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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 32

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

post of Regional Business Manager soon followed into vacancy.
The region had just recently been reconnected into one after
having been divided into two separate regions, and there were
fields that had been without a visit from regional leadership for
many years. And at that time, our headquarters was in an aging
building in Hong Kong, one of the most expensive places in the
world to live and work, especially for expatriates.
Now as this convention begins, the Asia Region has a regional director (RD), who was recruited originally to be a frontline missionary in this particular region, and an experienced
Regional Business Manager, who previously served in another
LCMS international region. Every field in Asia has been visited at least once by the RD, who is engaged in listening and
collaborative strategic planning. Every worker in the region is
thankful for the selfless service of Rev. John Fale, who served as
the Interim Asia Regional Director during the vacancy (in addition to his duties as OIM Executive Director), and Mr. Kendall
Cortright, who served as the interim Asia Regional Business
Manager. Only God knows what would have happened without
these two faithful men stepping in when they were most needed.
In addition to the new regional leadership, the LCMS Asia
Region headquarters relocated to Taiwan. This move was partly
the result of decisions made and encouragement offered by the
LCMS Board of Directors in their ongoing work of ensuring
the best stewardship of Synod resources. Taiwan is strategically
located, has a much lower overall cost of living, and the facility
made available to us by the China Evangelical Lutheran Church
(CELC) was unutilized. The CELC allows us the rent-free exclusive use of the top three floors of the five-story building,
which gives us space for multiple theological education classrooms, offices, and theological library, temporary housing for
visitors and students, and living space for several large LCMS
families. The lower two floors are to be rented out by the CELC
for local businesses and residences, providing us direct interaction with our Chinese-speaking community in southern Taiwan.
Despite the relocation of the LCMS Asia corporate presence to Taiwan, we continue to be engaged with our church partner in Hong Kong, The Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod,
primarily in theological education. We enjoy a wonderfully rich
partnership in particular at Concordia Theological Seminary
Hong Kong, and with the Hong Kong Synod’s Lutheran School
for the Deaf. In fact, we currently still have more personnel living and working in the Hong Kong area than anywhere else in
Asia, even after our headquarters moved to Taiwan.
While theological education continues to be the main emphasis of work in the Asia region, we have great hopes for the
expansion and focusing of Mercy efforts made in close proximity to Word and Sacrament (Mission Priority 3). Recently, Asia
appointed an experienced missionary to the position of Mercy
Manager for Asia, which had been lacking in recent years. This
trusted colleague has the responsibility to not only monitor the
mercy work of OIM Asia (often done through the Concordia
Welfare and Education Foundation) but also to watch for further opportunities to show mercy in Asia where it can be connected to the Means of Grace and to Lutheran Churches.
This past triennium has also seen a renewed focus on the
Synod’s three international schools, all of which are located in
the Asia region. This is a living out of Mission Priority 6, and a
desire to ensure that these schools are continually operating in
ways consistent with our Lutheran identity and confession. Be2019 Convention Workbook

hind the leadership of the Synod’s CMO, LCMS Asia seeks to
strengthen the relationship between the schools and the Synod,
which owns them.
What will the LCMS Asia region look like when this triennium concludes? Only our Lord knows, but He continues to
work through His chosen Means of Grace as He has promised.
He continues to see us through tumultuous changes; gives us
strength to stay steadfast as some partner churches are departing from His Word and His teaching; provides wisdom to adapt
as key positions for missionary care and support cannot find
funding in the Network Supported Model; and grants patience
to teach as well-meaning organizations send funds and personnel into situations where they cause conflict and strife.
Come what may, we will remain faithful to the Word of
God and to proclaiming it in its truth and purity, and to the Sacraments rightly distributed. We will continue to take the long
view and recognize that our mission work will take place over
many years—even generations—knowing that we might not see
desired fruit in our lifetimes. We will continue to respect our
church partners, while working to decrease their dependency
upon us for material and finances. In short, we will be Lutheran,
for that means Christ is at the center of everything we do and
everything we are.

Ministry to the Armed Forces—Chaplain Craig
G. Muehler CAPT, CHC, USN, (Ret.), Director
The greatest blessing is that God has sent us faithful pastors to serve as military chaplains during these most challenging
times, both culturally and on religious freedom. During a time
when many denominations are having a difficult challenge getting qualified pastors to serve in the military as chaplains, the
LCMS has been blessed! We have several who have answered
the call to serve the men and women of our armed forces by
bringing them Word and Sacrament ministry and showing the
compassion and mercy of Jesus Christ to those whom they are
“called to serve.” Yet we still need more! If not us, then who?
Your Ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF) chaplains voluntarily go into harm’s way, serving in physically dangerous and austere conditions to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in season
and out of season to their flock of military personnel and their
families. These chaplains truly are shepherds who live, train, eat,
and suffer with their flock. What a blessing God has given to
His Church for faithful pastors who serve as faithful chaplains
in bringing the love of God in Jesus in everything they do! We
ask all to continue to pray for our chaplains and their families
and all who serve our nation selflessly and voluntarily.
We will need to continue to receive good pastors to serve in
the military to replace those who are retiring. We need to be present with chaplains who will preach the Gospel in its truth and
purity to those men and women who are sacrificing so much to
defend our way of life. Currently, we have 59 active-duty LCMS
military chaplains. Another 95 chaplains serve in the Reserve,
National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and Coast Guard auxiliary.
We also support two Directors of Religious Education (DREs).
Your MAF continues to support them with prayers, pastoral
care, Lutheran continuing education, religious liberty, and supplies for Lutheran worship and catechesis. We also coordinate
with the Department of Defense to ensure your chaplains remain endorsed properly and in good standing with the LCMS