# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S335
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

V. REPORT OF THE 2016 RES. 4-03B TASK FORCE ON RECOGNIZED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
to a mutually beneficial relationship, it would
be reasonable for the cost to the Synod of
maintaining and enhancing this process (staffing, travel, technology) to be at least partially
recouped. The task force suggests implementing policies that allow for an appropriate fee
structure, to be implemented over time by the
LCMS RSO Office, to help underwrite the cost
of an enhanced interaction between RSOs and
the LCMS RSO Office. At the same time, the
administrative burden of the program is to be
reduced by dealing otherwise with LCMS-only
school associations and by (eventually) relying
more on districts to conduct the initial assessments of local RSOs. The result will be more,
and more meaningful, LCMS RSO interaction and programming for the national RSOs.
The development of a detailed fee structure is
beyond the scope of this task force. The development of some mechanism, however, seems
necessary if the value the program offers is to
be substantially increased.
i)

Adjustment for Synod Restructuring: The
proposal updates the RSO bylaws, as needed,
to reflect the 2010 restructuring of the Synod.

j)

Opportunity for Closer Coordination: The
task force observed that RSOs often have a
challenge to find quality staff—from CEO on
down—who are also strong in our Christian
confession. To find, that is, the sort of staff who
will “wrap the church around the community”
through the work of the organization. While
there isn’t “a bylaw for that,” one strong hope
of the task force is that the revitalization of the
whole RSO program will encourage church
workers to consider fulfilling their ministries
with the organizations, and that it will lead to
cooperative training programs with Synod’s
colleges and universities, designed to provide
the staff the organizations need.

k)

Opportunities for Enhanced Offerings: The
task force noted opportunities for development
of better resources explaining to constituents
what recognition means, what opportunities
and connections are available in the RSO
universe, and what services and service opportunities RSOs offer and how to access them.
Post-convention, Reporter and Witness features, in print and online, might reintroduce the
Synod to its program and lead to an integrated
communications plan designed to highlight
RSOs and build vital relationships throughout
the Synod.

335

3. Segmentation of the Revitalized RSO
Program
This proposal suggests differentiating among, under the existing RSO umbrella, three fundamental types of work for which an
organization might be recognized:

3.1 Witness Service Organization (WSOs)
WSOs (proposed Bylaw 6.2.2 [a]) engage in or directly support Gospel proclamation. Examples include organizations engaging in Word- or Word-and-Sacrament ministry (chaplaincy),
religious media/programming, mission society activity, support of
specific missions, mission-and-ministry training, church-worker
professional development, or church-worker care. The Synod has
recognized WSOs because of their alignment with and extension
of the Synod’s constitutional objectives (Const. Art. III) 1–3 and
6–10, and especially with triennial mission priorities 1–2 and 4–7
(see 2016 Res. 4-02A, Proceedings, 145–6).
Witness organizations, due to the nature of their work, can be
recognized only in the “nearer” tier of connection to churchly confession and governance. They must be governed strictly by members of LCMS and partner member congregations and are held to
the highest standards, to faithfully, exclusively, and fully advance
the doctrine and practice of the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.
The principal changes recommended for these organizations
are evident in the bylaw proposal, and generally relate to the enhanced ecclesiastical oversight of organization activities by the
districts in which they are undertaken. In addition to an unconditional expectation of doctrinal and practical faithfulness, it is also
expected of WSOs that they intentionally and responsively pursue
coordination with the district, national, and international “witness”
programs of the Synod.

3.1.1 Existing Types of WSO Activity
Descriptions are based on activities reported by existing RSOs
that fall into the WSO domain. Italicized items are the presently
available service description codes, devised some time ago by the
RSO steering committee. As the relative dearth of italicized entries
indicates, these categories are ripe for revision, especially with regard to this category of RSO.
•

Chaplaincy

•

Religious Media/Programming: Broadcast Ministry;
Publishing / Translation of Religious Materials (print/
online); Bible instruction

•

Mission Society (40 organizations: 15 international, 5
report church planting, 6 report calling/sending workers) / Ministry Support: Campus Ministry (8); Deaf
Ministry; Inner City/Urban Ministry; Native American Ministry; Youth Ministry; Short-Term Mission
Teams; Evangelism; Partner Church Monetary Support;
Mission-and-Ministry Granting

•

Mission-and-Ministry Training: Evangelism Training;
Catechetical Training; Discipleship Training; Ethnic
Ministry Training; Clinical Pastoral Education (formerly
under Life Enrichment); Church Worker Professional
Development
2019 Convention Workbook