LCMS Arizona South Circuit

Circuit Forum

The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
English District
Arizona South Circuit Forum Guidelines

Arizona South Circuit Forum Meeting Minutes

July 25, 2026

The Arizona South Circuit met on July 25, 2026 at Catalina Lutheran Church.

The attendance roster is attached. Attendees included 8 pastors, 4 lay delegates and 9 lay members of the circuit congregations. Attendees represented the following congregations: Catalina, Crosspoint, Messiah, Mount Olive, Risen Savior, and Eternal Life—Mesa.

The meeting began at 10:10 a.m. with a responsive prayer led by Circuit Visitor Pastor Bruce von Hindenburg followed by a brief study from the small and large Catechisms, a welcome from Circuit President Tom Honebrink and an explanation of the status of the minutes from the last Circuit Forum. The minutes were accepted as presented.

Circuit Visitor report: Pastor von Hindenburg report that he’s spent most of his time as Circuit Visitor working with Christus Rex and Ascension. Christus Rex has an ongoing property tax issue outstanding with the Arizona Corporation Commission and a pastoral vacancy. This has now been referred to the District president. Ascension’s has former pastor retired and they went through the call process. I attended each meeting, they extended a call that was eventually declined. Meanwhile, in June, Pastor St. John, their assistant pastor, received two calls and took one to Las Vegas. Ascension will now be starting a new call process. Of note, while Ascension did not need to complete the Comprehensive Assessment of Development/Decline Status tool, this is now required for congregations needing to extend a pastoral call. Pastor von Hindenburg encourages congregations to consider using this assessment tool, even if they are not extending a call.

The next winkle is 9 a.m., Aug 4 at Faith.

Treasurer’s report: from Renee Terry by email

As of today, the current balance for the AZ South Circuit Busey checking account is $8,666.

In 2026, there have been no payouts from the account, and deposits have totaled $1,800. Renee will be sending out reminders to circuit congregations for any unpaid circuit dues in August. There is no pending activity.

English District report: Pastor Morehouse presented the Bishop’s greetings and noted the District is working to fill pastoral vacancies. He noted we have the same number of pastors as in 1960 but only half the number of parishioners. He reported the seminaries are working together, including lining up their curriculums. He noted the District president and board are involved in the Concordia Ann Arbor situation.

The Southern Arizona Lutheran Schools Association is actively seeking congregations to join the nacent organization to support Faith’s school. So far, Green Valley and Catalina have signed on; Mt Olive will consider at their next voter’s assembly. The association will provide governance and curriculum and faculty oversight.

Arizona North Circuit report: Pastor Crane, Circuit Visitor and Pastor at Eternal Life, Mesa, reported that they will be hosting the fall pastor’s conference in Mesquite, Oct. 27-29. Planning going well. Congregations are requested to pay the registration fee, even if they are not able to attend. He explained that the hosting conference must fund all the conference expenses and be refunded through registration fees. Conference details are available online.

Old business

Campus ministry: Pastor Isaac Wirtz reported on his challenges with leading campus ministry. ALCMS, the fundraising arm, going fine with people filling the necessary positions and funding available. Right now, he’s the only member of LCMSU at the UA and he has no status on the campus. He has a list of contacts but students are not responding to invitations via email, text, etc. Only one student was engaged in Bible study this last year. Pastor Wirtz does not currently have time for on-campus recruiting and visits so the future is uncertain. It was noted that the circuit has expressed support to the District for campus and Hispanic ministry. The Circuit will need to develop a plan for campus ministry and share that with the English District. Pastor Esla noted that he has a congregant who will be teaching opera the UA this fall and a PhD student. These may be able to serve as initial contacts for forming an on-campus group or club, if they are willing.

The Campus Christian Center building sale is still in litigation.

Santa Trinidad: No report.

Lutheran Servanthood School: Forum President and Deacon Honebrink reported as of today, two upcoming courses to be held at Catalina Lutheran have been scheduled:

These courses are open to all congregants and can be taken for CE credit.

