Northwest
June 18-20
Portland, Ore.
Elected:
Rev. Paul Linnemann, 50, of Tigard, Ore., first term, first ballot. Linnemann succeeds Dr. Warren Schumacher, who retired after serving in the post for 15 years.
Rev. Jonathan Dinger, Pocatello, Idaho, first vice president.
Rev. Jonathan Rockey, Palmer, Alaska, second vice president and Alaska regional vice president.
Rev. Ted Werfelmann, Auburn, Wash., third vice president and Puget Sound regional vice president.
Rev. Mark Hoelter, Portland, Ore., fourth vice president and Oregon regional vice president.
Rev. Dan Kunkel, Tonasket, Wash., fifth vice president and Inland Empire regional vice president.
Rev. Philip J. Bohlken, Caldwell, Idaho, sixth vice president and South Idaho regional vice president.
New President Linnemann will be installed Aug. 29 at Zion Lutheran Church in Portland. The other officers were installed at the convention.
Under the convention theme of “The Spirit Gives Life,” from 2 Cor. 3:6, delegates to the district’s 62nd convention voted to:
ask the LCMS convention and the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance to allow ministers of religion — commissioned to serve as convention delegates.
support the work of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance. While delegates did not agree with all of the proposals made by the task force, they adopted the resolution as a way of affirming that something needs to be done.
encourage the recruitment and training of those in the lay ministry training program, to encourage the continued use of licensed deacons, and to ask the LCMS convention to continue using licensed deacons in ministry. A delegate from Alaska commented from the floor that some ministries would not be taking place in Alaska if not for the service of licensed deacons.
realign Alaska into two circuits. Alaska has gained five new congregations since 1994 and enough communicant members to form two visitation circuits. Because the state is so large, it is difficult for one circuit counselor to visit all of the congregations. Having two visitation circuits would improve the situation.
Posted June 24, 2009
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