In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world.

District and Congregational Services serves with districts in assisting congregations to develop and foster vibrant ministries to bring the saving, life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ to the sinful, dying world.

Vision: Districts, congregations, schools and ministries constituting The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod are interdependent, relevant, dynamic, mission-driven, living in and faithfully proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.



Statements of Direction/Desired Outcomes (Critical Targets): (How we Respond to Fulfill our Purpose…What we Are About)

Through its efforts and use of resources, District and Congregational Services shall hold itself accountable to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for the following Statements of Direction and Desired Outcomes:

1.  Proclaim the Saving Gospel of Jesus Christ 

The forgiveness of sins found in Christ alone is proclaimed and distributed in Word and Sacrament. From this life-giving center congregations are reaching out to the diverse populations of their communities to make Christ known in word and deed.

2. Nurture Children, Youth, and Adults

District and congregational leaders are nurturing children, youth, and adults in the faith and love in Christ so they show forth the hope within them as they live out their God given callings.

3. Develop Leaders

District and congregational leaders are fully equipped to carry out the mission of Christ in their congregations, communities, and the world.

4. Cultivate Stewards

God's people in all places--congregations, schools, homes, work places--are freely living out their vocations, managing all of the Lord's gifts entrusted to them for God's purposes.

Actions: (Behaviors/Actions - Comes out of LCMS Mission and Board Purpose Statement)

1. Model and affirm ministry that reflects the geographic, cultural and ethnic diversity of our communities.

2. Champion professional and volunteer leaders.

3. Recognize and affirm district and congregational leaders as gifts of God and blessings to the church.

4. Partner with district leaders in demonstrating servant leadership.

5. Support for congregational connections.

6. Serve districts and congregations by forming alliances for improved effectiveness. 

Core Beliefs:

1. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and God sends His people to bear witness to this truth in order to make disciples.

2. God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - has created, redeemed and santified His people for service to Him and all people.

3. God gathers people in faith communities around baptism, His Word and His table.

4. Scripture is the sole norm for the church's life and work.

5. The Lutheran Confessions are a faithful exposition of the Scriptures.

Core Values:

1. Collaboration – We value God’s gifts of people, partnerships, and collaborative efforts to accomplish God’s Mission

2. Outreach – We value a congregational culture that encourages those who tell the Good News and welcomes those who hear it.

3. Prayer – We value the privilege of prayer that invites and enables us to boldly and confidently ask God for all things and his promise to hear and answer us.

4. Spiritual Growth – We value life-long learning in God’s Word, which produces faith maturity and leadership skills in people in all ages.

The LCMS in Convention adopted Resolution 4-02A that established the Conference of Congregational Services (CCS) on a pilot basis. CCS eventually included representatives from Districts and other Synod entities. A CCS Steering Committee was elected by the Conference.

The Conference of Congregational Services (CCS) Steering Committee and the CCS coordinated operations of previous Boards (Evangelism Services, Parish Services, Youth Services, and Council on Stewardship) to integrate, coordinate, and expand the Synod's method of mission and ministry planning and implementation. The Conference also attempted to formulate new approaches for more effective ministry between national and district offices. The Conference served as the calling committee for the Executive Director according to established policies with the involvement and approval of the Synod President.

Reverend Dr. Lyle D. Muller called to serve as the first Executive Director of the Conference of Congregational Services.

The LCMS in Convention adopted Resolution 2-04A establishing the Board for Congregational Services. Service areas were identified with the assistance of districts and other representatives. Initial service areas included: Adult, Child, Evangelism, Family, Leadership, School, Stewardship and Youth. Reverend Darwin Karsten was elected chair of the new board.

The LCMS in Convention adopted Resolution 2-03A that called for district and national offices to provide the training, resources and support needed by the congregations of the Synod. The convention also adopted Resolution 2-08 that revised the Synod Bylaws in terms of Conference of Congregational Services membership.

Reverend Dr. Lyle D. Muller retired as Executive Director.

Dr. LeRoy Wilke accepted the call to serve as Executive Director.

Congregational Services executive staff visited and interviewed staffs of 33 LCMS districts conducting an "assessment profile" to develop the purpose and future directions for Congregational Services.

Based on input from the district visits and as a result of LCMS Board of Director budget actions, the LCMS in Convention adopted Synodical Resolution 2-01A that: changed the name from "Congregational Services" to "District and Congregational Services," thus clarifying the board's relationship with districts and their congregations; reduced board membership resulting in more efficient policy and supervision; and eliminated the Conference of Congregational Services in favor of more a cost-effective means to accomplish goals.

Reverend Darwin Karsten retired as Chairman of the Board for Congregational Services after serving nearly ten years. Dr. David Held was elected chairman.

Since initial development in 2001, DCS continues to review and update its purpose and vision statements, critical targets and desired outcomes. These key components of the DCS Strategic Plan along with services provided by the ministry areas (Child, Family, Outreach, School, Stewardship and Youth Ministries) are tested regularly with District executive staffs/leaders. Under God's grace and in accordance with the mission of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, District and Congregational Services serves with Districts in assisting congregations to develop and foster vibrant ministries to bring the saving, life-giving Gospel of Jesus Christ to a sinful, dying world.