2026 LCMS convention news – Thursday, July 23

The 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Phoenix concluded just before 10 a.m. noon MST on Thursday, July 23. Final updates and stories from the convention will be available on reporter.lcms.org/category/convention in the next few days.

Headlines

• LCMS convention recap video

• Convention features and stories

• National Witness passes final resolutions

• Resolutions address partner churches, fellowship, Communion, more

• Mercy floor committee concludes its business

• Resolutions address Lutheran identity, CUS corporate status, CUAA

• Floor Committee 10 concludes business

• Final day of convention begins

• ‘Today’s Business’ and Convention Minutes

LCMS convention recap video

The 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) concluded on July 23, 2026. Highlights of the week include the recognition of fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia and Lutheran Mission–Australia, the decision to keep the current process for the election of the LCMS president, and the reconstitution of the Commission on Worship.

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11:23 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

Convention features and stories

PHOENIX — In addition to the daily running convention news being shared in this space, Reporter is publishing longer feature stories about a variety of topics as well as sharing videos created by the LCMS video team.

Visit the Reporter landing page at reporter.lcms.org to see the latest convention stories and videos about:

• Meet your delegates;

• WELS president brings greetings to Synod in convention;

• Presidential election to remain electronic, with call for increased participation;

• And more.

All convention coverage is also available at reporter.lcms.org/category/convention. Check back for updated content.

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10:21 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

National Witness passes final resolutions

PHOENIX — In the final session of voting on July 23, three resolutions from Floor Committee 1 (FC1, National Witness) were adopted by unanimous voice vote:

Res. 1-10, “To Confront Increased Idolatry of Our Culture with Clear Confession of Love of Christ and Lutheran Resources in Christian Apologetics”;

Res. 1-06A, “To Support Lutheran Congregations and Schools in Urban Contexts”; and

Res. 1-11A, “To Confess God’s Design for the Family.”

Speaking from the floor in favor of Res. 1-11A, the Rev. Peter Bender, voting delegate from the LCMS South Wisconsin District, said, “Consider what’s going on throughout the United States in other denominations in their undermining of God’s design for marriage and for family, what it is to be human, made in the image and likeness of the Triune God of love. I am deeply grateful for our Synod and our clear confession, and this resolution continues that tradition.”

With the adoption of these three resolutions, the work of FC1 came to a close.

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10:14 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

Resolutions address partner churches, fellowship, Communion, more

PHOENIX — Floor Committee 5 (FC5, Theology and Church Relations, chaired by LCMS Iowa District East President Rev. Dr. Brian S. Saunders) completed its work Wednesday as it brought forward five resolutions, all of which were ultimately approved by Synod delegates.

Res. 5-04, “To Address Concerns with Partner Churches,” speaks to specific teachings and practices of partner church bodies and outlines how the LCMS can best provide theological guidance in these instances. This resolution was passed by voice vote, with near-unanimous consent.

Res. 5-15, “To Call Upon the AALC to Honor the Bonds of Fellowship and Resolve Matters Threatening the Unity of Doctrine and Practice,” seeks to respond to several recent instances in which The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC), which has been in altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS since 2007, has received into membership pastors and congregations removed for cause from the LCMS roster. The resolution calls for the LCMS to continue working with the AALC to resolve these concerns within the next triennium. With an amendment from the floor to add the word “reconciliatory” to describe the Synod’s efforts at dialogue, the resolution passed by 90.33%.

Res. 5-05, “To Address Open Communion and Pastoral Exceptions in Extraordinary Circumstances,” reaffirms the Synod’s “longstanding commitment to the biblical and confessional teaching concerning closed Communion” and urges pastors, lay leaders, circuit visitors and others to “assist congregations in improving communion practices, where necessary.” It also directs the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to provide the Synod with a study document addressing “extraordinary circumstances and pastoral exceptions to closed Communion.” After two amendments from the floor (both of which sought to strengthen the language of the resolution) failed, the resolution passed by 87.35%.

