The Rev. Matthew Anker, president of Lutheran Mission–Australia, addresses The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod convention following the passage of Res. 5-02 on July 21 while the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, director of LCMS Church Relations, looks on. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)
Convention
LCMS paves the way for full fellowship with Lutheran Mission–Australia

On Tuesday afternoon, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention unanimously approved Res. 5-02, thus laying the groundwork for a full recognition of fellowship with Lutheran Mission–Australia.

Archbishop Joseph Ochola Omolo of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya presents during the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Phoenix on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)
Convention
‘We are not alone’: Kenya’s archbishop greets LCMS convention

The Rev. Joseph Ochola Omolo, archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, addressed the LCMS in convention on Tuesday afternoon, July 21, expressing solidarity and offering words of encouragement and appreciation to the assembled delegates.

The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, LCMS president, shakes hands with President Limberth Fernandez Coronado of the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia upon declaring altar and pulpit fellowship during the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod on July 21 in Phoenix. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)
Convention
LCMS endorses fellowship with Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention formally endorsed LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison’s May 2025 recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia.

International News
Brazil flood response continues

Earlier this year, unprecedented floods destroyed property and displaced thousands of people in the Rio Grande do Sul region in Brazil.

The Rev. Serge Maschewski (center right), bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine, listens to a translator during the International Church Relations Forum on Tuesday, Aug. 1. (LCMS/Roy S. Askins)
Convention
International church leaders gather at convention for first Church Relations forum

The International Church Relations Forum offered more than 40 international church leaders the opportunity for study, discussion and fellowship during the 2023 LCMS convention.

Convention
2023 LCMS convention — A conversation with Bishop Juhana Pohjola and Dr. Päivi Räsänen

The Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, and Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a member of the Finnish Parliament, discuss religious persecution in Finland.

Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw
Convention
2023 LCMS convention — A conversation with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw

The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Shaw, director of LCMS Church Relations, discusses convention resolutions on international church fellowship.

LCMS Iowa District East President Brian Saunders speaks with the Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, executive director of Commission on Theology and Church Relations during the discussion of Resolution 5-07 at the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. (LCMS/Frank P. Kohn)
Convention
LCMS recognizes broken fellowship with Japan Lutheran Church

For only the second time in its history, the LCMS recognized that it is no longer in fellowship with another church body.

Statements & Letters
Statements & Letters
International Lutheran Council reaffirms 2021 letter denouncing religious persecution in Finland

The reaffirmation comes as the Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola and Dr. Päivi Räsänen face a second trial for holding to biblical Christianity.

Reading & Study
Marks of the church: May ‘LW’

The seven marks of the church help identify faithful Lutheran churches around the world.

Statements & Letters
Statements & Letters
LCMS and LCC Joint Statement on Koinonia Meetings

On Feb. 26–28, 2023, about fifty pastors from The Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC) and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) gathered for a koinonia meeting to deepen their mutual work on mission and ministry in Canada.

Statements & Letters
Statements & Letters
LCMS and LCC Joint Statement on Mission and Ministry in Canada

On November 21–22, 2022, representatives from The Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC) and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) met in Windsor, Ontario, Canada to discuss the work and scope of the LCMS English and SELC Districts in Canada.

Statements & Letters
Statements & Letters
International Lutheran Council issues statement on persecution of Finnish church

Two Finnish leaders are being prosecuted for articulating the historic Christian teaching on human sexuality.

Statements & Letters
Statements & Letters
Harrison calls JLC to repentance

The Japanese Lutheran Church (JLC) recently made two decisions about the Office of the Holy Ministry that are contrary to Scripture.

Statements & Letters
LCMS, LCC and NALC Leaders Release Joint Statement on Scripture

As an important step forward in the ongoing consultation between representatives of the Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC), The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), the participants who represented the three church bodies are releasing their joint statement on Holy Scripture, “God’s Word Forever Shall Abide: A Guiding Statement on the Character and Proper Use of the Sacred Scriptures.”

Convention
Delegates adopt resolutions on fertility issues, persecuted Christians

The Synod in convention adopted the final three resolutions from Floor Committee 3 on Mercy regarding fertility issues, persecuted Christians and LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

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