New Church Worker Orientation

The New Church Worker Orientation was held August 24–25. This orientation had an all day bus tour with 21 vicars, interns, and newly called workers seeing different churches and missions across the greater St. Louis area. The training continued the second day at the Missouri District Offices with 11 newly called workers. During lunch, these church workers got to eat and meet with current church workers in their field. A great introduction into the next phase of these workers’ vocation.

Circuit Visitor Training

In August, a circuit visitor meeting was held in Columbia. There is time for fellowship, but the primary purpose for these biannual trainings is to equip the circuit visitors to be able to carry out the functions assigned to them by the Synodical Handbook: church and pastoral visitation, call processes, installations, retirements, circuit meetings and convocations, etc.

“These trainings help to equip the Circuit Visitors in their responsibilities to circuit congregations and pastors. It also provides time to encourage them as they deal with many challenges from a high number of vacancies to congregational conflicts to worker health issues. The New Worker Orientation is a great time to meet and encourage new workers to the Missouri District, to support them in new responsibilities and to educate them in how the District can be a resource for their ministries.”

Rev. Peter Kirby
Missouri District
Executive Director of Congregational Services

St. Louis Area Winkel

“Winkels” are trainings and meetings where pastors within circuits gather together for fellowship and learning. This September, there was an especially large winkel– over 60 pastors were in attendance at the St. Louis area winkel! (This included pastors from St. Charles county and Arnold.)

Hosted at the St. Louis Seminary, their day began with chapel. Then pastors had a study on text and confessions, with plenaries focused on Family Discipleship. Rev. Dr. Todd Biermann of Concordia Center for the Family served as plenary speaker.

We give thanks to God for this time of learning and fellowship among fellow pastors.

Servant Leadership Academy I

In a continued effort to equip, support, and mentor administrators and rising leaders in the District with practical tools to effectively serve and impact others, a new initiative in partnership with Concordia Irvine’s Leadership Institute was launched in September.

Around 20 educational leaders from around the District attended a unique, power packed, two day academy focused on how to build teams through effective communication. This included how to create a positive culture that encourages, values, and empowers others, and understanding the importance of selfcare so that effective servant leadership can occur.

It was a great time of learning, and we look forward to more Academy opportunities in the future.