By Megan K. Mertz
PHOENIX — The Synod in convention heard from guests from all over the world during the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), held July 18–23 in Phoenix. But one special address came from someone a bit closer to home, in more ways than one.
On July 20, the Rev. Mark Schroeder, president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), brought his greetings to the LCMS and to LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison.
The LCMS, the WELS and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod have met annually since 2012 for informal discussions “marked by candor, mutual respect and a desire to understand one another more fully as fellow heirs of the Lutheran Confessions,” said Harrison in his introduction of Schroeder.
“It is my pleasure to bring you the greetings of your fellow confessional Lutherans in the Wisconsin Synod,” Schroeder said as he took the stage. “I can assure you that many of them are paying attention to this convention, and also many of them are keeping you in their prayers.”
During his brief speech, Schroeder talked about the founding of the WELS in 1850 by German Lutherans from Prussia. The second WELS president was influenced by C.F.W. Walther, which caused the WELS to move in a similar direction — “We are confessional Lutherans today because of you,” Schroeder said. Much later, in 1961, the fellowship between the two church bodies was suspended, and they had very little to do with each other for more than 50 years.
But, by the grace of God, those conversations finally resumed again, with a gathering of more than 20 delegates from the three church bodies in 2012. They have been repeated every year since.
“Those 14 years of discussions have been more of a blessing than any of us could have imagined,” Schroeder said, noting that the first thing they did was list all the things that they agreed on — a “list that was pages and pages long on important, fundamental doctrinal issues.”
In fact, the LCMS and WELS had so much in common that in the 1990s, they both had the idea to plant a church in the middle of Siberia. These two churches ended up being only a block apart.
“Now, as a result of these relationships that have developed, many of our agencies are talking to each other, seeking advice from each other, asking each other for practical information on what they do. … Now we’ve got relationships in place that will prevent needless duplication of effort,” Schroeder said.
“As we look ahead to the future, all I can say is: May God bless you.”
2026 LCMS Convention
Under the theme “Christ Is Risen Indeed,” the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod met July 18–23, 2026, at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix.
There are several ways to get convention news, including:
Web
• lcms.org/convention/national
Video
• lcms.org/convention/national/livestream
Audio
• kfuo.org
Social media
Posted July 23, 2026
