Daily Coverage
2026 LCMS convention news – Thursday, July 23

The fifth and final day of the convention included unfinished business and an Itinerarium.

Isabelle Cooper-Browne studies Today’s Business on July 21 during the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Phoenix. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)
Meet your delegates

As we say goodbye to Phoenix, get to know five of the delegates who represented their home districts at convention.

WELS President Rev. Mark Schroeder speaks during the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Phoenix on Monday, July 20. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)
WELS president brings greetings to Synod in convention

On July 20, the Rev. Mark Schroeder, president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, talked about the history of the WELS and 12 years of discussions with the LCMS.

(LCMS/Frank Kohn)
Presidential election to remain electronic, with call for increased participation

A resolution calling to return the election of the LCMS president to the convention was supplanted by a substitute resolution seeking to increase congregational participation in the current electronic, pre-convention voting process.

Daily Coverage
2026 LCMS convention news – Wednesday, July 22

The fourth day of convention business included an essay by the Rev. Dr. Kirk M. Clayton, Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, and continued balloting for boards and entities.

2026 Convention rewind video – Wednesday, July 22

On July 22, the fourth day of the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, delegates adopted a slew of resolutions from Floor Committees 7, 8 and 9. In addition, the convention was greeted by representatives from the Synod’s two auxiliaries, and delegates remembered the rostered church workers who were called to glory during the past triennium.

The Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson, president of the LCMS Pacific Southwest District, confers with the Rev. Dr. Scott Murray, outgoing LCMS third vice-president, as part of Floor Committee 6 on Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries during the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Phoenix on Monday, July 20. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)
Convention affirms current Synod paths for ordination and pastoral training

After debate and discussion on the convention floor, delegates demonstrated broad agreement on and a desire to affirm the LCMS’ current paths to ordination and the training of pastors.

The Rev. Matthew Anker, president of Lutheran Mission–Australia, addresses The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod convention following the passage of Res. 5-02 on July 21 while the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, director of LCMS Church Relations, looks on. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)
LCMS paves the way for full fellowship with Lutheran Mission–Australia

On Tuesday afternoon, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention unanimously approved Res. 5-02, thus laying the groundwork for a full recognition of fellowship with Lutheran Mission–Australia.

Archbishop Joseph Ochola Omolo of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya presents during the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Phoenix on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)
‘We are not alone’: Kenya’s archbishop greets LCMS convention

The Rev. Joseph Ochola Omolo, archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, addressed the LCMS in convention on Tuesday afternoon, July 21, expressing solidarity and offering words of encouragement and appreciation to the assembled delegates.

The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, LCMS president, shakes hands with President Limberth Fernandez Coronado of the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia upon declaring altar and pulpit fellowship during the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod on July 21 in Phoenix. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)
LCMS endorses fellowship with Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention formally endorsed LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison’s May 2025 recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia.

The four youth representatives at the 2026 convention, left to right, are Hunter Remington and Emma Wosnek of the LCMS Oklahoma District, and Miriam Kieser and Noah Waterbury of the LCMS Wyoming District. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)
Youth ‘represent’ at convention

Each district is allowed to send up to two youth representatives to the convention, according to Bylaw 3.1.4.6.

Elections
Synod elects regents for CSL, CUC, CUI, CUNE

Floor Committee 11 oversaw the election of regents to the boards of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL); Concordia University Chicago (CUC); Concordia University Irvine (CUI); and Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE).

(LCMS/Frank Kohn)
Floor Committee 11 wraps up elections with CUS regents, Commission on Worship

On the morning of July 21, the Synod in convention elected a total of 15 people to serve on four different boards or commissions.

Convention voices video – Volunteer pages at the LCMS convention

As delegates conduct the business of the church during The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) convention, they are supported by a troop of volunteer pages who serve behind the scenes in a variety of ways. “We really could not do this without their help,” says LCMS Mission Program Manager Katie Fiene. Learn more about the unique and vital role of the convention page.

2026 LCMS Convention — Tuesday, July 21
2026 LCMS convention news – Tuesday, July 21

The third day of convention business included an essay by Dr. Michael A. Thomas, presentations on military chaplains and church relations, and balloting for a variety of boards and entities.

2026 Convention rewind video – Tuesday, July 21

On July 21, the third day of business at the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), international guests were introduced to the delegation. The Synod in convention recognized fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia and acknowledged the unity of confession the LCMS shares with Lutheran Mission—Australia. In addition, delegates adopted resolutions from Floor Committees 6, 10 and 11.