Christ Is Risen Indeed! Alleluia. The resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith. Christ “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). The deed is done. Our sins, the sins of the whole world, have been paid for; atonement is made. And even more, there is a general verdict of justification, reconciliation, and forgiveness already rendered 2,000 years ago in Christ. The benefits are delivered in the Word of the Gospel, the Gospel of Baptism, and the Gospel of Christ’s body and blood. There is nothing to do to obtain God’s favor but believe it. You are baptized. The resurrection is yours now. The new life— resurrection—has hold of you now. News flash! Here is some GOOD news before you dig into this report. Analysis of congregation reports shows adult confirmations have since 2022 been significantly above the long-term (negative) trend—which, at very least, makes up for the significant 2020–21 COVID-19 drop. We are confirming adults at a rate similar to that reported in 2018. While that rate is about a third of that reported in 1998, we are holding and may be gaining ground again. All over the Synod, you’ve been telling me you are seeing people, families, and especially young men “showing up out of the blue.” Thanks be to God! Phoenix in July? Yes. The President of the Synod chooses the date of the convention, while the Board of Directors (BOD) selects the location. Although St. Louis is the preferred site according to our Bylaws, the BOD often opts for other venues to save a million or two. We’ll be informing delegates about heat precautions, as Phoenix can experience extreme temperatures in July. Despite this, plan on a great experience. Our conventions are extremely edifying and informative. The refrain I hear over and over again from delegates is “I can’t believe everything our Church is doing for the sake of Christ and His Gospel.” The vast majority of convention decisions are made by overwhelming majorities—often 90 percent or higher. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you!
Strong Seminaries: Our two seminaries, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), are strong and getting stronger. We have a clear public confession of the authority of the inerrant Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions. Without that, we would be lost. I meet regularly with both seminary presidents. In fact, we recently spent a day together with our international mission leaders discussing global work and priorities, and I am pleased to say we’re all on the same page! We have many outstanding new seminary professors. Morale is good, and both schools are blessed financially. Thankfully, the Synod has been able to provide millions of dollars in support to the seminaries each triennium. I’m particularly encouraged by the growing partnership between both seminaries and the Office of International Mission for church planting work and global theological education. The Synod has repeatedly committed itself to residential seminary education. Carefully read the Pastoral Formation Committee reports (R13–13.6) found in the Convention Workbook. They explain some modest adjustments to the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program. SMP pastors have been a blessing and will continue to be so, especially where a congregation cannot obtain a regular seminary graduate. However, SMP pastors receive 36.7 percent of the coursework of the residential program. We cannot sustain the
long-term theological and practical health of our ministerium if a larger and larger percentage of our pastors are not residentially trained.
Strong (and Getting Stronger) Concordia Universities: The past decade was a challenging one for our Concordia universities, but the light is dawning. The downsizing of Concordia University Ann Arbor was particularly painful. Ambiguity, tolerance, and even advocacy of views of sex contrary to the Bible had gained a foothold at Concordia University, Portland; Concordia College New York; and Concordia University Texas; and these ideas were creeping in elsewhere. The 2023 convention, in close cooperation with the presidents of the remaining Concordia institutions, established a new governance structure of the schools. And it’s working. I’m proud of all our schools and their leadership. And more important, our universities are proud to adhere to the public confession of the LCMS.
Set Apart to Serve: Our efforts through the Rev. Dr. James A. Baneck and the Office of Pastoral Education with Set Apart to Serve, which has been adopted by all districts, are beginning to pay off. We are seeing increased enrollment numbers in church work programs at all our universities and seminaries. Lord, have mercy! See details in the reports below.
Review and Revision of “Reconciliation” Bylaws: After living with the bylaws on “reconciliation” for several decades, it’s time to revisit them. While the current process has reduced the number of “official” conflicts, it is onerous and often yields dissatisfying outcomes for all parties. I’m suggesting we assemble a task force to investigate and suggest bylaw revisions to the 2029 convention.
Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR): You have access to all CTCR reports and opinions from the past triennium in this workbook. The report on the proper administration of the Lord’s Supper is particularly helpful. I’ve noticed the use of grape juice far too often. (The Synod has spoken clearly and biblically on this several times.) The report also strongly discourages pre-packaged elements and odd methods of consecration. I requested an opinion and guidelines for the age-old practice of “lay readers,” or men who lead a non-Communion liturgy and read a pre-prepared sermon.
