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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 13

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
has been to examine with clarity and honesty where we agree and
disagree theologically (with this disagreement precluding foreseeable fellowship), seek to grow in mutual understanding, and produce occasional statements to confess biblical truths to an increasingly secular world. During the present triennium, these meetings
have continued, generally with a Zoom session one year and an
in-person meeting the next.
Because Anglicans do not subscribe to the Lutheran Confessions, and because some ACNA bishops ordain women, church fellowship is not realistic. Past discussions have included the history
of the churches, understandings of authority and ministry in the
church, the doctrine and practice of the Lord’s Supper, and issues
related to marriage and human sexuality. In 2012, a joint statement
on marriage was prepared and published by the church bodies. Recent meetings have produced a paper on “faithful ecumenism,” a
respectful, honest approach to differences in theology and practice.
The in-person meeting scheduled for late April 2026 in Dallas may
forward this paper to church body heads for consideration. Other
meeting topics for the triennium include a three-fold office of ministry and anthropology/creation.

Anglican Province of America, Anglican Church of
America, and Anglican Catholic Church
(APA/ACA/ACC)
An initial meeting between theologians and leaders of the LCMS
and the APA/ACA/ACC occurred in May 2024 in the LCMS International Center. These Anglo-Catholics hold a high view of Scripture that does not permit the ordination of women. They approached
the LCMS as a biblically based, confessional Lutheran church, desiring to understand it better as a first ecumenical step. Anglicans
present were the Rt. Rev. Brian Marsh (Ecumenical Officer for the
ACA and the Traditional Anglican Church [TAC]), the Rt. Rev.
Patrick S. Fodor (St. John’s Cathedral, Quincy, IL – ACA), the Rt.
Rev. Paul Hewett (Cathedral Church of the Epiphany, Columbia,
SC – ACC), and the Most Rev. Mark Haverland (Archbishop of the
ACC, St. Stephen’s, Athens, GA – ACC). LCMS participants included President Harrison; Dr. Shaw, Rev. Frese, and Rev. Krikava
(CR); Dr. Lehenbauer and Dr. Serina (CTCR); and Dr. Harmelink
(CHI). Topics included background on the history of the churches
and their understandings of theological authority and church fellowship. A follow-up meeting is planned for 2026.

North American Lutheran Church (NALC)
Representatives of the LCMS, LCC, and NALC have continued
their dialogue, established in 2011, meeting twice yearly (once via
Zoom and once in person) throughout the triennium. LCMS representatives included CR, CTCR, and CTSFW faculty.
During the April 2024 meeting in Ambridge, Pa., the NALC
reported establishing a Lutheran faculty at Trinity School for Ministry, an Anglican institution that also trains women for the pastoral ministry. While a spectrum of opinion exists within the NALC
regarding WO, they are currently preparing an official document
explaining their position. A November 2026 in-person meeting is
planned to discuss that document and address the doctrine and practice of WO directly.
Although altar and pulpit fellowship with the NALC is not possible due to fundamental confessional differences, particularly regarding WO and biblical hermeneutics, the conversations advance
mutual theological understanding, practice faithful ecumenism, and
enable collaboration on joint moral statements addressing religious
freedom and the God-given value of human life. These conversa-

tions have also shown value in discussing international church relations challenges, as LCMS sister and associate churches frequently
work in similar geographical areas as NALC sister churches.

Ecclesiastical Relations of the LCMS
The LCMS enjoys ecclesiastical relations with 103 church bodies in a total of 73 countries representing 22 million people around
the world. The purpose of LCMS Church Relations is to advance
church fellowship in Christ worldwide. The LCMS recognizes a
single form of church fellowship—altar and pulpit fellowship—
but has three categories of church relations or engagements with
church bodies.
The LCMS has 43 sister church bodies—those with whom the
LCMS is in altar and pulpit fellowship (united in the confession of
the Gospel in all its articles). The LCMS collaborates with sister
churches, sharing Christ’s Word and Sacraments worldwide and
building each other up in unity of confession, worship, and works
of love. LCMS members are encouraged to attend a sister church’s
Divine Service when in country, announce themselves to the pastor,
and may request to be communed.
The LCMS has 38 associate church bodies with whom it is
working toward and praying for altar and pulpit fellowship. The
LCMS seeks to strengthen mutual understanding and faithfulness
with associate churches through visitation, theological dialogue,
theological education, and mercy ministry. LCMS members are encouraged to attend associate church divine services when in country but should not commune.
The LCMS also relates with 23 other church bodies, working
toward faithful ecumenism. The goal is to examine with clarity and
honesty where we agree and disagree theologically (with this disagreement precluding foreseeable fellowship), seek to grow in mutual understanding, and produce occasional statements to confess
biblical truths to an increasingly secular world.
The church bodies below (see “Praying for the Churches”) are
listed by category and generally in alphabetical order by country.
If you would like further background or contact information about
a specific church body, please email the LCMS Office of the President, Attention: Church Relations, michael.frese@lcms.org or
georgia.endicott@lcms.org.

Praying for the Churches
Dr. Martin Luther urged that prayers be offered for the Church
throughout the world, that the Gospel might be purely preached
and the Sacraments rightly administered according to Christ’s command and institution. Listed below is a schedule for remembering
our LCMS sister, associate, and other churches before God’s throne
of grace. LCMS congregations are encouraged to offer petitions for
these churches in the Sunday Prayer of the Church; individuals are
also encouraged to pray for them at home. A sample prayer follows:
Almighty God, You have called Your Church to witness that in
Christ You have reconciled the world to Yourself. Grant that
by Your Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of Your
salvation throughout the world so that all who hear it may
receive the gifts of forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. We
especially pray for: [select based on church body category:
sister, associate, or other]
•

Our LCMS sister churches, [names and countries]. Bless
them with Your Word of grace and truth, strengthen the faith
of the baptized, bestow peace throughout their congrega2026 Convention Workbook