2012 Nebraska District Convention

2012 Nebraska District Convention
The Nebraska District Convention was held at Concordia University, Seward, on June 8-9, 2012. The theme verse for Convention was Galatians 6:9-10, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.



The Rev. Russell Sommerfeld, Seward, was elected to his fourth term as president of the Nebraska District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod by the delegates attending the 17th convention of that body in Seward Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. This will be Sommerfeld’s final term due to term limits.

Named for a third term as first vice-president was the Rev. Richard Snow, pastor of St. John, Battle Creek.            

Chosen for his first term as second vice-president was the Rev. James DeLoach, pastor of Zion, Kearney.

Named third vice president for his first term was the Rev. Scott Porath, pastor of Immanuel, Eagle.

Chosen for his first term as fourth vice president was the Rev. Rick Kanoy, pastor of St. Paul, Arlington.

Other officers elected included:

Secretary: Rev. Roland Jank, Jr., of Mount Olive, Omaha.

Board of Director members: Darla Rosendahl of Omaha, Dr. Marvin Swan of Grant, James Kovac of Utica, Kent Warneke of Norfolk and Kathy Brashear of Omaha.

Holding current terms on the Board of Directors are: Glenn Van Velson of North Platte, David Knorr of Humboldt, Virginia Von Seggern of Orchard, Harlan Metschke of Papillion, and Rhonda Burk of Lincoln.

Completing terms on the Board of Directors are: Rev. Mark Middendorf of Scotia, Rev. Arnold Jurchen of Beaver Crossing, Rev. Dr. Orville Walz of Bennington, Mr. Glennis Holtmeier of Tobias, and Mr. Paul Leckband of Norfolk.

Nominations Committee: Rev. Michael Awe of Tilden, Rev. Paul Beyer of Daykin, Rev. Carl Lilienkamp of Wayne, Linda Ahrens of Lincoln, Ron Rathe of Tecumseh, Mick Onnen of Davenport and Burnell Von Seggern of Orchard.

Constitution and Handbook Committee: Rev. Terell Huber of Creighton, Rev. Rob Kuefner of Lexington,  David Koopman of Seward, and Richard Kreutzer of Kearney.

Board of Regents, Concordia University Nebraska, Seward: Rev. Eugene Gierke of Seward, James Knoepfel of Fremont, Lyle Middendorf of Lincoln and Andrew Stadler of Columbus.

The 343 voting delegates, a pastor and lay person from congregations in the Nebraska District, were joined by 117 advisory delegates, generally teachers and other pastors serving in the District, and 86 guests and staff members, for a total of 546 attending the triennial convention at Concordia University campus in Seward.

The delegates, under the convention theme of “The Good Life,” based on Galatians 6:9-10, devoted considerable time to worship, study of the Word, education, and prayer. They also viewed six short videos of stories from people in Nebraska who are "Livin' the Good Life" through Jesus. These videos are available at the links to the right and may be used by congregations, Bible studies, or other individuals to share the message of the convention.

The convention was opened with a worship service with communion at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with the Rev. Dr. John Wohlrabe, second vice president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, delivering the sermon. Speaking to full pews, Wohlrabe said there can be a dilemma for some people if they aren’t doing good deeds for the right reason or if they despair that their efforts are not appreciated, but for Christians who glory in Christ and keep “their nose straight ahead on the cross of Jesus Christ,” there should be no dilemma. “In Christ, we not only have the good life, we have the only life,” Wohrabe said in echoing the convention theme.

The Rev. Rick Marrs, professor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, led keynote presentations during the convention.  He spoke on a spirit of reconciliation, and focused on the difference between conflict resolution and reconciliation and that we need to seek peace, joy, harmony, and forgiveness with each other that the world may see and be drawn to the same reconciliation with Jesus Christ.

Rev. Matthew Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, spoke to the delegates during his time in Seward. He also took time to address questions presented to him by delegates in attendance.    

As the delegates discussed the ministry of the Nebraska District, as well as the ministry of the LCMS, they voted to recommend a mission focus to the LCMS of seeking those who have not heard the Gospel and those who have become disconnected from the church with specific emphases on Family Life Ministry and Rural/Small Town Ministry. They also agreed to encourage Christian citizenship and vigilance regarding mandated termination of unborn life through government mandated health programs, including a memorial to the 2013 LCMS convention in this regard. Other topics to be passed along to the LCMS in convention include restoring the sole authority of the Synod in convention in declaring altar and pulpit fellowship and the selection of a faithful translation of the Holy Scripture to be used in the Catechism if permission is not obtained for continued use of the 1984 version of the NIV. Delegates also encouraged the financial support of the Nebraska District LCMS by member congregations and spent considerable time in debate over the nature of the pastoral office and removal of men from that office.