If there are other courses offered in the coming months, please let Tom know so they can be posted on our website.

ACSTO Report: from Katie Brech by email

Here are the statistics from ACSTO for our Southern Arizona LCMS schools. These numbers include totals for all—Ascension Lutheran, Creation School, Faith Lutheran, and the separate donation option for the three LCMS Southern Arizona schools combined.

Total donations for 2023-2024: more than $327,000

Total donations for 2024-2025: $348,553

Total donations for the previous year, 2025-2026: $307,992

As you can see, our donations remain over $300,000 – and that is something to celebrate!

We can always do better, and do more teaching about how simple the tax credit donation process is. Katie asked if there any pastors and church members here today who have recently made a tax credit donation and can share how easy it is to give it a try? It is a fairly simple process and infinitely worthwhile – as you make a tremendous difference in the life of a child.

You may have noticed that school choice in Arizona is a hot topic in politics, and it will likely be on the ballot in November. Efforts are being made to change the ESA scholarships for all children in Arizona – even for our Lutheran school families. She requested participants do all they can to spread the word – vote NO changes to our ESA program – so that as many families as possible can remain attending our Lutheran schools. Parents deserve the choice to educate their children in the way they prefer. They can choose a school with a Biblical worldview, such as a LCMS school, or a secular worldview at a public school.

Katie noted she has a daughter starting 6th grade at Faith Lutheran School using an ESA scholarship and one starting Desert Christian High School with an ACSTO tax credit scholarship. She remains hopeful and grateful for the wonderful ministry and teaching at Ascension, Creation, and Faith Lutheran Schools. Thank you for your continued support of ACSTO tax credit scholarships. They make it possible for every child to attend our schools and learn about Jesus. Thank you and God bless you!

Sanctity of Life: Roni Grad sent by email
Just back from several days at the Synodical Convention where I helped staff the Lutherans For Life table in the exhibit hall.  It was a joy and a privilege to serve alongside Dr. and Mrs. Aric Fenske and to meet so many brothers and sisters who are passionate about Sanctity of Life issues!  Thankful for the support and encouragement from Pastor von Hindenburg, Tom, Pastor Mathers, Bishop Miskus, Pres. Harrison and so many from Synod.  Richly blessed!

At Catalina: Save the date! We are in the early stages of planning the AD 2026 Sanctity of Life Into Eternity Symposium, which is scheduled for November 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(See Sanctity of Life page for full report.)

New business

LCMS Convention Report: Andrew Grant, our lay delegate from AZ North and South circuits, shared a summary of decisions reached at the Synodical convention. His more complete report will be provided soon. The theme of the 69th LCMS Convention was Christ is Risen, Indeed, was held in Phoenix, July 19-23. Events included worship services, presentations, elections of Synod officials, an exhibit hall as well as the work from eleven floor committees that presented resolutions for delegates to discuss and vote on.

National Witness resolutions focused on education, church planting, family and campus ministry. Delegates also reinstated a new Synod position to support campus ministry.

International Witness resolutions concerned ministry to the Armed Forces, including Operation Barnabas and foreign missions.

Mercy resolutions concerned life issues. Most of these passed unanimously.

Life Together resolutions addressed RSOs and their structure to reflect our doctrine and values. Delegates approved a new Commission on Worship with the task of working on a new hymn supplement. They also addressed our current political climate and encouraged heeding the 8th Commandment. Artificial Intelligence was also addressed.

Theology and work relationships resolutions covered altar and pulpit fellowship with other church bodies and issues of concern, communion practices, the roles of men and women and defining male and female and invitro fertilization. We remain in altar fellowship with the AALC and will continue discussions.

Pastoral ministry and seminaries resolutions focused on the routes to ministry, including discussion on in-person vs. online seminaries. We reaffirmed our seminaries and in-person attendance, reaffirmed the Specific Ministry Pastor program, urging those men to seek a final degree for general ministry and corrected language concerning oversight and ecclesiastical supervision. Delegates also encouraged congregations to support pastors going to seminaries.

