Official notice: 2026 convention nominations

Synod Bylaw provisions require the Secretary of the Synod to solicit on behalf of the Committee for Convention Nominations (CCN) nominees for the various positions for which the committee must provide slates of candidates for convention elections. General solicitation for such names is to begin 18 months prior to conventions of the Synod.

Nominations are therefore being solicited for the positions listed below. All terms are for six years, except for Secretary of the Synod, LCEF Board of Directors and members of boards of regents, which are three-year terms. Nominations are accepted from agencies and officers of the Synod, congregational and individual members of the Synod, and lay persons of the congregations of the Synod. The CCN needs the names of highly qualified and churchly individuals — ordained and commissioned ministers and lay members of member congregations — to fill the important offices that govern the Synod and its agencies on behalf of the member congregations. Each congregation is urged to identify such nominees in its midst and to make its membership aware of this call for nominations. For details on each office for which nominations are sought, those listed below, please see the “Officer, Board, and Commission” document available at lcms.org/nominate.

Nominations will be accepted starting Jan. 18, 2025, through an online system, which is open to all eligible nominators. All that is needed to create an account is a valid email address. Instructions are available at lcms.org/nominate.

Names should be submitted as soon as possible, preferably by Aug. 18, 2025, to allow time for the gathering of necessary information and evaluations. However, names will be accepted for consideration until the deadline set by the Bylaws of the Synod: Oct. 18, 2025.

John W. Sias, Secretary

To Be Elected by the 2026 Convention

Secretary

One (1) Minister of Religion—Ordained

Board of Directors (LCMS)

At Large — One (1) Layperson, One (1) Minister of Religion—Commissioned

Regional — One (1) Layperson from each of the following regions: Central, West-Southwest

Board for National Mission

Regional — One (1) Individual Member (Minister of Religion—Ordained/Commissioned) from each of the following regions: Central, Great Lakes, West-Southwest

One (1) Layperson from each of the following regions: East-Southeast, Great Plains

Board for International Mission

Regional — One (1) Individual Member (Minister of Religion—Ordained/Commissioned) from each of the following regions: East-Southeast, Great Plains

One (1) Layperson from each of the following regions: Central, Great Lakes, West-Southwest

Commission on Theology and Church Relations

One (1) Minister of Religion—Ordained (parish pastor)

One (1) Layperson

Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors

Two (2) Ministers of Religion—Ordained

One (1) Minister of Religion—Commissioned/Layperson

Concordia Publishing House Board of Directors

Four (4) Laypersons

Lutheran Church Extension Fund Board of Directors

One (1) Minister of Religion—Ordained/Commissioned

Two (2) Laypersons

LCMS Foundation Board of Trustees

One (1) Minister of Religion—Ordained/Commissioned

One (1) Layperson

Concordia University System Board of Directors

One (1) Minister of Religion—Ordained

Synod University Boards of Regents

For Each (6):

One (1) Minister of Religion—Ordained

One (1) Minister of Religion—Commissioned

Two (2) Laypersons

Synod Seminary Boards of Regents

For Each (2):

Two (2) Ministers of Religion—Ordained

One (1) Minister of Religion—Commissioned

One (1) Layperson

Posted Dec. 16, 2024