# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S247 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 247 e. It shall develop, sponsor, and coordinate continuing edu- cational and vocational growth and personal well-being initia- tives among the entities of the Synod whose work impacts the church’s workers and their families. f. It shall seek grants and maintain funds from outside sources for the support of its objectives when it deems neces- sary to do so. Resolved, That the Synod in convention adopt the revised By- laws as presented above to replace the current Bylaws of the Hand- book and authorize the Secretary of the Synod to bring other parts of the synodical Handbook into conformity with these revisions, as needed. Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support 7-29 To Revise Bylaws re Board for Mission Services WHEREAS, The Synod in convention is considering the matter of anewly revised Handbook; and Whereas, This has given also the Board for Mission Services the opportunity to review and revise the paragraphs which govern and guide its worldwide mission works; and WHEREAS, The revisions submitted herewith (paragraphs 3.7.6 through 3.7.6.3) will enable the Board for Mission Services to ex- ercise proper care and use of its personnel and resources for mis- sion; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the Synod adopt the pro- posed wording for 3.7.6 through 3.7.6.3 for inclusion in the new 2001 edition of the Handbook. PROPOSED WORDING Board for Mission Services 3.7.6 The Board for Mission Services is the mission agency of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and exists to extend Gospel witness into all the world by involving congregations and their members in opportunities to give bold witness by word and deed to the love and work of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Article III 2). 3.7.6.1 The Board for Mission Services shall consist of nine members, who shall be elected by the national convention of the Synod: four ordained ministers, one commissioned minister, four laypersons. The Board of Regents of each seminary and each of the recognized auxiliaries shall be entitled to designate one representative to serve as an advisory member of the Board for Mission Services. 3.7.6.2 The Board for Mission Services shall formulate, rec- ommend, review, and supervise the mission policies and plans of the Synod and provide for an aggressive and united mission effort. (a) It shall recommend and monitor budgets and review or- ganizational effectiveness. (b) It shall have a concern for mission and ministry among minorities, among sensory impaired people, and on campuses. (c) It shall provide ministry for all of the Synod’s military personnel, dependents of military personnel overseas, civilians and their dependents overseas, and patients of Veterans Affairs hospitals. (d) It shall maintain liaison and cooperation with assigned auxiliary agencies, recognized service organizations, and other organizations involved in mission work. 3.7.6.3 The Board for Mission Services shall serve as the only sending agency through which workers and funds are sent to the mission areas of the Synod, even though programs are supported by Districts or other entities. (a) It shall recruit, call, appoint, prepare, assign, withdraw, and release ordained and commissioned ministers and other workers for the ministries and areas within its direct responsi- bility. It shall collaborale with Synod’s Department of Human Resources to develop and administer personnel policies for all missionary personnel. (b) It shall counsel with District mission boards and other agencies and national churches to plan and implement programs of evangelistic outreach and Christian nurture that make re- sponsible use of the personnel and financial resources God has given to the Synod. (c) It shall serve as the organization through which ordained and commissioned ministers are called into missionary service by assigned auxiliary agencies, recognized service organiza- tions, and other entities involved in mission work. (d) It shall function as a recruitment, liaison, and endorse- ment agency with the various governmental units involved in the armed forces and Department of Veterans Affairs and be- tween these units and the Synod’s chaplains and directors of re- ligious education. Board for Mission Services 7-30 To Combine COO and CTCR Rationale Since July 1, 1993, under an “operating agreement” between the CTCR and the Commission on Organizations (COO), Dr. Jerald C. Joersz has been providing staff services for the COO. In light of budgetary considerations discussed in consultation with the Board of Directors, it has been recommended that the COO be discontin- ued as a separately functioning commission and that its functions be carried out by the CTCR. The Commission on Structure has rec- ommended that the Bylaws presently pertaining to the CTCR and the COO be combined to reflect this change. Following earlier ap- proval of the COO, the commission at its February 2001 meeting adopted for submission to the 2001 synodical convention proposed Bylaws combining the functions of the two commissions, as fol- lows. Resolved, That the following Bylaw paragraphs be approved by the 2001 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and incorporated into the Handbook by the Secretary of the Synod: The Commission on Theology and Church Relations exists to assist the President of the Synod in matters of church relationships and to assist congregations in achieving the objectives of Art. III, 1 and 6, of the Constitution of the Synod. The Commission on Theology and Church Relations shall con- sist of 16 voting and 4 advisory members, to be selected as follows: 1. The synodical convention shall elect two ordained ministers who are parish pastors, one commissioned minister who is a parish teacher, and two laypersons. 2. The Council of Presidents shall elect by ballot two ordained min- isters (one of whom shall be a District President) and two laypersons. 3. The St. Louis and Fort Wayne theological faculties shall each appoint or elect two members of its faculty. . The President of the Synod, tn consultation with the Vice-Presi- dents, shall appoint two additional members. . The President shall appoint a member from the faculties of the synodical colleges. . The President and the First Vice-President of the Synod shall be advisory members. 7. The Presidents of the St. Louis and Fort Wayne seminaries shall be advisory members. (a) Vacancies that occur in the positions that were filled by ap- pointment shall be filled by the same appointing body. (b) In the case of vacancies that occur in positions that were filled by election of a national synodical convention, the ap- pointing body shall be the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and they shall follow the nominating procedures as outlined in the Bylaws of the Synod for synodically elected boards or commissions. The commission shall assist the President at his request in dis- charging his constitutional responsibilities for maintaining doctrinal unity within the Synod and doctrinal integrity as he relates to other church bodies. Rn Nn 2001 Convention Workbook