LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, front matter 1

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Convention Minutes

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Session 5
Tuesday a.m., July 21, 2026

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Matins

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The Rev. Dr. Nabil Nour, LCMS Fourth Vice-President (Great Plains Region), preached on 1 Peter 1:3–9 in the
Office of Morning Prayer; Chaplain Daenzer served as liturgist.

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

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Committee 11: Registration, Credentials, and Elections

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Having called the convention to order, President Harrison recognized the Today’s Business team, drawn principally
from International Center staff in various departments, who serve largely in addition to their regular duties, together
with one “on loan” from the LCMS Foundation and a few trusted contractors, for their service to the convention and
the Synod.

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President Harrison opened the session, calling upon the Rev. James Maxwell, chairman of Committee 11
(Registration, Credentials, and Elections), to update to the registration report, which read as follows:

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Voting delegates
Advisory delegates
Advisory representatives
Special guests and others

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The report was moved and adopted without discussion by voice vote.

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Greetings—Concordia Publishing House

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Mr. Jonathan Schultz, President of Concordia Publishing House (CPH), reaffirmed CPH’s unchanging mission,
first stated by C.F.W. Walther nearly 157 years ago: to serve “God alone, Christ alone, the Word and kingdom of God
alone, the church of Jesus Christ and the truth alone.” He stressed that CPH produces faithful resources to proclaim
the Good News that “Christ is risen indeed,” with real impact occurring when these resources are used in pews,
classrooms, homes, and mission fields. Key digital initiatives include the Book of Concord website
featuring Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, which has drawn nearly 39,000 visitors from 150 countries, now
with a Spanish version; and the Luther’s Small Catechism website and app, now in 10 languages with plans to add at
least 25 more, having reached hundreds of thousands of users from 194 countries. CPH’s Lutheran Educator Academy
launched in April as a video-based resource to help school administrators equip non-rostered faculty in Lutheran
schools. In the area of faith and mercy, the Arch Books food bank program distributes over 10,000 Christian children’s
books weekly, with new editions forthcoming in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Telugu, and Farsi through an LWML
mission grant. CPH is also collaborating with LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces on the Armed Forces Ministry
Book, offering rites, blessings, prayers, and hymnody for military personnel and families. President Schultz
highlighted the 20th anniversary of Lutheran Service Book, noting a discount this month. He also promoted the CPH
Resource Center Program, which has already been joined by over 600 congregations to provide members with
discounted faithful resources and free shipping. He concluded by affirming CPH’s ongoing commitment to serving as
the premier publisher of resources faithful to the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions.

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Consent Calendar

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After some instruction from the parliamentarian, the body was asked to vote on whether requests for information—
which have been somewhat misused or abused—should be lowered to the same priority as ordinary speaking
for/against or offering motions. This carried [Yes: 575; No: 308]. (It was later explained that the “ask an allowable
question” queue button is to be used only for parliamentary inquiries, which will be privileged; all other speaking is
to use the pro/con selections.)

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An amendment was moved and carried on a voice vote to amend Rule 10 to change the vote required to remove
from the consent calendar from 10 percent to 15 percent.

2026 Convention Minutes — Sessions 5 and 6 — Page 1