Iowa East re-elects Saunders, affirms residential seminaries

Saunders

By Anthony Oliphant

Delegates of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Iowa District East (IDE) met for its 42nd regular convention June 27–28 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Inspired by Psalm 119:105, the convention theme was “The Authority of the Word: The Word Walks Us Through Life.” Delegates re-elected the Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders, Cedar Rapids, to a sixth term as district president on the first ballot.

Also elected were:

Rev. W. Max Mons, Iowa City, Iowa, re-elected as first vice-president; and

Rev. Stephen K. Preus, Vinton, Iowa, elected to a first term as second vice-president.

All elected officers were installed during convention.

Delegates also adopted several bylaw changes and a resolution to affirm residential pastoral education at LCMS seminaries, memorializing the LCMS in convention to reaffirm its commitment to residential seminaries. This resolution also petitions that all men aspiring to the Office of the Holy Ministry as candidates of the Master of Divinity and current residential alternative routes pursue residential education at an LCMS seminary.

The Rev. Anthony Oliphant is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, Ill.

Posted Aug. 6, 2025