# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S329
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

FLOOR COMMITTEE REPORTS AND OVERTURES ASSIGNMENTS

4. Life Together

4-03

To Convene Task Force to Review Recognized
Service Organization Program and Bylaws

REPORTS
R1, R1.1, R1.2, R1.3, R2.3, R3, R6, R7, R11, R12, R14,
R19–R53, R54, R55, R56, R57, R58, R59
OVERTURES
4-01

To Foster Spirit of Loving Discussion
among Church Workers
Whereas, As disciples of Christ we are called to speak the truth
in love and to build one another up; and
Whereas, The art of discussion to respond to the needs of a
changed, hurting world is vital to our witness and faith; and
Whereas, We have an opportunity as a church body to give witness to Jesus as we debate and discuss these issues; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod encourage its congregations and church workers to have open and loving
discussions about all issues within society that seek outcomes that
can be a beacon of hope for a lost world.
Board of Directors, Southeastern District; Board of
Directors, Florida-Georgia District
4-02

To Celebrate 175 Years of Combined Ministry
and Service of LWML and ILLL
Whereas, The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)
is celebrating 75 years of ministry and service to the church (1942–
2017); and
Whereas, The International Lutheran Laymen’s League (ILLL)
is celebrating 100 years of ministry and service to the church (1917–
2017); and
Whereas, The auxiliaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, the LWML and the ILLL, exist as arms of the Synod, with the
primary function of aiding the Synod specifically in programs that
extend the ministry and mission of the Synod; and
Whereas, The mission of the LWML is to assist each woman of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in affirming her relationship
with the Triune God so that she is enabled to use her gifts in ministry
to the people of the world; and
Whereas, The mission of the ILLL is “Bringing Christ to the
Nations − and the Nations to the Church”; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention give thanks for the lay
members of the LWML and ILLL; And be it further
Resolved, That the convention congratulate and commend the
LWML and ILLL for their 175 years of combined ministry to the
church; and be it finally
Resolved, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in convention
stand and sing the Common Doxology with all glory to God in praise
and anticipation of LWML and ILLL future ministry initiatives.
International Lutheran Laymen’s League
Philip Krauss II, Chairman
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
Patti Ross, President
329

Whereas, The Synod has a lengthy history of recognizing the
contributions made by service organizations as they fulfill the call to
love our neighbors (Mark 12:31); and
Whereas, There are currently more than three hundred recognized service organizations in the program, including social service
agencies, mission societies, camps, and schools; and
Whereas, The granting of recognized service organization (RSO)
status by the Synod signifies that a service organization, “while independent of the Synod, fosters the mission and ministry of the church,
engages in program activity that is in harmony with the programs of
the boards of the Synod, and respects and does not act contrary to the
doctrine and practice of the Synod” (Bylaw 6.2.1); and
Whereas, The needs of the Synod, the work of social service
agencies, and the regulation and oversight by governmental agencies
have all changed significantly over the 30-plus years of the program;
and
Whereas, Concerns have been raised over the years by various
constituencies within the LCMS, including program leadership and
the Board of Directors, as to the objectives of the program and the
current policies and procedures associated with the administration
of the program; and
Whereas, Current state and federal laws may negatively impact
an RSO’s ability to “not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of
the Synod,” recent same-sex marriage rulings having serious implications for programs and services of RSOs especially in the areas of
foster care, adoption, aging, and housing; and
Whereas, The LCMS desires and encourages its RSOs to live out
their Lutheran identity in the services and programs they provide; and
Whereas, The RSO program is intended to benefit the church by
contributing to its effectiveness in witness, mercy, and life together;
and
Whereas, A thorough review of the RSO program was conducted
in 2006-07 by Synod staff which brought revision and improvement
to the Synod process of recognition of RSOs; and
Whereas, A review of the needs of the Synod, including the work
of social service agencies; mission societies and other entities granted
recognition status; the impact of government regulations and oversight; and a review of mutual benefits to the Synod and RSOs, should
be undertaken; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention authorize the formation of a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) Task Force that is
charged with the following responsibilities:
•

Review and report on the original purpose and intent of the RSO
program and its predecessors;

•

Determine the needs of and benefits to the Synod with respect to
the RSO program and identify the best model for the Synod to engage with organizations which foster the mission and ministry of the
church and who engage in programs that are in harmony with the
programs of the Synod;

•

Recommend changes to the RSO program, or the elimination of the
program, or replacement of the current RSO program with a new
relationship model that provides benefit to the Synod and the social
service agency, or develop and recommend other solutions;

•

Recommend appropriate changes to the LCMS Bylaws, as needed;
and

•

Ensure that all recommendations maintain the importance of agencies that are recognized by the LCMS, foster the mission and min-

2016 Convention Workbook