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American Association of Lutheran Churches

AALC reelects Presiding Pastor

by Mathew Block | Aug 3, 2026

*Clergy at the AALC’s 2026 General Convention.*

USA – The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) held its 30^th General Convention in Plymouth, Minnesota, from June 23-25, during which time the church reelected Rev. Dr. Cary G. Larson to a second term as Presiding Pastor.

President Larson was first elected to lead the AALC at its 2022 General Convention. Prior to that, Presiding Pastor Larson had served the church as Assistant Presiding Pastor and Assistant to the President Pastor. Presiding Pastor Larson also serves on the faculty of the AALC’s seminary, the American Lutheran Theological Seminary (ALTS).

The theme for this year’s convention was “Christ Jesus – Our Hope – Our Future!” based on Hebrews 10:23. Rev. Dr. Jordan B. Cooper of ALTS served as keynote speaker, giving a two-part presentation entitled “Toward a Gracious Confessionalism.”

Among other business, the convention conducted other elections; heard reports; and welcomed three congregations into the AALC.

The American Association of Lutheran Churches 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.

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AALC holds General Convention

by Mathew Block | Sep 4, 2024

AALC *clergy and guests following the opening service of the church’s 29th General Convention. Photo: AALC/Lisa Cooper.*

USA – The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) held its 29^th biennial General Convention from June 25-28 in Plymouth, Minnesota. The theme for the convention was “Reconciled through Christ,” based on 2 Corinthians 5:27-30.

Serving as keynote speakers for the conference were Rev. Heath R. Curtis and Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador, with the two addressing the subject of stewardship. Rev. Curtis is a pastor of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and coordinator of its national Stewardship Ministry program. Rev. Dr. Meador is likewise a pastor of the LCMS, serving as Mission Executive for the South Wisconsin District. Together, Rev. Curtis and Dr. Meador are authors of a book entitled Stewardship as Pastoral Care.

Among other business, the convention passed budgets for the AALC as well as its seminary, the American Lutheran Theological Seminary (ALTS). It further elected and installed Rev. Dr. Curtis E. Leins to serve as president of the seminary. Dr. Leins previously served as Presiding Pastor of the AALC from 2014-2022. Elections for several other positions in the church were also held during the convention.

The convention received in-person greetings from two fellowship partners: the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and the Lutheran Church in Norway/Iceland (LKNI), with the latter being represented by its Bishop Torkild Masvie. Greetings were also received from the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (ALFC), whose college campus—the Free Lutheran Bible College and Seminary—served as the venue for the AALC’s 2024 convention.

The American Association of Lutheran Churches is a member church of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a global association of Lutheran church bodies and organizations grounded on the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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