# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S267
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

INTERNATIONAL WITNESS
Synod bylaw amendments) in the Convention Workbook of the
2026 Synod convention.
Board for International Mission
Ov. 2-04

To Provide Resources to Assist Consideration
of Requests to Support Mission Work
WHEREAS, The Synod’s church workers, congregations,
congregation members, districts, universities and seminaries,
auxiliaries, recognized service organizations (RSO), and synodwide
corporate entities are not infrequently approached by organizations
or individuals requesting consideration for support—in the form of
financial contributions, materials, or manpower (volunteer or
otherwise)—for various mission initiatives, objectives, and actions
located both in the U.S. and around the globe; and
WHEREAS, Many organizations or individuals requesting such
support have little or no discernable connection or coordination
with the Synod’s confessional and scriptural standards, Synod
mission objectives, emphases and priorities or Synod boards,
committees, and staff who have been assigned and authorized by
the Synod to carry out same or similar mission initiatives,
objectives, and actions (i.e., to cite only one example, the
assignments and responsibilities given to the Synod’s mission
boards and offices under Bylaw Section 3.8); and
WHEREAS, Synod church workers, congregations and
congregation members, districts, universities and seminaries,
auxiliaries, RSOs, and synodwide corporate entities who receive
requests for such support sincerely desire to expand the church’s
mission and ministry of the Gospel in a manner that: (1) expresses
excellent stewardship of the abundant resources that God graciously
provides for such worthy endeavors; (2) reflects a continuing
determination to walk together as a Synod in unity of confession,
purpose, and action; and (3) demonstrates such unity in an
intentional, praiseworthy practice of communication, coordination,
cooperation, and collaboration (“4C’s”); and
WHEREAS, The Synod has already laid high expectations and
standards on her auxiliaries (i.e., Bylaws 6.1.1; 6.1.2.1 [c–d]; 6.1.3
[c, f–g]) and RSOs (i.e., Bylaws 6.2.1; 6.2.1 [b–e]) for the planning
and implementation of mission initiatives, programs and actions
that reflect such excellent stewardship, unity, and “4C” practices;
and
WHEREAS, Where such excellent stewardship, unity and “4C”
practices are lacking, the Synod’s church workers, congregations,
congregation members, districts, universities and seminaries,
auxiliaries, RSOs, and synodwide corporate entities may suffer
unintended confusion, disruptive developments, disappointing
outcomes and losses in the church’s joyful work and life together,
and protocols established with Synod’s global church partners may
be breached, resulting in unintended offense against such church
partners’ expectations regarding mutually-acknowledged rights and
work in fellowship with the Synod; and
WHEREAS, To cite a prior successful example of stewardship,
unity, and “4C” practices, a revised short-term mission “Best
Practices” document, developed and disseminated by the Office of
International Mission (OIM) in fulfillment of 2019 Resolution 2-06,
“To Encourage Support of Short-Term International Mission
Activities” has been well-used and much appreciated by the
Synod’s members; therefore be it

267

Resolved, That the Synod direct the OIM, working in
collaboration with the Office of National Mission (ONM) and
under established policies and oversight provided by the Synod’s
mission boards, to prepare practical resources to assist church
workers, congregations, congregation members, districts,
universities and seminaries, auxiliaries, RSOs, and synodwide
corporate entities who are approached by organizations or
individuals requesting consideration for support (i.e., in the
distribution of literature or other media, provision of opportunities
for presentations to individuals or groups, financial contributions,
materials or manpower, volunteer or otherwise) for mission
programs and initiatives, objectives, or actions, located either
overseas or in the U.S.; and be it further
Resolved, That in the preparation of these resources, the OIM
consider the development and dissemination of items such as
guidelines, frequently asked questions, survey questions, or other
assessment tools among other options; and be it further
Resolved, That once such resources are developed, the OIM,
working coordinatively with the ONM, LCMS Communications
and the Council of Presidents be tasked with the effective
publication and dissemination of the same to Synod church workers,
congregations, districts, universities and seminaries, auxiliaries,
RSOs, and synodwide corporate entities; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod direct districts and encourage church
workers, congregations, universities and seminaries, auxiliaries,
RSOs, and synodwide corporate entities to make full use of such
resources, once developed and subsequently disseminated under
this resolution.
Board for International Mission
Ov. 2-05

To Thank God for the Synod’s International
Schools and Pray for God’s Guidance in
Furthering Their Role in the Church’s Mission
WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus said to the disciples, “Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you …” (Matt. 28:19–20
AKJV); and
WHEREAS, The Synod in convention in 2016 resolved to
commend and support Synod’s international schools and their role
in the Church’s mission; and
WHEREAS, The Chief Mission Officer, The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS) Asia region, and the Board for
International Mission (BIM) in convention in 2019 reported that a
major objective this past triennium (extended to 2023) was to
strengthen the relationship between the international schools (all of
which are located in Asia) and the Synod, and encourage these
schools to be steadfast and thorough in a Lutheran Christian identity
and mission; and
WHEREAS, Hong Kong International School, Concordia
International School—Shanghai, and Concordia International
School—Hanoi have, in the extended past triennium, continued to
present the Synod with a multitude of mission opportunities; grown
as world-class, highly-respected educational institutions; and
endeavored in good faith to strengthen their work with Synod; all
done in the face of extraordinary constraints arising from the
COVID-19 pandemic during March 2020–February 2023; and
2023 Convention Workbook