The Mid-South District - LCMS

Convention News 2021

Complete Resolutions & Election Results

Many thanks to all who took part in the Mid-South District’s 21st Regular Convention, July 1-3 in Memphis. Over 135 voting delegates attended, with over 100 additional guests and advisory delegates also present.

ELECTIONS —

Congratulations to the following individuals on being elected to serve by the delegation:

  • District President – Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola (re-elected to 4th term)
  • 1st VP – Rev. Lane Reuter (Our Savior-Nashville,TN)
  • 2nd VP – Rev. Kevin Conger (Hope-Jacksonville, AR)
  • 3rd VP – Rev. Robert Portier (St. Paul-Sevierville,TN)
  • 4th VP – Rev. Joshua Willadsen (Bethel-Fort Smith, AR)
  • District Secretary – Rev. John Gierke (Peace-Conway, AR) – re-elected

Board of Directors —

  • Charles Russell (Commissioned, Grace-Little Rock, AR)
  • Shirley Piepenbrink (Commissioned, Immanuel-Memphis, TN) – re-elected
  • Jeff Pittman (Lay, Pilgrim-Jonesboro, AR) – re-elected
  • Karilyn Brown (Lay, Hope-Jacksonville, AR)
  • Dr. Fred Guengerich (Lay, Redeemer-Nashville, TN) – re-elected
  • Robert Nerger, Jr. (Lay, St. Paul-Wartburg, TN)

Nominations Committee —

  • Rev. David Vandercook (Shep. of Peace-Maumelle, AR / Trinity-N. Little Rock, AR)
  • Rev. Robert Portier (St. Paul-Sevierville, TN) – re-elected
  • Samuel Fishburn (Commissioned, First-Fort Smith, AR)
  • Jessie Irwin (Commissioned, First-Knoxville, TN)
  • Jeff Roper (Lay, St. Matthew-Conway, AR)
  • Charlie Gemeinhardt (Lay, Christ the King-Memphis, TN)

RESOLUTIONS —

The delegation adopted the following resolutions at the 2021 Convention
(Click to view final resolutions – Floor Committee 1 / Floor Committee 2 / Floor Committee 3

  • 01-01-21 “To Memorialize the Next Synodical Convention to Mark the 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade With More Fervent Teaching, Proclamation and Efforts to Promote God’s Gift of Life”
  • 01-02-21 “To Memorialize the Next Synodical Convention to Mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1974 Concordia Seminary St. Louis ‘Walkout’ With Thorough Teaching About the Controversy and Renewed Emphasis on the Pure Doctrine”
  • 01-03-21 “To Amend Bylaws 4.2.2; 8.4.1, and Insert Bylaws 8.3.5-8.3.6.1 for ‘Housekeeping, Procedural, or Improving Functionality’ Purposes”
  • 01-04-21 “To Amend District Bylaw 8.5.1 to Clarify the Difference Between a Permanent and a Temporary Vacancy in the Office of District President”
  • 01-06-21 – Omnibus
  • 01-07-21 “To Encourage Further Consideration of Successful Completion of Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Coursework Before Ordination and Placement on Ordained Roster”
  • 02-01-21 “To Commend and Support the Work of Trinity HOPE in Haiti”
  • 02-02-21 “To Continue a Relationship with the Southeast of Lake Victoria Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania”
  • 02-03-21 “To Continue a Relationship with the Confessional Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar”
  • 02-04-21 “To Reaffirm Church Planting and Revitalization”
  • 02-05-21 “To Encourage Financial Support for Professional Church Workers”
  • 02-06-21 “To Encourage All Christians In Personal Witnessing”
  • 02-07-21 “To Address the Use of Technology in the Life of the Church and the Ministry of Congregations”
  • 02-08-21 “To Encourage Congregational Men’s Ministry”
  • 02-09-21 “To Encourage the Study and Use of Biblically-based Stewardship Resources”
  • 03-01-21 “To Give Thanks to God for Sustaining His Church Through the Global Corona Virus Pandemic”
  • 03-02-21 “To Increase the Awareness of Human Trafficking to Congregations of the Mid-South District and the
    Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod”
  • 03-03A-21 “To Protect Christian Consciences”
  • 03-04A-21 “To Reject Racism and Advance the Gospel” (addressing & rejecting Critical Race Theory and doctrines that promote racial division)

CONVENTION SESSIONS ON ZOOM —

Following are links and passcodes to view recordings of each session of the 21st Regular Convention of the Mid-South District:

Thursday, July 1- https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/GKVvKmVf2QIKHY-0sT7SZnhZLHIbJM0IUys195X8i8lX4g_3gs26OklW1MyQjMFw.7cCioRliDaEVLwRJ?startTime=1625169144000
Passcode: .Z?*c+P9

Friday, July 2-Session 1- https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/vVv9devU-O6tjjj9MNpax8KAquj6QpYhAJg9lrodFSRO7l1UTWCfvUcRyunh6YCW.m7AShjm6o9-znQVv?startTime=1625229890000
Passcode: f$#W#7dL

Friday, July 2-Session 2- https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/QCu7uFipZNoDdGB3-BkGa3VoouBiZQ06MSxzkLp6I06uGTZTGnpJsy5rtbj1mJo2.9hEWRB_6kEBENJBz?startTime=1625248926000
Passcode: ?z=aWU4?

Saturday, July 3-Session 1- https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/0VVKyX7dLMZnxnw2DTwXx2B2fHivUOAT-EqJ5bQrliFkgWQ5_-gCGvOiie1Hcsc.0_NwmA2kZCw_RbFJ?startTime=1625316607000
Passcode: 4ZE3MD5^

Daily Declarer Newsletter —

July 1, Thursday / July 2, Friday / July 3, Saturday / Final Edition

MISSION MOMENT VIDEOS —

The three Mission Moment videos shared during the convention are available to view and download from the district’s Vimeo channel. Many thanks to the ministries that submitted photos and information for the videos.

OPENING WORSHIP —

Opening Service at Christ the King was live streamed Thursday, July 1. If you missed the service last night here’s the link to watch,  https://ctkmemphis.sitewrench.com/live-video-streaming

A Few Photo Highlights —