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

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Convention Minutes

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Session 7
Wednesday a.m., July 22, 2026

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Matins

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The Rev. T. Benjamin Ball, Second Vice-President (Central Region), preached on Luke 7:11–17 in the Office of
Morning Prayer; Chaplain Daenzer served as liturgist and Kantor Machemer provided accompaniment for the day’s
services.

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[The entire text of Rev. Ball’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 opened the session and relinquished the chair to First
Vice-President Lange. The parliamentarian noted his mistake the previous day: that Res. 10-05A changed the bylaws
instantly and therefore was not able to be reconsidered. He asked the chair to rule the adopted motion to reconsider
out of order. The parliamentarian noted there is yet the possibility of a “fix.” The chair ruled that the motion to
reconsider Res. 10-05A was out of order, that it is a continuing breach, that the motion is null and void, and that Res.
10-05A stands adopted, as if the reconsideration never occurred. The parliamentarian apologized and was forgiven.

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Resuming the chair, President Harrison called 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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It was moved and seconded to amend Standing Rule 26, TB 4:374, having to do with the prohibition of motions to
reconsider or rescind toward the end of the convention, to strike “day” and to insert “two days.” It was moved and
carried by voice vote to close debate. The amendment to Rule 26 failed as not receiving a majority of the entire
membership (951) [Yes: 463; No: 384].

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It was moved and seconded amend Standing Rule 23, TB 4:374, having to do with automatic votes on closing
debate, to strike “twenty (20)” and replace with “ten (10).” It was moved and carried by voice vote to close debate.
The amendment to Rule 23 failed as not receiving a majority of the entire membership (951) [Yes: 279; No: 578].

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Consent Calendar

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The chair introduced the day’s consent calendar, as found in Today’s Business issue 5 (TB, 5:409), including Res.
3-07, “To Give Thanks to God for Synod Congregations Engaging in Mercy Ministries” (TB, 1:81); Res. 5-12, “To
Conclude Created Male and Female Task Force and Receive Its Recommendations” (TB, 1:107–8); Res. 8-03, “To
Fund Our Synod’s Seminaries” (TB, 1:136); Res. 8-05A, “To Give Thanks for Concordia Publishing House’s Use of
Bible Translations” (TB, 3:342); Res. 8-06, “To Commend Concordia Publishing House for Prioritizing Mission and
Distribution” (TB, 1:137–38); and Res. 9-16A, “To Amend Bylaws to Enhance Responsibilities of Synod Mission
Boards and To Direct Board of Directors, Board for National Mission, Board for International Mission, and Chief
Mission Officer to Review Overture 9-11” (TB, 2B:295–96).

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It was moved and seconded to remove Res. 5-12, “To Conclude Created Male and Female Task Force and Receive
Its Recommendations” (TB, 1:107–8), from the consent calendar. This removal failed of the required 15 percent of
the voting delegates [Yes: 129; No: 739].

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The consent calendar was adopted by voice vote, including Res. 3-07, 5-12, 8-03, 8-05A, 8-06, and 9-16A.

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Greetings—Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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Introducing LWML President, Mrs. Eden Keefe, President Harrison noted her election in 2023, highlighted the
work of the LWML, and spoke of the auxiliary’s $2.6 million mission grant goal. Keefe addressed the convention and

2026 Convention Minutes — Sessions 7 and 8 — Page 1