# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S135
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

4. LIFE TOGETHER
is to make known the great works of God for the salvation
of men, or that which is the same thing, to preach the
Gospel to every creature” (“The Mission Society
Established by God,” in The Word of His Grace [Lake Mills:
Graphic Publishing Co., 1978], cited in R1.1, “A Theological
Statement for Mission in the 21st Century,” CW, 11); and
WHEREAS, The Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod give
primary responsibility for church planting and national
mission to districts and congregations, and the national
Synod has the responsibility of providing resources to aid
these efforts; therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod in convention thank the districts,
circuit forums, and congregations for their submission of
proposed mission and ministry emphases, and be it further
Resolved, That Synod in convention establish Making
Disciples for Life as its mission and ministry emphasis for the
2019–2022 triennium and directs the Office of National
Mission and Office of International Mission under ends
policies established by the BNM and BIM to resource
congregations, schools, circuits and districts to do the
following:
• evangelize and disciple the lost;
• retain the faithful;
• strengthen congregations and schools;
• plant new congregations and schools wherever
possible, especially in urban and multi-cultural
communities; and
• engage in international mission in partnership
with the Office of International Mission;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod encourage all LCMS districts,
congregations and schools to make use of the Making
Disciples for Life resources and tools as these become
available.
Action: Adopted as amended (4)
An amendment was proposed to the final resolve on TB 2B:259,
to reorder the three bullet points; advised that this was not a
substantive change, the delegate withdrew the amendment.
Another amendment was moved to make the first bullet point of
the second resolve read, “To evangelize and disciple the lost.”
This modification proved acceptable to the committee and was
received without objection.
A final amendment was moved to the third bullet point of the
second resolve, to have it read “Strengthen congregations and
schools” This was acceptable to the committee and received
without objection.
It was moved and seconded to close debate; the motion carried
[Yes: 799; No: 56]; thereupon, Res. 4-03A was adopted as
amended [Yes: 841; No: 20].

Resolutions

To Expand and Strengthen the Input with
Which the Synod’s Triennial Mission and
Ministry Emphases Are Determined
RESOLUTION 4-04A
Reports R1, R1.1, R7–8 (CW, 1–9, 16–71, 90–92); Overtures
4-01–7 (CW, 408–10)

WHEREAS, Bylaw changes adopted at the 2010
convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod set
forth a process by which the Synod’s district conventions
and circuit forums are encouraged and expected to
intentionally and directly participate in the establishment
and adoption of the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry
emphases in the Synod’s national conventions (2016
Bylaws 3.1.1, 4.2.1 [d], 5.2.3 [g], 5.3.1 [b][5] and 5.3.4); and
WHEREAS, The aforementioned process has resulted in
good, salutary, and much-appreciated participation by
Synod districts and circuit forums at subsequent Synod
conventions in 2013, 2016 and 2019; and
WHEREAS, Experience has shown that the Synod’s Boards
for National Mission and International Mission (BNM and
BIM)—both of which were also were established by bylaw
changes adopted at Synod’s 2010 convention—have
developed an intimate familiarity with the Synod’s
triennial mission and ministry emphases; and
WHEREAS, This aforementioned familiarity has arisen out
of the BNM’s and BIM’s bylaw-mandated ongoing work as
set forth in Bylaws 3.8.2–3.8.2.1 and 3.8.3–3.8.3.1,
respectively, especially in the BNM’s and BIM’s
establishment of policies guiding the work of the Offices of
National Mission and International Mission; and
WHEREAS, This aforementioned familiarity consistently
positions the BNM and BIM well to assess, evaluate and
offer to the Synod valuable insights and recommendations
regarding the effectiveness of the Synod’s triennial mission
and ministry emphases and beneficial suggestions for
amendments thereto; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.8.2 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Board for National Mission
3.8.2
The Board for National Mission is charged with
developing and determining policies for the coordination of
and in support of district ministries which support
congregations and schools (Bylaw 1.2.1 [m]). These policies
shall embrace and apply the mission and ministry
emphases adopted by the national convention. Under the
leadership of the President of the Synod, pursuant to Bylaw
3.3.1.1.1, the board shall assist in identifying the specific
goals for the Office of National Mission. Policies determined
by the board (implemented by staff) may include but not be
limited to:
• strong national mission leadership
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 135