University education resolutions concerned the Concordias and maintaining our Lutheran identity; worship services at the universities, encouraging using hymnals and liturgical practices; the faculty and boards. Note: Ann Arbor is not closed down but had downsized and sold some of its property.

Finance resolutions addressed the need for transparency on legal matters and fees and seminary funding.

Structure and administration resolutions focused on bylaws updates including circuit elections. Resolution 9-13 addressed the population of each circuit now having a minimum of six parishes and of at least 1,500 people. The goal is to increase representation.

Ecclesiastical supervision and dispute resolution resolutions clarified our stand on sexual misconduct and addressed digital oversight.

Elections resolutions reaffirmed the current practice of electing the Synod president before the convention. President Harrison was reelected, Scott Murray retired and Alfonzo Espinoza joined the Synod’s leadership team.

Circuit Website review: Kym Lindsey and Tom Honebrink provided a brief overview of our newly debuted circuit website. They encourage congregations to provide information to be posted and for everyone to poke around the site. It’s located at azsouthlutherans.org.

Circuit Forum Archives: from Roni Grad by email
Roni is still sitting on the AZ South Circuit Forum archives.  The issue is how to maintain and preserve historical records. Do we have a local storage option and can we get them digitized? We should think of a home for them where they will not get lost. Roni chatted with Dr. Harmelink at the convention, and he is definitely interested in having at least copies of them at Concordia Historical Institute. We would need to keep records up to date. Circuits are not well represented in LCMS church history papers and manuscripts, and having materials for researchers would be helpful.  Roni has Dr. Harmelink’s card with his contact information.  We probably need to make contact with the English District Archivist as well; Roni tried several years ago and was unable to reach him. Perhaps one of our Pastoral leaders can give it a try? Pastor Esla expressed interest in this topic.

2027 Circuit Convocation: Forum President Tom Honebrink reported that we’ve settled on the last weekend of January 2027 and Ascension has agreed to host. Elizabeth Grippo from Concordia Seward is an exceptional pianist. She has agreed to speak on the gift and role of music in the church. We are hoping to have a concert on Friday evening as well as sessions on Saturday and perhaps a mass choir. Tom requested permission to visit with the circuit church councils to request their support and encourage congregational participation in this event.

Election of circuit officers: Forum President Tom Honebrink reported that we need to elect a secretary and treasurer and that Catalina cannot fill these positions. He asked participants for suggestions and for permission from the pastors to bring this item also to their church councils.

Congregational reports

Mt. Olive: Pastor Isaac Wirtz reported that they’ve got a lot of Youth Group activities and that he’s planning to begin an adult catechesis class via Zoom due to participant schedules. Please share any ideas you have for this approach.

Catalina: Pastor Morehouse reported that Word and Sacrament ministry continue as to Bible studies. We have an Adult Instruction class in progress and we’re getting ready for our vicar changeover. Plans for our auxiliary building are nearing completion.

Eternal Life, Mesa: Pastor Brian Crane reported that they have torn down their old building and are offering the sale of four acres. Proceeds would be used to refurbish their current building.

Risen Savior: Pastor Arnold reported they’ve just completed an adult catechism class and are welcoming 14 new members.

Crosspoint: Pastor Hong noted they’ve paid off their mortgage; have 4-8 new members including an adult baptism. They are starting a new service, with the early service moving to 8:30 a.m. and the new service starting at 10:45 a.m. They are in need of a youth director and musicians.

Messiah: Pastor Esla reported that they have five musicians.

Other: Christ died for you and he is risen, indeed!

Next meeting: 10 a.m., November 7 at Risen Savior

The meeting closed in prayer led by Pastor von Hindenburg at 12:30 p.m.

The Preamble

We, the Arizona South Visitation Circuit congregations of the English District (ED) in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), do establish these Forum Guidelines in accordance with the current Synodical Handbook, Bylaws, and Ephesians 4 to assist in the following:

A. Study
o Study the Scriptures and Confessions in order to promote an evangelical spirit
in our walking together.

B. Develop
o Develop and adopt, within existing policies of the ED, complementary/joint
plans for mission outreach in our region, to include neighboring circuits and
districts.

