‘Abounding in the Word’: Looking Forward

by Matthew C. Harrison

I’ve decided to stand for the presidency of the Synod once more. If elected, 2026–2029 will be my final term. I’m thankful for what has been an amazing run. I’m deeply humbled to have been able to serve our beloved Synod all these years.

This past triennium has seen many blessings for the LCMS. After attending 25 district conventions in 2025, I noted that there is not a dour, defeated attitude among our pastors and people. Quite the opposite. They received my teaching from the Augsburg Confession with great interest and joy. Our folks have faced many challenges in the heat of the day, and they’re still standing and confessing Jesus. And they are optimistic. I heard throughout the church that young people, families and especially young men are showing up at our congregations “out of the blue,” most finding us via the internet (lcms.org) and podcasts by faithful and talented pastors. They are seeking authenticity. With our commitment to the ancient order of the Divine Service (2023 Res. 4-04A) and biblical preaching of the Gospel in all its articles (FC Ep X 7), we are blessed right now with opportunity.

We’ve seen significant increases in the number of pre-sem and church work students at our Concordias (thank you, Concordias and Set Apart to Serve!). We have witnessed a dramatic improvement in the relationship between the Synod and our universities due in part to new bylaws, which also require rigorous visitations by special qualified teams. The quality of the programs and theology is overall greatly strengthened. I don’t believe the Synod has ever had such a rigorous effort in this regard. We are greatly blessed by our universities! We are saddened by the downsizing of Ann Arbor but are waiting on the Lord who promises blessings amid crosses.

The Million Dollar Life Match has supported many of our congregations in caring for the unborn and newborn. Millions of dollars have been raised and matched and, in various ways, we’ve cared for 640,000 moms and babies in just the past couple of years. Unbelievable! We’ve partnered with Concordia Publishing House in numerous ways to provide stellar resources in English and in translation. With Lutheran Heritage Foundation, we produced a new Spanish hymnal. We’ve significantly upped the game on church relations, urging any of our sister churches still in the Lutheran World Federation, which has departed from biblical teaching in many areas, to exit (as Synod in convention requested). I met with our regional directors for the Office of International Mission (OIM) this past week. I was blown away at what is happening. The outreach happening in Italy alone is wondrous. LCMS Church Relations, the seminaries and the OIM are working hand in glove. What a moment!

As dramatic as our global work is, equally joyful is the growing collegial determination to plant domestic LCMS congregations where we don’t have them. We have 100 church plants in various stages now in process with and through our congregations and district offices. Our Office of National Mission is humming. I’ll provide a much fuller report in the Convention Workbook. We’ve just received the audit report for Synod, Inc. No concerns. For every $1 we spend, $0.79 on average is spent directly on programs (as opposed to overhead costs such as fundraising and administration), a highly effective rate by non-profit standards.

And we are extremely healthy financially. We face myriad challenges at every turn, both congregation and Synod, but the Lord is merciful. He does not forget His saints.

What needs attention this coming triennium? Much indeed. Congregations should be front and center. Our pastors and laity are on the front line of the mission challenge and cultural conflict. The following items are some of the things I’ve been hearing and thinking about. The 2026 convention will address many of them.

“Christ Is Risen! Tell the Next Generation” is the theme of our convention offering, for which we have already received a half-million-dollar challenge grant. These dollars will be gifted to local congregations, districts and RSOs for programs and work with an emphasis on youth and retention.

Continued unequivocal confession of Jesus Christ and His Gospel of free forgiveness for all who repent and believe in Him, in the face of any and all cultural opposition. We need to be supporting our laity and pastors who are on the front line.

The Augsburg Confession’s 500th anniversary is in 2030 — an opportunity to focus on the basics and unity in biblical truth. Judging from my teaching on the Augsburg Confession at 25 district conventions, I’d strongly assert that this confession is a key tool and unifying component for our life together as a Synod. We are Book of Concord Lutherans.

Outreach to young men, women and families who are increasingly drawn to our congregations because of our authentic biblical teaching and practice. They want it; let’s give it to them.

Quality Lutheran worship in the congregations of our Synod is central. Our Lord delivers His gifts in Word and Sacrament, and receiving these gifts is the beating heart of our life together and before the world.

The 500th anniversary of the Small Catechism is in 2029. We need resources to help the Small Catechism permeate our homes, schools and churches.

A new “What About” series of congregational pamphlets and resources to teach and provide foundations for the faith (including apologetics!) and assist our congregations and people to stand on the inerrant Scriptures and bear witness to Jesus in the face of cultural chaos.

Stronger web presence as a service to the local congregation, directing visitors to our congregations.

Tools to help small congregations work together with others and provide for the spiritual care of their people.

Resources for quality preaching, helping our pastors continue the faithful proclamation of the Law and the Gospel for which our Synod is renowned.

Resources for pastors, teachers and called workers in need, whether physical, financial, spiritual or in other areas in which they require support.

Domestic church planting through districts and with congregations.

School planting that will assist our congregations in taking advantage of exciting new resources that have the capacity to greatly increase our grade school and high school footprint.

A Synod that continues to be committed to residential seminary training, while making use of appropriate SMP training — especially to provide pastors where pastoral care is otherwise not obtainable. The strong majority of our pastorate must remain residentially trained. More on this is coming soon.

Recently, the Synod settled a very large suit brought against us and LCEF over the closing of Concordia University, Portland (CUP). It was alleged that because I would not give prior approval to any candidates for CUP president who I did not believe would be strong enough to reverse course on the school’s acceptance of homosexuality, the LCMS and I were at least in part the cause of the financial failure of the school. I won’t get into details. We’re delighted it’s over. For five years, this charge hung over my head for insisting that our own institution act according to our biblical confession. I often take public heat for our faithful confession, and it’s an honor to do so on your behalf. But believe me, I know you also are truly on the front lines. Our dear pastors face land mines. You, our dear laypeople, struggle to find the right path at work between a good conscience bearing witness to Christ and the possibility of losing a job or being shut out of a promotion. And it’s all extraordinarily challenging when instant media can throw a hundred accusations at the wall just to see if something sticks.

Don’t give up. Don’t give in. If you’re young, don’t be discouraged when you see that the church is imperfect. It always has been. If you’ve been around the Synod as long as me, you’ll note how we have enjoyed great and even dramatic improvement in the Synod’s life of doctrine and practice. Don’t be overcome with despair, anger or hatred. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).

In Christ,

–Pastor Matthew C. Harrison