Candidates announced for Synod president, first and regional vice-presidents

The 2026 candidates for Synod president are, from left to right, the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, the Rev. Dr. Joel D. Biermann, the Rev. Benjamin T. Ball, the Rev. Brady L. Finnern and the Rev. Peter K. Lange.

The nominations processes for the offices of president, first vice-president and regional vice-presidents of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), to be elected at or in conjunction with the 2026 Synod convention, have been completed and the candidates announced by the LCMS Office of the Secretary.

President of the Synod

Of those receiving the highest number of nominating votes for the office of president, the five candidates who received the highest number of votes have also given their consent to serve if elected:

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Matthew C. Harrison, 900

Joel D. Biermann, 334

Benjamin T. (Ben) Ball, 311

Brady L. Finnern, 148

Peter K. Lange, 65

First Vice-President of the Synod

Of those receiving the highest number of nominating votes for the office of first vice-president, the following 21 candidates (more than 20 because ties are included) have given their consent to serve if elected:

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Peter K. Lange, 804

Christopher S. Esget, 50

Allan R. Buss, 36

Jeffrey P. Cloeter, 21

Jamison J. Hardy, 12

Timothy P. (Tim) Ahlman, 10

Lawrence R. Rast Jr., 9

Dien A. Taylor, 9

David A. Davis, 8

Don R. (Richard) Stuckwisch Jr., 7

Jeffrey J. Kloha, 5

Alfonso O. Espinosa, 4

Jeffrey E. Skopak, 4

Deric A. Taylor, 4

Victor J. Belton, 3

Jacob S. Gillard, 3

Byrene K. (Keith) Haney, 3

Mark R. Hoehner, 3

Eric T. Lange, 3

Scott C. Sailer, 3

Sean A. Willman, 3

Regional Vice-Presidents

Of those receiving the highest number of nominating votes for the offices of regional vice-presidents (which will be ranked by the convention as second through sixth vice-presidents), the following have given their consent to serve if elected:

Central Region

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Benjamin T. (Ben) Ball, 185

Michael P. Schuermann, 27

Joel D. Biermann, 22

Jeffrey P. Cloeter, 22

Peter J. Brock, 9

East-Southeast Region

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Christopher S. Esget, 109

Wally M. Arp, 29

Luke T. Zimmerman, 18

Deric A. Taylor, 16

Jeffrey E. Skopak, 13

Great Lakes Region

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Eric C. Skovgaard, 79

Mark D. Brandt, 55

David P. Ramirez, 49

Jamison J. Hardy, 43

Sean A. Willman, 33

Great Plains Region

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Nabil S. Nour, 128

Matthew R. Richard, 41

David C. Mumme, 22

Steven D. Turner, 18

Scott C. Sailer, 14

West-Southwest Region

Minister of Religion—Ordained (elect 1, 3-year term)

Alfonso O. Espinosa, 117

Yohannes A. Mengsteab, 33

Bradley W. Jurischk, 16

Timothy P. (Tim) Ahlman, 9

Eric T. Lange, 9

Except in the case of president and first vice-president, these names will constitute the ballots for elections during the 2026 Synod convention.

In the case of the president of the Synod, the election will begin six weeks prior to the convention via internet balloting. No opportunity will be provided to add names to the slate of five candidates listed here. Pastoral and lay voters validly registered by the congregations and parishes of the Synod (Bylaw 3.12.2.3) before the deadline (receipt in the Office of the Secretary by March 8, 2026), or their substitutes (as validly submitted before May 29, 2026), will serve as the voters for this election. Results, which can take more than one round as a majority must be obtained, are to be announced at least two weeks prior to the convention.

In the case of the election of the first vice-president, the president-elect will select from the list of nominees listed above the five candidates (at least two of which must be among the top five nominees) who will comprise the ballot for the election that will take place early in the convention (Bylaw 3.12.2.6). No opportunity will be provided for additional nominations from the floor of the convention.

Regional vice-president elections will follow the order and process required by the Bylaws of the Synod (Bylaw 3.12.2.7). No opportunity will be provided for additional nominations from the floor of the convention.

The May issues of Reporter and The Lutheran Witness will include questions with answers from each of the five presidential candidates.

The 69th Regular Convention of the LCMS will take place July 18–23 in downtown Phoenix under the theme, “Christ Is Risen Indeed,” based on 1 Corinthians 15:20–22.

Read list of nominees

Posted March 4, 2026