Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026 ConventionCandidate slate
President of the Synod
5 candidates placed on this slate by the Committee for Convention Nominations. 5 link to a profile in the directory.
Candidates (5)
1.Benjamin T. BallWorden, ILConcordia University Chicago (1995)· ordained 1999· age ~54· LCMS member 54 yrs
Personal statement
It is an honor to be nominated for President of the it is in fact humbling. I was taught at seminary to assent when asked to serve the church. However, I believe my duties in parsonage and school are such that if I were to continue to serve the Synod pulpit, in an elected capacity, doing so as a vice-president would be more prudent. It is my prayer that this statement of President Friedrich Pfotenhauer will always be true: The preaching of the Gospel that is the proper business of the Missouri Synod."
Synod service
Years- 2007 Convention Delegate; 2010 2013-2019 Participant, LCMS Model Theological Conference Doctrinal Reviewer 2013 Assistant Chaplain, LCMS Convention. Planning Committee Member and Presernter, LCMS Institute2016, 2019
- on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music e Member, Convention Floor Committees:2014, 2017
- Administration Seminary Education, Structure and2016, 2019
- Nominations Chairman, Committee for Convention Chairman, Convention Floor Committee: 2023 Schools, Family, Young Adults, and Youth 2019-2023 Sixth Vice-President, Central Region Second Vice-President, Central Region 2023-present District offices Member, Convention Floor Committees.2019-2023
- 2000 2001-2004 Member, New England District Worship Commission 2006-2009 Circuit Counselor, Northern Illinois District Member, Northern Illinois District East Region Pastoral 2006-2010 Conference Committee Secretary, Northern Illinois District Nominations Committee 2009 Circuit Visitor, Southern Illinois District 2015-2018 Chairman, Southern Illinois District Commission on Convention2015
- Nominations and Elections. 2017-20182024-2025
- Second Vice-President, Southern Illinois District2018-2019
Other service
Years- 2020 Contributor, The Lutheran Witness2024
- Contributor, The Emigration of the Saxon Lutherans in the Year and Their Settlement in Perry County, Missouri, PH 202*1838
- Supervisor of Field Workers, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis Vicarage Supervisor, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and2015-present
- Concordia Seminary, St. Louis 2021-2023; Head Boys Basketball Coach, St. Paul Lutheran Squires,2025-present
- Hamel, IL.2022-present
- Saline 2.23-present Regent, Concordia University, Nebraska.2006-present
Also candidate for: Regional Vice-President (Central Reg.)
2.Joel D. BiermannSt. Louis, MOConcordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO (1987)· ordained 1987· age ~66· LCMS member 54 yrs
Personal statement
In Colossians, Paul beautifully describes the work of the church: "We preach Christ, instructing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone complete in Christ" (1:28). Three things: We cultivate faithful practices in worship and living that form people into the fullness that God intends for His creatures. We embrace our purpose to deliver Gods truth revealed in Christ to the world and shun petty disputes or fears that hinder our work together. We proclaim the Gospel to everyone, because Christ has died for everyone. This threefold emphasis should direct all who serve in the church.
Synod service
Years- Member, Commission on Theology and Church Relations2016-2026
Also candidate for: Regional Vice-President (Central Reg.)
