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Evangelical Lutheran Synod

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Synod Reports

Synod Reports are published to this page five years following the convention. Personal directory information has been removed from these public documents.

1918
View report PDF [Norwegian]
The Spiritual State of Man Before Quickening or Regeneration by L.P. Jensen
The Teaching of Scripture Concerning the Unity of the Spirit and the Warning Against Unionism by B. Harstad
1919
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
Skriftprincipet (The Scriptural Principle) by Pastor M.K. Bleken
Absolutionen (Absolution) by Pastor G.F. Nesseth [Norwegian]
En arm Synders retærdiggjørelse for Gud (A Poor Sinner’s Righteousness Before God) by Pastor O.M. Gullerud
1920
View report PDF [Norwegian]
View report PDF [English]
Presidential Address
President’s Report
Differences and Correspondences Between the Law and Gospel by Holden M. Olsen
The National Lutheran Council by Dr. S.C. Ylvisaker
The Doctrinal Position of the National Lutheran Council by Rev. John Hendricks
1921
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
Læren om Kirken: I. Den Usynlige Kirke (The Doctrine of the Church: Part I, The Invisible Church) by Pastor Chr. Anderson
Læren om Kirken: II. Guds Ords Lære om den Synlige Kirke (The Doctrine of the Church: Part II, The Visible Church) by Pastor O.M. Gullerud
Christian Day Schools by Rev. A.J. Torgerson
Unionisme (Unionism) by Pastor M.K. Bleken [Norwegian]
Kirketugt eller den broderlige formaning (Church Discipline or Brotherly Admonition) by Pastor C.A. Moldstad [Norwegian]
Delagtighed i fremmende Synder by Pastor P.A. Widvey
1922
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
De rette firkirkelige principer for kirkestyrelsen (The Right Free-Church Principles for Administering the Church) by Pastor John Hendricks [Norwegian]
The Effectual Way in Doing Our Church Work by B. Harstad
The Bible and Evolution by J.E. Thoen
1923
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
Om Alterens Sakramente (Regarding the Lord’s Supper) by L.P. Jensen [Norwegian]
The Divinity of Jesus Christ by Prof. Wm. Moenkemoeller
Menighedsskolen (Christian Day School) by H. Ingebritson [Norwegian]
1924
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
Guds Ords Kraft (The Power of the Word) by Chr. Anderson
The Objection of the Norwegian Synod to the First Paragraph of “Opgjør” by Rev. J.E. Thoen
Et historisk overblik over menighedskolen i Synoden (Historical Overview of Christian Day Schools in the Synod) by Pastor Lauritz S. Guttebø [Norwegian]
1925
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
Dommens dag og dens forudgaaende tegn (Judgment Day and Its Pre-Happening Signs) by B. Harstad [Norwegian]
True Christian Progress by various authors
1926
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
Kaldet (The Call) by Norman A. Madson [Norwegian]
Unionism by various authors
The Christian Day School by various authors
1927
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
The Lutheran Church — the True Visible Church of God on Earth by Rev. C.A. Moldstad
Trosvisheden (Certainty of Faith) by Pastor G. Guldberg [Norwegian]
Christian Day School Address: The Relation of the Home to the Christian School by Rev. C.J. Quill
1928
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
Trosvisheden (Certainty of Faith) by Pastor G. Guldberg (continued from 1927) [Norwegian]
The Practical Problems Which Confront Us As the Logical Successors to the Old Norwegian Synod by various authors
1929
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
Helliggjørelsen (Sanctification) by O.M. Gullerud [Norwegian]
Luther’s Small Catechism by various authors
1930
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
Den Augsburgske Konfessions 2den Artikel, “Om Arvesynden” (The Second Article of the Augsburg Confession) by Pastor Emil Hansen [Norwegian]
The Fourth Article of the Augsburg Confession: Of Justification by Justin A. Petersen
The 16th Article of the Augsburg Confession by Geo. Lillegard
Attempts to Alter the Augsburg Confession by J.E. Thoen
The Christian Day School by C.A. Moldstad
1931
View report PDF [Norwegian]
Presidential Address
Modernism by Rev. Geo. O. Lillegard
Omvendelsen (Conversion) by Pastor Jos. B. Unseth [Norwegian]
1932
View report PDF
President’s Message
Alterens Sakramente (Sacrament of the Altar) by Pastor L.S. Guttebø [Norwegian]
Education Address: Music in the Church, School and Home by Walter E. Buszin
1933
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President’s Report
Literal and Figurative Language in Scripture by Erling Ylvisaker
Christian Burial by Justin Petersen
1934
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President’s Message and Report
Jesus Christ our Substitute by Paul Ylvisaker
Christian Day School Paper: Christian Education by P.T. Buszin
1935
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President’s Message
Det evige liv (The Eternal Life) by John Hendricks [Norwegian]
