Missouri District President's Page

The District President's Page

From The President's Desk
August/September 2008
Your God is too Small!
This is the title of a book that I read many years ago. The author provided a lengthy list of life issues that we, yes even Christians, worry, fret and even become paranoid about. If he was writing this book today, there would be some items on his list that are probably still on many lists today. There would also be entirely new items. What has not changed is that Christians still worry, fret and even are paranoid. Satan delights in tempting us to worry rather than putting our faith and trust in our heavenly Father.
We confess in the first article of the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in God the Father almighty!” In Martin Luther’s explanation of this article, he explains why you and I do not need to worry, fret or be paranoid. He explains that our Heavenly Father “provides all that I (we) need to support this body and life…” My encouragement to you is found in the promise of Jesus Christ, “Lo, I am with you always!” I point you to His invitation, “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” On another occasion Jesus urges us to, “Cast all of our anxieties (worries) upon Him!” Then He promises, “and I will take care of you!” As I receive reports and engage in conversations with pastors and lay leaders, I hear a lot of “worry” talk. At the top of the congregational worry list is finances. (Is this also at the top of your personal, home/family worry list?) Dear people of God, our Heavenly Father is still and will ever be Almighty. He has promised and will keep His promise to “provide all that we need to support our body and life.” Certainly some, perhaps some of you, are unemployed or under-employed. If so, I pray that God will watch over you and guide you to what He knows to be the right employment situation for you. The United States of America is still the most blessed nation on earth. The cost for basic life necessities is increasing. Many Missouri District congregations and many of you are struggling at this moment with financial issues. Nevertheless, God has not failed to provide us with enough. Rather, in many cases, we struggle because of the choices we make regarding how we use the money He provides.
Some examples: Do we really need the 52-inch TV with surround sound? Would a 25- or 32-inch TV that costs much less suffice? Your closets are already full of clothes, shoes, etc. Do you really need new clothes, shoes and accessories? Could you rent a boat to go fishing rather than purchase one?
The Holy Scriptures remind us “that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.” We still have the freedom to worship. You and I have the opportunity to be in God’s house every week to receive the Gospel, the Lord’s Supper and to study God’s Word together in Bible class. The Holy Spirit powerfully works through these gracious gifts from our Heavenly Father to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, you, at any time, can approach your Heavenly Father with any concern, worry, doubt, fear or need. So, when you start to worry, I encourage you to look to the empty cross of Good Friday, Christ’s empty Easter tomb and your ascended Lord for the forgiveness of your sins, comfort in the hope of eternal life that He has won for you and the assurance that the Almighty God will “provide all that you need to support your body and life.” “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea …The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress … Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth…” (Psalm 46, selected verses). “A Mighty Fortress is our God!”

President’s Prayer List Please join me in prayer this month.
Praise and thank God that He provides all that you need to support your body and life. Thank God for all the Lutheran elementary schools, Lutheran high schools, Concordia universities and the seminaries. Pray that He bless their upcoming academic year. Pray that the Holy Spirit gives receptive hearts to the Gospel to all the children who attended vacation Bible school (VBS). Pray that God will bless the VBS follow-up ministry of all district congregations. Ask God to protect the men and women of the United States armed forces. Pray that God will bless us with seasonable weather and a bountiful harvest. Ask God to bless the outreach ministry of the district Lutheran Laymen’s League at the Missouri State Fair. Pray that God will bless all efforts in this district to start new missions and ministries. Pray that God guide and direct the work of the District Board of Directors, the four service boards and district committees.

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Important notices from the President’s office

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www.edenbythesea.org If you are a professional church worker and are looking for a wonder-filled, unforgettable vacation in a tropical paradise, customized for you and your specific needs, then Eden by the Sea is it! Eden By The Sea is a paradise where God's servants find rest and renewal. Pastor & Mrs. Jeff Mueller of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church LCMS
The Role of the District President
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Salary Guidelines for fiscal year 2008-09 or calendar year 2009 2009 Salary Guidelines for Professional Church Workers This document combines the guidelines for all church and school employees: ordained, commissioned and other staff.