3.Brady L. FinnernSartell, MNSt. Peter, MN (2002)· ordained 2006· age ~47· LCMS member 46 yrs
Pastorates
Years- St. John Lutheran Church, North Prairie, WI. 2010-2022 Messiah Lutheran Church, Sartel, MN2006-2010
Other service
Years- Track and Field Coach, SartellI High School, Sartell, MN Board of Directors, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, 2015-2024 St. Louis, 2017-2025 Doxology Collegium, Waukesha, WI Personal Statemet Lord, have mercy! I am humbled to be nominated for Synod President as we serve our Lord in this favorable yet challenging time for the church (2 Cor. 6:2). I pray for a Synod renewed in bold proclamation of the Gospel, steadfast in our Lutheran Confessions, and united in doctrine and practice. Together, we will strengthen congregations through robust visitations (Acts 15:36-41), diligent searching of the Scriptures (Acts 17:11), exhorting everyone to holy living by the Holy Spirit's power (1 Cor. 6:11), and zealously witnessing Christ's atoning blood and empty tomb to our communities. The Lord grant it.2013-present
4.Matthew C. HarrisonSt. Louis, MOConcordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN (1989)· ordained 1991· age ~64
Personal statement
The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all our sin" (1 John 1:7). It's an honor to serve even in these tumultuous times. I am convicted by the inerrant Scriptures. I believe the public confession of this church with all my heart. My greatest desire has been to lead, ever urging us to proclaim the incomparable, freeing, forgiving grace of Jesus. It's a miracle we are still here, confessing Jesusand inviting sinners. After 100 district visitations, 120 district conventions, and more, I can only thank God for you. Thanks be to God. Let's go (Mark 1:38)!
Synod service
Years- Synod Nominations Committee Convention Delegate1994-1995
- 1995 1998-2001 Board Member, LCMS Board for Mission Services Board Member, LCMS Board of Directors 2010-present Founding Board Chair, Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty 2015-present1998
- International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg Board 2019-present Chair eeee*e ese*een2007-present
Other full-time positions
Years- and Pilots1983-1984
- Vicar, St. Mark Lutheran, Conroe, 1990-1991 Graduate Assistant, Concordia Theo. Seminary, Fort Wayne 2001-201O Executive Director, LCMS World Relief and Human Care President, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod 2010-present1987-1988
Other service
Years- 1996-2001; Cabinet e PRESIDENT OF THE SYNOD 11 Lutheran Services In Amerlca Board; Lutheran World Relef2001-2010
- Board Author/Translator/Editor of numerous publications, most recently Walther, Church and Office; Second Thoughts on Living Together; Gerhard, Meditations on Divine Mercy: Sasse, Lonely Way, Letters to Lutheran Pastors; At Home in the House of My Fathers; Christ Have Mercy: A Litle Book on Joy; Luther, A Simple Way to Pray; Chemnitz, Church Order, Letters from a Pastor's Heart; Women Pastors?: Closed Communion?; One Lord, Two Hands?; Lutheran Preaching?; Why I Am Joyfully Lutheran; An LCMS Statement on Mission for the 21st Century; Take Courage; The Comfort of Lutheran Doctrine: Bible and Confessions?; Walther, The Church &2001-2010
- The Office of the Ministry Managed the Synod's national responses to Haiti earthquake, Asian 2001-2010 e tsunami, Katrina, etc 2010-present Board Member, International Lutheran Council. Pro-Life Speaker/Activist, St. Louis March on the Arch,2001-present
- Chicago March for Life, D.C. Rose Dinner inter alia. Concordia Historical Institute Distinguished Service Award 2022 2022-present Board Member, The Bolick Foundation2010-present
5.Peter K. LangeSt. Louis, MOConcordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN (1988)· age ~64· LCMS member 64 yrs
Personal statement
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them" (Rom. 12:6). It's an honor to have received sufficient nominations to be placed, for a second time, on the ballot for President of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The vote of confidence is humbling, and if this is where the Lord leads, I'm willing to serve. That said, I've enjoyed serving as LCMS First Vice-President and would very much welcome an opportunity to continue in that role, building on my work during the last seven years and supporting the able and faithful leadership of our current Synod President. Also candidate for: First Vice-President
Synod service
Years- Conventions 2019-present eeses ses; LCMS Board of Directors Commission on Theology and Church Relations 2019-0rese esent Chairman, Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry,2019- Chairman, Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry 2019-present First Vice-President, Synod a.2019-Dresent The Lutheran Church--Missouri2016, 2019
Other service
Years- Louis Board of Regents, Concordia Seminary, St.2019-present
Source: Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees, 69th Regular Synod Convention (Phoenix, Ariz., July 18–23, 2026), published by the Office of the Secretary. Bios key →