Council of Presidents (COP): The COP functions like a healthy circuit. At each meeting, members provide regular exegetical, confessional, and casuistry studies. The group is remarkably stronger theologically than it was 16 years ago, and it is getting stronger every triennium. We deal with exceedingly challenging issues, but we always do so with honesty and respect. At my urging, this past triennium, we worked through the Rev. Dr. Hellmut Lieberg’s Office and Ordination in Luther and Melanchthon (Concordia Publishing House, 2020), which I had commissioned Matthew Carver to translate. It’s a tour de force on Luther’s doctrine of the Office of the Ministry, the spiritual priesthood, and all related issues. It happens to demonstrate that the first Synod President, C.F.W. Walther, got Luther’s doctrine, and that of our Confessions, correct, with both a high view of the spiritual priesthood of all the baptized and a high view of the office of pastor. I enjoy presenting a theological paper or translation at almost every meeting.
More Authority for the Mission Boards: The BOD is submitting an overture to grant the Boards for National and International Mission greater supervisory authority. This is also a reduction in the authority of the Synod President. It is a good move.
Board for National Mission: This board and its office, the Office of National Mission (ONM), are charged with working together with the districts of the Synod to provide assistance and resources for the domestic life and mission of our congregations. Our connections with the 35 districts, district presidents, and mission executives have never been better. Our Church Planting initiative is humming. Discipleship and Family Ministry resources are ramping up. And this is an effort that is unapologetically Lutheran, committed to the “order” of the Divine Service and the use of the hymnal. Free evangelism resources under Every One His Witness are available at everyone his witness.org, as are free re:Vitality church revitalization tools, which are available by contacting ONM. New resources regarding incorporating members into the congregation will be available at no cost later this year. Also, watch for what’s happening in our new All Nations effort, which is pulling together and resourcing efforts among many and various nationalities here in the U.S.
LCMS Schools $1,700 Tax Credit: The federal tax bill passed last year provides a new tax credit (effective January 2027) that allows eligible taxpayers to donate up to $1,700 to covered scholarship-granting organizations. For this, the taxpayer receives a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. That means up to a $1,700 reduction of federal income tax for dollars donated to a Lutheran school. Details are still pending, but we’re on it. And increased dollars, along with the faithful efforts of our Lutheran schools, have meant that we’ve seen an increase in LCMS school planting efforts, as more and more we’re asked to do Genesis Project studies to help start Lutheran schools.
Pastor and Church Worker Health and Well-Being: If you’ve attended a DOXOLOGY retreat, it’s more than likely that we’ve funded a portion of it. We are also able to provide dollars for Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat Ministry. Both DOXOLOGY and Shepherd’s Canyon are LCMS recognized service organizations dedicated to the care and well-being of church workers and their spouses. Soldiers of the Cross also provides financial support to pastors and church workers facing particularly difficult circumstances, often by matching funds provided by the district.
LCMS Life Ministry: The Synod is the most recognized non-Catholic pro-life church in America. We are glad to stand for life with others in the public square. Over the past triennium, we have offered several millions in matching dollars to the life efforts of local LCMS congregations and entities. At last count, we have assisted 640,000 mothers and children through this effort. Unbelievable.
Office of International Mission: Despite deep challenges, the Lord continues to bless. Our missionaries have consistently been funded over a year ahead of need. That has dipped slightly as of late, but only because so many new missionaries have been added to our fields. Our Mission Central, located in Iowa and a vital extension of the work and service of LCMS Mission Advancement, does a phenomenal job supporting our missionaries and international efforts, raising millions of dollars. One-third of LCMS congregations support missionaries directly! That happens because missionaries personally visit congregations. Through missionary visits, congregations feel they know “their” missionaries and families. This type of connection ensures support through all economic trends. We’ve had quite a few retiring missionaries. We thank God for each and every one, but we can also thank God for a record year for new international missionary recruitment.
New Churches in Rome and Tel Aviv: Hard to believe, but we’re there—and in many other places across Europe. And finally, there is a start in Israel. Thanks be to God. Since our necessary break with the Japanese church in 2023 over the ordination of women, several faithful house churches have been established in the country.
Books in Many Languages: There has been a renaissance, even a revolution, in the publication and distribution of faithful, biblical, Lutheran books and resources. The Lutheran Heritage Foundation is a key partner here. In addition to a new Spanish hymnal, there are dozens of serious theological resources now translated through our Latin America regional office. And the list continues to grow! The same is true for Europe. Many of these resources are being used to help our All Nations Ministry support congregations as they reach out to our neighbors here in the U.S. who speak other languages. It’s a joy to hear about how we’re reaching out to our neighbors here and around the world.
