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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 1

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
R1

President
Christ Is Risen Indeed! Alleluia.
The resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith. Christ
“was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). The deed is done. Our sins, the sins of the whole
world, have been paid for; atonement is made. And even more,
there is a general verdict of justification, reconciliation, and forgiveness already rendered 2,000 years ago in Christ. The benefits
are delivered in the Word of the Gospel, the Gospel of Baptism,
and the Gospel of Christ’s body and blood. There is nothing to do
to obtain God’s favor but believe it.
You are baptized. The resurrection is yours now. The new life—
resurrection—has hold of you now.
News flash! Here is some GOOD news before you dig into this
report. Analysis of congregation reports shows adult confirmations
have since 2022 been significantly above the long-term (negative)
trend—which, at very least, makes up for the significant 2020–21
COVID-19 drop. We are confirming adults at a rate similar to that
reported in 2018. While that rate is about a third of that reported in
1998, we are holding and may be gaining ground again. All over
the Synod, you’ve been telling me you are seeing people, families,
and especially young men “showing up out of the blue.” Thanks
be to God!
Phoenix in July? Yes. The President of the Synod chooses the
date of the convention, while the Board of Directors (BOD) selects
the location. Although St. Louis is the preferred site according to
our Bylaws, the BOD often opts for other venues to save a million or two. We’ll be informing delegates about heat precautions, as
Phoenix can experience extreme temperatures in July. Despite this,
plan on a great experience. Our conventions are extremely edifying and informative. The refrain I hear over and over again from
delegates is “I can’t believe everything our Church is doing for the
sake of Christ and His Gospel.” The vast majority of convention
decisions are made by overwhelming majorities—often 90 percent
or higher. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you!
Strong Seminaries: Our two seminaries, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), and Concordia Seminary, St.
Louis (CSL), are strong and getting stronger. We have a clear public
confession of the authority of the inerrant Word of God and the
Lutheran Confessions. Without that, we would be lost. I meet regularly with both seminary presidents. In fact, we recently spent a day
together with our international mission leaders discussing global
work and priorities, and I am pleased to say we’re all on the same
page! We have many outstanding new seminary professors. Morale
is good, and both schools are blessed financially. Thankfully, the
Synod has been able to provide millions of dollars in support to
the seminaries each triennium. I’m particularly encouraged by the
growing partnership between both seminaries and the Office of International Mission for church planting work and global theological
education. The Synod has repeatedly committed itself to residential
seminary education. Carefully read the Pastoral Formation Committee reports (R13–13.6) found in the Convention Workbook. They
explain some modest adjustments to the Specific Ministry Pastor
(SMP) program. SMP pastors have been a blessing and will continue to be so, especially where a congregation cannot obtain a regular
seminary graduate. However, SMP pastors receive 36.7 percent of
the coursework of the residential program. We cannot sustain the

long-term theological and practical health of our ministerium if
a larger and larger percentage of our pastors are not residentially
trained.
Strong (and Getting Stronger) Concordia Universities: The
past decade was a challenging one for our Concordia universities,
but the light is dawning. The downsizing of Concordia University
Ann Arbor was particularly painful. Ambiguity, tolerance, and even
advocacy of views of sex contrary to the Bible had gained a foothold at Concordia University, Portland; Concordia College New
York; and Concordia University Texas; and these ideas were creeping in elsewhere. The 2023 convention, in close cooperation with
the presidents of the remaining Concordia institutions, established
a new governance structure of the schools. And it’s working. I’m
proud of all our schools and their leadership. And more important,
our universities are proud to adhere to the public confession of the
LCMS.
Set Apart to Serve: Our efforts through the Rev. Dr. James A.
Baneck and the Office of Pastoral Education with Set Apart to
Serve, which has been adopted by all districts, are beginning to pay
off. We are seeing increased enrollment numbers in church work
programs at all our universities and seminaries. Lord, have mercy!
See details in the reports below.
Review and Revision of “Reconciliation” Bylaws: After living with the bylaws on “reconciliation” for several decades, it’s
time to revisit them. While the current process has reduced the
number of “official” conflicts, it is onerous and often yields dissatisfying outcomes for all parties. I’m suggesting we assemble a
task force to investigate and suggest bylaw revisions to the 2029
convention.
Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR):
You have access to all CTCR reports and opinions from the past
triennium in this workbook. The report on the proper administration of the Lord’s Supper is particularly helpful. I’ve noticed the
use of grape juice far too often. (The Synod has spoken clearly
and biblically on this several times.) The report also strongly discourages pre-packaged elements and odd methods of consecration.
I requested an opinion and guidelines for the age-old practice of
“lay readers,” or men who lead a non-Communion liturgy and read
a pre-prepared sermon.
Council of Presidents (COP): The COP functions like a healthy
circuit. At each meeting, members provide regular exegetical, confessional, and casuistry studies. The group is remarkably stronger
theologically than it was 16 years ago, and it is getting stronger every triennium. We deal with exceedingly challenging issues, but we
always do so with honesty and respect. At my urging, this past triennium, we worked through the Rev. Dr. Hellmut Lieberg’s Office
and Ordination in Luther and Melanchthon (Concordia Publishing
House, 2020), which I had commissioned Matthew Carver to translate. It’s a tour de force on Luther’s doctrine of the Office of the
Ministry, the spiritual priesthood, and all related issues. It happens
to demonstrate that the first Synod President, C.F.W. Walther, got
Luther’s doctrine, and that of our Confessions, correct, with both a
high view of the spiritual priesthood of all the baptized and a high
view of the office of pastor. I enjoy presenting a theological paper
or translation at almost every meeting.
More Authority for the Mission Boards: The BOD is submitting an overture to grant the Boards for National and International
Mission greater supervisory authority. This is also a reduction in the
authority of the Synod President. It is a good move.
2026 Convention Workbook