Third Annual District Forum Held in St. Louis

Third annual district forum held in St. Louis 
By Mary Henrichs, Reporter Staff, January 27, 2026 

Despite the snowy road conditions in much of the Midwest, the weather did not deter any of the 48 district leaders — representing 31 LCMS districts — who attended the third annual district forum at The LCMS International Center in St. Louis on Dec. 2–3, 2025. The event, hosted by the LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM), acts as a key opportunity for ONM staff and district leaders to collaborate on areas of both growth and challenge that face their ministry. 

Attending for the third time, the Rev. Jim Henkell, ministry executive for the LCMS Pacific Southwest District, described the shared enthusiasm around the event: “The interaction with colleagues is phenomenal: to discover and learn what God is doing in their districts and to discern if that applies to us, and also to delight in it with them.” 

The first part of the day included two breakout training sessions, offered by National Mission, from which participants could choose: one on “Exploring God’s Mission Here,” a Bible study and congregational planning tool; and another on ONM grant programs, led by Deaconess Maryann Hayter, LCMS manager of grantmaking. 

The Rev. Dan Galchutt, ONM executive director and interim LCMS chief mission officer, explained “Exploring God’s Mission Here” as a resource designed to help facilitate “tough conversations with congregations that are in challenging spots.” It seeks to address the spiritual and emotional side of those conversations while also helping to isolate the relevant facts and numbers. Designed to be led by a district leader, the Bible study includes questions to guide congregational self-appraisal, then points the congregation toward possible next steps, such as revitalization, developing partnerships, church planting/replanting, or even a blessed end. 

Throughout Galchutt’s presentation, group discussion revolved around two main questions: How can leaders and congregations be more proactive, and how can leaders encourage people to participate in the ongoing mission of God: seeking and saving the lost? 

In the grantmaking training session, Hayter walked participants through nine separate grant programs that offer funding to congregations, schools, Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs) and workers. “What I really love [about the district forum] is [that] it’s an opportunity to hear from the district personnel. … While I was giving them a ton of different information, I was also acquiring from them what we could do better to communicate with them and with the congregations and RSOs within their districts,” said Hayter. 

Later in the day, discussion topics and presentations were provided by the district leaders. The Rev. Daniel Grams, mission executive in the LCMS Kansas District, walked through a case study of successful revitalization at Christ Lutheran Church in Manhattan, Kan., which had declined to only 12 members and was ready to close its doors. Through a partnership with the district and the calling of a pastor (the Rev. James D. Woelmer), the church devoted itself to the intention “that God may instill in our hearts a passion for the lost.” Woelmer visited and shared the Gospel with over 250 unchurched families. Over the course of two years, Christ Lutheran gained 45 new members and now has a weekly attendance of about 60. 

The Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, president of the LCMS Northern Illinois District, discussed church revitalization. No matter how big or small, “all of our congregations are always in need of revitalization,” said Buss. He also emphasized the importance of tapping into the energy and leadership of laypeople. 

The ONM offered a resource fair for attendees to have consultation and discussion with staff, and, on the second day, district and ONM leaders took part in roundtable discussions focused on the districts’ recently concluded conventions, exchanging ideas, struggles and success stories in areas including school ministry, worker wellness, church planting and disaster response.