LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 181

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responsible to the President of the Synod through the
Chief Mission Officer shall be responsible for domestic ministries that especially serve congregations and
schools through the districts of the Synod. Such district ministries may include but not be limited to:
• Lutheran school ministries and accreditation
• human care and domestic mercy efforts
• stewardship
• evangelism
• church planting and revitalization
• youth ministry
(C) Office of International Mission
Rationale
Here also the current bylaw terminology (“relates to”) is unclear,
as are the roles of the President and Chief Mission Officer of the
Synod. Removing unclear terminology and incorporating additional wording regarding the responsibility of the Chief Mission
Officer provides necessary clarity.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Office of International Mission
3.8.3.3
The Office of International Mission, implements the
policies of which relates to the Board for International Mission and implements its policies, under
the supervision of the Chief Mission Officer shall be
responsible to the President of the Synod through the
Chief Mission Officer and shall be responsible for the
work of the Synod in foreign countries. Such responsibilities may include but not be limited to:
• placement and support of foreign missionaries
• establishment and maintenance of international
schools
• coordination of international relief efforts
• policy recommendations to the Board for International Mission
• support and encouragement of international partner churches in conjunction with the Office of the
President
(D) Duties of Chief Mission Officer
Rationale
The current wording of Bylaw 3.4.3.1, which speaks of the Chief
Mission Officer along with others serving as staff resources, is confusing regarding his role. Removing the reference to “executive
directors (if any) who report to the Chief Mission Officer” will help
to clarify his responsibility to the mission boards.
In addition, the current wording of Bylaw 3.4.3.4, which speaks
of the Chief Mission Officer meeting with “chief executives” of
the commissions and synodwide corporate entities inaccurately
suggests the top staff position of a commission is titled a “chief
executive.” That person holds the title of “executive director.” The
change recommended below will correct this reference.
R e s olu t i on s

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Chief Mission Officer
3.4.3.1 The Chief Mission Officer shall provide and executive
directors (if any) who report to the Chief Mission Officer
shall serve as staff and other resource(s) to the Board for
National Mission and the Board for International Mission.
…
3.4.3.4 The Chief Mission Officer shall meet regularly with the
chief executives executive directors of the commissions (if
any) and the chief executives of synodwide corporate entities as the liaison for and at the direction of the President
of the Synod. He shall work together closely with the Chief
Financial Officer and the Chief Administrative Officer in
carrying out the programmatic, administrative, and financial functions of the national Synod.
(E) Fund-Raising Activities/Fund Allocation
Rationale
Current bylaws are contradictory regarding supervisory responsibilities for the fund-raising activities of the Synod. Bylaw 3.4.3.6
reads: “The Chief Mission Officer shall, on behalf of the President,
supervise fund-raising activity of the national office according to
policies established by the Board of Directors of the Synod.” Bylaw
3.3.1.3 (f) (2), on the other hand, currently reads: “[Through the
Chief Mission Officer, the President shall] coordinate and supervise all fund-raising and planned giving activity by the national
Synod and its agencies.” The following proposed deletion of a major
portion of Bylaw 3.3.1.3 (f) will remove the existing contradictions
and allow current Bylaws 3.4.3.6, 3.4.3.7, and 3.4.3.8 to govern the
role of the Chief Mission Officer in the areas currently addressed
by Bylaw 3.3.1.3 (f).
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
President
Responsibilities and Duties—Ecclesiastical and Administrative
3.3.1.3
The President shall have responsibilities and duties
that are both ecclesiastical and administrative.
…
(f) As ecclesiastical supervisor, he shall provide leadership to all officers, agencies, and national office staff
of the Synod. Through the Chief Mission Officer, he
shall supervise the duties listed in Bylaws 3.4.3–
3.4.3.8.
(1) coordinate the content of communications,
public relations, and news and information
provided by the Synod.;
(2) oversee and coordinate (consulting with
the Board of Directors of the Synod when
necessary) and supervise all fund-raising and
planned giving activity by the national Synod
and its agencies.; and
(3) serve the Synod by providing leadership,
coordination, and oversight for pre-seminary
2 0 1 3 C o n v e n t io n P r o c e e d i n g s

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