English District (LCMS)
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, and has its origins in the congregations of the former English Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which merged with the LCMS in 1911. The English Synod had been formed in 1888 as the General English (Evangelical) Lutheran Conference of Missouri and Other States; it 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. 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 57,000.
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 district president in September 2006 and was re-elected to a second term in 2009. The 53rd Regular Convention was held June 18–20, 2009 in Hales Corners, WI under the theme, "Let the Children Come to Me", from Matt. 19:13–1. The 54th Regular Convention will be held June 27–30, 2012 in Saint Louis, MO.
The district publishes its newsletter, English Channels, 10 times a year.
Read more about English District (LCMS): Bishops/Presidents, Oldest Congregations, Largest Congregations
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