‘Pray for the churches’: Join international church bodies in year of prayer

LCMS Church Relations has created a yearlong schedule, beginning Aug. 2 or anytime, for congregations and individuals to pray for two church bodies by name each week.

Set Apart to Serve: Listening to our young men

Hear what some young LCMS men are saying about the church, vocation, sacrifice and service.

August ‘Witness’: Navigating the digital world

The August issue of The Lutheran Witness tackles the subject of Artificial Intelligence.

From the mission field: Partnership in the Gospel

Updates about LCMS mission work around the world.

Campus clips: God’s gift of music

Updates from LCMS schools, campus ministries, universities and seminaries.

Delegate Chris Heins speaks during the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Phoenix on Thursday, July 23, 2026. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)
Convention adopts ‘Modern Day Martyrdom’ resolution

The resolution calls for giving thanks to God for the steadfast faith of martyred brothers and sisters in Christ and encourages parish pastors to prepare their congregations to stay faithful.

Daily Coverage
2026 LCMS convention news – Thursday, July 23

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

2026 LCMS Regular Convention Recap Video
2026 LCMS convention recap video

The 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod concluded on July 23, 2026. Highlights of the week included the recognition of fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia and Lutheran Mission–Australia, the decision to keep the current process for the election of the LCMS president, and the reconstitution of the Commission on Worship.

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.

The Rev. James Maxwell, president of the LCMS Rocky Mountain District and chair of Floor Committee 11, Registrations, Credentials and Elections, listens during a voting session at the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Phoenix on Tuesday, July 21. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)
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.