LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 4

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Session 2
Sunday p.m., July 19, 2026

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Midday Prayer

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Second Vice-President Ball having called the assembly together, the Rev. Brady L. Finnern, president, Minnesota
North District, preached on Luke 24:13–35 in the order of Midday Prayer, with Chaplain Daenzer serving as liturgist.

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[The entire text of President Finnern’s sermon will be printed in the 2026 Convention Proceedings.]

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Committee 11: Registration, Credentials, and Elections

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Second Vice-President Ball called the assembly to order and called upon the Rev. James Maxwell, president,
Rocky Mountain District, and chairman of Committee 11 (Registration, Credentials, and Elections), to announce the
result of the LCMS Presidential Election. President Sailer and the chair offered thanks to the Office of the Secretary;
the LCMS Department of Rosters, Statistics, and Research Services; and Yes Elections (formerly Election-America,
the Synod’s election contractor) for their assistance of congregations and parishes and their voters in completing the
process. He described the election process and noted the five final candidates and the numbers of votes each received
(TB, 2B:259). These results are as follows:

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Matthew C. Harrison
Joel D. Biermann
Benjamin T. Ball
Brady L. Finnern
Peter K. Lange

Ballot 1
2,050 43.84%
1,822 38.96%
371 7.93%
321 6.86%
112 2.40%

Ballot 2
2,243 46.32%
2,229 46.03%
212 4.38%
158 3.26%

Ballot 3
2,524 50.10%
2,414 47.92%
100 1.98%

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Committee Chairman Maxwell reported Matthew C. Harrison to have been elected, his having received the
majority of votes cast in the third ballot, and the chair offered congratulations. By way of response, President Harrison
recalled his words at his first installation that the Missouri Synod has kept his broken record of electing a sinner as
President. Joined by his wife, Kathy, their sons, and their families, he noted the length of his service, uncommon in
this era, and a number of family losses during the triennium. He apologized to his family for what service to the Synod
has cost them. He intends in the next three years to serve and to lead with the Gospel.

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President Harrison, resuming the chair, acknowledged Rev. Maxwell and called for an update to the registration
report, which read as follows:

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Voting delegates
Advisory delegates
Advisory representatives

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The report was moved and adopted [Yes: 913; No: 8].

940
161
166

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President Maxwell reviewed the process for election of the First Vice-President of the Synod; after that election,
he would do the same for the regional vice-presidents. He called upon Chaplain Daenzer to offer prayer.

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Election of First Vice-President

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First Vice-President (Ordained, 3-year term)

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Christopher S. Esget (EN)
Alfonso O. Espinosa (PSW)
Eric T. Lange (NOW)
Peter K. Lange (MO)
Don R. (Richard) Stuckwisch Jr. (IN)

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(declared elected)

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2026 Convention Minutes — Sessions 1 and 2 — Page 4