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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 271

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

Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters
sist in identifying the specific goals for the Office of National Mission.
Policies determined by the board (implemented by staff) may include
but not be limited to:
• strong national mission leadership
• Lutheran school ministries and accreditation
• human care and domestic mercy efforts
• stewardship
• evangelism
• church planting and revitalization
• youth ministry
3.8.2.1 The Board for National Mission shall have oversight of the
implementation of policies adopted by the board and implemented by
the Office of National Mission for the coordination of and in support of
district ministries which support that are directed toward the ministry
functions of the national office and district ministries that are directed
toward the ministries of congregations and schools. The board shall be
under the ecclesiastical supervision of the President of the Synod regarding doctrine and administration consistent with the President’s responsibility under Constitution Art. XI B 1–4 (also Art. XI B 7; Bylaws
3.3.1.1–3.3.1.3) between conventions of the Synod and ultimately shall
be responsible to the Synod in convention (Art. XI A 1–2).

(B) Office of National Mission
Rationale

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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.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

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 National Mission
3.8.2.3 The Office of National Mission, implements the policies
of which relates to the Board for National Mission and implements its
policies under the supervision of the Chief Mission Officer and shall
be 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

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

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.

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

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

(C) Office of International Mission
Rationale

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

President
Responsibilities and Duties—Ecclesiastical and Administrative
3.3.1.3 The President shall have responsibilities and duties that are
both ecclesiastical and administrative. …

2013 Convention Workbook