# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S320
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

320

INTERNATIONAL WITNESS

Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod recognizes the
congregation as the entity through which God calls pastors to proclaim the Gospel; and
Whereas, The Board for International Mission, the districts of the
Synod, and other noncongregational entities derive their authority to
call from the congregations which they represent; and
Whereas, CCM decision 14-2724 states, “Foreign missions is
a jurisdiction that the Synod has retained for itself (Bylaw 4.1.5).
Districts and congregations may not call rostered church workers
for service in foreign areas, as supported throughout the Bylaws of
the Synod.” This interpretation impinges on the rights of congregations to serve as the agency through which God calls His workers;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention affirm and encourage
the biblical right of each congregation to call pastors and missionaries to serve the congregation locally and/or to serve on their behalf
anywhere there is a need for the Good News of Jesus Christ; and be
it further
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention affirm the rights of those
who represent congregations (such as the Board for International
Mission, districts of the Synod, RSOs, and LCMS mission agencies) to call workers on behalf of the congregations they represent;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Northwest District memorialize the 2016
LCMS convention to amend its Bylaws to reflect this theological
truth. Specifically, Bylaws 3.8.3 and 4.1.5 should be amended as
follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.8.3 Upon the recommendation of the Office of International Mission, the board shall serve as the only sendingan agency through which
workers and funds are sent to the foreign mission areas of the Synod,
including the calling, appointing, assigning, withdrawing, and releasing of missionaries (ministers of religion—ordained and ministers of
religion—commissioned) and other workers for the ministries in foreign
areas.
4.1.5 Jurisdiction with respect to everything that is administered by
or for the entire Synod resides in the national Synod itself. Jurisdiction
includes but is not limited to general supervision of doctrine and practice; coordination of foreign missions; institutions of the Synod; qualification for ordination, commissioning, and installation of ordained and
commissioned ministers and requirements for individual as well as congregational membership in the Synod; publication of official religious
periodicals, conduct of negotiations and affiliations with other church
bodies; and the like.

and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 1.1.1 be amended to add an additional paragraph (c):
1.1.1 Committed to a common confession and mission, congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod join with one another…
(c) Neither the Synod nor any board, commission, or agency on its behalf shall adopt any policy or practice which may inhibit or restrict
individual members or congregations in giving bold witness by word
or deed to the love and work of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
and extend that Gospel witness into all the world.

and be it finally
Resolved, That congregations be expected to coordinate and communicate with their circuits, districts, and the Board for International
Mission when making missionary calls so that everything be done
decently and in good order.
Board of Directors, Northwest District; Prince of Peace,
Portland, OR; Board of Directors, Florida-Geogia District
2016 Convention Workbook

2-07

To Overrule CCM Opinion 14-2724
Whereas, Article III 2 of the LCMS Constitution identifies an
objective of the Synod as to “strengthen congregations and their members in giving bold witness by word and deed to the love and work
of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend that Gospel witness into all the world”; and
Whereas, Article VII 1 of the Synod’s Constitution recognizes,
“In its relation to its members, the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect
to the individual congregation’s right of self-government it is but an
advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod imposing
anything upon the individual congregation is of binding force if it is
not in accordance with the Word of God or if it appears to be inexpedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned”; and
Whereas, In the history of the Synod, neither the Synod nor the
CNH District has ever discouraged the efforts by congregations, auxiliaries, recognized service organizations, districts, and other agencies
of the Synod from engaging in outreach of the Gospel, both domestically and in foreign fields; and
Whereas, CCM Opinion 14-2724 wrongfully attempts to restrict
the mission outreach of congregations and others to give bold witness by word and deed to the love and work of God the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit, and extend that Gospel witness to all the world;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the CNH District affirms and encourages all actions
by congregations, auxiliaries, recognized service organizations, districts, and individual members of the Synod, as well as agencies of
the district, in their efforts to give bold witness by word and deed to
the love and work of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend
that Gospel witness to all the world; and be it further
Resolved, That nothing in the Bylaws of Synod should ever be
construed to limit efforts to give bold witness by word and deed to
the love and work of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend
that Gospel witness to all the world, but only be construed as requesting information which might allow Synod to support (and to assist in
connecting potential support for) congregations and individual members, to assist in connecting potential mission partners, and to provide
best practices information which could assist the efforts of individual
members and congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That CCM Opinion 14-2724 be overruled pursuant to
Bylaw 3.9.2.2 (c); and be it finally
Resolved, That the CNH District memorialize to the Synod the
adoption of this resolution.
California-Nevada-Hawaii District
2-08

To Amend Bylaws to Reflect Congregations’
Privilege to Send Mission Funds and Fund
Missionaries
Whereas, Jesus sends His disciples into the world in order to
make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19−20); and
Whereas, The church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas on their
mission journey without first consulting with the church at Jerusalem
(Acts 13:1−3); likewise, Epaphras was sent during Paul’s mission
efforts in Ephesus to carry the Gospel to Colossae and Hierapolis and