The Lutheran Witness

05/29/2026

Following along with the convention from home? You'll have several options to stay up-to-date with the proceedings online.

05/28/2026

This summer, the LCMS convention will convene under the theme “Christ Is Risen Indeed,” based on 1 Corinthians 15:20–22. In July, the Easter season will be long past. Why the focus on Christ’s resurrection? Why, exactly, is the resurrection so important for Christians?

“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”

That’s one of the most jarring verses in the Bible. The next two aren’t any better: “[If Christ has not been raised,] then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Cor. 15:17–19).

Multiple recent surveys have indicated that approximately 25% of self-identified Christians deny the resurrection of Jesus, considering it unnecessary for the Christian faith. St. Paul couldn’t disagree more.

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05/27/2026

What are the 374 overtures submitted to the 2026 LCMS convention about? Find out with this handy summary.

A summary of the overtures submitted to the 2026 LCMS convention.

05/26/2026

There will be lots to do at — and before — this summer's Synod convention. Some 374 overtures were submitted to the president, and 11 floor committees will meet to produce the resolutions the Synod will vote on. In Phoenix, there also will be 68 elections.

05/25/2026

In the three-year lectionary, May 31 is the Visitation, when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visits Elizabeth and John the Baptist leaps in Elizabeth's womb at the coming of his Lord. Revisit the importance of the Visitation in this article from December 2023.

The Christmas story reflects the subversive and compelling role for the church and the family in a society that has forgotten what it means to be human.

05/22/2026

Do you find yourself with extra time, fewer deadlines or a less hectic schedule during the summer months? Why not spend that newfound time reading! Lutheran author Katie Schuermann offers 10 suggestions in the article below.

Here are 10 of the best, truest tales I have ever read, and it is my hope that, in reading them, you too will be encouraged.

05/21/2026

Today the church commemorates Emperor Constantine, Christian Ruler, and Helen, Mother of Constantine. Learn about the role Constantine played in the Council of Nicaea in this article from last May's issue.

https://thelc.ms/4d2oVii

The key issue of the debates concerned Arius and his insistence that the Son was a creature of the Father, albeit highly exalted. The chief point of contention was the term homoousios (the

05/20/2026

LCMS conventions are remarkable events on many levels. I don’t know how many times delegates have approached me toward the end of the convention and said, “I was told these were horrible, but I gotta tell you, I’ve had an amazing time, and I can’t believe what our LCMS is doing all over the world.” Or, “Pastor, I was prepared to give up on the LCMS before I came this week. My mind has completely changed. I’m proud to be a member of our church body.” The LCMS went through terrible times, especially in the ’60s and ’70s, and our conventions reflected that. And it’s taken decades to move past the events of 1974 and the Seminex movement. My main goal as president all these years has been to finally move beyond the pain and confusion of those years past. And God has been merciful.

Are there problems and challenges? Yes. But if you’ve read 1 Corinthians, Galatians or the Book of Acts, you will notice that the church always has problems of doctrine and life, and always will. The pundits point out problems and allege that the swath of difficulties is out of control. The LCMS is large. With 5,800 congregations, 8,000 pastors and many institutions — every one a sinner or staffed by sinners — there is always something that can be addressed. In times of challenge, I always used to point out that no matter what I’ve had to deal with, J.A.O. Preus had it a hundred times worse in the ’70s. But then, Jack didn’t have the internet to magnify issues millions-fold. No one is above thoughtful critique. But you’ll be heartened by the faithfulness, unity and commitment to confessing the doctrine of the inerrant Scriptures that occurs at our conventions.

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05/19/2026

With the end of the school year comes children's summertime boredom. But healthy boredom can be a good thing when it grants opportunities for thought, wonder, creation and prayer. How do you make the most of your kids' summer boredom?

We can give our kids the gift of the right kind of boredom and provide them with a chance to think.