COP, BOD hold winter meetings

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Council of Presidents (COP) and Board of Directors (BOD) held their regularly scheduled meetings Feb. 9–11 and Feb. 19–21, respectively.

COP, Feb. 9–11

“Lord, be our light when worldly darkness veils us; Lord, be our shield when earthly armor fails us; And in the day when hell itself assails us, Grant us Your peace, Lord,” prayed the members of the COP, led by Indiana District President Rev. Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch. The prayer — from the third stanza of “Lord of Our Life” (Lutheran Service Book 659) — was part of the COP’s opening devotion on the first of a three-day meeting held at the LCMS International Center (IC) in St. Louis.

LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison addressed the group the first morning, after which he preached to council members and others gathered that day for IC chapel: “Jesus is our peace, Jesus is our refuge, Jesus is our healer — Jesus, only Jesus.”

During their meeting, COP members continually returned to the Word, both through devotions and in study of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. The Rev. Dr. Michael Von Behren, president of the LCMS Northwest District, led a study of the first chapter of Mark, and Harrison led a study on Article 14 of the Augsburg Confession, which deals with ecclesiastical order in the church.

In addition to updates from the COP Convention Action Committee on work assigned from the 2023 Synod convention, the COP heard:

A report from the Rev. Peter Lange, LCMS first vice-president, on several aspects of pastoral colloquy, including the recent success rate;

An overview of convention overtures expected from the LCMS Board of Directors and a review of Resolution 12-02A from the 2016 convention, “To Encourage Calling Church Workers on Candidate Status,” given by LCMS Secretary Rev. Dr. John W. Sias;

A presentation on how to conduct ecclesiastical supervision investigations, given by Minnesota South District President Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford; and

A presentation on “Vacancies, Call Lists and Reality” from Southern Illinois District President Rev. Heath Curtis, who spoke about better ways for district presidents to develop call lists. He also presented ideas for improving the Ordained Minister Information Form (OMIF) availability system to help ease the call process for both pastors and congregations.

After discussing exception requests for applicants to the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program who do not meet one or more of the policy requirements for SMP admission, the COP voted to recommend seven to the seminary admission committees. The COP also discussed deaconess formation. Finally, it considered at length the COP’s overall purpose and mission.

In addition, the COP held an internal election for open committee positions, with the following results:

Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher, president of the LCMS South Dakota District, was elected to the Clergy Call and Roster Committee (CCRC).

Rev. Ryan Wendt, president of the LCMS Montana District, was elected to the Board of Regents of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL).

Rev. Dr. Kevin Wilson, president of the LCMS Ohio District, was elected to the committee on technology.

Toward the end of their meeting, the COP welcomed the Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan, former chairman, who has been on medical leave since the summer. He addressed the COP, which in turn offered prayers for his continued recovery.

Minnesota North District President and COP Chairman Rev. Brady Finnern reflected: “I thank God that our time together was richly saturated with the gifts of Christ — Bible study, the Book of Concord, prayer and daily chapel — as a cloud of grief hung over us from recent events in our beloved Synod. The council devoted the majority of our meeting to addressing key matters vital to the future of the church, including preparing for the upcoming convention, placing workers, addressing increased pastoral vacancies, investigating alleged misconduct, and clarifying the purpose of the COP.

“We look forward with anticipation to this summer’s 69th Regular Convention in Phoenix and pray for the Lord’s wisdom to guide us in remaining faithful to His Word while loving our neighbor in the name of Christ.”

The COP will next meet April 26–29, visiting both seminaries for Call Days: April 28 (St. Louis) and April 29 (Fort Wayne).

BOD, Feb. 19–21

The BOD met on the campus of Concordia University Irvine (CUI), Irvine, Calif. The BOD welcomed the CUI Board of Regents and CUI President Dr. Michael Thomas, who offered an overview of CUI’s mission and current operations. The university, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in October, today offers 60-plus undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 4,000 students annually.

LCMS President Harrison elaborated on his written report to the BOD. Of recent difficulties, he said, “We are pressed but not broken, and the Lord blesses most intensely under the most intense crosses.”

Interim Chief Mission Officer (CMO) Rev. Daniel Galchutt elaborated on his written report, touching on staffing, preparations for the convention, and continuing work on the LCMS International Center’s CRM (constituent relationship management) project and website transition.

LCMS Secretary Sias reported on work directed by 2023 Resolution 7-04B, “To Revise Bylaws to Revisit and Renew Relationship of Colleges and Universities with the Synod.” The BOD will report on the progress of this work to the 2026 Synod convention.

The board continued discussing draft overtures for potential submission to the 2026 convention, and LCMS Chief Financial Officer Nathan Haak updated the board on Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 second-quarter financials (through Dec. 31, 2025) and on progress toward developing a strategy for a three-year budget cycle.

In action items, the BOD approved:

A new master plan for CSL;

A land lease purchase by Concordia International School Hanoi;

An increase in Synod Inc.’s FY26 legal budget (raising it to $3.5M);

A construction authorization for a nursing addition at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis.; and

The submission of several overtures to the Synod convention, including to clarify/streamline the responsibilities of the appointed officers of the Synod; to coordinate responsibilities of the CMO with other Synod officers; and to enhance responsibilities of the Synod’s mission boards.

The BOD next meets May 14–16 in St. Louis.

Posted March 23, 2026