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

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assumed the chair. After an introductory video, President Day brought greetings on behalf of LCEF, thanking the 850
delegates at convention who are investors and borrowers with LCEF. Post-pandemic the Synod responded to financial
challenges by increasing investments and borrowing through LCEF. Thanks to this trust, LCEF has assets at over $2.1
billion and a loan portfolio of $1.7 billion. LCEF remains financially strong, enabling ministry growth and the spread
of the Gospel. Day emphasized LCEF’s commitment to supporting ministry beyond financial needs through Ministry
Solutions and the Real Estate Solution teams, by providing strategic guidance and expertise. President Day also shared
updates on the Church Worker Loan Pool, a critical tool providing affordable loans for LCMS church workers. He
concluded by thanking the delegates for their partnership with LCEF and emphasized LCEF’s commitment to LCMS
ministries.

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Committee 6: Pastoral Ministry and Seminaries

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The chair recognized Chairman Scott R. Murray, Third Vice-President (West-Southwest Region), to begin the
report of his committee; during Vice-President Murray’s introduction of his committee members, President Harrison
resumed the chair.

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Res. 6-01A, “To Uphold a Deep and Broad Study of Holy Scripture and Book of Concord in Synod Seminaries”
(TB, 3:326–27), was read and introduced by the committee. The resolution was adopted by a unanimous voice vote.

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Res. 6-02, “To Encourage Seminary Specialized Witness and Outreach Training” (TB, 1:111), was read and
introduced by the committee. The resolution was read to strike, on l. 18, “which was adopted by unanimous voice
vote.” There being no objection, the resolution was adopted as read by consent.

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Res. 6-03, “To Give Thanks for the Office of the Holy Ministry and our Synod’s Pastors” (TB, 1:111–12), was
read and introduced by the committee.

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It was moved and seconded to amend by striking the resolve on p. 112, l. 10, namely, “Resolved, that the Synod
rise and sing, ‘To God the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray’ (LSB 768).” After an uncertain voice vote, and after it was clarified
that Res. 6-03 had been pulled from the day’s consent calendar, the amendment was adopted [Yes: 532; No: 381].

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Res. 6-03 was thereafter adopted as amended by unanimous voice vote.

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Res. 6-04A, “To Support Residential Master of Divinity and Residential Alternate Route Pastoral Formation for
the Sake of the Flock” (TB, 3:327–29), was read and introduced by the committee. On a question it was clarified by
the committee that this would not end the Cross-Cultural Ministry Program.

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It was moved and seconded to amend, at p. 329, l. 21, to insert, before “online,” the word “exclusively.” It was
moved to close debate on the amendment and the main motion; this failed [Yes: 514; No: 393]. Debate continued on
the amendment. Twenty minutes having elapsed, closure of debate was automatically called on the amendment and
the main motion. This failed [Yes: 580; No: 345]. Debate continued on the amendment. On a point of order the chair
determined this not a substitute amendment. It was moved to close debate on the amendment, which carried without
objection. The amendment thereupon failed [Yes: 282; No: 660].

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Debate continued on the resolution. It was moved and seconded to close debate on the resolution; this carried [Yes:
680; No: 258]. Res. 6-04A was adopted without amendment [Yes: 707; No: 230].

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Res. 6-05A, “To Reaffirm the Synod’s Process for Training and Certification for Pastors” (TB, 3:329–31), was
read and introduced by the committee.

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A point of personal privilege was raised by the Rev. Dr. Jeff Kloha, noted in the resolution (as “the dean of CMPL”)
as trying to change Synod’s processes. He requested removal of lines 1–11 on p. 330. The committee responded.

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Noting a great number of requests for information in the queue, the chair requested and the body granted by voice
vote that the chair should intersperse questions with pro/con debate.

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It was moved and seconded to amend the final resolve by appending, at p. 331, l. 2, the words, “for the purpose of
rostered status in the LCMS.” It was moved and seconded that consideration be postponed until Tuesday afternoon;
this failed [Yes: 286; No: 634], debate continuing on the amendment. It was moved and seconded to close debate on
the amendment and the resolution; this carried [Yes: 737; No: 184]. The amendment failed [Yes: 256; No: 659]. The
resolution was adopted without amendment [Yes: 767; No: 170].

2026 Convention Minutes — Sessions 3 and 4 — Page 2