Raise Up New Leaders: Free Youth and Young Adult Registration for Synod Assembly 2026

Congregations across the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to select voting members for the 2026 Synod Assembly, June 11–13, 2026, at Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ. These voting members will help shape the ministry, direction, and shared life of our synod. Register today!

Each congregation plays a vital role—and each congregation has the opportunity to expand who is at the table.

Two Additional Voices for Every Congregation

In addition to your standard voting members based on congregation size, each congregation may elect two additional lay voting members:

  • One youth or young adult (confirmed youth through age 17 or young adults ages 18–30)

  • One person of color or a person whose primary language is not English

This is more than a procedural option—it is an invitation to more fully reflect the diversity of God’s people and to live into our shared calling as the Body of Christ.

Send a Young Leader for Free

Thanks to the Bishop’s Leadership Fund, congregations can register one youth or young adult voting member for free.

  • Use code: YOUTH2026

  • Applies to one youth or young adult per congregation

  • Covers confirmed youth (through age 17) or young adults (ages 18–30)

This is a tangible way to raise up the next generation of leaders and invite them into the life and decision-making of the church.

How Many Voting Members Can You Send?

Visit our page for full details.

  • All congregations elect at least two lay voting members

  • Additional voting members are allowed based on baptized membership (up to ten total)

  • Synodically authorized worshiping communities elect one lay voting member

Congregations are encouraged to:

  • Strive for balance in gender representation

  • Include youth, young adults, and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds

Who Else Serves as Voting Members?

Voting members of the Synod Assembly also include:

  • All active pastors and deacons on the synod roster

  • Synod Council members and synod officers

  • Eligible retired rostered ministers, according to synod guidelines

Laity will always make up at least 60% of the voting members, ensuring strong representation from congregations across the synod.

Rooted in God’s Story—Together

As we gather under our synod theme, “Rooted in God’s Story,” we are reminded that the story of the Church is not told by a few, but by the whole people of God. When we broaden participation—especially across generations and cultures—we more clearly witness to the fullness of Christ’s body.

Now is the time to identify, invite, and equip your voting members. Who in your congregation is ready to lead, listen, and discern? Who might be stepping into this role for the very first time?

Make your selections early—and don’t miss the opportunity to send a young leader for free.

Grand Canyon SynodBrian Flatgard2026 Synod AssemblyComment