Encourage Newsletter
Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan 

Encouraging Faithful Witnesses
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

The Twentieth Convention of the Missouri District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is now complete. We are thankful to God for His guidance given to the delegates as they took up the work of electing leaders and adopting resolutions. Here are some of the things that occurred:

• 28 Circuit Visitors elected
• 23 resolutions passed
• Ten members of the Board of Directors elected
• Six members of the new Council on Mission and Ministry elected
• Five members of the Praesidium elected
• Two convention essays were presented

But the convention was also an opportunity for representatives of the congregations of the district to worship together. From LaGrange to Neosho, from Mound City to Poplar Bluff, delegates gathered together around Christ, present for us through His blessed Word and Sacrament. A district convention truly begins with worship as the people of God are drawn together in our unity around Christ and from that flow the tasks of stirring up one another to love and good works and encouraging one another. Worship at this convention, with strong Christ-centered Law and Gospel preaching was central to all we would undertake.

The convention considered resolutions on topics ranging from disaster response and witness training to encouraging use of the Small Catechism to amending district by-laws. From my perspective, two significant actions were to encourage participation in Plus One and to study support for church worker recruitment. The Plus One videos that were shown during the convention will be made available on the district website and Facebook page. These videos showed how congregations of all sizes from all different settings are engaging their communities in new ways. All congregations can participate in Plus One! The call for a study on church worker recruitment is important for our future as we consider ways to be intentional about raising up the next generations of servants in the church.

My hope and prayer is that the convention was an opportunity to meet together for worship and to stir up one another to love and good works and encourage one another to be “Faithful Witnesses.” Thanks be to God for His faithfulness shown to us all.
Prayer – Almighty and Everlasting God, we give thanks to You for Your mercy and grace shown to the congregations of the Missouri District. Continue to bless all our congregations as they meet together to receive Your gifts of Word and Sacrament that they may be stirred up to love and good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,

President Lee Hagan

Events and Information

Tuesday's Issue of Today's Business Now Available

Tuesday's issue of Today's Business is now available. Click here to access the document.

Watch Some Convention Highlights on Facebook

A number of convention events were streamed live on Facebook including:

• Opening Worship
• Essays 1 & 2 by Dr. Adam Francisco
• President Hagan's acceptance speech
• Matins Memorial Service

To watch them, visit our Facebook  page and click on the video. You can also find photos and some election results on Facebook and on Twitter  using #MOLCMSConvention2018. 

Volunteers Needed for LEA Convocation 

The Missouri District is looking for volunteers to help out at the Lutheran Educators' Association (LEA) Convocation October 10-12 at the Americas Center in St. Louis.

Volunteers will be needed to welcome and direct participants, run errands and assist with registration and hospitality. This is the perfect opportunity for retirees, especially retired educators, so that current educators can attend events rather than serve in volunteer roles.

There are many opportunities available, so everyone is sure to find a fit for their skills, talents and desire. Whether you can be there for a few hours, half a day, or multiple days, we'd love to have your help.

If interested, please send an email with your name, phone number, email address and availability to Alan Freeman at alan.freeman@mo.lcms.org.