Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026 ConventionBios key & abbreviations
How to read the candidate bios.
The 2026 Biographical Synopses use a compact set of symbols and abbreviations to pack each candidate’s qualifications and service history onto the page. This is the full key — the same symbols are clickable wherever they appear elsewhere on the site.
Source: Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees, 69th Regular Synod Convention (LCMS 2026 Convention, Phoenix, Ariz., July 18–23, 2026), published by the Office of the Secretary.
Qualification marks
Three marks may appear after a candidate’s surname. Each carries a specific bylaw-mandated qualification or status.
- Regents-qualified
Nominee has been verified by the Concordia University System as qualified to serve on a Concordia University Board of Regents.
Bylaw
- CUS BoD-qualified
Nominee has been verified by the President and Secretary of the Synod (or their designees) as qualified to serve on the Concordia University System Board of Directors.
Bylaw
- Incumbent
Nominee is an incumbent in the position for which they are nominated.
Service-area codes
Four single-letter prefixes group a candidate’s service history by where the service was rendered.
- CCongregation
Service rendered in the candidate's congregation.
- SSynod
Service rendered in/for the Synod.
- DDistrict
Service rendered in/for the candidate's district.
- OOther
Service rendered in other contexts (community, civic, etc.).
Number conventions
Trailing digits in a bio are years of service or membership.
Number following “LCMS”
Number of years the candidate has been a member (baptized or confirmed) of an LCMS congregation.
Numbers following listed positions
Years of service in that position.
Abbreviations
159 abbreviations are used across the bios. The 21 tied to a directory entity link through; the remaining 138 are descriptive shorthands.
Bodies, boards & commissions (21)
General shorthand (138)
District codes
Every congregation entry carries its district’s 2–4-letter code in parentheses. The Synod has 33 geographic districts plus 2 non-geographic districts.