USA – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) held its 69th Regular Convention from July 18-23 in Phoenix, Arizona. The theme for the convention was “Christ is Risen Indeed,” drawing on 1 Corinthians 15:20-22.
During convention, the LCMS held elections for numerous offices. Elected as Vice-Presidents were Rev. Peter K. Lange (First Vice-President), Rev. Benjamin T. Ball (Second Vice-President), Rev. Dr. Alfonso O. Espinosa (Third Vice-President), Rev. Christopher S. Esget (Fourth Vice-President), Rev. Nabil S. Nour (Fifth Vice-President), and Rev. Eric C. Skovgaard (Sixth Vice-President). Elections were also held for Synod Secretary, the Board of Directors, various commissions, and other church offices.
The LCMS holds its presidential election in advance of convention. President Matthew C. Harrison was reelected to a sixth term as president on June 24. An installation service for the LCMS President, Vice-Presidents, and other officers will be held September 18 at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.
Among other business, the LCMS unanimously voted to “support and encourage recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with Lutheran Mission – Australia” (LM-A). The resolution authorizes President Harrison to formally recognize fellowship with the LM-A at its Synodical Assembly at the end of August, when the Australian church will also vote on recognizing fellowship with the LCMS.
The LCMS convention also formally ratified its recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia (Iglesia Cristiana Evangélica Luterana de Bolivia – ICEL). President Harrison had recognized fellowship with the Bolivian church in 2025, but the LCMS is required to ratify such declarations at its next convention.
Numerous guests were present for convention. Notable among these was President Mark Schroeder of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), who brought greetings. The LCMS, WELS, and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) have been holding regular meetings together since 2012.
The LCMS also held an International Church Relations Conference (ICRC) in conjunction with Convention, from July 16-27, during which time 51 church leaders from 43 different countries gathered together.
Additional news from the LCMS’ 2026 Convention can be found at its website here.
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a member of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.
———————
RSS Feed