 2025 district convention was bittersweet, as our delegates realized it would be our last convention held on the beloved campus on the Huron River. As a whole, the district has experienced disappointment in life together in the Synod.
- Annual visits by the district president (DP) and assistant to the DP for congregational and school services to monthly circuit conferences for pastors, DCE clusters, and schools.
- Congregational treasurers’ workshops
B. Addressing Synod Priorities
- Church planting and church revitalization
- District disaster response efforts through district disaster response coordinator and Lutheran Early Response Teams
- Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support for pastors in first three years of ministry
- “Church Worker Care Manual” and the implementation of Church Worker Care Teams across the district
- Partnership with the LCMS Foundation for planned giving services
District congregations supported a strong program of mental health and care for district church workers (Res. 1-07, Res. 1-06A). The district employs a mental health case manager, an experienced deaconess who helps church workers find the care they need in times of personal crisis. The Committee for Church Worker Care is very active in support of new church workers (Res. 6-06A, Res. 6-02A) and encouraging and guiding those entering church work training. The district also provides a regular conference for new workers in the district. In addition, the district provides support for the wives and families of pastors (Res. 6-09) through an annual wives’ conference (The Katie Conference) and retreats at Camp Arcadia.
Looking Ahead Our strategic plan to guide our work as we “Abide in the Word” in the coming triennium, involves these key aims: 1. “Abiding in the Word” as a mission and ministry focus 2. Cultivating a culture of life in our congregations and schools 3. Encouraging National Lutheran School Accreditation 4. Planting schools, Lutheran early childhood centers, and churches 5. Promoting partnership in the Gospel 6. Actively engaging in training for witness and outreach We have His charge to live as His baptized priests, confessing His Word and living it out in word and deed to all whom we come into contact with, so that they may know that “Christ is risen indeed!”