# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S125
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

2. INTERNATIONAL WITNESS
WHEREAS, This unity of doctrine and practice led to the
early desire to organize as a Synod for international
mission; and
WHEREAS, “Congregations, the basic units of the Synod,
have joined together to form the Synod and relate to one
another through it.” (Bylaw 1.3.1); and
WHEREAS, “Committed to a common confession and
mission, congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod join with one another in the Synod to support one
another and to work together in carrying out their
commonly adopted objectives.” (Bylaw 1.1.1); and
WHEREAS, Congregations, by voluntarily joining Synod,
have entered into a relationship with each other to partner
in joint activities; and
WHEREAS, Since 1983, this voluntary partnership in
international mission has been formally addressed through
clear and careful language in Bylaw 3.8.3 (2016 Handbook)
which says, “the [Board for International Mission] shall
serve as the only sending 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;” and
WHEREAS, Since 2010, the Synod has addressed this
partnership in international mission through the
leadership of the Board for International Mission (BIM) and
the Office of International Mission (OIM); and
WHEREAS, Our voluntary partnership on the
international mission field has been greatly blessed by God
for 125 years; and
WHEREAS, Significant threats exist in the international
community (such as natural disasters, terrorist activities,
medical emergencies, and/or political unrest), placing an
ever-greater burden of responsibility on those who send
and those who are sent into the mission field; and
WHEREAS, Governments, banking institutions, and
immigration offices are increasing scrutiny of mission
entities and personnel, thus requiring significant
administrative support from the sending agencies; and
WHEREAS, Our partner and emerging partner churches
are pleading for clarity on who is and who is not a Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) missionary; therefore be
it
Resolved, That Synod in convention reaffirm her
commitment to working within the voluntary partnership
described in Bylaw 3.8.3; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks to God for the 19,602
contributors (such as congregations, households, and
foundations) who contributed more than $41 million to
support missionaries directly through the BIM and OIM in
the past triennium; and be it further

Resolutions

Resolved, That Synod in convention reaffirm its desire to
work in coordination and cooperation with our
international partner churches, and where there are no
international partner churches, to start new international
initiatives to share the Gospel with the unchurched; and be
it finally
Resolved, That we celebrate 125 years of spreading the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, planting Lutheran churches and
showing mercy by renewing our work together through the
BIM and OIM, encouraging more people to consider
becoming international missionaries, increasing our
financial support of the Synod’s international mission
work, and expanding the number of missionaries sent by
the BIM.
Action: Adopted (8)
Res. 2-07, “To Strengthen and Encourage the Partnership of our
Congregations in International Mission through the Board for
International Mission” (TB, 1:58–59), was read and introduced
by the committee. Chairman Lange stressed that this resolution
does not deal with short-term missionaries or have in mind the
work of auxiliaries or recognized service organizations, and that
it is the committee’s carefully considered response to the many
overtures received related to Bylaw 3.8.3. “The issues under
consideration here are not just about one bylaw, but about the
way we live, work, and walk together as a Synod. Because our
Synod is a balance of what we, the congregations of the Synod,
do independently, and what we do together.” Noting 1 Cor.
12:12–20, the analogy of members in the body of Christ, Lange
noted the 125-year history of Synod “sending and supporting
foreign missionaries, as we’ve been celebrating during this
convention. And even as we give thanks for how richly the Lord
has blessed us during these 125 years, so we look forward to an
even more expansive future, as a result of our walk together.”
After discussion, closure of debate was moved, seconded and
carried [Yes: 643; No: 110]. The resolution was adopted [Yes:
694; No: 89].

To Give Thanks for
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Ministry to the Armed Forces
RESOLUTION 2-08
Report R1.2 (CW, 32–33)

WHEREAS, From the Civil War through both World Wars,
Korea, Vietnam, and more recent areas of conflict, Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) pastors, serving
honorably and with distinction as military chaplains, bring
the Good News of Jesus Christ to those protecting our great
nation; and
WHEREAS, Some chaplains serve on forward bases in
harm’s way, others onboard ships maintaining vigilant
watch over the seven seas, and others walk the flight line on
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 125