Christian Day School Paper: Christian Education by P.T. Buszin (continued from 1934)
The Christian’s Earthly Pilgrimage by C.J. Quill
1936
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President’s Message
Vor arv og vort ansvar (Our Heritage [Inheritance] and Our Responsibility) by John A. Moldstad [Norwegian]
The Value of the Child by Martin Galstad
Unity, Union, and Unionism by Union Committee
1937
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President’s Message
De sidste tider (The Last Times) by Christian Anderson [Norwegian]
Good Works by H.A. Theiste
1938
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President’s Message
The Clearness of Scripture by S.C. Ylvisaker
The Curse of Our Age by A. Harstad
Choral Union Address: Address in Commemoration of the Saxon Immigration by Justin A. Petersen
Christian Day School Address: Den indre mission og menighedsskolen (Home Missions and the Christian Day School) by Emil Hansen [Norwegian]
1939
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President’s Message
The Position and the Part of Faith in Justification by C.M. Gullerud
Free Will by J.B. Unseth
1940
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President’s Message
The Question of Non-Fundamentals in the Light of Scripture by Dr. S.C. Ylvisaker
The Principle of the Separation of Church and State Applied to Our Times by Geo. O. Lillegard
1941
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President’s Message
Which Wisdom? by Martin Galstad
What Does Scripture Teach Concerning a Right Attitude Toward Erring Churches? by J.E. Thoen
1942
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President’s Message
The Scripture Cannot Be Broken by T.N. Teigen
The Importance of the Doctrine of the Verbal Inspiration of the Bible by C.M. Gullerud
Christian Prayer by N.S. Tjernagel
1943
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President’s Message
Sola Scriptura by Justin A. Petersen
Sola Gratia by J.B. Unseth
Sola Fide by Chr. Anderson
Christian Education Address: Concerning Christian Education by Carl S. Meyer
1944
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President’s Message
The Sacredness of the Ancient Landmark by John A. Moldstad
Our Mission As A Synod by Ahlert H. Strand
Christian Education Address: The Importance of the Christian Day School For Our Day by C. M. Gullerud
1945
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President’s Message
Doctrine and Life by Geo. O. Lillegard
Peace — Temporal, Spiritual Eternal by B.W. Teigen
1946
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President’s Message
Our Baptismal Grace by S. E. Lee
The Doctrinal Affirmation by C.M. Gullerud, Geo. O. Lillegard, and T.N. Teigen
1947
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President’s Message
Behold, He Prayeth by S.C. Ylvisaker
1948
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President’s Message
The Obedience of Christ by U.L. Larson
What Stands Between? by J.A.O. Preus
1949
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President’s Message
The Royal Priesthood of Believers by S.A. Dorr
Cooperation in Externals by Geo. O. Lillegard
1950
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President’s Message
The Glory of the Gospel Ministry by Norman A. Madson
The Church in the World by D. Pfeiffer
Stewardship Address: “Because He Loved Us” by M.H. Otto
Christian Day School Address: What Do We Owe to Our Children? by P.E. Kretzmann
1951
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President’s Message
The Church in the World by D.L. Pfeiffer (continued from 1950)
What Way Union by S.C. Ylvisaker
Christian Day School Address: Christian Day Schools by Theodore Aaberg
1952
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President’s Message
Ask For the Old Paths by Chr. Anderson
Christian Day School Address: Christian Day Schools by Alfred Fremder
1953
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President’s Message
The Christ Our Fathers Worshipped by Paul Ylvisaker
The Christ We Worship by A.M. Harstad
The Christ We Want Our Children to Worship by Milton Tweit
1954
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President’s Message
Christian Cross-bearing in Today’s Twilight Hour by George O. Lillegard
God-given Talents at Work by Julian G. Anderson
1955
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President’s Message
The Beatitudes by S.C. Ylvisaker
Respecting the Authority of the Bible by A.H. Strand
1956
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President’s Message
Looking to the End of the Road by N.A. Madson
Where Do We Go From Here? by I.C. Johnson
1957
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President’s Message
The Difference Between Orthodox and Heterodox Churches by Dr. Francis Pieper
Christian Day School Address: The Christian Day School by G.C.J. Quill
1958
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President’s Message
Christ’s Resurrection the Christian’s Chiefest Comfort by Dr. N.A. Madson
1959
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President’s Message