Church Relations: This past triennium, we continued our recently established International Church Relations Conferences. Last fall in Wittenberg, we hosted 100 individuals from around the globe to study and discuss church fellowship. I presented a paper on admission to the Lord’s Supper in the Lutheran Confessions. Per Synod resolution, we have been urging our LCMS partner churches to leave the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The LWF is an organization driven by ELCA-type priorities and has had a profoundly detrimental theological impact wherever it has exerted influence. Our sister churches recognize the problem and are responding in ways that uphold the true Gospel of Jesus Christ in all its articles. Some churches have left the LWF. Of nine LCMS sister churches still LWF-affiliated, three are in the process of leaving. The issue is compounded by the fact that, years ago, some LCMS leaders and missionaries encouraged membership in the LWF.
Issues Resolved: There have been long-standing issues between the Ontario, Canada, congregations of the LCMS English District and the East Region of Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC). I’m happy to say that, through a Koinonia effort, those issues have been resolved, and we are now embarking on a new, hopefully fruitful, relationship among the districts, the LCC, and the LCMS.
Ongoing Conversations: We continue to hold annual conversations with our former partners in the Synodical Conference, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), who broke fellowship with us in 1955 and 1963, respectively. These conversations are a joy and a great blessing. This past triennium, I spoke to both synods at their conventions. I am the first LCMS president welcomed to address these bodies in convention in over 63 years. We have very broad doctrinal agreement, and previous caricatures have been eliminated. Our separated brothers have a profound love for the sacred Scriptures. We have come to a much better understanding of the Office of the Ministry and, after many hours, have noted that we could probably accept the differences of emphases that were present well before fellowship was broken. The nature of fellowship remains a challenge, but we in the LCMS now recognize greater nuance in the ELS/WELS positions than we previously thought. The role of women also remains a difficult challenge, as we are all wrestling with how to be biblically faithful while honoring women as fellow spiritual priests. Overall, I think it’s fair to say that we have all been encouraged by the progress made.
World Theological Leadership: The LCMS is, by far, the most heavily resourced Book of Concord church in the world. By God’s grace, the church founded in 1847 by our forebears, through many toils and snares, has remained faithful to its charter. We confess the full authority of the inerrant Scriptures and the full truth of our Book of Concord, just as those dozen original congregations did in 1847. That is a miracle. As President of the Synod, I serve on the executive committee of the International Lutheran Council. This body brings together representatives of churches with which we are in fellowship, along with others who desire to be Book of Concord Lutherans, many of whom participate as non-voting members. Through our presence, our support, our church planting, our publishing (Concordia Publishing House [CPH]), and our theology and seminaries, we have an enormous global impact for good. Churches around the globe are pressed by radical secularism, liberal theology, and bad theology, such as Pentecostalism and the prosperity gospel. They seek our help—and most often, what they seek is not financial aid but theological education and guidance. It is our sacred duty to join this mission of the Gospel, providing Lutheran pastors and faithful teaching to millions.
Lutheran Leadership Development: Some years ago, CPH sought to impact global Lutheranism as well as open new markets for its stellar projects. I suggested an effort to train global leaders in church leadership. The result was a partnership between the LCMS President’s Office, CPH, and CTSFW. This has resulted in dozens of men being trained to effectively and theologically lead in their churches. The effort continues apace.
New Partner Churches: Conversations continue. The convention will be asked to ratify fellowship with the Lutheran Church of Bolivia. Following the theological demise of the Lutheran Church of Australia, a new church has emerged and is thriving: Lutheran Mission—Australia. We are providing assistance, and our theological talks have been tremendous. Prospects for fellowship are excellent.
