The International Church Relations Forum offered more than 40 international church leaders the opportunity for study, discussion and fellowship during the 2023 LCMS convention.
Convention
![](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-Convention-Video-Series-Conversation-With-Finnish-Chursh-640x450.jpg)
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.
![A convention delegate studies an issue of Today’s Business during the LCMS convention on July 31. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LCMS-Convention-7-31-2023-Floor-Committee-9-640x450.jpg)
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.
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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.
![LCMS Missouri District President Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan, chairman of Floor Committee 2 on International Witness, speaks to the delegates on Aug. 1 at the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. (LCMS/Roy S. Askins)](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LCMS-Convention-8-1-2023-Floor-Committee-2-International-Witness-Lee-Hagan-640x450.jpg)
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.
![The Rev. Benjamin Ball, Floor Committee 12 chairman and newly elected LCMS second vice-president, leads the assembly in singing “Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain” in honor of Lutheran schools. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LCMS-Convention-8-1-2023-Floor-Committee-12-Ben-Ball-640x450.jpg)
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.
![Floor Committee 13 Chairman Rev. Scott C. Sailer, president of the LCMS South Dakota District, presents a slate of candidates to the assembly on Aug. 1 at the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LCMS-Convention-8-2-2023-Floor-Committee-13-Elections-Chairman-Scott-Sailer-640x450.jpg)
Delegates elect 21 members to five Synod boards
The ordained, commissioned and lay members will serve on boards of the LCMS and its entities.
![The Rev. Dr. Jamison J. Hardy, president of the LCMS English District and vice-chairman of Floor Committee 7 on University Education, leads debate on Resolution 7-03 at the LCMS convention on Aug. 1. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LCMS-Convention-8-1-2023-Resolution-7-03-Jamison-Hardy-640x450.jpg)
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.
![The Rev. Dr. Brian S. Saunders, LCMS Iowa District East president, speaks with members of Floor Committee 5 as they prepare to present Resolution 5-08A. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/LCMS-Convention-8-1-2023-Resolution-5-08-A-Communion-Brian-Saunders-640x450.jpg)
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%).
![Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-Convention-Video-Series-Conversation-With-Dr-Shaw-640x450.jpg)
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.
![Concordia University System governance proposal](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-Convention-Video-Series-Focus-On-University-Education-640x450.jpg)
2023 LCMS convention — Focus on universities
Members of Floor Committee 7 discuss the Concordia University System governance proposal.
![LCMS Iowa District East President Brian Saunders speaks with the Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, executive director of Commission on Theology and Church Relations during the discussion of Resolution 5-07 at the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. (LCMS/Frank P. Kohn)](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/LCMS-Convention-7-31-2023-LCMS-Ends-Fellowship-With-Japan-Lutheran-Church-B-640x450.jpg)
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.
![The Rev. Dr. John W. Sias was elected to his third term as LCMS secretary on July 31 in Milwaukee. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)](https://reporter.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/LCMS-Convention-7-31-2023-Secretary-Sias-Re-Elected-640x450.jpg)
Sias re-elected, Synod BOD positions filled
The Rev. Dr. John W. Sias was re-elected for a third term as Synod secretary.