LCC announces nominees for President, Vice-President, and Regional Pastors

CANADA – The Commission on Nominations and Elections of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) has published the nominees for president, vice president, and regional pastors, with elections to take place during the synodical convention in June 2026.

Nominees for President

Current LCC President Timothy Teuscher announced in 2025 that he would not stand for reelection in 2026.

Synodical bylaws specify that the slate of candidates for president shall be the five nominees receiving the highest number of votes in nominating ballots (in the event of a tie for fifth place, all tied candidates shall be listed, provided they were named on at least two nominating ballots). The following have all been nominated to serve as LCC President and have consented to have their names appear on the ballot. This list constitutes the slate for President for the 2026 convention:

• Rev. David Haberstock – 32 nominations
• Rev. Ted Giese – 11 nominations
• Rev. Michael Schutz – 11 nominations
• Rev. Joel Kuhl – 3 nominations

The following declined to let their name stand:

• Rev. Michael Keith – 8 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Mark Smith – 5 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Alex Klages – 4 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Nolan Astley – 3 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Paul Roggow – 2 nominations (declined)

The following each received one nomination: Rev. Richard Beinert, Rev. David Bode, Rev. Marvin Bublitz, Rev. Stephen Chambers, Rev. Fraser Coltman, Rev. Mark Dressler, Rev. Kenneth Edel, Rev. Arron Gust, Rev. Keith Haberstock, Rev. Jack Hetzel, Rev. Gregory Johnson, Rev. John Kreutzwieser, Rev. Kurt Lantz, Rev. Clint Magnus, Rev. Vishal Paul, Rev. Keith Reisdorf, Rev. Harold Ristau, Rev. Darren Siegle, and Rev. Thomas Winger.

Nominees for Vice-President

Synodical bylaws specify that the slate of candidates for Vice-President shall be the five nominees receiving the highest number of votes in nominating ballots (in the event of a tie for fifth place, all tied candidates shall be listed, provided they were named on at least two nominating ballots). The following have all been nominated to serve as Vice-President and have consented to have their names appear on the ballot.

This list constitutes the slate for Vice-President for the 2026 convention:

• Rev. Michael Schutz – 19 nominations
• Rev. Ted Giese – 13 nominations
• Rev. Joel Kuhl – 8 nominations
• Rev. Kurt Lantz – 3 nominations
• Rev. David Zakel – 3 nominations

The following declined to let their name stand or were ineligible for nomination:

• Rev. David Haberstock – 4 nominations (ineligible per SB 11.01)
• Rev. Arron Gust – 3 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Michael Keith – 3 nominations (declined)

The following received two nominations: Rev. Dan Abraham, Rev. Aaron Astley, Rev. Nolan Astley, Rev. Jeffery Dul, Rev. Brian Falkenholt, Rev. James Keller, Rev. Alex Klages, Rev. Kurt Reinhardt, Rev. Cameron Schnarr, and Rev. James Vosper.

The following received one nomination: Rev. Saulo Bledoff, Rev. Fraser Coltman, Rev. Brian Dunlop, Rev. Ken Eifert, Rev. Randy Heide, Rev. Jack Hetzel, Rev. Gregory Johnson, Rev. Richard Juritsch, Rev. Lee Loveridge, Rev. Scott Lyons, Rev. Robert Mohns (ineligible), Rev. Rudy Pastucha, Rev. Vishal Paul, Rev. Paul Schallhorn, Rev. Darren Siegle, and Rev. Mark Smith (ineligible).

Nominees for Regional Pastors

West Regional Pastor Robert Mohns announced in 2025 that he would not stand for reelection in 2026.

Synodical bylaws specify that the slate of candidates for Regional Pastor in each region shall be the three nominees receiving the highest number of votes in nominating ballots (in the event of a tie for third place, all tied candidates shall be listed, provided they were named on at least two nominating ballots).

Central Region

The following have consented to stand for election and constitute the slate of nominees for Central Regional Pastor:

• Rev. David Haberstock – 8 nominations

The following declined to let their name stand for Central Regional Pastor:

• Rev. Arron Gust – 5 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Michael Keith – 2 nominations (declined)
• Rev. James Vosper – 2 nominations (declined)

East Region

The following have consented to stand for election and constitute the slate of nominees for East Regional Pastor:

• Rev. Marvin Bublitz – 29 nominations
• Rev. Vishal Paul – 2 nominations
• Rev. Kurt Reinhardt – 2 nominations

The following declined to let their name stand for East Regional Pastor:

• Rev. Andre Schroth – 4 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Aaron Astley – 2 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Kurt Lantz – 2 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Paul Schallhorn – 2 nominations (declined)

West Region

The following have consented to stand for election and constitute the slate of nominees for West Regional Pastor:

• Rev. Jan Pastucha – 8 nominations
• Rev. Michael Schutz – 4 nominations

The following declined to let their name stand for West Regional Pastor:

• Rev. Fraser Coltman – 5 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Michael Keith – 4 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Keith Haberstock – 2 nominations (declined)
• Rev. Phil Washeim – 2 nominations (declined)
• Rev. David Dressler – 2 nominations (declined)

The following received one nomination: Rev. Rod Buck, Rev. Ted Giese, Rev. Don Hennig, Rev. Greg Johnson, Rev. Alex Klages, Rev. Joel Kuhl, Rev. Lee Loveridge, Rev. Scott Lyons, Rev. Cameron Schnarr, Rev. Jason Schultz, Rev. Darren Siegle, Rev. David Smilek, Rev. Neil Stern, Rev. Kevin Walrath, and Rev. Nicholas Wasylowich.

For further details on the nominations above, and for nominees for LCC’s board of directors, circuit counsellors, commissions, regional mission and ministry councils, and seminary boards of regents, please refer to the official reports of the Commission on Nominations and Elections in the 2026 Synodical Workbook.

Biographical information on all candidates can also be found in the Synodical Workbook.

Visit the Synod Convention webpage here.

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