C. Devise
o Devise and formulate programs and services relevant to the needs of
congregations, lay leaders, teachers, ordained and commissioned church
workers.

D. Promote
o Promote local receipt of and response to Synodical and District policies,
programs, and procedures.

E. Serve
o Serve as a setting for review and evaluation of Synodical and District plans
and long-range directions to be able to participate in the triennial process of
suggesting, developing, and attaining Synod and District priorities and goals.

F. Encourage
o Encourage individuals and congregations to submit resolutions for the Forum
to consider for District and Synodical conventions.

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of the Circuit Forum shall be – Arizona South Circuit Forum (AZ-SC Forum)

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES


The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod describes a visitation circuit as, “a network of congregations that ‘walks together’ for mutual care, support, advice, study, ecclesiastical encouragement, service, coordination, resources, and counsel—all for the sake of greater congregational participation in God’s mission.” (Section 5.1.1, LCMS Handbook 2023)
Furthermore, the Circuit Forum “is the group which aids the process of keeping congregations, particularly the lay leaders, commissioned ministers, and pastors, supportive of one another in their common confession and mutually active in developing programs for the good of member congregations, in considering and recommending new work, and in suggesting improvements in services and programming at the national and district levels and is encouraged to meet at least twice a year.” (Section 5.3.1, LCMS Handbook 2023) Thus, the AZ-SC Forum of LCMS congregations will:

A. Engage in joint study of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions in order to promote an evangelical spirit in our walking together.

B. Strive to strengthen congregations in extending the Gospel witness to their communities and to all the world, and, in cooperation with the district mission program, actively assist in the planning for and the planting of new mission opportunities in the region of the circuit.

C. Aid congregations to develop effective programs of Christian education and nurture including oversight of the circuit’s Lutheran Servanthood School.

D. Aid congregations, lay leaders, teachers, and pastors by providing a variety of resources and opportunities for recognizing, promoting, expressing, conserving, and defending their confessional witness.

E. Encourage congregations to develop an appreciation for a variety of responsible
congregational practices and customs that are in harmony with our common profession of faith.

F. Provide opportunities through which our congregations may express their Christian
concern, love, and compassion in meeting human needs.

G. Share concern and care for one another, especially for ordained and commissioned
church workers, but also for the lay leadership of the congregations within the circuit.
H. Establish a proper atmosphere for the recruitment of ordained and commissioned church workers and provide opportunity to church workers for continuing growth for the
church’s ministries.

I. Work together in an awareness of interdependence with each other and with other circuits of the region toward the objectives of the District and Synod, and receive and respond as appropriate to advice, guidance, resolutions, and programs in other sections of the Synod as such may be addressed to it from other circuits, District and Synod, and to review and evaluate programs, plans, and long-range directions of the District and Synod, participating in the triennial process of suggesting, developing and attaining the Synod’s priorities and goals (Section 5.3.1, LCMS Handbook 2023).

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership in the AZ-SC Forum is open to all LCMS congregations assigned by the
ED to the Arizona South Circuit.

B. Each congregation shall be represented at the AZ-SC Forum by a pastor and
one (1) lay person designated by the congregation. Each congregation will have
two (2) votes (pastor and lay). The Forum also encourages the attendance of non-voting
congregation members, as well as non-voting members of congregations of
neighboring circuits and districts, as well as non-voting representatives of ministry
entities.

C. Persons who are called and commissioned workers in circuit congregations and
ministries shall be advisory members of the Forum without a vote.

D. Should a multi-congregation parish involve congregations having membership in
different visitation circuits, each lay representative, voting and advisory, shall attend the
forum of the circuit of which the representative’s congregation is a member. The Pastoral
representative shall attend the forum of that circuit, within which he serves a
congregation and within the district in which he holds membership, to which he is
assigned by his District President. No multi-congregation parish is entitled to more than
one Pastoral and one lay voting representative because of its inclusion of congregations
from different visitation circuits.