Calling Congregations
For sole pastors Bethany, Hope Bourbon, Concordia Cole Camp, Holy Cross/St. John Freistatt, Trinity called Rev. Robert Harbin of Pearland, Tx. (declined) Joplin, Immanuel Ladue, Village Maryville, Hope For senior pastors Independence, Messiah Jefferson City, Trinity called Rev. Joel Cluver of Springfield, Ill. (declined) For Associate or Assistant Pastors Columbia, Alive in Christ Jackson, St. Paul Oakville, Faith called Rev. Nate Guelzow of Toledo, Ohio (declined)
Vacant (On hold—but being served.) (on hold–but being served) Bismarck, St. John Conway, Immanuel Elk Prairie (Rolla), Peace Ernestville (Concordia), St. Matthew called Rev. James Dahlke of Concordia, Mo. (accepted) Isabella, Faith Knob Noster, Faith Memphis, St. Paul Milan, Peace Pagedale, Grace Potosi, Redeemer Rockville, Zion-called Rev. Todd Bunge of Hawarden, Iowa St. Louis, Emmaus St. Louis, Holy Sacrament St. Louis, St. Paul Sarcoxie, Trinity Shelbyville, Mount Hope Stockton, St. Andrew Sweet Springs, Christ
Calls Received Reimnitz, David (Bethlehem, Raymore) to Abiding Word, Peyton, Colo. Reimnitz, David (Bethlehem, Raymore) to Mount Olive/Cross of Christ, Aurora, Colo. Schroeder, Ben (Our Redeemer, Overland) to Calvary, East Meadow, N.Y.
Calls Accepted Hannemann, Mark (St. John, Ellisville/Windgate) to be senior pastor, Divine Shepherd, Omaha, Neb. (accepted)
Declined Calls
Personnel Changes - ordained
Changes within district: Altenberger, Roger (candidate status) installed as sole pastor at Holy Trinity, St. Clair, Mo., 6/1/08 by G. Clayton Auringer, Jason (associate pastor at Immanuel, Wentzville) installed as sole pastor of same 5/25/08 by R. Mirly Benkendorf, Rod (Gethsemane, Lemay) installed as sole pastor at Concordia, Frohna, Mo., 6/15/08 by A. Spallek Johnson, David (CPH, St. Louis) installed as Executive Director of the LCMS Commission on Worship, St. Louis, Mo., 6/10/08 by G. Kieschnick Rux, Jarold (intentional interim at Immanuel, Crystal City) installed as sole pastor of same 4/27/08 by R. Mirly Ordination/installation Copus, W. Perry (FW08) ordained and installed as sole pastor at Grace, Lexington, Mo., 6/22/08 by R. Mirly Corson, David (SL08) ordained and installed as worker/priest for Lutherans in Jewish Evangelism, St. Louis, Mo., 6/28/08 by R. Mirly Froiland, Brandon (FW08) ordained by T. Arnold and installed as assistant pastor at Christ, Platte Woods, Mo., 6/29/08 by R. Krueger Futrell, Richard (SL08) ordained at Zion, Mascoutah, Ill., 5/21/08 by T. Scharr; installed as sole pastor at Shepherd of the Hills, Kimberling City, Mo., 6/29/08 by R. Mirly Gledhill, Eric (SL08) ordained by J. Christiansen and installed as associate pastor at Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens, Webster Groves, Mo., 6/15/08 by W. Diekelman Lail, Robert (SL08) ordained at Zion, Harvester, Mo., and installed as software dev. for church resources at Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo., 6/22/08 by D. Sattgast Thomas, Brad (SL08) ordained North Shore, Lake Forest, Ill., 5/25/08 by G. Menk; installed as chaplain for Lutheran Senior Services (Meridian Village, Glen Carbon), St. Louis, Mo., 6/29/08 by A. Spallek Trunkhill, Chad (SL08) ordained Trinity, Algona, Iowa, 6/8/08 by S. Turner; installed as associate pastor at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Sappington, Mo., 6/28/08 by R. Mirly Transferred to our district Aldrich, Bradley (TX) installed as Evangelist for Lutherans in Jewish Evangelism, St. Louis, Mo., 