Boards hold last meetings of year

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Board of Directors (BOD), Council of Presidents (COP) and Boards for International Mission (BIM) and National Mission (BNM) held their regularly scheduled meetings in November.

BIM

Nov. 6–7

“Sixty years ago, we were working in jungles,” said the Rev. Ted Krey, regional director of the Synod’s work in Latin America and the Caribbean. “Now we’re working in concrete jungles, like in Mexico City.”

During the BIM’s most recent meeting, held in St. Louis, Krey talked about the shifts he’s seen during his 24 years serving on the international mission field. He also highlighted some important things happening in the region, from responses to recent disasters and humanitarian crises, to the training of pastors and deaconesses (and possibly soon Lutheran teachers) through Concordia the Reformer Seminary in the Dominican Republic, to the strong system of missionary care that his team has built over the years.

During the meeting, the BIM also heard from the Rev. Dr. Cory Rajek, executive director of the LCMS Office of International Mission (OIM), who gave an update on the Synod’s missionary force. In total, 100 missionary families and 15 alliance missionaries are currently serving in 34 countries. In 2025, some 25 new missionaries came on board — the largest number in six years — with more than a dozen other candidates currently in process.

On Nov. 6, the BIM approved three of those: a church planter and theological educator for Asia, a volunteer coordinator in Latin America, and an international educator in Asia. The board also approved one call to a military chaplain.

Blake Warren, managing director of global business operations, joined the BIM to give an overview of the OIM budget. Of the $33.7 million spent on international work in FY26, the largest expense was personnel, followed closely by projects supported by restricted funds. Warren explained that according to nonprofit accounting standards, the OIM — and Synod, Inc., in general — always seeks to cover expenses from the most restricted fund first, allowing less restricted funds to remain accessible for other uses.

Warren also discussed the growing use of the FORO model across the Synod’s four international regions. FOROs started in Latin America and have successfully engaged LCMS districts and congregations in the OIM’s work of planting Lutheran churches around the world.

“This is fresh new data that we haven’t had historically,” Warren said, noting that the first FOROs were recently held in Africa and Eurasia, with another one coming up early next year in Asia.

The BIM next meets, via Zoom, on Jan. 28.

BNM

Nov. 13–14

Due to travel issues related to the government shutdown, the BNM held its meeting via Zoom instead of at the LCMS International Center as planned. BNM Chairman Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa led the meeting.

Among various items of business, the board heard a theological presentation from the Rev. Dr. Mark Kiessling, director of LCMS Youth Ministry, on ministry to Generations Z and Alpha. Kiessling emphasized that, while data and generational studies “give us a 35,000-foot view” and help in understanding the culture of a generation, the importance of relationships and of seeing the individual young person can never be replaced in ministry. In addition, although Satan and our fallen world bring many challenges and trials to their current generation, young LCMS people continue to live out their faith, recognizing opportunities to confess Christ and His truth to their friends and to those they serve in their vocations.

Kiessling went on to discuss a variety of topics, including the definition of the word “generation”; broad characteristics of recent generations; the decline of recent generations’ connection to Christianity and the church; key themes in Generations Z and Alpha, and the particular challenges they face in the 21st century; and how congregations, workers, parents and others can best care for and minister to today’s youth.

The board heard reports from the Rev. Daniel Galchutt, interim chief mission officer, and from Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor and the Rev. Michael Meyer, managing directors of the Office of National Mission (ONM). Galchutt reviewed work going on across all five units at the LCMS International Center, and Manor and Mayer updated the board on work in the ONM.

Chairman Espinosa said the BNM “continues to be exceptionally productive as we are on the cusp of offering more national convention overtures from the BNM to the floor committees than ever before. At our latest meeting, we honed in on policy areas two (Catechesis, Apologetics and Theological Education in Home, Church and School) and six (Lutheran Schools and Youth Ministry). The BNM desires to better equip our families and children in the face of the onslaughts of secularism as well as find ways to buttress our existing schools while planting new ones. The Lord has great things in store for His church.”

The BNM next meets, via Zoom, on Jan. 29.

COP

Nov. 10–13

Meeting at Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), St. Paul, Minn., the COP heard reports from around the Synod, had robust discussion of resolutions, and held elections for various COP committees and appointments.

