Nominee section
President of the Synod
Nominations and candidates for President of the Synod.
This reader is built from the 2026 LCMS Biographical Synopses and Statements of Nominees. It is provided as a source-navigation and reading aid. Verify all elections, candidate eligibility, convention procedures, and official ballots against official LCMS convention materials.
Source pages: pp. 9-12
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Section source introduction
President of the Synod | 9
As required by Bylaw 3.12.2.1 (a), the nominees who received the highest number of votes were notified to obtain their approval in writing for the inclusion of their names on the ballot. Because there were no declinations and because the Bylaws of the Synod provide no opportunity for adding names to this slate, other than due to the death, declination, or unavailability of a candidate, the ballot for the election of the President of the Synod (six weeks prior to the 2026 convention) is expected to contain the names of the following top five candidates in alphabetical order:
Nominee biographies
5 records
p. 9
Benjamin Thomas (Ben) Ball
President of the Synod
Also candidate for: Regional Vice-President (Central Reg.)
Open biography
p. 10
Joel David Biermann
President of the Synod
Also candidate for: Regional Vice-President (Central Reg.) Year of Ordination ...............................................................................1999 Pastorates Congregation Y ears St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Dedham, MA ...............................1994–2004 St. P aul Lutheran Church, Brookfield, IL ..................................2004–2012 St. P aul Lutheran Church, Hamel, IL ..................................... 2012–present Synod Offices P osition Y ears Convention Delegate .......................................................2007, 2016, 2019
Open biography
p. 11
Matthew Carl Harrison
President of the Synod
Open biography
p. 11
Brady Lee Finnern
President of the Synod
Also candidate for: First Vice-President Lutheran Services in America Board; Lutheran World Relief Board ...................................................................................2001–2010 A uthor/Translator/Editor of numerous publications, most recently
Open biography
p. 12
Peter Kristoff Lange
President of the Synod
Also candidate for: Regional Vice-President (West-Southwest Reg.)
Open biography
