Summary Report on the NALC Convocation

The Clergy and lay delegates of the North American Lutheran Church met for the annual NALC Lutheran Week from August 4th – August 8th in Pittsburgh, PA. With this convocation, the NALC celebrated its fifteenth anniversary. The North American Lutheran Seminary (NALS) celebrated its tenth anniversary and welcomed their new President, the Rev. Dr. Jukka Kääriäinen. Dr. Kääriäinen and his family come to us from Helsinki, Finland.
Elections were held for positions on the NALC Executive Council (2 clergy, 2 lay). Four pastors were also elected to the NALC Court of Adjudication, and one pastor was elected to the NALS Board of Regents.
Delegates approved several updates to the NALC Constitution to strengthen governance:
• Establish Bylaws—Delegates approved the establishment of formal bylaws for the NALC, adjusting various sections of the Constitution that better serve the Church as bylaws.
• Establish Article and Bylaws for NALS— Delegates approved to adopt an article and bylaws for the North American Lutheran Seminary.
• Establish Article and Bylaws Regarding Financial and Legal Matters—Delegates approved an article and bylaws clarifying financial and legal procedures for the NALC.
Finally, the 2026 NALC and NALS operating budgets were approved without amendment.
We extend our gratitude to Lynn Shealy for serving as St. Jacob’s lay delegate to the convocation.