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
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.

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)
Convention
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)
Convention
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)
Convention
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.

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
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)
Convention
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)
Convention
‘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)
Convention
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)
Convention
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
Convention
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)
Convention
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.

National Offering
Convention
National Offering tops $740,000 to ‘Tell the Next Generation’

The 2026–2029 National Offering will support ongoing domestic work to share the Good News of Jesus Christ among families, young people and children.

Elections
Convention
Synod elects members to BNM, BIM, CTCR, CHI

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

(LCMS/Frank Kohn)
Convention
Synod elects CPH, LCEF, Foundation, CUS, CTSFW board members

Floor Committee 11 enjoyed a full session on Tuesday afternoon, July 21, as it administered elections for members of several boards.

Rear Admiral Rev. Dr. Gregory N. Todd, CHC, USN (Ret.), received the Silver St. Martin of Tours Medal from LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces on Tuesday, July 21, during the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Phoenix.
Convention
Admiral Gregory Todd honored at the LCMS convention

LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces staff presented the Silver St. Martin of Tours Medal to Rear Admiral Rev. Dr. Gregory Todd for his 40 years of service in military chaplaincy.

(From left) The Rev. Bernard Ross III, the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Nehrt, Dr. Thaddeus Warren, the Rev. Max Phillips and the Rev. Glenn Merritt were honored at the LCMS Office of National Mission banquet, held during the 2026 LCMS convention on July 20 in Phoenix. (LCMS/Frank Kohn)
Convention
Celebrating partners in ‘God’s Mission Here’

One hundred guests, including leaders from 33 districts, joined the LCMS Office of National Mission for a banquet to celebrate ‘partnership in the Gospel.’

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