2026 LCMS convention news – Monday, July 20

Headlines

• 2026 Convention rewind video — Monday, July 20

• Floor Committee 9 passes four resolutions on Structure and Administration

• Floor Committee 6 returns to the floor

• Behind the scenes with ‘Sing, Pray and Keep His Ways’

• Planting a church in Wisconsin

• Convention feature stories, videos

• Synod votes to condemn political violence, address AI

• Floor Committee 6 makes first convention appearance

• Consent Calendar, Day 2

• Three omnibus resolutions adopted

• Commission on Worship reinstated

• International Witness: Four resolutions adopted

</a<2026 Convention rewind video — Monday, July 20

On the second day of business at the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, delegates adopted a variety of resolutions from the floor committees for Life Together, Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries, and Structure and Administration.

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8:31 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

Floor Committee 9 passes four resolutions on Structure and Administration

In its first session before the convention on July 20, Floor Committee 9 (FC9, Structure and Administration) brought four resolutions to the floor, all of which were adopted by the body:

Res. 9-02A, “To Amend Bylaws 1.5.1.2.–1.5.2. to Clarify Service Expectations and Handling of Conflicts of Interest” (adopted by 95.01%) — This Bylaw update clarifies Synod policy on what happens when a conflict of interest arises within an agency of the Synod.

Res. 9-08, “To Amend Bylaws to Clarify and Streamline Responsibilities of Appointed Synod Officers” (adopted by voice vote) — This Bylaw change combines the formerly Bylaw-mandated positions of LCMS chief financial officer and chief administrative officer into one position, the chief operating officer, reporting to the LCMS Board of Directors.

Res. 9-09, “To Amend Bylaws to Coordinate Responsibilities of Chief Mission Officer with Other Synod Officers” (adopted by voice vote) — This Bylaw change moves direct oversight of the Synod’s communications and fundraising to the position of chief operating officer, and it rearranges certain other responsibilities formerly designated to the chief mission officer.

Res. 9-11, “To Amend Bylaw Section 1.5., etc., to Unify in the Bylaws and Revise Corporate Formation Requirements for Instrumental Entities of Corporate Synod and Agencies of the Synod” (adopted by 73.39%) — This lengthy addition to the Bylaws updates the language and framework in the Handbook relating to agencies and other instrumental entities of the Synod, codifying certain arrangements that already exist and enabling some new ministry opportunities. More coverage of this resolution will be coming soon.

“Floor Committee 9 on Structure and Administration brings before this convention resolutions intended to guide and strengthen the way we walk together as church,” said the Rev. Justin Panzer, FC9 chairman, in his introductory remarks.

“In all of our deliberations, we have been mindful of the apostle Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 14:40: ‘All things should be done decently in good order.’ This charge reminds us that good structure is not opposed to the freedom of the Gospel, but serves it, providing the framework within which we can carry out our shared vision with clarity, integrity and mutual accountability. … Floor Committee 9 presents these resolutions prayerfully, trusting that they will serve the good order and faithful witness of this church for the years ahead.”

In addition to these resolutions, five other resolutions from FC9 on various Bylaw revisions related to doctrinal review, LCEF bylaws and composition, and more were passed this morning as a part of the Consent Calendar, Day 2 (see below).

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7:58 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

Floor Committee 6 returns to the floor

Due to Floor Committee 2’s early completion of their work, Floor Committee 6 (FC6, Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries) was able to return to the floor and continue its extensive work. During today’s afternoon session, delegates worked through the following resolutions:

Res. 6-06A, “To Affirm and Support Established Parameters of Specific Ministry Pastor Program,” passed with 80.59% of the vote. An attempt to remove the 40-year age limit for the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program was not approved by delegates.

Res. 6-07A, “To Encourage and Support Specific Ministry Pastors to Pursue General Pastor Certification,” also passed with a broad majority, namely, 88.58% of the vote.

With little time to spare, Res. 6-08, “To Amend Bylaw 2.13.1 to Clarify Terminology for Specific Ministry Pastor Mentorship and Oversight,” passed by voice vote. The resolution as presented amends the Bylaws by replacing the word “supervision” with the word “oversight” in reference to the relationship between the SMP pastor and the pastor who oversees or mentors him. LCMS Secretary Rev. Dr. John W. Sias explained that the term “supervise” has a specific meaning in LCMS Bylaws that does not accurately reflect in the responsibilities of a pastor serving as an SMP mentor.

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3:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

Convention feature stories, videos

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:

• Sias elected to fourth term; BOD welcomes new member;

• Encouraging the next generation of church workers;

• Planting a church in Wisconsin;

• Behind the scenes with ‘Sing, Pray and Keep His Ways’;

• And more.