The Pastoral Formation Committee gave its report, and after discussion of the revised requirements for the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program, the COP agreed by vote that they would handle SMP application exceptions at their meetings going forward.

The COP discussed several resolutions, including Res. 5-09, Guidance on Admission to the Lord’s Supper, where the COP resolved to seek to discuss this item with seminary faculties to re-evaluate the specific language of earlier Communion resolutions regarding extraordinary circumstances, providing examples for study and discussion to be shared within the districts.

Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, managing director of the ONM, led the discussion of Res. 10-05A, To Speak to Spiritual Care of Victims of Sexual Misconduct by Individual Members of the Synod, reporting on the work of the task force created for this resolution. The task force, incorporating the counsel it received from LCMS legal and victim advocacy organizations, created a reference guide to address the spiritual needs of both victims and individual members of Synod. The task force recommended that the reference guide be added to the COP manual once revisions are finalized.

COP Chairman Rev. Brady Finnern noted, “The work on both of the resolutions is designed for faithful practice and care of souls according to His Word.”

Members of the COP expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to spend time studying the Word and Confessions together as a part of their meeting. The studies were led by CSP professors Rev. Dr. Kendall Davis, who led a study on the Anointing of Jesus in Luke and Acts, and Rev. Dr. Joshua Hollmann, who led a study on the Third Use of the Law from the Formula of Concord.

Finnern reflected, “The Council of Presidents takes seriously its responsibility to oversee the doctrine and practice of our beloved LCMS. Our November meeting included considerable time in God’s Word and the Confessions, connection with the faithful work being done at Concordia University, St. Paul, and collaborative discussions on how best to apply the resolutions from the recent Synod convention.

Our next meeting in February will focus on preparation for the 2026 Synod convention in Phoenix. Please pray that our time together will be centered on the truth of God’s Word and the advancement of His kingdom.”

BOD

Nov. 21–22

The church’s life grows from the work of Christ and Him crucified for the sins of the world. It is thus fitting that LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison kicked off the November meeting of the BOD with a quick summary of the first four articles of the Augsburg Confession. This doctrinal focus undergirded the rest of the meeting.

In his report, Harrison noted the tremendous work in global mission. He highlighted the recent International Church Relations Conference, and how it has encouraged LCMS international partner churches in theological fidelity. He also praised the Rev. Daniel Galchutt, interim chief mission officer, for his work in coordinating the work of the LCMS, particularly with improved relationships with LCMS districts.

In his report, Galchutt updated the board on matters related to national and international mission. The next convention National Offering, under the theme “Christ Is Risen! Tell the Next Generation,” has received broad support and a significant initial gift. The offering will support LCMS congregations focusing on teaching and retaining “the next generation.”

The ONM is also preparing to help LCMS congregations and schools take advantage of potential funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). National Mission recently sent staff to meet with the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty, the Synod’s presence in Washington, D.C., to learn how to help LCMS congregations and schools prepare for these opportunities.

LCMS Chief Financial Officer Nathan Haak shared the audited financials with the board. The Synod’s external auditing partner gave an unmodified opinion, finding no material weaknesses in LCMS accounting and finances, the best opinion that can be expected. Despite decreases in receipts from districts, the Synod remains in a healthy financial position. The BOD, along with Haak, recognized that LCMS, Inc., is in fact running a lean team and acknowledged the need to balance hiring and resourcing of staff with current work expectations.

The board concurred with board member Rev. Roger Gallup’s sentiment: “Thanks be to the Lord who has been so great to us in these blessings. In the culture in which we live, the fact that we’re doing so well [should inspire us] to give thanks to the Lord,” he said. He concluded: “Secondly, we give thanks to the quality staff who’s done such a great job managing the process.”

The BOD also considered requests from Concordia University, Nebraska, Seward, Neb., and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, to update their respective campus master plans. The board approved both requests.

Finally, with the 2026 Synod convention on the horizon, the BOD also discussed potential overtures to submit for consideration by the convention, particularly with relation to the responsibilities and authority of the appointed officers of the LCMS and the Synod mission boards.

The BOD next meets Feb. 20–21.

Posted Dec. 18, 2025