English District (LCMS)

English District of the LCMS
Location
Country United States and Canada
Territory Non-geographic
Headquarters Farmington, Michigan
Statistics
Congregations 159
Schools
  • 36 preschool
  • 15 elementary
  • 1 secondary
Members 48,600
Information
Denomination Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
Established 1911
Current leadership
President Rev. Dr. Jamison J. Hardy
Map
Website
www.englishdistrict.org

The English District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). It is one of the Synod's two non-geographical districts, along with the SELC District. The district has congregations in the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

The district has its origins in the congregations of the former English Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri and Other States, which merged with the LCMS in 1911. The English Synod had been formally organized in 1888 out of the English (Evangelical) Lutheran Conference of Missouri of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod. That conference had its roots in an 1872 conference which was advised by then LCMS president C. F. W. Walther. The conference applied for admission to the LCMS as a district in 1887, but was advised to instead form a separate synod at that time.[1] It was named the English Synod due to its churches using that language in their services; at that time, the congregations of the LCMS were still using the German language. The English Synod ultimately joined the LCMS in 1911 because of a shared doctrinal stance, but wanting to maintain its identity, it was accepted as a non-geographical district. Despite the transition of the LCMS to English, the English District has continued as a separate district.

The district now includes approximately 159 congregations and missions in 17 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario, subdivided into 25 circuits, as well as 36 preschools, 15 elementary schools and one high school. Baptized membership in district congregations is approximately 48,600.[2]

English District offices are located in Farmington, Michigan. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers. The Rev. David Stechholz became the bishop and district president in September 2006[3] and was re-elected to a third term in 2012.[4] The 54th Regular Convention was held June 27–30, 2012 in Saint Louis, MO under the theme, "Faith Driven -- Future Focused: Celebrating 100 years of God's blessings as we continue to serve, connect and grow," from 1 Corinthians 15:58.

The district publishes its newsletter, English Channels, 10 times a year.

Bishops/Presidents

  • Rev. Henry Philip Eckhardt, 1911–12
  • Rev. M. S. Sommer, 1912–15
  • Rev. John Adam Detzer, 1915–18
  • Rev. O. C. Kreinheder, 1918–27
  • Rev. Guido R. Schuessler, 1927–36
  • Rev. Paul Lindemann, 1936–38
  • Rev. Martin Walker, 1938–45
  • Rev. Herman William Bartels, 1945–51
  • Rev. Hugo G. Kleiner, 1951–63
  • Rev. Bertwin L. Frey, 1963–70
  • Rev. John H. Baumgaertner, 1970–74
  • Rev. Harold L. Hecht, 1974–76
  • Rev. George W. Bornemann, 1976–84
  • Rev. Donald F. Jung, 1984–86
  • Rev. Roger D. Pittelko, 1986–97
  • Rev. David H. Ritt, 1997–2006
  • Rev. David P. Stechholz, 2006–2015
  • Rev. Dr. Jamison J. Hardy, 2015–present

Hecht was one of four district presidents who were removed from office by Synod President J. A. O. Preus on April 2, 1976 for non-compliance with synodical directives on the ordination and placement of improperly endorsed ministerial candidates from Seminex.[5]

Oldest congregations

Largest congregations

Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.

Notes

  1. ↑ Lueker, Erwin L.; Poellot, Luther; Jackson, Paul, eds. (2000). Christian Cyclopedia (Online ed.). St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Districts Profile Display - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod". www.lcms.org.
  3. ↑ "Reporter - LCMS News & Information".
  4. ↑ "Reporter - LCMS News & Information".
  5. ↑ "Concordia Historical Institute: Department of Archives and History, LCMS". chi.lcms.org.
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