ULC Booth Rejected from the LCMS Convention 2026

A special episode of Lead Time responding to a recent decision from LCMS leadership denying our request to host a booth at the upcoming LCMS Convention. Want to stay up to date on LCMS Happenings? Sign up here: https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelc... We share the full context behind the decision, read the official response, and unpack what this moment reveals about conversation, trust, and unity within the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. See the letter we received here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JXky... This is not about attacking leadership. It’s about asking an honest question: How do we move forward together as one church body when disagreement exists? Our hope is simple: More conversation. More clarity. More unity in Christ. If you're attending the LCMS Convention this summer, we’d love to connect and talk. Let us know what you think in the comments. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Stay up to date by Joining the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelc... ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Chapters 00:00 – LCMS Denies Our Booth 00:45 – Why This Episode Exists 02:00 – Reading the Official Letter 03:30 – A “Chronically Anxious System” 06:00 – Why Conversation Matters 07:30 – What We Hoped to Do at the Convention 09:00 – “What’s So Offensive?” 11:00 – The Pastor Shortage Problem 12:45 – Why This Feels Like a Dead End 14:30 – The “Rogue Institution” Narrative 16:30 – Relationship vs Policy in the LCMS 18:00 – Is Conversation Being Blocked? 20:00 – Adiaphora & Theological Flexibility 22:30 – Should There Be a Dissent Process? 24:30 – Our Heart: Walking Together 26:00 – We WILL Be There 27:00 – (Bonus) Zionism & Dispensationalism 34:00 – Challenges of Lutheran Identity Today