ARTICLE IV – FUNCTIONS

A. Delegates to LCMS conventions: If the Arizona – South Circuit Forum is combined with
other visitation circuit(s) to form an electoral circuit, pastoral and lay delegates from
congregations of the AZ-SC Forum who are in attendance at the ED Convention will
convene with delegates from the other visitation circuit(s) during the designated time at
the ED Convention to elect delegates to the LCMS Convention. They will elect a
pastoral delegate and pastoral alternate as well as a lay delegate and lay alternate. It is
not necessary for members of the Executive Committee to be present. All four persons
elected will come from four different member congregations or multi-congregation
parishes of the Circuit Forum. The election of the delegates for the Synodical convention
will take place as per the guidelines in Section 3.1.2.1 in the LCMS Handbook 2023.

B. With the exception of the selection of delegates to the LCMS Convention, actions of the
AZ-SC Forum shall be administered by the Executive Committee (ExCom). Membership
and powers of the ExCom are outlined in Article V.

C. Lutheran organizations: Lutheran Laymen’s League, Lutheran Women’s Missionary
League, Operation Barnabas, Lutherans for Life, LCMS missionaries and others may
coordinate their activities in this region with the Forum through the ExCom in order to
promote better communication between congregations.

D. Local church groups: Congregational clubs, special interest groups, and special service units may use the Circuit Forum to promote their activities.

E. Task Forces (TFs): The ExCom President and Circuit Visitor shall be authorized by the
ExCom to establish TFs as the needs arise.

F. Meetings: The Circuit Forum as a whole shall convene twice annually – spring and
autumn. The ExCom President and Circuit Visitor will develop the Forum meeting
agendas. The Circuit Forum will vote annually on a budget. The Circuit Forum will
encourage overtures to the ED Convention to be discussed at the autumn meeting
preceding the event.

G. The LC-MS Handbook and guidance prescribes a triennial convocation. The ExCom will arrange this and may do so by assembling a dedicated task force. Convocations may be held more often than triennially, if so desired by the Circuit Forum. The AZ-SC Forum
Convocation should adhere to LCMS guidelines for these events:
o The Convocation is a larger gathering of members from Circuit congregations
during a year in which there is no Synodical or District convention.
o The emphasis should be on inspiration, education and motivation, and mission
and theological discourse within and beyond the Circuit, and a place for in-
depth discussion of the theological and missiological issues before the Synod.
Educational workshops are encouraged, along with the inclusion of speakers
and participants who are recognized as leaders in Synod.
o The Convocation is a setting in which constituent congregations may celebrate
what God is doing in each of these settings, relative to the topic being
discussed.
o Convocations should include an opportunity for participants to receive God’s
gifts through a liturgical service. The LCMS guidelines encourage, but do not
mandate, a service of Holy Communion, and the specific office will be up to
the discretion of the hosting congregation and pastor in coordination with the
Circuit Visitor.
o The Circuit Visitor will serve as chair of the Circuit Forum Convocation, and
the Circuit Visitor and any other officers will have the primary responsibility
for preparing the agenda for the Circuit Forum Convocation. At the Circuit
Visitor’s discretion, the topic and speaker for the Convocation will be selected
by vote of the Circuit Forum.

H. The Circuit Forum will encourage the coming together of the congregations for special events such as community Reformation services, celebration of important historic anniversaries, gatherings of Lay Deacons/Deaconesses, of Elders, and the like.

ARTICLE V – THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A. Composition: The ExCom shall be composed of a Lay President and Vice-President with a Lay Secretary, a Lay Treasurer, and the ED Circuit Visitor.

