“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58) By the mercy of our God, all that we have been given to do in the Northern Illinois District is empowered and guided by the fact that Christ Is Risen Indeed! Or said differently, “Jesus wins.” He shares His victory with us as His baptized people. He shares that victory with His beloved Church! What He gives in both Law and Gospel is what we are privileged to share, as we witness to our neighbors and our increasingly secular society. The district covers the northern third of Illinois: • 196 active congregations
- 40 elementary schools
- 2 high schools
- 25 stand-alone preschools/childcare centers
- 1 university, Concordia University Chicago (CUC)
- 1 camp—Walcamp Outdoor Ministry and Retreat Center
- 2 new congregations
- 5 closed congregations
Sadly, this represents some decline since the last reporting to the Synod convention in 2023. That does not mean that our congregations, schools, and ministries are not hard at work, because they are!
We rejoice that the Word of God works and the Gospel is the power of God to salvation! Our congregations are rich in a life of Word and Sacrament! We are grateful for our called church workers in the district; men and women who are coworkers for the kingdom of God (Col. 4:17–17). At its 2025 convention, the district reaffirmed its focus on God’s Word, Wellness of workers and ministries, and Witness to the Gospel inside and outside the Church. In this work, we have: • 216 active pastors
- 285 active commissioned workers
- 809 active non-roster ed workers
- 98 ordained pastors emeriti
- 324 commissioned workers emeriti
Next Gen: The district is actively involved in the LCMS initiative Set Apart to Serve, with its desire to raise up the next generation of called church workers under the blessing of the Holy Spirit. We also are deeply grateful for the leadership and participation of Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support in the district, which works with each new pastor and their spouse during the first three years of called ministry. The district is grateful that its support for students preparing for church work has increased by over 160 percent since 2023. The district’s initiative is called Workers of the Word.
Priesthood of the Baptized: This includes the lay women and men in our congregations, schools, and ministries who serve in response to the Gospel and are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We thank God for the thousands upon thousands of faithful Christians who serve in the Church and in the community. As district president, it has been an honor to meet committed, prayer ful, thoughtful, generous women and men in every part of the district.
Lay Leadership: In response to the question of a lay leader in one of our congregations, we initiated a “Lay Leadership Summit” in August 2024 at Walther Christian Academy in Melrose Park. This event included worship and Bible study, singing (very much appreciated by those gathered), and workshops on topics of interest to lay leaders serving on the frontlines of ministry in congregations and the community. This event reached maximum capacity, with over 350 attending. Future summits are planned.
Partnership Gatherings: Several times a year, district staff and circuit visitors gather at individual circuit or circuits together. These gatherings include the pastor, chair and vice-chair, elders, treasurers, and other interested lay leaders. It is a joy for people to meet their neighbors, gather around Word and prayer, talk about opportunities and challenges, and more fully understand the blessings of the district and the Synod. From this type of gathering comes encouragement, relationships, new ministry and service, mergers, and new congregational partnerships. We hear many comments like, “We are not alone,” and “When can we do this again?” Back to School: For the last several years, the district has sponsored a “Back to School Worship” gathering in one of our larger churches to accommodate the hundreds (350–400) who serve in our Lutheran schools as the school year approaches. After Word, prayer, and song, a plenary speaker engages and edifies those preparing for their important work of teaching in our schools and especially communicating the Good News of Jesus. These speakers have come from our Concordia Universities.
Belize Mission: In partnership with the LCMS missionaries in Belize and the Belize Mission Society, the district is actively working in this Central American nation for the proclamation of the Gospel, the care of those in need, and the planting of Lutheran congregations. To encourage involvement in the mission of Jesus, the district has sponsored mission trips that include members of various district congregations serving together. Of great excitement was the building and dedication of a playground in Siene Beight, near Christ Lutheran Church, in October 2025 through the Hearts for Jesus offering from our district schools, congregations, and individuals. Hearts for Jesus has been around for decades in the LCMS, supporting Lutheran mission and human care, especially through Lutheran schools.
Location: The district offices have been located on the campus of CUC since August 2022. We have partnered in education, conferences, and various church gatherings. Each year the district office has had students who serve as student workers. These workers see the work of the church at large and are very helpful. Together with CUC, we hosted the November 2024 meeting of the LCMS Council of Presidents.
Wellness: We have a church work care team that assists our workers, on a non-professional basis, with the challenges our church workers are facing. Healthy church workers help create healthier ministries, along with healthy lay leadership. We desire to retain and strengthen the workers we have. The district is grateful to be partnering with Concordia Plan Services for the addition of a part-time staff position, a wellness officer.
Visitation: Since the front line of our work in the district happens in congregations, schools, and ministries, the staff spends much time and many resources visiting, listening, encouraging, and assisting in the joys and challenges of church life. Circuit visitors and vice-presidents of the district are also involved in visitation. How blessed we are to be a church rich in the Word of God, committed to our Lutheran Confessions, and giving thanks for opportunities to impact our communities with the power and presence of Jesus and His Holy Gospel. Lord, keep the devil far from us and keep us humble!
Urban Ministry: In 2026, the district is engaged with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund as we embark with a Ministry Clarity Process in our East Region. This region of the district consists of Chicago and the collar counties. It has been noted that in the last 20 years, we have seen much decline in attendance in this region, and many of the congregations in the East Region have or could close. This is especially concerning because this is where most of the people are in our district, and most of them are living and dying without Christ. The goal is to engage and encourage our existing congregations to look for new ministry opportunities and partnerships and to find Spirit-given renewal. The district seeks a strategy and more comprehensive plan for Chicago ministry and mission.
2025 Convention: March 7–8, 2025, was the 61st Convention of the district. The theme was Stronger Together: Co-Workers for the Kingdom of God (Col. 4:7–17). Our relationships in the Body of Christ, regardless of our roles and titles, are significant as confessional Lutherans who are committed to the mission of Jesus. It is the kingdom of God, not our personal kingdoms. The Lord sets the agenda for the Church, and He graciously puts us together in our roles for His purpose and glory. The kingdom centers on Jesus and His work and Word! At the convention, we were honored to serve as hosts and hear from President Matthew Harrison, various district presidents, listen to a presentation by a seasoned pastor and teacher and a new pastor
and teacher, and hear students from several Lutheran schools and Walther Christian Academy sing for worship. Convention actions included a few significant resolutions: • To State Religious Objection to Governmental Interference of Parents’ Duty
- To Ask the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Study and Publish a Report on Christian Nationalism
- To Encourage Congregations to Seek Wellness for Their Church Workers
- To Offer Thanks for Congregations and Individuals Who Support with Financial Gifts the Work of the District and the LCMS
- To Give Thanks for 150 Years of Black Ministry in the LCMS in 2027
Installation Services: Services of Installation were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, East Dundee, and Bethany Lutheran Church, Na per ville, on May 18, 2025. President Matthew Harrison installed Rev. Dr. Allan Buss to his third term as district president; he, in turn, installed the newly elected and reelected officers. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, president emeritus of Concordia Theological Seminary, delivered a historically rich, Christ-centered message. The offering provided resources for future church workers supported by the district through the Workers of the Word initiative. It’s been said, “It’s a great time to be the Church!” This is our time to be the Church, and for us that means in Northern Illinois … and beyond. The Lord of the Church is at work … sometimes in spite of us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.