LCMS Holds 69th Regular Convention, Ratifies Fellowship with Bolivian Lutheran Church

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) convened its 69th Regular Convention from July 18 to 23 in Phoenix, Arizona. The event’s theme, “Christ is Risen Indeed,” was drawn from 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, emphasizing the resurrection as a foundational truth of the Christian faith.

During the convention, the LCMS conducted elections for various leadership positions. Rev. Peter K. Lange was elected First Vice-President, Rev. Benjamin T. Ball as Second Vice-President, Rev. Dr. Alfonso O. Espinosa as Third Vice-President, Rev. Christopher S. Esget as Fourth Vice-President, Rev. Nabil S. Nour as Fifth Vice-President, and Rev. Eric C. Skovgaard as Sixth Vice-President. Elections were also held for Synod Secretary, the Board of Directors, and other church offices.

President Matthew C. Harrison was reelected to a sixth term as president on June 24. An installation service for the LCMS President, Vice-Presidents, and other officers is scheduled for September 18 at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

The convention addressed matters of international fellowship. The LCMS unanimously voted to support and encourage recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with Lutheran Mission – Australia (LM-A). This resolution authorizes President Harrison to formally recognize fellowship with LM-A at its Synodical Assembly in August, when the Australian church will also vote on recognizing fellowship with the LCMS.

Additionally, the LCMS formally ratified its recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia (Iglesia Cristiana Evangélica Luterana de Bolivia – ICEL). President Harrison had recognized fellowship with the Bolivian church in 2025, but the LCMS is required to ratify such declarations at its next convention.

Notable guests at the convention included President Mark Schroeder of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), who delivered greetings. The LCMS, WELS, and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) have maintained regular meetings since 2012.

The LCMS also held an International Church Relations Conference (ICRC) in conjunction with the convention, from July 16 to 27. During this time, 51 church leaders from 43 different countries gathered to discuss matters of global Lutheran fellowship and mission.

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a member of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies committed to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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