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

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1:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

Synod votes to condemn political violence, address AI

PHOENIX — Meeting on July 20, FC4 (Life Together) adopted five resolutions:

Res. 4-05, “To Clarify Nomenclature for Chaplaincy and Institutional Care Work and To Amend Related Bylaws” (adopted by 95.58%);

Res. 4-04B, “To Clarify Oversight and Revitalize Role of Registered [sic] Service Organizations” (adopted by 92.78%);

Res. 4-07, “To Condemn Political Violence and Encourage Participation in Public Life” (adopted by 93.37%);

Res. 4-08A, “To Direct the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Examine Current Political and Social Issues” (adopted by 90.01%); and

Res. 4-09, “To Address Uses of Artificial Intelligence” (adopted by 96.21%).

A proposed amendment to include the name of Charles J. Kirk in the final Whereas of Res. 4-07 was defeated, receiving 45.65% of the vote.

Note: While the title of Res. 4-04B inadvertently refers to “Registered Service Organizations,” the rest of the resolution properly refers to “Recognized Service Organizations,” which is the correct terminology for what the Synod commonly refers to as “RSOs.”

Only one resolution from FC4 remains to be addressed later this week: Res. 4-10, “To Celebrate Concordia Historical Institute Centenary and Renew the Synod’s Commitment to Treasure and Trumpet Its Redeemed History.”

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12:57 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

Floor Committee 6 makes first convention appearance

PHOENIX — On July 20, convention delegates reaffirmed the Synod’s current methods and means for the formation of pastors. In its first appearance on the convention floor, Floor Committee 6 (FC6, Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries) worked through five resolutions.

Res. 6-01A, “To Uphold a Deep and Broad Study of Holy Scripture and Book of Concord in Synod Seminaries,” and Res. 6-02, “To Encourage Seminary Specialized Witness and Outreach Training,” both passed by unanimous consent. Other than a revision by FC6 to strike “which was adopted by unanimous voice vote” in the final Whereas of Res. 6-02, the resolutions passed unrevised.

For Res. 6-03, “To Give Thanks for the Office of the Holy Ministry and our Synod’s Pastors,” the delegates agreed to strike the final Resolved, “That the Synod rise and sing ‘To God the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray,’ (Lutheran Service Book 768)” out of concern for timing. The main resolution passed with a unanimous voice vote.

The final two resolutions addressed by FC6 generated more discussion. A motion to add “exclusively” to the final Resolved of Res. 6-04A, “To Support Residential Master of Divinity and Residential Alternate Route Pastoral Formation for the Sake of the Flock,” so that it would read: “That for the sake of the flock, the Synod in convention reject exclusively online M.Div. and RAR education” failed to gain the approval of delegates. Res. 6-04A, unamended, passed with 75.45% of the vote.

Res. 6-05A, “To Reaffirm the Synod’s Process for Training and Certification for Pastors,” also passed, unmodified from the form in which it reached the floor, with 81.86% of the vote.

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11:55 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

Consent Calendar, Day 2

PHOENIX — For an explanation of the Consent Calendar and how it works, please see yesterday’s Consent Calendar post in the Reporter daily convention coverage for July 19.

On July 20, the Consent Calendar included 12 resolutions. Per the normal routine, the chairman had circulated these resolutions to the LCMS Council of Presidents, which did not raise any concerns about the resolutions proposed for the calendar. Nevertheless, the assembled body removed three of the resolutions. The resolutions that remained in the consent agenda were:

Res. 1-05A, “To Prioritize Revitalization Work”;

Res. 1-08A, “To Educate Young People”;

Res. 1-13A, “To Strengthen the Synod’s Digital Witness and Congregational Connections”;

Res. 1-14, “To Give Thanks for Lutheran Hour Ministries and Encourage Enhanced Collaboration”;

Res. 9-03, “To Amend Bylaws regarding Doctrinal Review”;

Res. 9-04, “To Amend Various Bylaws for Purposes of Clarification or Improvement”;

Res. 9-05, “To Amend Bylaw 3.6.4.3 to Increase the Number of Lutheran Church Extension Fund Directors Elected by the Synod in Convention from Three to Four”;

Res. 9-06, “To Amend Bylaws 3.6.1.8(c) and 3.6.4(a) to Clarify that Two-Thirds Approval Requirements for Synodwide Corporate Entity and Lutheran Church Extension Fund Governing Document Amendments are Based on Members Actually Present at Meeting”; and

Res. 9-07, “To Amend Bylaw 3.6.4.3 to Clarify That No More Than Two Lutheran Church Extension Fund Directors Can Be from the Same District.”

Removed from the Consent Calendar and thereby returned to committee were:

Res. 6-03, “To Give Thanks for the Office of the Holy Ministry and our Synod’s Pastors”;

Res. 9-01A, “To Amend Bylaws 1.5.3.2–4 and Add Bylaw 4.7.6 regarding Regulations for Committees”; and

Res. 9-02A, “To Amend Bylaws 1.5.1.2–1.5.2 to Clarify Service Expectations and Handling of Conflicts of Interest.”