B. “Election of Circuit Visitor” Per LCMS Bylaw 5.2.2, every three years, the Circuit Forum shall select the Circuit Visitor for the following triennium. This will occur at a Circuit Forum meeting, and nominations for Circuit Visitor candidates may be submitted by a voting congregation of the Circuit. Additionally, nominations may be suggested by the District President, in consultation with the Praesidium of the District. Names suggested by the District President may, during the Circuit Forum, be received into nomination by the majority vote of the assembly. Pastors who are serving congregations, as well as Emeriti Pastors are eligible to be nominated. The representatives selected by the congregations (one Ordained and one lay) who are present at the meeting, either physically or remotely (through real-time electronic connection) will be eligible to vote. On the first ballot, voters will list two names. The three Pastors (or more, in the event of a tie), who receive the highest number of votes will be placed on the next ballot on which voters will have one vote. The process will continue until a pastor receives a simple majority of the votes. Immediately after the Circuit Forum, the Circuit Visitor shall submit the name to the ED Secretary for ratification at the ED Convention.
o Should the Circuit Forum fail to nominate a candidate or should the Circuit
Forum nominate a man who is unable to serve, the District President shall
select a pastor whose name shall be on the slate for ratification at Convention.
o The ED Convention has the right to alter the selection by amendment.
o The Circuit Visitor will strive to provide resources, opportunities, and
assistance that God’s people may grow in the faith gifted to them.

C. Election: The election of the ExCom officers occurs during the spring Circuit Forum Meeting ExCom officers serve a two (2) year term. A prudent limit is two consecutive terms.

D. Terms: The ExCom President and Secretary are elected in even years while the Vice-President and Treasurer are elected during odd years.

E. Nominations: Each congregation is encouraged to nominate a member in good standing to serve in the Circuit Forum ExCom offices. The Circuit Visitor and ExCom President will prepare the slate of candidates for the spring Circuit Forum meeting. A candidate who garners more than 50% of the vote will be elected. Nominations from the floor will be accepted.

F. The ExCom will carry out the functions outlined in Article IV.

G. Meetings: The ExCom meets as necessary. Any ExCom member may request a meeting by calling the President who will issue notice to all ExCom members. The President shall preside at all Forum or ExCom meetings.

H. Except for the Circuit Visitor, only one ExCom officer may come from any one AZ-SC congregation.

I. Budget: The Circuit Forum will establish the AZ-SC Forum budget at the spring or autumn meeting, following the recommendation of the ExCom.

J. All non-budgetary disbursements of the AZ-SC Forum shall be authorized in advance by majority vote of the ExCom.

K. The ExCom will review the new LCMS Handbook every three years, within six months
of its publication, and recommend guideline revisions as necessary to the Circuit Forum
to harmonize local practices with those of Synod.

ARTICLE VI – FINANCES

A. Congregation contributions:
o AZ-SC congregations will contribute an amount recommended by the ExCom
to the Circuit Forum for a vote at the autumn Circuit Forum meeting.
o At the spring Circuit Forum meeting, the Treasurer shall provide confidential
notice to Pastors whose congregations have not made their contribution.

B. Special Projects: The Circuit Forum may solicit funds from member congregations for
special projects approved by the ExCom.

C. Record: The Circuit Forum Treasurer shall maintain accurate records and submit a
written report at the spring and autumn Circuit Forum meetings. The Circuit Forum
Treasure will make the books available to the individuals carrying out the financial
review (item D below) in advance of the time of the review.

D. A financial review will be carried out every two years by two individuals appointed by
the President. The report of this review will be given at the spring Circuit Forum
meeting.

E. The ExCom members, excluding the Circuit Visitor, shall have signature authority in the Treasurer’s absence or if the Treasurer is unable to exercise signature authority.

F. Servanthood School: The Servanthood School Provost shall maintain separate records for this school and submit an annual written report to the Circuit Forum at its autumn
meeting.

ARTICLE VII – VACANCIES

If an ExCom vacancy occurs, the President or Vice-President shall recommend a person to the ExCom. The ExCom shall make the appointment by a majority vote. If there is a vacancy in the presidency, the Vice-President shall assume the office. Per Synod Bylaw 5.2.2.1, Circuit Visitor vacancies that occur during the triennium between ED Conventions shall be filled by the District President. Any such appointments will be communicated to the circuit churches not later than the next Circuit Forum.