Res. 5-09A, “To Address the Public Reading of Scripture in Public Worship,” revised after floor committee hearings to simplify the “resolved” statements, recognizes the confusion surrounding earlier CTCR statements on the practice of using lay readers (especially female lay readers) in the Divine Service. Rather than recommend a specific course of action, the amended resolution refers the matter (especially 1 Tim. 4:13) to both seminary faculties for further study, with reports to be submitted and evaluated by the LCMS Council of Presidents, with input from the CTCR, and released to the broader Synod at least six months prior to the next convention. One additional amendment, adding language to direct the creation of related study materials, passed by 50.96%. The main motion passed by 67.22%.

Last to the floor was Res. 5-08A, “To Reaffirm the Synod’s Positions on Men and Women in the Church,” which calls the Synod to “again unequivocally reaffirm its opposition to the ordination of women to the pastoral offices as contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture” while also commending “the faithful service of women throughout its history and in the present.” After short discussion, the motion passed as written by 84.32%.

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9:51 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

Mercy floor committee concludes its business

PHOENIX — In its second and final session before the convention on Thursday morning, July 23, Floor Committee 3 (FC3, Mercy) brought two resolutions to the floor, which were adopted by the body.

Res. 3-04A, “To Encourage Use of Counseling and Telehealth Services for Care and Retention of Church Workers” (adopted by voice vote); and

Res. 3-06A, “To Encourage Synod to Respond to the Growing Addiction Crisis” (adopted by voice vote).

As called for by Res. 3-06A, following its passage, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison led the convention in prayer for those facing addiction: “Dear Lord Jesus, look with favor upon those suffering addiction and mental illness of various sorts. Have mercy upon them. Have mercy upon all of us.

“We pray that You would use the mental challenges and difficulties in each of our lives to cause us to be open to those who are suffering from addiction of various sorts. … Cause us to be a witness to Your blessed love, redemption, salvation and also consolation and comfort amidst their struggles. Grant healing according to Your gracious will. We plead it for Your sake. Amen.”

In addition to these, two resolutions — 3-03A and 3-05A — were adopted as part of the day’s Consent Calendar.

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8:52 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

Resolutions address Lutheran identity, CUS corporate status, CUAA

PHOENIX — In Floor Committee 7’s (University Education) second appearance before the convention on Wednesday, July 22, the body returned to considering Res. 7-07A, “To Clarify Lutheran Identity in Connection with the Concordia Universities,” introduced during the morning session before time ran out.

An amendment was proposed to reverse the order of “CUS BOD” and “Commission on Theology and Church Relations” in the first Resolved:

“Resolved, That the CUS BOD, in consultation with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, shall define and clarify what is meant by Lutheran identity in connection with our Concordia universities, and shall issue a report to the 2029 Synod convention, at the same time issuing the same report to the boards of regents of our Concordia universities.”

The amendment failed, and the resolution was adopted, as presented, by 84.39%.

FC7 next introduced Res. 7-08A, “To Study Synodwide Corporate Status of Concordia University System.” The resolution outlines several overtures submitted by the LCMS Board of Directors (BOD) and others that are “irreconcilable with one another” and directs the LCMS BOD and CUS BOD, “in consultation with the Institution Advisory Council [formed of the Concordia university presidents], to analyze the relative strengths and weaknesses between retaining the CUS as a corporation and converting the CUS into a commission of the Synod, and propose the best model to the 2029 convention.”

After brief discussion, the resolution passed by 94.13%.

Finally, FC7 presented Res. 7-09A, “To Give Thanks for Work and Ministry of Concordia University Ann Arbor.” The resolution was read in full. After some discussion and a failed amendment, the resolution was voted on as presented, passing by 89.99%. FC7 Chairman Rev. Brady Finnern invited the assembly to stand and sing the Common Doxology, as directed by the resolution, in thanksgiving for the blessing of Concordia University Ann Arbor, and also invited LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison to offer a prayer. Harrison prayed:

“Dear Lord Christ, we poor sinners pray for Your mercy. Forgive us where we have fallen short. Help us to forgive others where we have been wronged. … Bring a new day, we pray, in Ann Arbor. Bring a new day of church work in Ann Arbor. … Bless the leadership of CUWAA. Bless the leadership of our South Wisconsin District and our Michigan District and all those surrounding districts. Please, O Lord, we need Your mercy, and we count upon it. Amen.”

