News from the 2009 District Convention
Texas District - LCMS Post-Convention Update June 30, 2009
Intercontinental Hotel - Addison, TX
Highlights of the Convention through written updates and pod-casts were made daily throughout the Convention. Here are some final thoughts and information regarding the Convention.
Resolutions
This was a record year for the fewest number of resolutions presented to the Convention. Floor
Committees were combined to accommodate this unusual development. Mission and Ministry had a total
of five resolutions and Administration/Theology and Church Relations had a total of four resolutions.
To review these resolutions, follow this link to the adopted resolutions.
Convention Planning Committee
There are many nuances of a Convention and many hours of planning and preparation to ensure that everything runs smoothly. A big "thank you" to the 2009 Texas District Convention Planning Committee:
| District Staff | |
| Convention Committee Chairman | Rev. Ken Hennings |
| District Arrangements Coordinator | Dr. Louis Jander |
| MMF Area A | Mr. Paul Krentz |
| Texas District Treasurer | Ms. Marlys Erickson |
| Public Relations Coordinator | Mr. John Goeke |
| Media Coordinator | Rev. Steve Misch |
| Manager Administrative Services | Mr. Jeff Holly |
| Administrative Assistant | Ms. Gwen Hohle |
| Board of Directors | |
| 1st Vice President | Rev. Dr. Robert Preece |
| Texas District Secretary | Rev. John Davenport |
| Convention Coordinators | |
| Lead Convention Coordinator | Ms. Monica Jackson |
| Registration Coordinator | Rev. Bill Lowrey |
| Worship Coordinator | Rev. Dr. Luke Biggs |
| Page Coordinator | Vicar Mark Couser |
| Hospitality Coordinator | Ms. Becky Melde |
| Vendor Committee Coordinators | Mr. and Mrs. Reed and Pat Lemons |
Final Registration Numbers
Rev. Bill Lowrey reported the following registrants for the 58th Convention of the Texas District:
| Voting Delegates Pastor | 191 |
| Voting Delegates Lay | 202 |
| Total Voting Delegates | 393 |
| Registered Guests | 136 |
| Total Guests and Delegates | 529 |
A final reminder... please bookmark www.txdistlcms.org for the most current news and information on the ministries of the Texas District.
Texas District - LCMS Convention Update - Sunday, June 28, 2009
Intercontinental Hotel - Addison, TX
Rev. Randy Haedge, Prayer Chaplain for the Convention, in a beautifully quiet and contemplative manner led the assembly in the opening devotion using the prayer model of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Participants were given several minutes for prayer and meditation in each discipline.
The three part Bible Study based on Philemon 1:6-7 and focusing on the Convention theme of Reaching, Receiving, Refreshing was powerfully presented by Rev. Dr. Steve Wagner. His presentations each day were highlights of the spiritually stimulating and missionally focused Convention.
Prior to the closing worship service Called Workers celebrating 25 or more years (and at five year intervals beyond 25), were recognized by the Convention. A list of the recognized anniversaries is included in the Convention Handbook and can be viewed and downloaded on the Convention Resources page.
When all official reports and business items were concluded, President Hennings gaveled to a close the 58th Convention of the Texas District, LCMS.
First Vice-President The Rev. Dr. Robert Preece delivered a stimulating message to worshipers in the closing worship service. His oratory skills helped to make the theme of Remembering and Sending come alive as he wove in meaningful bits of Texas History to illustrate his message.
A poignant moment of the worship service came when those Called Workers who have been called home to glory since the last convention in 2006 were individually recognized. Family members present were greeted by President Hennings and presented with a special memento in honor of their loved one. The list of these men and women is included in the Convention Workbook and can be viewed or downloaded on the Convention Resources page.
John A. Goeke
Director of Public Relations and Communications
Texas District, LCMS
Texas District - LCMS Convention Update - Saturday, June 27, 2009
Intercontinental Hotel - Addison, TX
Today's sessions once again included two uplifting devotions led by Vicar Travis Hartjen and Rev. John Messman; a stimulating Bible Study led by Rev. Dr. Steve Wagner; and a challenging keynote presentation by Dr. Robert Newton.
The Mission and Ministry Facilitators, Paul Krentz, Dr. Lou Jander, Rev. Mike Newman and Rev. Steve Misch, along with Dr. John Hirsh, Director of Worker Care, shared demographics of our state, the tremendous mission opportunities available in Texas, the many ways to facilitate church planting and how to pursue becoming a church planter. Video of the MMF presentations will be posted to this page soon. Their entire presentations can be seen on video by clicking this link.
