LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 13

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
wide variety of LCMS-related personnel. In these thoroughly enjoyable (and countless, it seems) interviews, strong commitments were
consistently expressed to various aspects of the Synod’s six mission
priorities (see above). The primary responses to my question, “What
are the most important things about the LCMS that we should be sure
to preserve?” have been the following, in summary:
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Our Lutheran identity and unwavering stand on the Scriptures and
Confessions
Our mission to increase the proclamation of the Gospel and the
expanse of God’s kingdom

The primary responses to my question, “What are the top things
we need to change?” have been the following, in summary:
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•

•

Increased communication, transparency, and trust between individuals,
program areas, agencies, and entities within the LCMS structure—and
an accompanying consensus and awareness of what each member of
the body is doing for the sake of a harmonious, unified team effort
toward accomplishing our goals
Fewer significant organizational changes—inasmuch as this is feasible
in a highly dynamic mission context. Where stability can be emphasized, it would help to remedy the uncertainties and discontinuities
that inevitably arise, especially with the arrival of a new CMO and the
recent substantial increases in the number of missionaries working in
foreign mission fields
Improved stewardship of all resources—by carefully managing policies, procedures, and processes; addressing conflict; and uncovering
and eliminating inefficiencies and wasteful or contradictory duplication of efforts

I intend to continue advocacy and improvement of outstanding
leadership, well-coordinated interaction between and within our program areas and every constituent/stakeholder of the Synod around the
globe, and the effective implementation of the policies established by
the Boards for National and International Mission. The unit executives and teams under my supervision are a constant source of awe and
thanksgiving for the gifts and talents provided in and through them
by God. All are currently and intensively planning for FY17 budget
preparation and, in addition to their “typical” job responsibilities, are
providing responsive work support to various demands in the run-up
to this 2016 convention.

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Accomplishments over the Past Triennium 2013–16
The program areas of the Synod’s national office will synchronize strategic internal ministry capabilities and coordinate with the agencies,
auxiliaries, and recognized service organizations of the Synod in order
to enhance efforts and activities that make known the love of Christ
throughout the world.

The report below, in Executive Summaries (by program area) and
Detailed Reports and Commentary (by program area/ministry), summarizes our teams’ key accomplishments over the past triennium.
With respect to actions mandated under the Synod’s 2013 convention resolutions (pertinent references to these resolutions are provided
throughout the report below), please also see the comprehensive summary of work performed by program areas reporting to the CMO in
the most recent version of the 2013 Convention Resolution Update
Report (published September 2015) at www.lcms.org/convention.
Among other current projects and priorities, several additional
items of note have captured my attention and efforts in my first year
of service as CMO:
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Mercy Funding. There is a consensus among the Office of the
President, ONM, OIM MA, and COMM that a sharpened focus on
funding the Synod’s mercy efforts will serve to better address significant opportunities before us. MA and COMM are now working (in
concert with the mission offices) to develop and implement a more
well-coordinated, comprehensive, and sustained mercy funding strategy. For instance, this includes a resurrection of LCMS World Relief
and Human Care branding, supportive changes to the LCMS website,
and the use of other coordinated MA and COMM vehicles to facilitate

•

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the connection of donors with program and ministry opportunities, and
to offer corresponding services to and care of donors. The intended
result is an increased mercy impact on people’s lives.
Student Debt Task Force. Following detailed studies sponsored by the
St. Louis and Fort Wayne seminaries, this task force—including representatives from the seminaries and various synodwide corporate
entities and agencies—convened for the first time in September 2016
under the leadership of the CMO to address the burgeoning problem
of graduating seminarian (and other Synod church worker) educational
debt. After reviewing efforts to date, the task force brainstormed needs
for additional information and preliminary avenues for possible beneficial activity. Discussions with Concordia Plan Services, LCEF, and
other entities and organizations have taken place in an effort to better define the exact problem that the task force is attempting to attack,
as well as to identify potential key performance measures of progress
against the task force’s goal. The task force will convene again prior
to the Synod’s 2016 convention to review progress on “homework”
and set action items, with the goal of establishing measurable progress
toward solutions. This important work, responding in part to 2013 convention Res. 6-01A, will certainly continue into the next triennium.
PE Executive Director. We are pursuing a plan to fill the current
vacancy in the unit’s Executive Director position, including participation of and input from the seminary presidents. In conjunction with the
Synod’s human resources department, a questionnaire was developed
and sent to the seminary presidents for their feedback on expectations,
anticipated job duties, and candidate qualifications and desired skills.
Having received the seminary presidents’ valuable insights, a search
for qualified candidates is underway.
LCMS International Schools. Much “informal” background study has
been done in order to better understand the history, structure, mission, and ministry of the Synod’s international schools (Hong Kong,
Shanghai, Hanoi). The CMO and OIM Executive Director—both relatively new to their respective roles—will personally visit these “gems”
of our Asia mission field prior to the Synod’s 2016 convention for
ongoing introductory meetings. Our common purpose is to lay the
foundation for excellent future working relationships, coordination,
and collaboration (all under existing protocols specified in the schools’
Articles of Association and Operations Agreements), explore new mission opportunities, and provide strong advocacy for the schools here
in the US (e.g., through the recruitment and sending of well-qualified
faculty and administrative professionals).
Specific Ministry Pastor Program. Per 2013 convention Res. 5-03E
and 5-04B, “To Provide Procedure for Establishing Policies Governing
Specific Ministry Pastor Program” and “To Continue and Strengthen
Specific Ministry Pastor Program,” discussions to address issues in
the 2013 SMP program convention report have continued with designated representatives from both seminaries and appropriate input
has been provided to the task force appointed under 2013 convention
Res. 5-14A, “To Conduct Study of Alternate Routes to the Pastoral
Ministry.” The leadership, coordination, oversight, and continuous
improvement work of the standing SMP Committee established under
2013 Res. 5-03E will continue into the 2016–19 triennium.

Significant CMO Objectives over the Coming Triennium
2016–19
Dear 2016 convention floor committee and delegates, the following list of CMO objectives is meant to provide you with additional
background information and guidance as you deliberate and decide
on the important matters before you. This is “what’s on my mind,”
in wider perspective. For more specific objectives relating to our
program areas, see the report that follows, in both the Executive
Summaries and the Detailed Reports and Commentary.
These intentionally broad objectives, offered in service to and in
support of the mission and ministry of the Synod, have emerged as the
result of numerous observations, conversations, and planning efforts
in my months on the job to date. I am strongly convinced that any
2016 Convention Workbook