LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 146

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Whereas, These submissions have given special focus to ministering to families, people of different nations, and people of
different races; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention reaffirm the threefold emphasis of “Witness, Mercy, Life Together,” including the
following six priorities:
• Plant, sustain, and revitalize Lutheran churches
• Support and expand theological education
• Perform human care in close proximity to Word and
Sacrament ministries
• Collaborate with the Synod’s members and partners to
enhance mission effectiveness
• Promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, financial, and physical well-being of pastors and professional
church workers
• Enhance early childhood education, elementary and
secondary education, and youth ministry
and be it further
Resolved, That a seventh priority be established:
• Strengthen and support the Lutheran family in living
out God’s design
and be it finally
Resolved, That special focus be given toward
• Ministry to and with people of all nations and races
• Preaching and Bible study
• Visitation
Action: Adopted (9)
(With no objection to proceeding directly to the vote, Res.
4-02A was adopted as presented [Yes: 859; No: 21].)

To Convene Task Force to Review Recognized
Service Organization Program and Bylaws
RESOLUTION 4-03B
Overture 4-03 (CW, pp. 329–330)
Whereas, The Synod has a lengthy history of recognizing the
contributions made by service organizations as they fulfill the call
to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31); and
Whereas, There are currently more than 300 recognized
service organizations in the program, including social service agencies, mission societies, camps, and schools; and
Whereas, The granting of recognized service organization
(RSO) status by the Synod signifies that a service organization,
“while independent of the Synod, fosters the mission and ministry of the church, engages in program activity that is in harmony
with the programs of the boards of the Synod, and respects and
does not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of the Synod”
(Bylaw 6.2.1); and
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U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

Whereas, The needs of the Synod, the work of social service
agencies, and the regulation and oversight by governmental agencies have all changed significantly over the 30-plus years of the
program; and
Whereas, Concerns have been raised over the years by various constituencies within the LCMS, including program leadership
and the Board of Directors, as to the objectives of the program and
the current policies and procedures associated with the administration of the program; and
Whereas, Current state and federal laws may negatively impact
an RSO’s ability to “not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of
the Synod,” recent same-sex marriage rulings having serious implications for programs and services of RSOs especially in the areas
of foster care, adoption, aging, and housing; and
Whereas, The LCMS desires and encourages its RSOs to live
out their Lutheran identity in the services and programs they provide; and
Whereas, The RSO program is intended to benefit the church
by contributing to its effectiveness in witness, mercy, and life
together; and
Whereas, A thorough review of the RSO program was conducted in 2006–2007 by Synod staff, which brought revision and
improvement to the Synod process of recognition of RSOs; and
Whereas, A review of the needs of the Synod, including the
work of social service agencies; mission societies and other entities
granted recognition status; the impact of government regulations
and oversight; and a review of mutual benefits to the Synod and
RSOs should be undertaken; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention authorize the formation of a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) Task Force that
is charged with the following responsibilities:
•	
Review and report on the original purpose and intent of
the RSO program and its predecessors.
• Determine the needs of and benefits to the Synod with
respect to the RSO program and identify the best model
for the Synod to engage with organizations which foster
the mission and ministry of the church and who engage
in programs that are in harmony with the programs of
the Synod.
• Recommend changes to the RSO program, and/or the
elimination of the program, and/or replacement of the
current RSO program with a new relationship model
that provides benefit to the Synod and the social service
agency, and/or develop and recommend other solutions.
•	Recommend appropriate changes to the LCMS Bylaws,
as needed.
• Ensure that all recommendations maintain the important relationships with the agencies that are recognized
by the LCMS, foster the mission and ministry of the
church, engage in program activity that is in harmony
with programs of the Synod, and respect and not act
contrary to the doctrine and practice of the Synod.

“4. Life Together”