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10:03 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

Three omnibus resolutions adopted

PHOENIX — On July 19, the Synod in convention adopted three omnibus resolutions:

Omnibus A, which refers overtures to the board, office, individual or commission that has previously been given the responsibility for that action;

Omnibus B, which refers overtures to a previous convention action if there appears to be insufficient rationale to revisit that action; and

Omnibus C, which provides for the recognition of efforts deserving of the church’s appreciation and gratitude.

For Omnibus A and B, after the resolution was brought before the convention, there were motions by various delegates to remove some of the overtures included in the resolution, but all such motions failed, and Omnibus A and B were adopted as presented.

Omnibus A was adopted by 92.35%;

Omnibus B was adopted by 92.37%; and

Omnibus C — which included expressions of thanks and commendation for the work of the LCMS Atlantic District, the Concordia Center for the Family and the Board of Regents of Concordia College New York, Bronxville, N.Y. — was adopted by 97.06%.

For detailed information about Omnibus Resolutions A, B and C, see the Convention Minutes for July 29, Sessions 1 and 2.

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8:12 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

Commission on Worship reinstated

PHOENIX — In the final session of voting on July 19, the first full day of the convention, four resolutions from Floor Committee 4 (FC4, Life Together) were adopted:

Res. 4-01, “To Establish Tell the Next Generation as Synod Mission and Ministry Emphasis” (adopted by unanimous voice vote);

Res. 4-02A, “To Amend Bylaws to Refine Process for Creating Triennial Mission and Ministry Emphases” (adopted by nearly unanimous voice vote);

Res. 4-03, “To Commend and Sunset Synod Mission Priorities” (adopted by nearly unanimous voice vote); and

Res. 4-06A, “To Amend Bylaws to Reinstate Commission on Worship” (adopted by 67.96%).

Speaking from the floor in favor of Res. 4-06A, the Rev. Michael Schuermann, who serves as sole pastor at University Lutheran Church in Champaign, Ill., and on the LCMS Board for National Mission, said, “Luther recognized the tremendous benefit to the learning of God’s people not just through somebody talking at us, but in fact, somebody singing at us, or us singing along with them. We best do that together in worship.

“Currently, we have no means for Synod to work amongst ourselves to assess new music that is being generated and might well teach God’s people and contribute to the beauty of our worship together, no matter what that beauty might look like for you. So, I speak pro on this … that we might have a Commission on Worship that is going to be able to help us all richly and joyfully sing the faith together, wherever and whenever we gather.”

Voting on resolutions brought by FC4 will continue on July 20.

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8:03 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

International Witness: Four resolutions adopted

PHOENIX — Late in the afternoon of July 19, Floor Committee 2 (FC2, International Witness) brought its four remaining resolutions before the Synod in convention. (Its first resolution, 2-01A, was adopted as part of the first day’s Consent Calendar.)

The committee’s presentation began with a video on the FORO model, which brings together LCMS districts, congregations, Recognized Service Organizations, missionaries and others for the purpose of planting churches in a particular country.

FC2 then presented the following resolutions:

Res. 2-02A, “To Direct Districts and Encourage Congregational Participation in Global Mission through Prayer, Partnership, and Support” (adopted by 96.97%), which encourages congregations and districts to connect with international mission work “through missionary support, FORO partnership, or other faithful means”;

Res. 2-03A, “To Give Thanks to God for Missionary Care Provided by the Office of International Mission [OIM]” (adopted by 90.78%), which encourages the OIM to “establish a full-time chaplaincy in each region” of the world to support the ongoing care of LCMS missionaries;

Res. 2-04, “To Amend Bylaws 1.7.3, 2.11.1, 3.8.3, 3.8.3.8, and 4.4.4–5 to Establish a Framework for Ecclesiastical Supervision and Pastoral Care for Independent International Congregations” (adopted by 90.97%); and

2-05, “To Give Thanks to God for 125 Years of Gospel Ministry, Partner Churches, and Mission in the Latin America and Caribbean Region” (adopted by a nearly unanimous voice vote).

Bylaw changes can be confusing, and there were questions from the floor about the purpose and need for Res. 2-04, which amends the Bylaws to allow for district presidents to permit rostered church workers to serve independent international congregations that cannot join a Lutheran church body in their geographical area for whatever reason. FC2 members noted that this resolution extends a process to international congregations that is already in place domestically.

“This is actually coming in response to requests from the independent international congregations. They are seeking this from us,” said the Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador, vice-chairman of FC2 and president of the LCMS South Wisconsin District. “Initially, they were seeking membership, but there is no mechanism for us to be an international church body in that way. So, this is the best we can do under our current Bylaws to provide the ecclesiastical supervision and protection for our rostered church workers and also meet the need of the independent congregation.”

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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 20, 2026