MINISTRY PLAN VISION
- Fostering Lutheran Education.
- Building Families and Children of Faith and Character.
- Freeing Them to Live in His Image – to Serve.
- Revitalizing our Smaller Congregations.
- Helping Them Reach the Lost.
| | From the District President | | |
“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and
without price.” – Isaiah 55:1
As I write, I’m sitting in a contemporary styled coffee shop in Northwest Arkansas. Names like CORTADO, ESPRESSO, and AMERICANO fill the wall menu with black 3-D letters and no prices. Customers’ voices are sounding alongside the rock-n-roll classic “Stairway to Heaven.”
I’ll get back to Isaiah’s wine and milk in a minute. Let’s talk about heaven. In the middle of the Zeppelin tune is this phrase, “The piper’s calling you to join him.” The song encourages listeners to change direction and follow a less hollow, more spiritual path. Another phrase promises, “there’s still time to change the road you’re on.”
To change course from a going-nowhere-in-a-hurry direction to a more servant oriented, spiritual course sounds admirable. The problem is a change in direction may alter the scenery without the certainty of a change in destination. A different path in life is not necessarily the one and only pathway to heaven.
Most people reading my letter have spent their entire lives on the path sealed with Jesus’ blood. We were babies when, through Baptism, using the pastor’s hands and His own Word, God plunged us into the waters of death – into the death of Christ – and joined us to Him and to His resurrection. Listen to Paul’s emotion and confidence in God’s baptismal promises:
“Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” – Romans 6:3-4
Our walking on the path to salvation – forgiven and guided with the destination guaranteed by His grace – is a mystery and miracle, and nothing could be better or surer.
Our congregations live to help people be with Jesus forever. Plans are developing and unfolding from our district ministry teams to help us work more efficiently and effectively in the areas of Lutheran education, Family Ministry, Stewardship, Revitalization, and Missions/Evangelism.
Meanwhile, here are two helpful events this month. Coming up Tuesday night, January 13, is Lay Leader Training at St. John’s in Pulaski from 6:00-8:00pm. See more info in this Happenings edition. We will present a spectrum of faith-building and hands-on material for congregational leaders. January 22 is our Team Ministry Workshop from 9:00am-3:00pm with one focus – Family Ministry. I am looking forward to both gatherings.
Back here at the coffee shop, my dark roast coffee was not without cost. All that we have and look forward to in heaven is not without cost, either. The question is, who is paying? We know the answer. We know His sweet name, and we know the price He paid for us.
I look forward to working with you in the new year. Your district office staff is eager to help you, and belonging to Jesus is our unending joy.
Pastor Shoup
Rev. Timothy J. Shoup
District President, North Wisconsin District LCMS
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| The new North Wisconsin District LCMS logo reflects the faith, mission and landscape of the church body it represents. The LCMS cross signifies Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection – the foundation of the faith and saving grace God gives to us. The open Bible beneath the cross reveals the message we proclaim – Christ crucified for sinners – and the comfort we have in God’s unchanging Word. The circular arc flowing from the cross reflects our purpose to Bring Christ and His Word to People throughout the district and beyond, even as blue points to baptismal water and the gifts of Christ God gives at the font. Trees, water, and rolling fields illustrate the breadth and beauty of God’s creation across north Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the region we call home. | | NWD Ministry Planning Teams | | The NWD Board of Directors approved an ambitious triennial strategic plan in late 2025. To carry out that plan, District President Shoup has organized a group of leaders from across the NWD to help carry out the plan. The first meeting of the NWD Ministry Planning Team was held in December, with people from four of the five vision pillars in attendance. Each team reviewed the goals for their pillar and then created a 1-year focus, including assignments to complete in the first 90 days. Watch for reports of their work in the months ahead. We give thanks for these leaders. Please contact President Shoup with any questions or encouragement. | | National Lutheran Schools Week - January 25-31, 2026 | | |
National Lutheran Schools Week provides more than 1,800 preschools, elementary schools and high schools with the public opportunity to proclaim and celebrate God’s work among us in schools of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
We thank God for the opportunity to provide excellent academic preparation for the children we serve. We are most grateful for the opportunity to share Jesus’ amazing love with children and their families.
National Lutheran Schools Week gives us an opportunity to proclaim these great blessings within the communities we serve.
Our schools are amazing incubators for faithful witness of God’s love for us through Christ by teachers and students alike.
Find all your NLSW resources HERE.
