The International Church Relations Forum offered more than 40 international church leaders the opportunity for study, discussion and fellowship during the 2023 LCMS convention.
National Convention
2023 LCMS convention — A conversation with Bishop Juhana Pohjola and Dr. Päivi Räsänen
The Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, and Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a member of the Finnish Parliament, discuss religious persecution in Finland.
LCMS convention adopts eight resolutions on structure and administration
The resolutions clarify multi-parish representation at conventions, fix various glitches in the convention Handbook and clarify Synod Bylaws.
2023 LCMS convention — Focus on church and culture
Floor Committee 11 Chairman Rev. Terry Forke and Voting Layperson Melanie Standiford discuss convention resolutions on racism and social media.
Convention adopts seven International Witness resolutions
The resolutions from Floor Committee 2 address the Alliance Missionary Program, independent international congregations and the FORO model, among other things.
Synod convention calls for new Lutheran academic standards
Delegates also adopted resolutions that commend Lutheran schools, address church worker student debt, encourage family devotions and recommend youth ministry resources.
Delegates elect 21 members to five Synod boards
The ordained, commissioned and lay members will serve on boards of the LCMS and its entities.
Delegates express desire for reconciliation with CTX, pass Res. 7-03
The resolution calls Concordia University Texas to repentance for seeking to separate itself from Synod governance.
Convention affirms in-person Communion
Delegates to 2023 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) passed Resolution 5-08A, “To Affirm In-Person Communion,” by a vote of 842 to 140 (or 85.74%).
2023 LCMS convention — A conversation with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw
The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, director of LCMS Church Relations, discusses convention resolutions on international church fellowship.
2023 LCMS convention — Focus on universities
Members of Floor Committee 7 discuss the Concordia University System governance proposal.
LCMS recognizes broken fellowship with Japan Lutheran Church
For only the second time in its history, the LCMS recognized that it is no longer in fellowship with another church body.
Sias re-elected, Synod BOD positions filled
The Rev. Dr. John W. Sias was re-elected for a third term as Synod secretary.