June 13-16, 2026

Fergus Falls, MN

The theme for our 2026 convention is “Unleash New Leaders.” Why? Continuing to explore our Disciple-Making Church vision, we want to dig into another one of the four senior objectives during the 2026 convention. In previous conventions, we covered “Call to Follow” (2022) and "Partner in Mission" (2024). The third objective as a disciple-making Church is "Unleash New Leaders." Not just young leaders, but leaders of all ages. Whether they are teens, young adults, young parents, single adults, men, women, or retirees, potential new leaders are all around us. As pastors and church leaders, we must get to know the people of our churches, identify potential, and disciple them as future leaders. How do we do that? That's what this convention is all about. How does God call? What are the characteristics of Christian leaders? And how can the Church shape and prepare them for leadership?
Register Online

Speakers

Troy Tysdal

President of
Lutheran Brethren Seminary
SATURDAY EVENING
"God Calls the Leader"

Roger Viksnes

Director of
Rooted Gap Year
SUNDAY MORNING
"The Posture of the Unleashed"

Drew Skog

Pastor, Bunker Hill LB Church
Princeton, NJ
SUNDAY EVENING
"Shaped to Be Sent"

Paul Larson

President of the
Church of the Lutheran Brethren
MONDAY EVENING
"Leaders Produce Leaders"

2026 Presidential Nominees

Michael Edwards

In 2011, Rev. Michael Edwards was called to pastor Good News LB Church (McAlisterville, PA) and was ordained in 2022, following further studies at Moody Bible Institute and Lutheran Brethren Seminary. He has served on various sub-committees of the CLB Eastern Region, and as Vice-chair of the Region’s Executive Board since 2021. Michael is married to Christy and they have two children and a granddaughter.

Mark Nienow

Rev. Mark Nienow graduated from Lutheran Brethren Seminary in 2007 and has served at True Life Church (Rochester, MN) since, first as an associate pastor with Rev. David Rinden, and then as the lead pastor since 2012. He has served as secretary for the Council of Directors of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren since 2016. Mark is married to Andreia and they have two sons.
Read their full bios

Q&A with the Nominees

Q1: Share how God has brought you to an assurance of your salvation and how he has continued to shape your relationship with him.
Read the Answers
Q2: What does the Church of the Lutheran Brethren’s vision to be a Disciple-Making Church mean to you?
Read the Answers
Q3: What is your vision for the Shared Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren?
Read the Answers

Convention Schedule

Subject to Change
Friday, June 12 / Pre-Convention
  • TBD (Morning–Mid-Afternoon) - CLB History Tour with Dr. Joel Christenson (RSVP in your Convention Registration)
  • 6:30 PM - President Paul Larson Appreciation Banquet (RSVP Event - Registration coming April 1)
Saturday, June 13 / "ENGAGE"
  • Women's Ministries Convention (10:45-3:30 / Includes lunch)
  • Convention Opening / State of the CLB (Morning)
  • Presidential Nominee Introductions (Morning)
  • Elections of the CLB President and all CLB offices (Morning - results announced in the afternoon)
  • Seminar with David Zahl (Morning and afternoon)
    Title: "Grace-Fueled Leadership in a Time of Influencers and Algorithms" (See description below)
  • CLB Director Panel Discussion
  • Evening Worship
Sunday, June 14 / "COMMUNITY"
  • Sunday Morning Worship
  • Day of Community - Lunch, carnival activities, Kubb Tournament. This is set aside as a time to spend time together and build community.
    (Sign up for the Kubb Tournament in the Convention Registration or by using the link above, if you are not a delegate)
  • Evening Worship
Monday, June 15 / "RESOURCE"
  • Convention Business
  • Workshop & Panel Discussion
  • Ministry Committees
  • Evening Worship
Tuesday, June 16 / "EQUIP"
  • Convention Business
  • Discussion on the Role of Women in Ministry Study Paper
  • Communion Service / Closing

Seminar Speaker: David Zahl / Saturday, Feb 12

David Zahl is an author, speaker, and podcaster. Learn more at mbird.com
SEMINAR: "Grace-Fueled Leadership in a Time of Influencers and Algorithms"
Peruse the "leadership" section at your local bookstore and odds are you'll discover a strange mix of self-improvement and entrepreneurship resources. These days the word seems to refer more readily to building an audience than serving one. This means that Christians often encounter significant headwinds when making the case for an upside-down model of cruciform leadership (and the endless opportunities for growth and healing it brings!). Yet as the wider world burns out on the empty promises of Influencing, the church has an opportunity to showcase a more hopeful and enticing alternative, one based in and shaped by the grace of God. Our sessions will trace the contours of what grace-fueled leadership looks like in our ever-accelerating (and ever-saddening) world, demonstrating how effective this sorely needed posture can be, especially when it comes to discipling the new leaders in our midst.

Appreciation Banquet for President Larson

Friday, June 12 / 6:30 PM / Good Shepherd LB Church
Rev. Paul Larson will complete his tenure as the President of the CLB after 12 years. Join us as we show our appreciation.
Registration Coming April 1

Kubb Tournament - Day of Community

A Kubb Tournament will take place during the Day of Community on Sunday afternoon. Anyone is welcome to sign up. If you are registering as a delegate, the Kubb Tournament is included in the convention registration. Use the link below if you want to participate but are not a delegate.
Non-Delegate Kubb Registration

CLB History Tour

Friday, June 12 / Time: TBD / Cost: FREE / 50 person limit
Convention Delegates have the opportunity to enjoy a CLB History Tour on Friday, starting in the morning and ending mid-afternoon. This tour will visit significant historical sites from Osakis, ND to Wahpeton, ND. During the drives, Dr. Christenson will share more details about the history of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. Lunch is provided.
Interested? Indicate your interest on the Convention Registration Form.

Childcare Options

Childcare: Ages 0-3 / Youth Activities: Ages 4-12
Details are being finalized at the moment, but the plan is to provide childcare options from ages 0-12.
Interested? Please indicate your interest on your Convention Registration Form and we will contact you with more information.