Truth, The Touchstone of the Church by G.A.R. Gullixson
1960
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Recessed Convention PDF
President’s Message
Ye Shall Be Witnesses Unto Me by H.A. Theiste
1961
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President’s Message
The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints by B.W. Teigen
1962
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President’s Message
On the Doctrine of the Church by Theodore Aaberg
1963
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President’s Message
The Lord’s Supper as a Means of Grace by Rev. S.A. Dorr
1964
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President’s Message
Luther and the Word of God by Rev. A.V. Kuster
1965
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President’s Message
The Lutheran Layman in the Modern World by Rev. Wilhelm Petersen
1966
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President’s Message
Educating for Eternity by Rev. Luther Vangen
1967
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President’s Message
The Abiding Worth of Our Reformation Heritage by Rev. Paul Ylvisaker
1968
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President’s Message
The Trumpet Call to Freedom by Rev. T.N. Teigen
The Trumpet with a Certain Sound by Professor M.H. Otto
The Trumpet Call to Service by Rev. E.G. Unseth
1969
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President’s Message
What Manner of Man Is This? by Rev. George Orvick
1970
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President’s Message
Where We Stand — In the Word by Prof. Glenn Reichwald
1971
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President’s Message
“I Believed, Therefore Have I Spoken” by Prof. John A. Moldstad
1972
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President’s Message
The Synodical Conference — A Champion of True Lutheranism by Rev. J.N. Petersen
1973
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President’s Message
“The Practice of Christian Love Among Christ’s People” by Rev. Wilfrid Frick
1974
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President’s Message
The Purpose of Instruction by Rev. Paul Madson
The Task of Instruction by Rev. Rodger Dale
The Responsibility of Instruction by President Raymond M. Branstad
1975
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President’s Message
Awaiting The Glorious Return Of Christ: Looking Unto Our Blessed Hope by Rev. J. Herbert Larson
1976
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President’s Message
Righteousness Exalteth A Nation by Rev. Hugo J. Handberg
1977
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President’s Message
We Believe, Teach, and Confess by Dr. N.S. Tjernagel
1978
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President’s Message
Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord! by Rev. W.V. McCullough
1979
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President’s Message
Luther’s Catechisms, 1529–1979 by Dr. Bjarne W. Teigen
1980
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President’s Message
The Augsburg Confession: Its History, Its Evangelical Message, And Its Light For Our Day by Rev. Harold Vetter
1981
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President’s Message
God Is For Us In The 1980’s by Rev. James Olsen
A Christian Liberal Arts Education by Bethany Lutheran College President Norman S. Holte
1982
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President’s Message
Show Forth His Salvation by Rev. Steven Quist
1983
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President’s Message
The Birth that Gave Rebirth to the Doctrine of Justification by Rev. Wilhelm W. Petersen
1984
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President’s Message
Holy Scripture Is the Word of God by Dr. Neelak S. Tjernagel
1985
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President’s Message
The Cross and the Sword by Rev. Edward Bryant
1986
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President’s Message
Partners in the Gospel by The Rev. Erwin John Ekhoff
1987
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President’s Message
The Church Can Meet the Present Crisis Faced by Teenagers by Charles J. Keeler
Christian Education by Ray L. Diepenbrock
1988
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President’s Message
Current Issues in Mission From a Lutheran Perspective by Martin Teigen
1989
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President’s Message
God’s Gift to You: The Means of Grace by The Rev. Gaylin R. Schmeling
1990
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President’s Message
Serve the Lord with Gladness by The Rev. Paul Schneider
1991
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President’s Message
Search the Scriptures by The Rev. Glenn R. Obenberger
1992
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President’s Message
His Truth For Our Youth by The Rev. John A. Moldstad, Jr.