Ann Arbor: Much to our chagrin, the regents of Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) opted to reduce operations in Ann Arbor, effectively closing the south campus of Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA). This was a deep blow to many, especially within the Michigan District. A decade ago, CUAA was threatened with closure. At that time, the entire Concordia University System Board of Directors—except for my appointee—voted to close it. I had been told that the Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry had been asked whether Concordia University Wisconsin (in Mequon) could assume responsibility for the CUAA school, but he had declined. Because the situation was dire, I phoned Dr. Ferry directly. He told me that he had not been asked, and he agreed to look into it. Eventually, the Church Extension Fund in Michigan provided funds, the Synod added several million dollars, and CUW contributed the bulk of $10 million to save CUAA. As a result, the school continued to operate for another decade as the Ann Arbor campus owned and operated by CUW. Thanks be to God. More recently, new leadership took the helm at CUWAA, and finances were considerably tighter. In February, prior to the announcement of a downsizing at the Ann Arbor campus, I was informed that something significant was coming. I asked for the financials and requested that the Synod’s chief financial officer assemble a small group of financial experts from the other Concordia universities—excluding CUWAA—to evaluate the situation. They did so, and the conclusion was stark: a critical situation. CUW had spent tens of millions to keep CUAA operating. Even record CUAA enrollment, which we all rejoiced over,
was costing more than tuition was generating, particularly because athletic programs were expensive to maintain. The regents had not previously seen the full cost to operate CUAA, as its finances were not clearly separated on the balance sheet. I requested that leadership at Concordia University, St. Paul, explore whether they might assist in some way. There was a conversation, but no workable outcome was found. I also urged the regents at CUWAA to retain as many programs as possible at CUAA, and I urged leadership to preserve options for the CUAA south campus, knowing how important the property was for the Michigan District. I requested a meeting between Michigan District leadership and CUWAA leadership, and for a time there was progress and even a tentative agreement on next steps. Unfortunately, that effort soon fell apart. Ultimately, the regents at CUWAA had the constitutional responsibility to make a decision, and they did so out of concern that, without very significant cost reductions, the entire university would be placed in jeopardy. There were also very significant reductions at CUW in Mequon. We continue to pray for healing for all involved.
Concordia Publishing House: Remarkably, CPH continues to buck the trend of decline among denominational publishing houses and has shown positive revenue for five years in a row. And what remarkable products they continue to produce! The Concordia Commentary series is gold. The President’s Office assisted, among several others, in the translation and publication of A History of the Dissolution of the Ancient Liturgical Forms in the Lutheran Church of Germany by Paul Graff (1878–1955).
Concordia Plan Services (CPS): The LCMS BOD just approved the creation of an entity that will provide property and casualty liability insurance to corporate Synod, LCMS congregations and their schools, agencies, and other entities. This is very exciting, as costs to our people have exploded in this area. This will help to make insurance more attainable for our congregations and schools, and the savings will mean more resources for our work of witness and mercy as God’s Church. There are also great things happening at the LCMS Foundation and LCEF, but I’ll have to refer you to their respective reports.
Financial Strength: The LCMS is probably in as strong a financial state as it has been in 40 years. Our cost of funds routinely hovers around 10 cents on the dollar, and our program efficiency ratio is 78 percent; that is, 78 percent of all income goes directly to programs. This reflects the tremendous generosity of the Synod’s people. Our expenditures are about $80 million per year. The BOD has mandated that we should have a significant reserve as insurance against catastrophic financial circumstances. About $12 million a year comes from your congregational plate to Synod, Inc., in St. Louis, through your districts. Those dollars assist especially in all the nuts-and-bolts items that keep Synod, Inc. functioning smoothly—from legal protection (often for your congregation or district) to ecclesiastical support, accounting and financial work, communications, rosters and statistics, and much more.
Ecclesiastical Supervision: I used to say, “Wow, my job is nothing compared to what Rev. Dr. J.A.O. Preus II went through in the 1970s.” That’s certainly true. But President Preus never had the internet to deal with. Instant communication. Instant judgment. Dealing with problems of doctrine and practice requires some deliberation and conversation. The online world does not grant that. And it demands all information and all justification now. Some matters are black and white. Many are nuanced. Some are thoroughly confused. But by the nature of the beast, dealing with individuals or a congregation is not something that is done in front of the public,
at least while there’s a chance of repentance and correction. Luther said, “Doctrine is heaven. Life is earth.” We ought to suffer no false doctrine, but in this life, because sin abounds even among us Christians, there has to be some mercy. Thankfully, doctrine is clear. It’s the teaching of Holy Scripture. And biblical moral expectations are also clear. But we remain sinners. When some scandalous issue arises—as they always have—it’s asserted that such a matter defines the whole Synod. That would be the case if there were no engagement with the matter and no repentance. About 90 percent of the issues of ecclesiastical supervision that I discuss with district presidents are addressed calmly and corrected before they ever reach the public.
District Visitations: Since becoming president, we began a program of regular, intensified visitation to all 35 districts. These have mostly been in person with district presidents, boards of directors, staff, and/or circuit visitors. We’ve gotten through most of the districts again this triennium. These are very positive opportunities to raise any and all issues and to have a conversation. We are accountable to each other for what we believe, teach, and confess, and for the sacred mission of the church that we steward. I’d estimate we’ve completed roughly 100 such visitations. I’m also responsible for new district president orientation, and we’ve greatly emphasized the benefits and importance of regular visitation by district presidents (and their representatives in very large districts). The Constitution of the LCMS depends heavily upon this visitation, so we as a church body remain united in doctrine and also united in love. It’s a never-ending task.