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NWD Leadership Events
Last chance to register!
| | Lay Leader Training - January 13 | | The annual NWD Lay Leader Training (for lay members serving on church boards) will be held on January 13, 6-8pm, at St. John Lutheran Church - Pulaski. Lay leaders will spend time with Pastor Shoup and his staff to explore leadership and other key areas to help lay leaders serve effectively in their role. Registration is encouraged, not required, walk-ins are welcome. No cost to attend. Registration is open under Events and Info at nwdlcms.org or directly HERE. | | NWD Team Ministry Workshop - January 22 | | This annual event is for ministry staff and will be held January 22 from 9am-3pm at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church - Wausau. The theme for the day will be family ministry. President Shoup has designated building families and children of faith and character as an emphasis in the NWD triennial ministry plan. The event will be led by Rev. Dr. Todd Biermann, Executive Director at Concordia Center for the Family. Pastor Biermann will help explain an effective family ministry framework for our world today, as well as explore tools and resources available to support your ministry to families. Pastors, DCE/DCO/DCM/DFLM, Deaconesses, and principals are encouraged to attend, but even teams of one can participate in this valuable event. Registration is open under Events and Info at nwdlcms.org or directly HERE. | | LCEF Term Notes as high as 4.00% for January | | |
A blessed New Year to you!
Moving forward, Lutheran Church Extension Fund will continue to partner with LCMS members and ministries to fund projects that support the work of God’s kingdom.
How exactly? Through an investment with LCEF, you not only work toward your financial goals but also provide vital resources that empower LCMS churches and schools to thrive. The loans, grants and ministry support services you’ve been hearing about from me are made possible through the dollars our investors have on deposit at LCEF.
So, if you are a current investor, thank you! If you’re just beginning to explore the possibilities, please know that despite a recent easing of rates by the Fed, LCEF still offers highly competitive investment rates, including four-year and 18-month notes at 4.00% for the month of January – with a minimum investment of only $500.
What a good time to recommit some of your finances to Kingdom work! Please see here for a full listing of investment products and rates, as well as application materials.
As always, I stand ready to help with your individual questions or concerns regarding moving your dollars to LCEF.
God’s peace be with you in the year ahead!
Bill Jordan
District Vice President - LCEF
North Wisconsin District
bill.jordan@lcef.org - 715-845-8241 ext. 102
| | Important News and Events | |
Upcoming Events - nwdlcms.org |
- NWD Lay Leader Training - January 13, 2026
- NWD Team Ministry Workshop - January 22, 2026
- National Lutheran Schools Week - January 25-31, 2026
- Youth Bible Bowl - April 18, 2026
- EC Directors Gathering - April 24, 2026
- LCMS National Convention - July 18-23, 2026
- NWD All School Summit at CUW - August 14, 2026
Business Managers/Treasurers Zoom @ 10am
- January 20 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act & Payroll, David Mellem
EC Zooms @ 1pm
- February 12 - Book Chapter 6
- April 23 - Book Chapters 7-8
Pastors of Schools Zooms @ 11am
- February 12 - Book Chapter 6
- April 23 - Book Chapters 7-8
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- Rev. James Vanek, December 5, 2025 - obituary
- Rev. Erno Szedlak, December 30, 2025 - obituary
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Thank You Board of Directors | |
The NWD BOD has completed their first six months of service in the current triennium. We give thanks for their leadership and recognize them for their service.
- District President - Rev. Timothy Shoup
- 1st Vice President (Region B) - Rev. Donald Engebretson
- 2nd Vice President (Region C) - Rev. Preston Paul
- 3rd Vice President (Region A) - Rev. Ryan Fehrmann
- District Secretary - Rev. Travis Kleinschmidt
- District Treasurer - Mr. Dwayne Maroszek
- Mrs. Marie Fenske (Lay)
- Mr. Bryon Graff (Lay)
- Mrs. Pauline Jerabek (Commissioned Minister)
- Mr. David McFarland (Lay)
- Mr. David Mellem (Lay)
- Dr. Jeffrey Nielsen (Commissioned Minister)
- Rev. Richard Owen (Ordained Minister)
- Mr. Craig Timm (Lay)
- Mr. Bill Zick (Lay)
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Q & A for 2026 in the North WI District | |
What is the deadline for calling Spring vicars and candidates?
- Vicarage and Call documents are due in the District Office no later than February 27, 2026. Contact Lori with questions.
When can board training happen?
- Anytime. Contact DJ to schedule.
What is the IRS mileage rate for 2026?
Is there an NWD Annual Report?
