Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2016 · 66th Convention, Milwaukee › Page 315
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 315

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

FLOOR COMMITTEE REPORTS AND OVERTURES ASSIGNMENTS

2. International Witness
REPORTS
R1, R1.1, R1.2, R1.3, R1.4, R7, R14, R54, R55, R56,
R57, R58, R59
OVERTURES
2-01

To Maintain Proper Balance in Foreign Missions
between Congregations’ Right of Self-Governance
and Commitment to Walk Together
Whereas, God’s Word speaks to the responsibility of all
Christians to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20) and
is replete with examples of individuals and congregations directly caring for the needs of missionaries and foreign mission fields (Romans
15:25–29; 1 Corinthians 16:1–14; 2 Corinthians 8:1–9:15; Philippians
2:19–30; 4:10–20; etc.); and
Whereas, Article VII of the LCMS Constitution states that in
relation to its members, the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to
the individual congregation’s right of self-government it is but an
advisory body; and
Whereas, Article XIV of the Constitution states that the Synod in
convention may adopt bylaws that are consistent with and do not contradict the Constitution of the Synod, which controls and supersedes
such bylaws and all other rules and regulations of the Synod; and
Whereas, The purpose of Synod is for congregations to join
together in ministry (Bylaw 1.1.1):
1.1.1 Committed to a common confession and mission, congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod join with one another
in the Synod to support one another and to work together in carrying out
their commonly adopted objectives. The Synod is organized to work in
support of and on behalf of congregations to assist them in carrying out
their ministries as they seek to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, the members
of His body, and the world which stands in need of the Word and the
impact of His redeeming love.
(a) The Synod functions in support of its member congregations by providing assistance as congregations conduct their ministries locally,
as well as their ministries at large.
(b) The Synod on behalf of its member congregations administers those
ministries that can be accomplished more effectively in association
with other member congregations through the Synod. In this way
member congregations utilize the Synod to assist them in carrying
out their functions of worship, witness, teaching and nurture, service, and support.

and
Whereas, There has been conflict between congregations’ individual mission work and the work of the Synod as a joint body; and
Whereas, 2010 Res. 8-32B encourages the Synod to study Article
VII of the Constitution, including study of “Congregations and Synod,
Background Material on the Advisory Nature of the LCMS,” along
with opinions of the Commission on Constitutional Matters related
to this topic; and
Whereas, CCM Opinion 09-2573 states in part that “there is a
common understanding that a congregation exercises its self-government…in carrying out…its own ministry programs and financial
affairs…”; and
315

Whereas, Bylaw 3.8.3 states in part, “Upon the recommendation of the Office of International Mission, the board shall serve as
the only sending agency through which workers and funds are sent to
the foreign mission areas of the Synod, including the calling, appointing, assigning, withdrawing, and releasing of missionaries (ministers
of religion—ordained and ministers of religion—commissioned) and
other workers for the ministries in foreign areas”; and
Whereas, CCM Opinion 14-2724 states in part, “Congregations
may not send funds to mission societies and non-Synod entities for
work in foreign areas without taking into consideration policies developed and determined for this purpose by the Board of International
Mission as the only sending agency”; and
Whereas, It is desirable to maintain the right of local congregations to engage in mission activity while at the same time working to
ensure that the work of the Synod goes on in good order and without
conflict; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Northern Illinois District request the Synod’s
Commission on Handbook to review Bylaw 3.8.3 and relevant bylaws
and then make the necessary recommendations to amend the bylaws
to maintain the proper balance between the congregations’ right of
self-governance and our commitment to walk together in foreign mission work; and be it further
Resolved, That the Board for International Mission be requested
to publish as quickly as possible the policies referenced in CCM
Opinion 14-2724 (“without taking into consideration policies developed and determined for this purpose by the Board for International
Mission”); and be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook report its recommendations to the 2016 LCMS convention for action to be taken by
the convention.
Northern Illinois District
2-02

To Encourage Proper Balance in Foreign Missions
between Congregations’ Right of Self-Governance
and Commitment to Walk Together
Whereas, God’s Word speaks to the responsibility of all
Christians to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18−20) and is
replete with examples of individuals and congregations directly caring for the needs of missionaries and foreign mission fields (Romans
15:25−29; 1 Cor. 16:1−14; 2 Cor. 8:1−9:15; Phil. 2:19−30; 4:10−20;
etc.); and
Whereas, Constitution Art. VII 1 states that “in its relation to its
members the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising
legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation’s right of self-government is but an advisory body”; and
Whereas, Article XIV states that “the Synod in convention
may adopt bylaws that are consistent with and do not contradict the
Constitution of the Synod, which controls and supersedes such bylaws
and all other rules and regulations of the Synod”; and
Whereas, The purpose of the Synod is for congregations to join
together in ministry, as Bylaw 1.1.1 states:
1.1.1 Committed to a common confession and mission, congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod join with one another
in the Synod to support one another and to work together in carrying out
their commonly adopted objectives. The Synod is organized to work in
support of and on behalf of congregations to assist them in carrying out
their ministries as they seek to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, the members

2016 Convention Workbook