The Lutheran Witness: Founded in 1882 as the official magazine of the English Synod and becoming the English-language popular publication of the LCMS when the English Synod joined in 1911, The Lutheran Witness remains our chief publication for teaching the faithful. We conducted a thorough survey of readers last year, and the magazine scored tremendously, with the vast majority responding that the content was just about right, neither too fluffy nor too erudite.
Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs): We’ve received some public criticism for association with Lutheran organizations that are promoting homosexuality or adoption by same-sex couples or this or that. Often, the organization in question is not associated with—or is no longer associated with—the LCMS. Our RSO staff is small but diligent. In just the past two years, 28 new applications and 53 renewals have been processed, 64 certificates of approval were sent, and 44 terminations/withdrawals/dissolutions/denials were recorded. Organizations granted RSO status agree to respect and not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of the Synod. When I became head of LCMS World Relief and Human Care in 2001, we were working jointly with staff of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to grant status and monitor RSOs. At that time, there continued to be a tremendous push by LCMS and ELCA staff to get as many organizations recognized by the LCMS and affiliated with the ELCA as possible. Over the past three years, some 50 agencies have ceased to be LCMS RSOs. Many of those were organizations whose practice aligned with the ELCA’s position on sexuality. It’s a tedious process sometimes, especially if an LCMS district is a co-owner or otherwise listed in the organization’s bylaws. It takes time … but we’re getting there.
500th Anniversaries: The great third-generation Wittenberg theologian Friedrich Balduin, in his commentary on Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi (1610), wrote that “there is always need of reformation in the Church” (semper in Ecclesia opus esse Reformatione).
As we approach two tremendous anniversaries, this phrase comes to mind. In 2029, Luther’s Small Catechism will be 500 years old, and in 2030, our wonderful Augsburg Confession will be 500 years old. Renewal in faith, renewal in confession, and renewal in mission always happen in surprising ways in the Church. It’s always a result of the cry “Back! Return!” In 8:20, Isaiah called the people back “to the teaching and to the testimony!” Jesus stood in the synagogue and called the people back to the words of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Luke 4:18). Then He said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). Luther called the Church back to Christ and His apostolic, biblical truth. Our own Dr. Walther called the Church of his time back to the faithful teachings of the true Lutheran Church: Bible, catechism, Augsburg Confession! It’s a rough world. Our world and nation are deeply divided and afflicted by sin. It affects every aspect of our lives, our families, and our church. Confusing messages and situations surround us, envelop us and threaten to drown our loved ones and us. “Lord, to whom shall we go?” Christ is risen! Alleluia! Listen to the risen Shepherd’s voice! Death is overcome in Christ’s resurrection. Luther spoke on St. Paul’s wonderful words that Christ is “the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20). He wrote: “The resurrection is to be viewed and understood as having already begun in Christ, indeed, as being more than half finished, and that this remnant of death is to be regarded as no more than a deep sleep, and that the future resurrection of our body will not differ from suddenly awaking from such sleep. For the main and best part of this has already come to pass, namely, that Christ, our Head, has risen. But now that the Head is seated on high and lives, there is no longer any reason for concern. We who cling to Him must also follow after Him as His body and His members. For where the head goes and abides, there the body with all the members must necessarily follow and abide. As in the birth of a man and of all animals, the head naturally appears first, and after this is born, the whole body follows easily” (Luther’s Works, American Edition [LW], 28:110). “Fear not,” Luther reminds us. Christ’s resurrection is so powerful that it’s as though we, too, are half out of the grave already! “A Christian has already been thrust into death by the very fact that he became a Christian. Wherever he may be, he occupies himself with this hourly. He expects death any moment so long as he sojourns here, because devil, world, and his own flesh give him no rest. However, he enjoys the advantage of already being out of the grave with his right leg. Moreover, he has a mighty helper who holds out His hand to him, namely, his Lord Christ; He has left the grave entirely a long time ago, and now He takes the Christian by the hand and pulls him more than halfway out of the grave; only the left foot remains in it. For his sin is already remitted and expunged, God’s wrath and hell are extinguished, and he already lives fully in and with Christ with regard to his best part, which is the soul, as he partakes of eternal life” (LW 28:133, emphasis added). We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. (Rom. 6:4–6)
You are baptized. The resurrection is yours now. The new life— resurrection—has hold of you now. Christ is risen! Alleluia! Let’s go.