1993
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President’s Message
Our Great Heritage by Dr. Wilhelm W. Petersen
1994
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President’s Message
Trial and Triumph: The Victory of the Believer by J. Kincaid Smith
1995
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President’s Message
O Come, Let Us Worship! by Mark E. DeGarmeaux
1996
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President’s Message
Preparing Messengers of Peace by Juul B. Madson
1997
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President’s Message
Justification Through Faith Produces Sanctification by Adolph L. Harstad
1998
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President’s Message
Let There Be Light by Timothy Erickson
1999
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President’s Message
Fellowship Divine by Klebe W. Brumble
2000
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President’s Message
Two Thousand Years of Grace by Gaylin R. Schmeling
2001
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President’s Message
The Truth Shall Set You Free: A Critique of Postmodernism by Rev. Mark F. Bartels
2002
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President’s Message
The Lord Will Provide by Rev. Theodore G. Gullixson
2003
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President’s Message
A Table in the Wilderness: Our Legacy as the Spiritual Successors of the Norwegian Synod by Rev. Craig A. Ferkenstad
2004
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President’s Message
Seek the Peace of the Land: Living in and Understanding Our “Babylon” by Rev. David C. Thompson
2005
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President’s Message
Abide in My Word by Rev. Herbert Huhnerkoch
2006
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President’s Message
For You and Your Children by Rev. Edward Bryant
2007
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President’s Message
Declare His Praises! by Rev. Erwin Ekhoff
2008
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President’s Message
God’s Power for Salvation by Rev. Erling T. Teigen
2009
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President’s Message
All We Have—A Trust From Thee by Rev. Paul Schneider
2010
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President’s Message
Baptized Into Christ—For Life by Rev. Robert Harting
2011
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President’s Message
Who Do You Say I Am? by Rev. Michael Smith
2012
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President’s Message
Created in Christ Jesus for Good Works: How Christian charity serves to engage others with Jesus by Rev. Glenn Obenberger
2013
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President’s Message
Engaging Families With Jesus by Rev. Donald Moldstad
2014
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President’s Message
Engaging Others With Jesus—In Times of Trial by Rev. Thomas Rank
2015
President’s Message
Engaging One Another With Jesus’ Teachings: A Review of Christian Doctrine by Rev. Jonathan Madson
2016
President’s Message
Proclaim the Wonders God Has Done: Give Thanks to His Name! by Rev. Timothy Hartwig
2017
2017 President’s Message
Proclaim the Wonders God Has Done: Sola Scriptura by Rev. Dr. Timothy Schmeling
Proclaim the Wonders God Has Done: Sola Gratia by Rev. Tony Pittenger
Proclaim the Wonders God Has Done: Sola Fide by Rev. Jerome Gernander
2018
2018 President’s Message
Proclaim the Wonders God Has Done: His Enduring Grace by Rev. Peter J. Faugstad
2019
2019 President’s Message
My Help Comes From the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth by Dr. Doyle Holbird

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