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8:36 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

Floor Committee 10 concludes business

PHOENIX — Floor Committee 10 (FC10, Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution) made its final appearance before the convention on Wednesday afternoon, July 22.

Earlier in the day, a parliamentary error pertaining to FC10’s previous appearance before the convention was corrected. As explained in the minutes for July 22:

“Having called the convention to order, President Harrison opened the session and relinquished the chair to First Vice-President Lange. The parliamentarian noted his mistake the previous day: that Res. 10-05A [‘To Amend Bylaw 4.2.4 regarding Installation of District Presidents’] changed the bylaws instantly and therefore was not able to be reconsidered. He asked the chair to rule the adopted motion to reconsider out of order. The parliamentarian noted there is yet the possibility of a ‘fix.’ The chair ruled that the motion to reconsider Res. 10-05A was out of order, that it is a continuing breach, that the motion is null and void, and that Res. 10-05A stands adopted, as if the reconsideration never occurred. The parliamentarian apologized and was forgiven.”

After FC10 returned to the floor, it offered an amendment to Bylaw 4.2.4 as adopted: to add, after the words “circumstance(s),” the words, “as determined by the Synod President” so that the resolution reads: “The President of the Synod or his representative shall report on the condition and affairs of the Synod. He shall also deliver the sermon at the opening or convention service. Except in the case of extenuating circumstances as determined by the Synod President, he shall also install or reinstall the elected or re-elected district president prior to the conclusion of the district convention in which he is elected. The district president shall assume office upon a date certain in accordance with the bylaws of the district or practices of the district.”

To a delegate’s question of whether it was possible to amend a previously adopted resolution, the parliamentarian responded, “This is not rescinding, … reconsidering or amending a previously adopted motion. This is a new Bylaw amendment.”

This measure was then adopted by voice vote. Due to Bylaw 7.1.1 (a), it will require ratification in Session 9.

Res. 10-07, “To Respectfully Decline Overtures,” also passed by voice vote. A list of the overtures declined is in the first issue of Today’s Business, Page 185.

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8:30 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

Final day of convention begins

PHOENIX — On the final morning of convention, July 23, two resolutions were adopted from the Consent Calendar by voice vote:

Res. 3-03A, “To Thank God for Work of LCMS Disaster Response and Human Care Partners and To Require Districts to Appoint Disaster Response Coordinators”; and

Res. 3-05A, “To Commend Efforts to Serve Worker Wellness and Encourage Participation in Concordia Plans Services.”

The Rev. Aaron Yaeger, voting pastoral delegate from the LCMS Southeastern District, proposed a resolution from the floor: “To Publish Convention Delegate Seat Assignments.” The resolution was not adopted, receiving 36.60% of the vote.

Res. 10-08, “To Amend Bylaw 4.2.4 regarding Installation of District Presidents,” came back to the floor. Although the resolution had previously been adopted, an amendment to the resolution that proposed a change in the wording of the Bylaws required further ratification. It passed by voice vote.

Ethan Thompson, voting lay delegate from the LCMS Michigan District, brought forward a resolution, “To Address Modern Day Martyrdom.” Consideration of this resolution will continue later in the morning.

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8 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

‘Today’s Business’ and Convention Minutes

Follow the progress of the convention through Today’s Business and the official Convention Minutes. Review daily agendas, resolutions, election updates, reports and the official record of convention actions.

• View Today’s Business issues

• View Convention Minutes

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2026 LCMS Convention

Under the theme “Christ Is Risen Indeed,” the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod met July 18–23, 2026, at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix.

There are several ways to get convention news, including:

Web

• lcms.org/convention/national

Video

• lcms.org/convention/national/livestream

Audio

• kfuo.org

Social media

• facebook.com/lcmsconvention

Email

• lcms.org/reporter-signup

Posted July 23, 2026