Nebraska District (LCMS)

The Nebraska District encompasses the state of Nebraska, with the exception of the eleven counties that comprise its Panhandle. The district office is located in Seward, Nebraska.

The Nebraska District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), and comprises the state of Nebraska with the exception of its Panhandle, which is in the Wyoming District; the district also includes one congregation in Kansas. In addition, one congregation near the state's western border is in the Rocky Mountain District, and another in Lincoln is in the non-geographic English District. The Nebraska District includes approximately 243 congregations and missions, subdivided into 22 circuits, as well as 38 preschools, 39 elementary schools, 4 high schools and 1 summer camp. Baptized membership in district congregations is approximately 110,000; with the total population of the district's area (Nebraska, excepting its 11 western counties) standing at 1,674,000 as of 2005, the district's membership represents 6.5% of the local population – the highest of any of the LCMS' 33 geographical districts.

The Nebraska District was formed in September 1970 when the Northern Nebraska and Southern Nebraska Districts merged; a portion of the Northern Nebraska District was simultaneously separated to create the Wyoming District. An earlier Nebraska District had existed from 1882 to 1922, before dividing until the 1970 reorganization. District offices are located in Seward, Nebraska; Rev. Russell Sommerfeld has been the district president since 2003, having been reelected to second and third terms in 2006 and 2009 [1]. 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 last convention was held June 4-6, 2009, and the next will be held in 2012.

Concordia University, Seward, part of the LCMS' Concordia University System, is located within the district.

Presidents

• Rev. Frederick A. Niedner, 1970–78
• Rev. Eldor W. Meyer, 1978-91
• Rev. Eugene V. Gierke, 1991-2003
• Rev. Russell L. Sommerfeld, 2003-present

Oldest congregations

• 1868 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Beemer, Nebraska
• 1869 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Hooper, Nebraska
• 1869 - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Arlington, Nebraska
• 1870 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seward, Nebraska
• 1870 - Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Staplehurst, Nebraska
• 1870 - Zion Lutheran Church, Hampton, Nebraska
• 1871 - Christ Lutheran Church, Columbus, Nebraska
• 1871 - Christ Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Nebraska
• 1871 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Louisville, Nebraska
• 1871 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Pierce, Nebraska
• 1871 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, West Point, Nebraska
• 1871 - Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Elk Creek, Nebraska
• 1872 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Battle Creek, Nebraska
• 1872 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Waco, Nebraska
• 1874 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sterling, Nebraska
• 1874 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Crete, Nebraska
• 1874 - St. John's Lutheran Church, Lyons, Nebraska
• 1874 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Hebron, Nebraska
• 1874 - Zion Lutheran Church, Bancroft, Nebraska
• 1874 - Zion Lutheran Church, St. Libory, Nebraska

Only congregation in Kansas: First Lutheran Church, Summerfield, Kansas, 1947

Largest congregations

Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.

• 4625- King of Kings Lutheran Church, Omaha, Nebraska
• 3198- Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Omaha, Nebraska
• 2987- Messiah Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska
• 2588- Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska
• 2498- Saint John Lutheran Church, Seward, Nebraska
• 2409- Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, LaVista, Nebraska
• 2276- Christ Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Nebraska
• 2037- Trinity Lutheran Church, Fremont, Nebraska
• 2014- Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Kearney, Nebraska
• 1849- Trinity Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska
• 1783- Peace Lutheran Church, Columbus, Nebraska
• 1769- Our Savior Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Nebraska
• 1684- Faith Lutheran Church, Hastings, Nebraska
• 1617- Peace Lutheran Church, Grand Island, Nebraska
• 1512- Emmanuel Lutheran Church, York, Nebraska

• Only congregation in Kansas: First Lutheran Church, Summerfield, Kansas, 92

See also

• List of churches in Omaha, Nebraska

External links

• Nebraska District web site
• LCMS: Nebraska District
• Synodal-Bericht des Nebraska-Distrikts der Deutschen Evang.-Luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio und Andern Staaten (1882-1895)