LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 124

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2. INTERNATIONAL WITNESS

To Promote and Collaborate with the Office of
International Mission
RESOLUTION 2-02A

• mercy initiatives, including international disaster
response, in close proximity to Word and Sacrament
ministry; and
• missionary recruitment;

Overture 2-01 (CW, 265)

and be it further

WHEREAS, The Office of International Mission (OIM)
carries out its work under the trifold framework of spreading
the Gospel, planting Lutheran churches, and showing mercy;
and

Resolved, That when districts consider support of foreign
mission work (i.e., through funding and human resources),
they give intentional priority to the work of OIM as a reflection
of our walk together; and be it further

WHEREAS, Since the 2019 convention, the Synod has been
blessed with pleasing progress and outcomes realized by OIM
in close collaboration with the Synod’s partner churches,
congregations and congregation members, contributors,
districts, universities and seminaries, auxiliaries, recognized
service organizations (RSOs), and synodwide corporate
entities, all working to advance key international mission
initiatives both ongoing and new; and

Resolved, That districts promote the work of OIM and
RSOs
working
internationally
through
district
communications and, when possible, with representation at
district conferences and events; and be it finally

WHEREAS, Such pleasing progress and outcomes with
respect to these key international mission initiatives have
been frequently recorded and joyously reported through
various Synod publications, such as the founding of regional
seminaries on three continents; establishment of ongoing
theological conferences worldwide; deaconess training in the
Latin America and the Caribbean and Eurasia regions; and
renewed church planting efforts through OIM in Romania,
Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, and Moldavia; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God and
commend and direct the Board for International Mission
(BIM) and OIM over the coming triennium to continue to
establish and refine policies, strategic and operational plans,
and budgets and further develop, expand, and strengthen
implementation of the Synod’s international mission work
inclusive of, but not limited to, the following categories:
• pastoral and diaconal formation and continuing
education;
• Lutheran church planting, including collaboration with
partner churches;
• the Alliance Missionary Program, deploying pastors of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) church
partners to LCMS mission fields, with OIM supervision
and financial support;

Resolved, That the Synod encourage congregations and
congregation members, contributors, Concordia University
System schools, seminaries, auxiliaries, RSOs, and synodwide
corporate entities to promote and collaborate with the work
of OIM working internationally as a reflection of our walk
together.
Action: Adopted (6)

Upon immediate closure of debate, as suggested by the chair, the
resolution was adopted by voice vote.

To Strengthen Pastoral Care of Missionaries
and Clarify Ecclesiastical Supervision
RESOLUTION 2-03
Overture 2-03 (CW, 266–67)
WHEREAS, The Office of International Mission (OIM), as
an expression of unity in Christ and His love, intentionally
provides for pastoral and spiritual care and visitation to all
Synod missionaries (that is, rostered Synod church workers
and laypersons called or appointed and sent by the Board for
International Mission [BIM]) by considering carefully their
placement and service in proximity to regularly available
Word and Sacrament ministry, often through congregations
of partner churches, or alternatively through locally available
OIM chaplains; and

• network-supported missionary funding and other
direct support for missionaries called or appointed by
the BIM and deployed and supervised by OIM;

WHEREAS, The Synod’s missionaries face exceptional
circumstances related to the nature of their unique work and
the effects on their families in residing and working in
locations far from their originating U.S.-based support; and

• collaboration in partnership and engagement in
international mission efforts with direct involvement of
the Synod congregations, congregation members, and
church workers;

WHEREAS, It must be acknowledged that it is difficult for
home congregations and pastors based in the U.S. to provide
Word and Sacrament ministry, pastoral and spiritual care,
and visitation to the Synod’s missionaries; and

• short-term volunteer mission teams;

WHEREAS, The OIM is thankful to God for the ongoing
prayers and active expressions of love and visitation provided
by home congregations, pastors, and districts based in the U.S.
to the Synod’s missionaries; and

• Ministry to the Armed Forces;

124 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

Resolutions