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2026 Convention Workbook 12

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC)

During the past triennium, the LCMS has tried to address certain fellowship doctrine and practice problems with the AALC. Issues have included the LCMS commitment to its in-residence seminary formation, not accepting the AALC’s unaccredited, distance-learning seminary for LCMS seminarians. More difficult have been AALC actions regarding LCMS clergy and an LCMS congregation removed for cause by the LCMS but taken directly into the AALC without ensuring LCMS consultation that would address “all mat - ters at issue,” as required by the 2009 operating agreement. Earnest work began at a Jan. 31, 2023, AALC-LCMS meeting, continued with LCMS district president assessments, and led to a comprehensive AALC-LCMS meeting March 18–19, 2025. The joint team adjusted the 2007 AALC-LCMS protocol document to preclude such future fellowship violations and clarify seminary requirements, but nine months later AALC leaders declined that adjusted protocol.

The LCMS desires to maintain the bonds of fellowship—unity in the Gospel in all its articles, including the doctrine and practice of church fellowship. CR plans to meet one more time with AALC representatives prior to the 2026 Synod convention to resolve these fellowship issues. Lord, have mercy.

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS)

Informal discussions between leaders of the LCMS, WELS, and ELS began in 2012 and have been held on an annual basis, with the most recent discussions in December 2025. The meetings have dispelled many caricatures regarding the different churches and helped to identify what currently unites and divides them. All three synods have encouraged future meetings by national convention action. Topics discussed in the recent triennium were the New Testament role of deacon, our respective responses to cultural issues, woman suffrage and responses to WO, and the three perennial issues: the office of the pastoral ministry, church fellowship, and the role of women.

The December 2025 meeting was characterized by friendship and trust, the norm for these conversations. The doctrine of fellowship held center stage as participants examined the cause of the breakup of the Synodical Conference through the lens of the 1961 Report to the Overseas Brethren. Meeting participants also proposed to begin a series of free conferences as a step toward formalizing these joint conversations into the future.

In June 2025, CR representative Rev. Krikava attended the annual synodical convention of the ELS. The LCMS was given a warm reception with many positive comments on the theologi - cal direction of the Harrison administration. Support to Bethany Lutheran College was an important topic. The convention also resolved to call a missions director who would send ELS missionaries into international fields (currently, there are none).

In July 2025, Rev. Krikava attended the biannual synodical convention of the WELS, with the LCMS again lauded for its current theological direction. On the last day of very positive sessions, President Harrison was able to visit. The WELS president asked President Harrison to greet and address the convention. After his speech, he received a spontaneous standing ovation.

Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)

Since 2010, various LCMS and LCC theologians have met with ACNA theologians annually, either by Zoom or in person. The goal The 1980 LCMS-IELB protocol document received practical application through a working agreement signed in June 2022 for clergy calls between the two church bodies. This agreement puts pulpit fellowship into action, addresses ministry needs of the Por - tuguese-speaking diaspora in the United States, and honors the calling authorities and processes of both church bodies. It became the model for the LCMS Council of Presidents policy on calling pastors between the LCMS and church bodies in fellowship with the LCMS. President Geraldo Schüler continues to provide indispensable bishop support for church bodies nearby and in the region.

Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile (ILCC)

In April 2024, Rev. Frese visited Chile to extend spiritual care and counsel on behalf of the Office of the President. He ministered to ILCC pastors, offering spiritual care in areas devastated by wildfires. Mercy flows from the Gospel. He also gave a theological presentation at the ILCC’s general pastors’ conference in Santiago. He focused on the use of Luther’s Small Catechism in preaching.

Regional Coordination and Theological Education CR’s collaboration with Rev. Ted Krey, OIM regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), has strengthened throughout the triennium. The May 2023 OIM symposium for Central and South American church leaders, held in the Dominican Republic, included a dedicated church relations day addressing protocol agreements, faithful confession, and emerging needs flowing from church body relationships. This pattern of coordination continues, with CR and OIM working closely to support regional theological education and church development.

The May 2025 symposium at CMSCR in the Dominican Republic provided another opportunity for regional church body presidents and bishops to gather for mutual support, theological instruction, and fellowship. The celebration of newly recognized church fellowship with ICEL powerfully demonstrated the bonds of confessional unity among Lutheran churches in the LAC region.

North America Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC)

The work begun between the LCC and the LCMS in 2022–23 to empower missions and ethnic ministry in Canada continued in the past triennium. An LCMS-LCC pastors’ conference met June 24–26, 2024, at Mount Carmel Retreat Center, Niagara Falls, Ontario, to “Strengthen Fellowship and Mission in Canada.” Rev. Dr.

Thomas Winger, president and professor at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, led a biblical and confessional study of God-given unity and the harmony for which we strive.

Dr. Shaw then facilitated an assessment of LCC, LCMS, and joint organizational strengths and weaknesses, with a review of environmental opportunities and challenges, to facilitate a unified approach for ethnic ministries and mission starts. To put this unified approach into action, an Annual Koinonia Coordination Meeting (AKCM)

was then convened, with LCMS and LCC church leaders crafting a list of objectives with points of contact. Progress for working together in missions and ethnic ministry will be reviewed at the next joint pastors’ conference and AKCM scheduled for Oct. 19–21, 2026, again at Mount Carmel Retreat Center.

The LCC and LCMS have also collaborated in supporting LM—A (Australia). Each church body has provided theological education support in Australia and seminarian support in their church body seminaries for LM—A students studying for the pastoral ministry.