- Yes, released February 1st, after year end numbers have been crunched and published. The report from 2024 can be found here.
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2026 LCMS Convention and Assessment Fee | The 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is scheduled for July 18–23, 2026, in downtown Phoenix. The theme will be “Christ Is Risen Indeed,” based on 1 Corinthians 15:20–22 “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” The convention timeline, schedule, floor committees and resolutions can all be found on the LCMS website at https://www.lcms.org/convention/national. Every NWD congregation receives an assessment to send the required number of district delegates to the triennial convention. That assessment will be mailed to congregations this spring, at a rate of $2.85 per communicant member. Please contact Lori at the NWD LCMS office with questions at lori@nwdlcms.org. | | | |
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Congregations receive God’s love and mercy in worship. Pastors craft sermons to bring Christ and His Word to their people. Pastors and their members sometimes also feel like they are treading water or know they want to move forward but are not quite sure what to do. Small Church Clarity (meaning congregations with up to 200 people per week in worship) is a four-week event that will lead congregations to develop and implement a plan for ministry. A cohort of churches is beginning in the spring of 2026. We give thanks for our partners at LCEF for leading the training, and the NWD Board of Directors for providing the funding to cover the cost. Consider participating in the next cohort. Contact President Shoup or Bill Jordan with questions.
Pastor testimonials received so far...
- For smaller churches, it can be difficult to plan a vision for future ministry. Smaller churches have fewer resources. Small Church Clarity provides fresh new insight on ministry planning for the future. It has been immensely helpful to my congregation as we plan for what God is doing in the community of Vesper for many years to come. - Pastor Ryan Anderson - Trinity, Vesper
- My endorsement for the Small Church Clarity is simple, it’s exemplified by a congregation who willingly drives a team three hours each way to attend a three-hour training session. Listening to that team discussing the session, planning upcoming homework and the congregation's future as they return home, defines value. - Rev. Jeffrey Mueller - Hope Lutheran Church, Land O' Lakes
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Concordia Center for the Family, a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS, is uniting homes and congregations in making lifelong disciples of Jesus. Through foundational training events, Family Discipleship Facilitators are being equipped and inspired to strengthen the marriages and families served by our LCMS congregations and schools. CCF wants YOU as a Family Discipleship Facilitator! This training opportunity is for called and commissioned leaders of LCMS congregations and schools, along with lay family ministry leaders. MORE trainings have been recently added! Find out about our 2026 trainings and consider CCF's Faith & Life Survey tool to assess how well you're serving families. The NWD has committed to help congregations with paying half the cost of these trainings. Find these resources and sign up for their weekly emails by going to their website at concordiacenterforthefamily.org. | | | |
Lutheran Federal Credit Union is the credit union of the LCMS. LFCU offers every banking need you could possibly want, including online and mobile banking, car and home loans, and products specifically for rostered church workers. LFCU is also part of the CO-OP network of Shared Branches and Shared ATMs, allowing on-site bank access. LFCU is also the bank of the NWD LCMS office. Find out more at https://www.lutheranfcu.org/. | | | |
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Lutheran Bible Translators is a recognized service organization of the LCMS, driven to empower local leaders who are ready to translate the Bible into the language their communities understand best—so God’s Word can bring hope, life, and transformation to every corner of the world. LBT will be our Hearts for Jesus designee this school year. Many of our NWD schools, Sunday schools, and church groups use the month of February to support Hearts for Jesus, while some ministries pick another month during the year. LBT has multiple videos, chapel services and other curriculum items prepared for our NWD ministries to promote the ministry. Check out our NWD page with LBT at https://lbt.org/nwdheartsforjesus.
