LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 8

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8

SYNOD REPORTS

Res. 1-11. To Urge the Prompt Appointment of an Individual for Strategic
Development of Hispanic Ministries

The 2010 convention affirmed the need for faithful and effective
outreach to Hispanic people and the need for strategic development
of Hispanic ministries. Rev. Carlos Hernandez was appointed in July
2011 to serve in this capacity. That work will expand in the future with
additional staff focused on Hispanic ministry. Rev. Hernandez continues to work with Rev. Bart Day, executive director of the ONM,
to incorporate Hispanic ministry efforts in ethnic ministry outreach
efforts in rural, suburban, and urban areas of the country.
Res. 1-12. To Ensure Solid Lutheran Theological Training for Missionaries

The Board for International Mission (BIM) drafted policies (still
pending review by the CCM) to be implemented by the Office of
International Mission (OIM) that
1.
2.
3.

encourage strong missional leadership;
assure that missionaries will have adequate theological understanding and missional vision consistent with LCMS theology; and
will result in the establishment of appropriate levels of ongoing training, goal-setting, and sharing of the unifying vision.

These policies serve to ensure that LCMS missionaries have a
solid Lutheran theological foundation for proclaiming the Gospel.
OIM, in accord with the BIM policies advocating strong missional
leadership, adequate theological understanding and mission vision,
and ongoing training, has begun a process to implement theological
integrity that includes
1. theological interviews for every career missionary applicant;
2. a two-week orientation that reviews basic doctrines of Lutheran
theology;
3. establishing of a visitation process for field staff to provide pastoral
care and to evaluate ongoing need for continuing education;
4. at least annual regional field retreats for OIM missionary staff to provide spiritual care and ongoing theological engagement;
5. intentional theological engagement at top OIM leadership quarterly
gatherings via biblical and confessional studies, while also engaging
the latest missiological research;
6. integration of Witness, Mercy, Life Together into regional strategies;
and
7. a required MDiv or higher for all ordained career missionaries because
of the complexities of false theologies in the field. Career missionaries
also are encouraged to seek continuing education and other professional studies such as a PhD in missiology.
Res. 2-01. To Continue to Support Children’s Ministry, Family Ministry,
School Ministry, Singles Ministry, Stewardship Ministry, and Youth
Ministry

The 2010 convention recognized the importance of supporting
these ministries at the national level for the future growth of Christ’s
Church. Rev. Bart Day began his service as executive director of
ONM in June 2011 to oversee these important ministry areas. ONM
has begun to structure much of their work around three foci: rural/
small town, suburban, and urban/inner city. These three different types
of communities are used to understand, plan, and develop networks,
resources, and ministry efforts for children, family, school, singles,
stewardship, and youth ministries. Youth ministry has been expanded
to include outreach and support to young adults who are in college,
employed, military service, or seeking opportunities. The area of
stewardship was served in ONM by Rev. Wayne Knolhoff until he
moved to other opportunities in 2012. Currently, Rev. Day is seeking candidates to fill the position of Director of Stewardship in order
to advance and expand this ministry. School ministry continues to be
a very strong and active program and ONM is most grateful for the
exemplary service of Mr. Bill Cochran, who will be retiring in 2013
after a long and distinguished career as LCMS teacher, principal, and
2013 Convention Workbook

Executive Director of Schools. Candidates for this position are currently being considered.
Res. 3-03. To Cooperate in Externals with Theological Integrity

The Praesidium, in consultation with the CTCR, was asked to provide an assessment of the current state of “cooperation in externals”
and criteria for the ongoing assessment of the same. In December
2010, the CTCR prepared an excellent document, Principles for
Cooperation in Externals with Theological Integrity. In June 2011,
the Praesidium unanimously voted to endorse this document and
instructed all those charged with evaluating recognized service
organizations of the Synod as well as those involved in cooperative
endeavors with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
to use these criteria and guidelines in their ongoing work to evaluate
on the basis of Scripture and the Confessions whether or not a particular venture can be undertaken or sustained.
Res. 3-04A. To Amend Bylaw 3.9.6.2.2 re Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with
Small, Formative, or Emerging Confessional Churches

During this triennium, Bylaw 3.9.6.2.2 © was exercised two times:
1. President Harrison declared fellowship with the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELC) in December 2010.
2. President Harrison declared fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia (ELCL) in April 2012.

Additional detail on these can be found elsewhere in this report
as well as in the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
report.
Several other churches have requested fellowship with the
Missouri Synod and, where appropriate, the use of Bylaw 3.9.6.2.2
(c) will be helpful in the future. This bylaw streamlining the church
fellowship process for emerging churches is very helpful in establishing a positive presence in global Lutheranism.
Res. 4-08. To Improve Procedure for Establishing Synod Convention Times
and Locations

Study of future convention dates is underway and, once dates are
identified, the Board of Directors of the Synod will be engaged to
establish future sites of Synod conventions (Bylaw 3.1.9 [j]).
Res. 6-02A. To Be a Light for Life

Maggie Karner, Director of Health and Life Ministries of the
Office of National Mission, has continued to be the “Light for Life”
for the LCMS. Through her programs, resources, and advocacy
efforts, she continues to serve as a spokeswoman on life issues. Over
the past several years, Mrs. Karner has spoken on panels and programs
as a representative of the LCMS and a pro-life advocate. Ongoing
support to the LCMS Sanctity of Human Life Committee, annual
participation in the January March for Life in Washington DC, along
with hosting the January 2013 Life Conference are just some of the
work done to equip and encourage more LCMS members to become
involved in pro-life activities, advocacy, and service.
Res. 6-07A. To Support Efforts to End Human Trafficking/Slavery

In 2012, a letter was sent to Ury Fedotov, executive director of the
United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, to continue and increase
efforts to end human trafficking/slavery. In partnership with Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS), resources to pastors and
congregations have been developed and made available online. A
Bible study on ending human trafficking is now available, as well as
information to encourage advocacy in support of ending this horrible reality for so many.