# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S5
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
••

Ongoing significant support of Grace Place, Shepherd’s Canyon, and DOXOLOGY for the equipping
and care of church workers.

received. (Note especially the fine work done in the
Minnesota South District.)
••

Established and implemented regular district visitations, made by the President, First Vice-President,
and a regional vice-president to every district, once
every triennium, “to build each other up and encourage each other in the mission of Christ.” Visitation
teams are now on their second round of making
visits, this time with a focus on equipping circuit visitors. The materials they use are available at www.lcms
.org/about/leadership/president/district-visitation.

••

Addressed the licensed lay deacon (LLD) problem
of men serving as pastors without the benefit of call
and ordination. Carrying out a colloquy process to
the specific ministry pastor roster for those LLDs
regularly preaching and presiding:

Life Together
Our Synod is a “partnership in the Gospel” (Philippians
1:5) that is a fellowship in the clear Lutheran confession of
“Christ for us.” We therefore collaborate with districts, partners,
and members to enhance mission effectiveness. We are in this
together.
••

••

••

••

••

The major restructuring of LCMS Inc. following
the 2010 convention brought the realignment of all
departments and personnel, and a reduction in force
by 66 positions. We are currently at the same postrestructuring position count.
Two mission boards—Board for National Mission
(BNM) and the Board for International Mission
(BIM)—were established by the 2010 restructuring
and are running very well. These boards set the policies and parameters by which the Office of National
Mission and the Office of International Mission
operate and carry out the seven mission priorities set
by the Synod in convention. (See below.)
The 2016 convention established seven mission
priorities, which guide and prioritize the work of the
Office of National Mission (ONM) and the Office of
International Mission (OIM):
oo

Plant, sustain, and revitalize Lutheran
churches.

oo

Support and expand theological education.

oo

Perform human care in close proximity to
Word and Sacrament ministries.

oo

Collaborate with the Synod’s members and
partners to enhance mission effectiveness.

oo

Promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of pastors and
professional church workers.

oo

Enhance early childhood, elementary, and
secondary education, and youth ministry.

oo

Strengthen and support the Lutheran family
in living out God’s design.

Brought in new, theologically strong, experienced
staff in several leadership positions, most recently
Bob Zagore (ONM; former large church pastor in
Michigan); Jim Baneck (Pastoral Ed.; former district
president); Dan McMiller (OIM; former missionary
and missionary recruiter). Also called CMO Kevin
Robson in 2015, who brings a high level of theological integrity and an MBA from the University of
Chicago School of Business.
The Koinonia Project has brought together differing
parties in districts, circuits, and the COP for theological dialogue and an increased understanding and
agreement under the Word of God. Widely and well

5

oo

The 2016 Res. 13-02A established the process
for bringing onto the roster those licensed
lay deacons doing regular pastoral work.
It was adopted with some 75 percent at the
2016 convention.

oo

A policy manual and colloquy application
process have been prepared and implemented
by the First Vice-President and a committee
appointed by the COP.

oo

The Synod’s Colloquy Committee for the
Pastoral Ministry, under the leadership of
the First Vice-President, is working effectively with the various district presidents to form
regional colloquy committees (as directed
by Res. 13-02A) to interview licensed lay
deacons applying for colloquy to the specific
ministry pastor roster.

oo

We plan to have at least 70 percent of the
licensed lay deacons for whom Res. 13-02A
applies (men who preach and preside on a
consistent and continuing basis) through
the SMP colloquy process before the 2019
convention.

oo

The remaining 30 percent should be finished,
God willing, within a year of the 2019 convention.

••

Developed and implemented successful celebration
of the 500th Reformation anniversary.Established
the Journal of Lutheran Mission for the promulgation
of orthodox missional theology (www.lcms.org/news/
publications/journal-of-lutheran-mission).

••

Created Protecting Your Ministry book with the
Alliance Defending Freedom for our congregations,
schools, and districts (blogs.lcms.org/2016/synod
-provides-legal-guide-amid-increased-intrusions).

••

Launched the entire “Witness, Mercy, Life Together”
theme, which has been well received throughout the
entire Synod.
2019 Convention Workbook