Dr. Will Sohns, a member of the Synodical Blue Ribbon Task Force on Structure and Governance gave a report on the progress of this committee which will be making recommendations to the 2010 Synodical Convention. Dr. Sohns walked through each point of the document and then gave delegates and guests an opportunity to respond on a survey form. These forms, along with those of other District Conventions, will be reviewed by the committee as they begin to formulate a recommendation to the 2010 Synodical Convention. In addition to the surveys, the committee has received input from more than a thousand individuals including lay members, pastors and District Presidents in the formulating of this document. You can review it by going to www.lcms.org, click on Ministry Areas and then Structure and Governance.
Special guest ministries today included, LSSS, Dr. Kurt Senske; Lutheran Foundation of Texas, Rev. Gary Pohl; CPH, Mr. Jonathan Schultz ; Synod's Mission Program, Rev. Dr. Bob Scudieri; and LCMS Seminaries, Rev. Kurt Krueger.
President Hennings presented Marlys Erickson, retired Business Manager, with a framed stained glass image of the new Texas District logo.
Rev. Randy Haedge, prayer chaplain for the Convention, closed the session with prayer.
John Goeke
Director of Public Relations and Communications
Texas District - LCMS Convention Update - Friday, June 26, 2009
Intercontinental Hotel - Addison, TX
Following a welcome by the Mayor Pro-Tem of Addison, Mr. Joe Mellow, and the reading of a greeting from Governor Rick Perry, President Hennings gaveled into session the 58th Convention of the Texas District - LCMS.
The delegates and guests were inspired and challenged by The Rev. Dr. Steve Wagner, Bible Study Leader, and The Rev. Dr. Robert Newton, keynote speaker.
In his first "District Report", Rev. Hennings took the opportunity to express the importance of "family" in his life; his immediate family; the family of pastors and their wives; the Vice Presidents; the Circuit Counselors; the Texas District Staff; and the congregations of the District. He expressed his gratitude and thanks to all of those who made his job as President possible.
A special guest to this convention was the President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, The Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick. Thanking God for pastors and congregations who are sold out on sharing their faith in Jesus, he shared a number of stories, via video, of churches doing unique and extraordinary ministry in connecting people to Jesus.
Others making presentations to the convention were Dr. Tom Cedel, Concordia University Texas and Mr. Keith Lund, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Texas.
The following resolutions were adopted by the delegates:*
Floor Committee - Mission and Ministry
- Resolution 01-01-09 - To Update the District Support of Missions
- Resolution 01-02-09 - Memorial to Support the Frontera Ministry
- Resolution 01-03-09 - To Study and Reach Across Congregational "Fronteras"
- Amended line 17 added following congregations "be urged to" study
- Resolution 01-04-09 - Memorial to Encourage Cross-Cultural Church Plants
- Resolution 01-05-09 - To Encourage Congregations to Use "Missioninsite"
- Floor Committee Two - Administration/Theology and Church Relations
- Resolution 02-01-09 - To Encourage Offering of Every Sunday Communion
- Amended changing the word study in the title to "offering" and on line 49 to offer
- Resolution 02-02a-09 - To Encourage The Synod to Respect the Dissent Process
- Resolution 02-03-09 - To Address Sexual Predatory Behavior in the Church
- Amended by reversing second and third resolves
A special resolution thanking God for the DCE ministry on the 50th Anniversary of this ministry was passed by the delegates.
* For the details of these resolutions, you can download the pdf titled "IV. Overtures and Resolutions " from the Convention Resources page.
Texas District - LCMS Convention Update - Thursday, June 25, 2009
Intercontinental Hotel - Addison, TX
Guests and delegates made their way through long check-in lines as the hotel worked feverishly to accommodate the rush of people. Intercontinental management placed five attendants behind the desk to assist in the check-in process, and they made available cool and refreshing lemonade for those waiting in line. Our thanks to the Intercontinental staff for making the wait more comfortable.
A mass choir, made up of members of area churches, and the praise ensemble from Prince of Peace, Carrollton, added to the spiritual dimension of the worship service as they shared both traditional and contemporary songs of praise. More than 900 delegates and guests were in attendance.
Following the worship service, President Hennings hosted a reception for the assembled guests.
John Goeke
Director of Public Relations and Communications
Video Podcasts
Podcast 04 - Sunday
Podcast 03 - Saturday
Podcast 02 - Friday
Podcast 01 - Thursday