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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 32

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

er, highly restricted contributions has begun to shift, making
way for larger, more flexible gifts that allow the church to direct resources where they are most needed. Over the past triennium, giving to these least-restrictive designations has remained steady, reinforcing donors’ confidence in the mission of
the Church (especially toward Together As Synod; see below).

A. Editorial
The editorial team serves the ministries, congregations, and
church workers of the Synod by establishing and maintaining a
common and consistent editorial standard for all materials produced by LCMS ministries. The editorial team, in conjunction with
the design team, also publishes four periodicals.

A.1. The Lutheran Witness
In the spring of 2023, MADV underwent a comprehensive assessment conducted by Langley Innovations. In response, the Board
of Directors made significant investments in MADV to expand services to the Church—further strengthening a culture that prioritizes
Lutheran identity and theology above dollars raised. Throughout
this triennium, MADV has made meaningful improvements, particularly in caring for recurring givers, stewarding those who support
the Church through legacy gifts, and adding staff to ensure every
donor is valued, regardless of giving level.
MADV also continues to host an annual interorganizational
summit, creating a collaborative space for LCMS development
teams and congregations. This gathering provides opportunities to
share best practices, strengthen professional networks, and highlight corporate Synod’s appreciative response model—all with the
goal of equipping and uplifting those who support Christ’s mission.
We, in MADV, give thanks to God for you. You and the Holy
Spirit enable us to share the Good News throughout the 2023–26
triennium and beyond. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Shane Smithson, Interim Executive Director
R1.2.5

Communications
Since the days when Martin Luther took advantage of Gutenberg’s printing press to fling the message of the Reformation to the
four corners of the world, Lutherans have climbed to the forefront
of mass communications. KFUO Radio is one of the oldest continuously operating Christian radio stations in the U.S. The Lutheran
Witness is one of the oldest denominational magazines, older even
than National Geographic. In the early 1990s, the Communications
department was involved in a landmark U.S. Federal Court of Appeals case that protected Christian radio stations all over the country. Mass communications and related topics have been frequently
discussed and promoted in Synod conventions since the beginning
of the 20th century.
At the same time, the church must also ensure that such technologies do not harm God’s people. Recent studies have demonstrated
the tragic harm caused by algorithmically curated content platforms such as Facebook. So-called artificial intelligence platforms
have wreaked psychological and spiritual harm on many and seem
poised to upend some vocational opportunities. These technologies
are not neutral. Each new type of media bears inherent biases that
will inevitably shape the content and conversation that occur on
those platforms, and the church must use them cautiously.
LCMS Communications works within the Synod to ensure that
the message of the Gospel is clearly communicated across various
channels in such a way that it strengthens the faith of God’s people,
encourages them in service to the neighbor, and gives all glory to
Christ.
2026 Convention Workbook

As one of the oldest denominational magazines, The Lutheran
Witness (LW) continues into its 144th year of publishing theological
content for laity that helps them interpret the world from a Lutheran perspective. Despite challenges (see the end of this report) and
declining subscriptions, the overall subscription rate sits around
57,000 copies. LW has expanded online offerings this triennium
(witness.lcms.org), which has resulted in an overall increase in the
online audience:
•

Over 500,000 active LW website users;

•

Over one million page views; and

•

Notable increases in search engine optimization value.

Top online articles over the last triennium include:
•

“Come, Lord Jesus” by Gene Edward Veith

•

“Reclaiming the Marriage Bed” by David Petersen

•

“A Lutheran Perspective on the ELCA” by LW staff

•

“Cohabitation Hurts More Than a Couple” by Joshua Hayes

LW also re-released several issues that were particularly appreciated by readers as standalone pamphlets (witness.lcms.org/
resources). One pamphlet, “The Divine Service: A Guide,” a reprint
of the January 2024 issue of LW, has been downloaded over 13,000
times and sold over 3,800 copies.

A.2. Reporter
Last year, Reporter celebrated 50 years of sharing the news of
the church with church workers and congregations. Currently, Reporter sends out just under 30,000 copies of each issue. There are
12 issues per year. Last year, Reporter surveyed readers and found
broad appreciation for the content of the magazine, with particular
interest in breaking news that impacts the church (disasters, etc.)
and matters related to church and state.
Earlier this year, Reporter began the process of moving to an
online-first format. This reduces the lag time between events and
reporting. While the readership of the print edition remains robust,
there are also many readers who only encounter Reporter content
online. Currently, Reporter has:
•

An email list of 13,500 subscribers;

•

Over 600,000 active online users in the last triennium; and

•

1.4 million page views from those users.

To address some of the desires expressed by survey respondents,
Reporter has published articles on recent legislation that might affect LCMS congregations and schools. Additionally, in-depth studies on topics such as the Concordia University System are in the
works for future editions.

A.3. Lutherans Engage the World
Started in 2012, Lutherans Engage the World (Engage) is a
quarterly magazine that serves the LCMS with the stories of the
church’s work both in the U.S. and abroad. In addition to high-qual-