The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, including its districts and other institutions, is governed by its member congregations, acting together through their visitation and electoral circuits, district and national conventions. This is a distinctive characteristic of the LCMS. The Synod is organized into 35 districts across the United States.
Synod decision-making is given to the delegates at a triennial national and district conventions, where the franchise is equally divided between lay and pastoral representatives.
The president of the Synod is elected by pastoral and lay voting delegates, one for each LCMS parish. Then, delegates to the national convention (a subset of voting delegates) elect the remainder of the vice presidents and members of the various commissions and boards that oversee and guide the work of Synod.
Office of the President
The president serves as the chief ecclesiastical and ecumenical officer of the LCMS. He supervises what is taught and practiced within the church and advises and maintains relationships with partner church bodies. The vice presidents, which comprise the Praesidium, assist the president with his diverse responsibilities within the church.
Board of Directors
The legal representative of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), the Board of Directors (BOD) is custodian of all the property of Synod — directly or by delegation of such authority to an agency of Synod. The Board maintains a public policy manual.
Board for National Mission
The Board for National Mission (BNM) is charged with developing and determining policies for that govern the Office of National Mission, which implements these policies through its domestic ministries, which work with districts to serve congregations and schools. The BNM maintains a public policy manual.
Rev. Dr. Peter Bender
Rev. Timothy Droegemueller
Rev. Michael Schuermann
Board for International Mission
The Board for International Mission (BIM) is charged with developing and determining policies in support of mission and ministry in foreign countries for the Office of International Mission. These policies shall embrace and apply the mission and ministry emphases adopted by the national convention. The BIM maintains a public policy manual.
Rev. Dr. Terrence Chan
Rev. James Douthwaite
Rev. Thomas Dunseth
Rev. Dr. Daniel Preus
James (Jim) Wolf
Commissions
The LCMS also receives guidance and teaching from four different commissions. These commissions are served by members that were either elected at a convention or were appointed by an officer or board of Synod.
Commission on Theology & Church Relations
Commission
on Worship
Commission on Constitutional Matters
