2026 July — Pastoral Formation in Focus at 2026 LCMS Convention

Pastoral Formation in Focus at 2026 LCMS Convention

FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 29, 2026—Delegates, Synod leaders, and guests spent nearly a week in Phoenix, Arizona, at the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) July 18–23, 2026, engaging in spirited discussions about the work of the Synod. A substantial part of that work focused on pastoral formation, with voting delegates offering strong support for resolutions related to the LCMS’s two seminaries, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

“The Synod in convention reaffirmed what they’ve already said numerous times before, that they deeply support the work that’s going on at our seminaries, that they want pastors formed in residence, and that they want exclusive use of the two LCMS seminaries for Missouri Synod pastors and Missouri Synod congregations,” said Dr. Jon S. Bruss, president of CTSFW and a member of Floor Committee 6, which prepared and presented 14 resolutions on pastoral ministry and seminaries. “I regard that as the most important thing that came out of this convention.”

Dr. Tom Egger and Dr. Jon Bruss discuss 2026 LCMS convention action with the Rev. Roy Askins July 22 for the “Seminary Life with the Presidents” podcast.

A large majority of delegates voted in favor of resolutions affirming the Synod’s current paths to ordination. Among the resolutions passed:

• 6-04A: To Support Residential Master of Divinity and Alternate Route Pastoral Formation for the Sake of the Flock (Passed: 75.45%)
• 6:05A: To Reaffirm the Synod’s Process for Training and Certification for Pastors (Passed: 81.86%)
• 6-06A: To Affirm and Support Established Parameters of Specific Ministry Pastor Program (Passed: 80.59%)

“It’s great to be able to go back to the seminary and say, ‘The church is behind us,’” said Bruss. For more details about Floor Committee 6 resolutions, see the July 22 convention update in Reporter.

Earlier in the week, Bruss presented a theological essay, “Christ Is the Truth,” at the convention; other essays were presented by Dr. Thomas Egger, Dr. Michael Thomas, and Dr. Kirk Clayton. You can find all four convention essays on the LCMS website.

Election Results

The convention schedule also included elections for leadership positions, including Synod vice-presidents, the secretary, and members of boards and commissions. The election for Synod president was held online prior to the convention, with the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison elected to serve a sixth term. CTSFW-related election results:

CTSFW Board of Regents

• Ordained: Korey D. Maas
• Ordained: David P. Ramirez
• Commissioned: Mark W. Meehl
• Lay: Christian A. Preus

CTSFW regents elected to other offices

• David L. Daniels: Board for National Mission (East-Southeast, Lay)
• John L. Powers: Board for International Mission (Great Lakes, Lay)

CTSFW faculty elected to serve

• Lawrence R. Rast Jr.: Concordia University Chicago Board of Regents
• Robert V. Roethemeyer: Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors

For the results of all elections, see “Election Candidates and Results” on the LCMS website.

“We Are Your Seminaries”: Recruiting the Next Generation

CTSFW and CSL staffed a joint “We Are Your Seminaries” booth at the convention, which focused on recruiting future pastors and deaconesses. “We started exhibiting jointly at the 2019 convention, and the response has been very positive,” said the Rev. Matthew Wietfeldt, assistant vice president of Admission at CTSFW. “With this year’s convention exhibit, we’re encouraging the whole church to join our two seminaries in the effort to recruit church workers, especially pastors.”

The Rev. Jeffrey Kazmierski, a CTSFW Admission counselor, speaks with a booth visitor at the “We Are Your Seminaries” exhibit at the LCMS national convention.

During the exhibit, the seminaries recorded a series of short videos about seminary formation, which are now available on each seminary’s YouTube channel. CTSFW also gave away copies of Pastoral Discernment Devotional, a new resource aimed at men considering pastoral ministry. To access the devotional, click here.

Seminary Life with the Presidents

Seminary Life with the Presidents is a podcast series featuring President Jon Bruss of CTSFW, President Tom Egger of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Rev. Roy Askins of LCMS Communications. Click below to hear Presidents Bruss and Egger discuss the 2026 LCMS Convention in Phoenix.

SEE THE PLAYLIST