LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 124

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2. INTERNATIONAL WITNESS
term mission efforts, … the definition of ‘short-term
mission’ necessarily becoming mission activity other than
what is specifically addressed by Bylaw 3.8.3. Districts and
congregations engaged in mission projects are therefore
encouraged to communicate their international mission
activities to appropriate Synod entities ‘for the purposes of
healthy coordination and good stewardship’ (2013 Res. 108)” (CCM Op. 15-2771, “Follow-Up Questions Regarding
CCM Opinion 14-2724”); and
WHEREAS, Prior to the above-mentioned clarification, the
Synod had not adequately communicated a proper
separation between Bylaw 3.8.3 and the implementation of
short-term mission activities; and
WHEREAS, To date, the “LCMS Best Practices in ShortTerm Mission” document, rather than clarifying the
position of the Synod in regard to short-term mission
activities, has instead created confusion; and
WHEREAS, The Office of International Mission’s (OIM)
intention and desire are to encourage short-term mission
activities that harmonize with what we believe, teach, and
confess; and
WHEREAS, The OIM’s intention and desire are also to
provide preventative measures and solutions for problems
that may be faced by those who are engaged in such shortterm mission activities; and
WHEREAS, The OIM’s intention and desire are also to
provide assistance to safeguard the rights of partner
churches for those who are engaged in such short-term
mission activities; and
WHEREAS, The OIM’s intention and desire are also
steadfastly to avoid a “gatekeeping” or “supervisory” role
over those engaged in such short-term mission activities,
but rather to provide, to the extent made possible by all
available resources, a framework for fruitful collaboration
and coordination with those engaged in such short-term
mission activities; and
WHEREAS, Perceptions persist that the “Best Practices”
document and CCM Op. 14-2724, “Synod as the ‘Only
Sending Agency’—Bylaw 3.8.3,” discourage short-term
mission activities and do not adequately represent the
OIM’s aforementioned intentions and desires, to encourage
short-term mission activities; and
WHEREAS, It is apparent that clarifications should be
made to the “Best Practices” document that would benefit
all involved in short-term mission activities; therefore be it
Resolved, That the “Best Practices” document be referred
to the Board for International Mission and the OIM for
review and revision with the intent of making it clear that
short-term mission activities are encouraged; and be it
further
Resolved, That the revised document be made available
on the Synod website by the end of 2019; and be it finally

124 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION

Resolved, That we give thanks for the great interest that
members of our Synod have expressed for short-term
mission activities.
Action: Adopted (8)
Res. 2-06, “To Encourage Support of Short-Term International
Mission Activities” (TB, 1:57–58), was read and introduced by
the committee, with prefatory remarks by the Rev. Daniel
McMiller, executive director of the Office of International
Mission. McMiller pointed out that this resolution does not deal
with Bylaw 3.8.3, with the sending of career missionaries or
funds overseas—only with short-term mission initiatives. He
begged forgiveness for confusion that has arisen from an “illworded” best practices document that “implied a desire to
control or diminish congregational short-term mission
activities.” Noting that a thorough revision is underway,
McMiller continued: “We want to support and expand the fruits
of congregation-sponsored short-term missions. LCMS history
has shown that when we work closely and intentionally with
partner churches and our in-country career missionaries, great
things happen on the global mission field. On the other hand,
when we fail to respect the rights and concerns of our partner
churches, to keep a keen eye on rapidly changing circumstances
in the field, to heed the divine call that came through you to our
career missionaries, to hold up our congregations as plainly
visible partners in the work of the kingdom beyond our borders,
or to share critical information with one another that keeps
people on the field safe and secure, well, then, the devil loves to
stir up divisions, and chaos unbefitting the bride of Christ.” He
noted he and his co-workers “stand ready to support” those
seeking to send short-term mission teams, making introductions
to career missionaries and overseas church partners who “will
live with your work long after you return home.” “The Church is
at her best as a people walking in unity of confession and
harmony of practice. This is our mission: to make Christ known
to the world.”
After discussion, it was moved and seconded to close debate; this
succeeded [Yes: 753; No: 21]; Res. 2-06 was adopted [Yes: 791;
No: 18].

To Strengthen and Encourage
the Partnership of our Congregations
in International Mission through
the Board for International Mission
RESOLUTION 2-07
Overtures 2-01, 2-03–11, 4-20 (CW, 392–99, 420–21)

WHEREAS, The International Witness floor committee
has carefully considered the issues and concerns stated in
the above referenced overtures; and
WHEREAS, One of the central objectives of congregations
in coming together as Synod is to give bold witness to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed; and
Resolutions