Talking Points with President Woodford: Synod Convention Summary

The 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod met July 18–23, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. Its theme, “Christ Is Risen Indeed,” was drawn from 1 Corinthians 15:20–22: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead … For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” The theme followed the 2023 convention’s emphasis, “We Preach Christ Crucified,” directing our attention from Christ’s atoning death to the hope, joy, and justification proclaimed in His resurrection. 

The convention began not merely with parliamentary procedure but with the Divine Service. Thousands joined in singing “This Joyful Eastertide,” accompanied by organ, brass and a choir of 55 children from congregations across the Synod. Throughout the week, daily prayer, hymnody, international greetings and remembrance of church workers called to glory helped keep the convention grounded in Christ rather than simply in resolutions, elections, and debate.

Especially inspiring were the standing ovations and singing of the Common Doxology after the Synod recognized altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia and expressed support for the same with Lutheran Mission—Australia. 

Actions Taken

Among the convention’s major actions were several resolutions supporting witness and mission. The Synod adopted “Tell the Next Generation” as its new mission and ministry emphasis and approved resolutions encouraging parish-level church planting, campus ministry, ministry among youth and young adults, congregational revitalization and stronger digital witness. The convention’s national offering for this emphasis surpassed $740,000 during the week. 

The convention also reinstated the Commission on Worship, providing the Synod with a formal means to evaluate worship resources and encourage faithful, beautiful, and doctrinally sound hymnody and liturgical practice. Delegates further adopted a resolution encouraging Concordia universities to use Lutheran Service Book as a benchmark and requiring that other worship materials and practices be doctrinally pure. 

Other significant resolutions condemned political violence, encouraged responsible Christian participation in public life, directed the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to examine pressing political and social questions, and called for careful theological and ethical consideration of artificial intelligence. The convention also addressed sexual misconduct by rostered workers, seeking clearer procedures and spiritual care for those harmed. 

The Synod reaffirmed its historic teaching and practice regarding Closed Communion, directing further study of extraordinary pastoral circumstances. It unequivocally reaffirmed that the pastoral office is entrusted to qualified men according to Scripture, while also giving thanks for the faithful service of women throughout the church. The seminaries were asked to study questions surrounding the public reading of Scripture in worship, particularly in light of differing interpretations of earlier CTCR statements. 

Pastoral Formation

Special attention should be given to the convention’s decisions concerning pastoral formation, where the convention reaffirmed the Synod’s traditional residential approach to preparing pastors while responding to concerns raised throughout the church. 

Resolution 6-03 celebrated the one Office of the Holy Ministry is shared by all men who have been properly trained, examined, called and ordained, while recognizing that different formation routes prepare pastors for different spheres of service.

Resolution 6-04A affirmed the residential Master of Divinity and Residential Alternate Route as the Synod’s normal, preferred forms of pastoral formation and rejected an online M.Div. model. Resolution 6-05A reaffirmed that the LCMS will continue to own and operate its pastoral-training pathways rather than outsource formation to independent institutions. These resolutions passed with more than 75% and 80% support, respectively. 

The convention also affirmed the current parameters of the Specific Ministry Pastor program, encouraged SMP pastors to pursue General Pastor Certification and urged congregations and districts to help fund that continuing education. The Pastoral Formation Committee was broadened to include additional seminary, parish and district representation, thereby strengthening consultation across the Synod. 

Finally, Resolution 6-13 reaffirmed the biblical principle that those who preach the Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel. It encouraged exploration of multi-point parishes, circuit-riding and other cooperative arrangements that can provide faithful pastoral care and appropriate compensation, while acknowledging that bi-vocational ministry will remain necessary in some settings. 

It was a very orderly and productive convention, with many first-time delegates, including a number from our own MN South delegation. I’m grateful for their willing service and thankful for their participation in the governance process of our Synod.

Of course, no convention settles every question, nor does every delegate agree with every decision. Yet we can give thanks that the Synod gathered around God’s Word, received Christ’s body and blood, sang the faith together and conducted its work beneath the joyful confession that we certainly do all agree upon: Christ is risen indeed!

 I pray this confession strengthens us here in Minnesota South as we proclaim Christ, care for His people, form future church workers, and carry the Gospel to the next generation

In the risen Christ,

Rev. Dr. Lucas V. Woodford
President
MNS District, LCMS