My church body, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, faces many challenges. This is not new. Our history, at times, seems to be built on separation rather than unification. So why do I care about it? Clearly there is enough going on in this world that I can worry about. There is too many people around me who do not know Jesus that I could be caring for. And you may think it doesn’t really matter what happens to a church bureaucracy. And to an extent, I do not disagree with you.

But I do think, at it’s core, my church body is valuable to me, to many congregations, and to the world. 10 years ago, I confessed these vows, and I still believe and hold them to be true today.

In the presence of this congregation and before our Lord God to whom you must give an account now and at the Last Day, I now ask you: Do you acknowledge that the Lord has called you through His Church into the ministry of Word and Sacrament? I do.
Do you believe and confess the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and practice? Yes, I believe and confess the canonical Scriptures to be the inspired Word of God and the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
Do you believe and confess the three Ecumenical Creeds, namely the Apostles’, the Nicene, and the Athanasian Creeds, as faithful testimonies to the truth of the Holy Scriptures, and do you reject all the errors which they condemn? Yes, I believe and confess the three Ecumenical Creeds because they are in accord with the Word of God. I also reject all the errors they condemn.
Do you confess the Unaltered Augsburg Confession to be a true exposition of Holy Scripture and a correct exhibition of the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church? And do you confess that the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Small and Large Catechisms of Martin Luther, the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, and the Formula of Concord—as these are contained in the Book of Concord—are also in agreement with this one scriptural faith? Yes, I make these Confessions my own because they are in accord with the Word of God.

I truly believe that the Lutheran faith is as close to a true understanding of Scripture that we can have on this side of heaven. And I believe that the LCMS does seek to hold to this as well. But I also know that we are really great about shooting ourselves in the foot in our witness and testimony sometimes, especially our church national leadership.

So how can you and I make a difference in our church body? Pray and participate. We lift up to God the leadership of our church body, including President Matthew Harrison. We pray that God would be at work through him to bring unity and healing to our church body. We pray that God would help restore broken relationships and mend hurt wounds. We pray, giving thanks to God, that He is our salvation and hope.

We also participate, all of us. We all need to consider how we can serve and support, in our local congregations, circuits, districts, and the synod. It is district convention season. This means opportunities to present overtures and resolutions to your district that help to bring positive change in our church body.

It is also nomination season, as the LCMS prepares for its national convention in 2026. Right now, nominations are being gathered for a variety of national positions and boards. Soon, nominations will be gathered for the position of synodical president. We need humble leaders who will work to serve God and people, not through fear or power, but with grace and wisdom. This link gives all of the information for how to nominate. And here are some helpful positions that need to be filled.

Board of Directors, LCMS: (AT-LARGE)
One (1) Layperson
One (1) Minister of Religion — Commissioned

Board of Directors, LCMS: (REGIONAL)
One (1) Layperson from each of the following regions:
Central Region
West-Southwest Region

Universities of the Concordia University System
Each Board of Regents (6):
One (1) Minister of Religion — Ordained
One (1) Minister of Religion — Commissioned
Two (2) Laypersons

May God continue to be with us so that we may all continue to faithfully serve Him.