6/28/08 by R. Mirly Kellogg, Christopher (RM) installed at Our Savior, Sedalia, Mo., 5/18/08 by G. Clayton Kersten, Timothy (KS) military chaplain 4/30/08 Schwane, Walter Sr. (SI) emeritus 4/30/08 Transferred to other districts Hannemann, Mark (St. John, Ellisville/Windgate Christian Counseling) to NEB 5/31/08 Rossow, Justin (Salem, Affton) to TX 4/28/08 Shane, Howard (SPLHS, Concordia, Mo.) to South Dakota District as emeritus 6/30/08 Candidate status Dahlke, James (non-candidate status) to candidate status 6/9/08 Noland, Martin (Exec. Dir. CHI, St. Louis, Mo.) to Candidate Status 6/9/08 Retired Deceased Beese, Roger (Bethlehem, Warrensburg) 5/19/08 Congregation disbands New congregation in district Reinstated to clergy roster by the COP Resigned / Removed from LCMS clergy roster Top
Personnel changes-commissioned minister of religion
Transferred to other districts Bohning, Roy (Hope, St. Ann) to IN 7/1/08 Gove, Richard (emeritus) to SI 7/9/08 Krenz, Hannah (Lutheran High of Kansas City, Kansas City) to MNS 7/18/08 Lehenbauer, Katie (non-candidate) to SW 6/30/08 Leimer, John (Calvary, Kansas City) to FG 6/30/08 Leinberger, Timothy (Our Redeemer, Overland) to FG 8/1/08 Poritz, Cassandra (TLC Kids Kingdom Preschool, Troy) to SW 5/30/08 Prill, Renee (Christ Community, Kirkwood) to MDS 7/11/08 Schmidt, Sarah (Christ Community, Kirkwood) to CI 7/15/08 Staehr, Brian (Trinity, Freistatt) to NEB 6/20/08 Steffens, Pamela (Zion, St. Charles) to RM 6/15/08 Tonjes, Rebekah (St. Paul’s Early Childhood Center, Des Peres) to PSW 6/23/08 Transferred from other districts O’Reilly, Jennifer (MNS) to non-candidate 5/30/08 Graduates installed Mizel, Danielle (S ‘08) to Holy Cross, O’Fallon 6/29/08 by K. Wachter Changes within district Eaton, Cynthia (candidate) to Martin Luther, Joplin 12/9/07 by R. Foss Weider, Michael (Lutheran High School North, St. Louis) to LCMS World Mission, St. Louis to serve as Missionary/Teacher at Pelita Haraphan Education Foundation - Indonesia 6/15/07 by D. Schwab Candidate status Hinz, Dianne (Saint Paul Lutheran High, Concordia) 6/30/08 Non-Candidate status Lehenbauer, Katie (candidate) 6/11/08 Tinetti, Anne (Grace Chapel, Bellefontaine Neighbors) 6/23/08 Retired Brinkman, Annette (Lutheran School Association, Cole Camp) 7/31/08 Bruening, Fayleen (Trinity, Cape Girardeau) 7/31/08 Crisler, Paul (Lutheran High School South, St. Louis) 7/31/08 Schachtsiek, Marcia (non-candidate) 5/31/08 Von Dielingen, David (Zion, St. Charles) 6/6/08 Von Dielingen, Joyce (Zion, St. Charles) 6/6/08 Deceased Garmatz, Robert (emeritus) 6/8/08 Resigned/Removed from Roster Reinstated Top
The Missouri District Board of Directors Approved Minutes from May 1, 2008 Approved Minutes from June 9, 2008
	President Rev. Dr. Ray G. Mirly
	First Vice President Rev. Terry Weinhold
	Second Vice President Rev. Andrew Spallek
	Third Vice President Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb
	Fourth Vice President Rev. Gary Clayton
	Secretary Rev. Dr. Charles Spomer
	Treasurer Mr. August (Bud) Jaudes, Jr.
	Chairman - Board For Congregational Services Rev. R. Lee Hagan
	Chairman - Board For Family Life and Youth Ministry Rev. David Benson
	Chairman - Board For Educational Services Mr. David Schlesselman
	Chairman - Board For Mission Services Rev. Alan Wollenburg
Other Members of the Board Of Directors
	Mr. John Bobzin-Teacher/Commissioned Minister of Religion
	Mr. Paul Snyder - Layman
	Dr. David Thomas - Layman
	Mr. James Weber- Layman
	Mr. Ron Wheeler- Layman