Delegates debate, worship, receive Gospel comfort

LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford

By Cheryl Magness

During the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), held July 18–23 in Phoenix, the Rev. Jared Melius, ordained voting delegate from the LCMS Rocky Mountain District, was asked what he loves about the LCMS. His answer likely speaks for many who were at this year’s convention: “I love that no matter what kinds of conflicts … we might have … the people here, whatever their positions on our issues might be, love the Lord Jesus and particularly love the Lord’s Gospel, which grants unto us the comfort of the forgiveness of our sins.” (Read more about this year’s delegates.)

That message of Gospel forgiveness was apparent in ways big and small as more than 1,300 delegates — and hundreds more guests, both national and international — descended on downtown Phoenix for a week in July under the theme “Christ Is Risen Indeed.” They came prepared to walk (from hotel to convention center and back again, over and over); to perspire (which they did, but due to milder-than-expected weather and a couple of powerful rainstorms owing to Arizona’s “monsoon” season, not as much as you might think); to sit, and sit, and sit some more; to receive the gifts of Word and Sacrament; to exchange handshakes, hugs and hellos; to revisit old memories and make new ones; to sing; to pray; and to give thanks for the Lord’s blessing and provision for His church.

But most of all they came to do the task appointed for them: to hear about the Synod’s work over the past triennium and to discuss and determine the direction of that work for the next triennium. And work they did, electing 78 officers, board and commission members and adopting more than 100 resolutions on issues ranging from pastoral formation to church fellowship to structure and administration. (Find full coverage at reporter.lcms.org/convention, read Today’s Business and convention minutes at lcms.org/convention/national, and view the convention livestream at lcms.org/convention/livestream.)

Preaching for Matins on July 23, the convention’s final day, the Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa, LCMS third vice-president-elect, reminded convention-goers that, while their work is necessary and important, there is something far more important: “This new life empowered by Christ’s resurrection does not come from Synod resolutions, congregation and school budgets in the black, peace in the parish — though we give thanks for that if we know it — nor any other state or condition in our lives.

“The only thing that causes us to stand are the mysteries of God. And these mysteries of God are bound up in the Lord Jesus Christ — in all that Christ has done, in all that Christ is doing and in all that Christ will do to save us from sin, death and the power of the devil. The mysteries of Christ give us Christ, who is risen indeed.”

After the final bang of the gavel officially closing the 2026 LCMS convention, delegates sang Christ’s comfort one more time before departing for home: “Come, holy Fire, comfort true, Grant us the will Your work to do And in Your service to abide; Let trials turn us not aside. Lord, by Your pow’r prepare each heart, And to our weakness strength impart That bravely here we may contend, Through life and death to You, our Lord, ascend. Alleluia, alleluia!” (Lutheran Service Book 497:3).

Read more convention coverage.

Posted Aug. 17, 2026