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We are blessed to have another 3 year agreement with our friends at MinistrySafe. Through December 2027 any NWD ministry can provide sexual abuse awareness training to its staff and volunteers at NO COST, thanks to the generosity of the NWD Board of Directors. Contact DJ to get started. | | | |
The NWD staff uses Facebook to share ministry highlights throughout the NWD at facebook.com/nwdlcms. The nwdlcms.org website is loaded with resources for churches, as well as event registrations, calendars and more. Newsletters are also archived on the NWD website. To receive the District Happenings or the Happenings in Education, simply sign up on the Newsletters page of the nwdlcms.org website. We are happy to set you up by simply calling the NWD office and asking for Sandie. | | | |
The Y4Life Summit is an annual educational event that equips youth to uphold the lives of others through education, service, worship, and celebration. This year, it will be held at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, from February 20-22. Filled with educational sessions and hands-on opportunities to support life, including making kits and blankets for the unhoused, this conference offers college and high school youth an opportunity to transform their beliefs into actions and build deep relationships with other life-affirming youth. Youth from across the nation will learn about the life-affirming benefits of marriage and family, the complex intersection between mental health and homelessness, and how to engage as a compassionate Christian citizen in a world broken by sin. Details - HERE | | | |
Youth Bible Bowl - April 18 | Gather your youth and save the date for the 2026 WI Youth Bible Bowl being held on Saturday, April 18 at St. Paul Lutheran, Bonduel. All details and registration information are available under "Events and Info - April 18, 2026 - Youth Bible Bowl" at www.nwdlcms.org. Thanks to the team from St. Paul for planning the day! Contact Pastor Palmer with any questions. | | | |
Camp Luther - Celebrating 80 Years! | |
2026 marks 80 amazing years of God working through Camp Luther and they want to celebrate with you! Make sure to mark your calendars, plan your trip, and register for the 80th Anniversary Celebration as they celebrate the weekend of June 5-7, 2026, with the main event on June 6. Questions? Contact office@campluther.com.
For more information click HERE, or check out all things Camp Luther at campluther.com!
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For more than 40 years, thousands of Lutheran youth and adults have participated in LCMS Servant Events, serving others in the name of Jesus Christ. LCMS Servant Events equip God’s people to grow in their faith through serving, sharing Christ’s love and developing relationships.
LCMS Servant Events:
- Provide opportunities for Christian service to the church and the world;
- Include time for personal Bible study, group building and connection with other Lutheran youth;
- Give youth a chance to live out their faith by connecting acts of service to daily life; and
- Take youth out of their comfort zones and work to love and serve their neighbor.
Interested in finding out more about the LCMS Servant Events happening this summer? Follow this link https://www.lcms-servantevents.org/.
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Lutheran Heritage Foundation – Free Resources | |
Do you have a friend, neighbor or family member who doesn’t speak English as a first language? The Lutheran Heritage Foundation (www.LHFmissions.org), a recognized service organization of the LCMS, has translated and published books like Luther’s Small Catechism, A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories, God’s Word For You, and more into nearly 190 languages like Spanish, Hmong, Swahili and Chinese. Best of all, these books are FREE to any church or individual who needs them. Simply visit the LHF website HERE to search by language and send an email with your request.
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Summer 2026 Travel Opportunity | You're invited to join St. Paul, Stevens Point as they host a trip to Washington D.C. celebrating 250 years of HIStory from July 26 to August 2, 2026. A detailed itinerary will be available in the spring with stops to include The White House, Capitol, Mount Vernon, Bible Museum, Arlington Cemetery, monuments, and more. The historical elements of the trip will be led by Mr. Jim Wegner, principal of St. Paul Lutheran School. He has led dozens of trips to our nation's capital and loves to share HIStory with students. Now it's your turn to hear the stories. Travel will be by Amtrak to/from the D.C. area, then a coach bus to various locations and tours. Cost includes transportation, hotels, all tours/entrance fees, as well as a few meals. Please call St. Paul at 715-344-5660 for more details. Act fast as they would like to have final registration completed by the end of January in order to finalize tickets. | | | | |
National March for Life
The 2026 National March for Life is in Washington, D.C. on Friday, January 23. Plan now to join other Lutherans to march and stand boldly together in the public square and confess our beliefs about the sanctity of life. Register - HERE.
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LCMS Disaster Response in North Carolina
On Sept. 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene passed over the mountains of western North Carolina, dumping over 15 inches of water with cataclysmic results. In the wake of this, LCMS Disaster Response’s Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) arrived to help disaster victims and provide physical and spiritual care. Now, months later, LCMS Disaster Response is still showing those affected the love and mercy that Christ has for them through disaster response opportunities. Learn how you can help those affected by disaster HERE.
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God's Mission Here
The congregations and schools of the LCMS are teaching God’s Word and caring for souls every day. National Mission partners with districts to walk alongside, offering support. The monthly newsletter, God's Mission Here, will highlight several items each month. BECAUSE GOD’S MISSION IS RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE.
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The Concordia Plans website contains a wealth of information.
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Stay informed with Connecting the Dots newsletters - HERE.
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Visit the Concordia Plans page of the NWD website listing the main contacts for churches using their services - HERE.
| | | December 2025 financials will be reported when available. | | |
OUR MISSION
We bring Christ and His Word to people.
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