LCMS President Matthew Harrison preaches at the ILC’s 2022 World Conference in Kenya. Photo: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod/Erik M. Lunsford.

USA – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has reelected Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison to another term as president.

President Harrison was first elected as president of the LCMS in 2010, and his fifth term runs from 2023-2026. He was reelected with 52.32 percent of the vote (2,616 votes).

“The office is not a right, but a trust, ever bestowed upon sinners,” President Harrison reflected in his candidate statement prior to the election. “I love that in the LCMS, it’s all about Jesus… Every congregation, every pastor, every teacher, every worker, every school, every institution exists for this Gospel of free forgiveness for all.”

The LCMS holds elections for president electronically in advance of its synodical convention. The election began on June 17, and the results of the election were announced by the LCMS on June 21. The LCMS synodical convention is scheduled for July 29 to August 3.

Other candidates who had stood for election were Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry, Rev. Benjamin T. Ball, Rev. Richard L. Snow, and Rev. Peter K. Lange. They received 31.86 percent, 6.82 percent, 6.36 percent, and 2.64 percent of the vote respectively.

In addition to serving as president of the LCMS, President Harrison is also a member of the board of directors for the International Lutheran Council (ILC). The ILC is a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies, of which The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a founding member.

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