Within American Christianity, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is the largest “conservative” Lutheran denomination. While it is perceived as a conservative Lutheran denomination, the LCMS is captured by institutional liberalism like most other conservative denominations. In partnership with the ELCA, the overtly liberal Lutheran denomination, they partner with NGO’s like the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, which settles Muslims in the US, amongst other nefarious activities. They also have a fair amount of pro-homosexuality Side B theology present. The LCMS is notoriously geriatric, with 77% of its members above the age of 50, with 47% over 65.
The LCMS held its national convention this past week, where President Matthew Harrison was reelected president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod on the third ballot.
Neither candidate obtained an outright majority until the third ballot, with Harrison placing first in the second ballot by only 14 votes. The dynamics of the election were not so much liberal versus conservative. Harrison is very much an establishment squish who coddles left and punches right, but Biermann, who placed second, is also an open borders squish. In recent months, we covered his critique mass deportations and self-defense. Per Lutheran Ryan Turnipseed, Harrison pivoted on several issues to appeal to younger men. As the votes progressed, Benjamin Ball would throw his support behind Harrison, going into the third ballot.
The fact that Harrison was seeking his sixth consecutive three-year term was weaponized against him. Much of Biermann’s support came from various camps vying for something new, someone different, so the election was not a theological fight, but a personality conflict. The 50.1% slim majority is hardly a mandate or a sign of confidence, especially compared to the support Willy Rice received in becoming the SBC president.
Matthew Harrison represents the decline of the LCMS, and his reelection is a sign of the status quo in the LCMS. Nevertheless, the Lutherans are increasingly fatigued with his leadership and longing for someone new.
