LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 125

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2. INTERNATIONAL WITNESS
WHEREAS, The provision of ecclesiastical supervision to
the Synod’s missionaries likewise presents practical
challenges and ambiguities in roles and responsibilities;
therefore be it

WHEREAS, President Harrison also noted that “our faculty
travel the globe, bringing the solid biblical teaching of the
LCMS and strengthening the mission of the Gospel
exponentially” (Report R1, “President,” Workbook, 1); and

Resolved, That the Synod, reflecting a desire for
expeditious and continuous improvement wherever feasible,
encourage the BIM and OIM in collaboration and consultation
with the Council of Presidents (COP) to identify and
implement measures to improve the pastoral and spiritual
care of the Synod’s missionaries working in the foreign
mission areas of the Synod; and be it further

WHEREAS, CSL and CTSFW have current working
relationships supporting theological education in Taiwan,
Dominican Republic, Latvia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa,
Brazil, Ethiopia, Norway, Finland, and, more generally, across
all four of OIM’s global regions (Eurasia, Africa, Asia, Latin
America and the Caribbean); and

Resolved, That the Synod direct the BIM, working over the
2023–26 triennium in collaboration and consultation with the
Chief Mission Officer, the OIM, and the COP, to assess and
revise current policies, procedures, and practices pertaining to
the Synod’s ecclesiastical supervision of the Synod’s
missionaries who are called or appointed and deployed to
work in foreign mission areas of the Synod.
Action: Adopted (6)

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

To Commend Synod Seminaries
for Work in International Witness
RESOLUTION 2-04A
Reports R1, R13.1–2 (CW, 1, 61–64); President’s Report, Part 2
(TB, 1:24)
WHEREAS, Many current opportunities to expand the
reach of confessional Lutheranism have made this a time of
great mission potential for The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod (LCMS), as requests from Lutheran church bodies
worldwide for seminaries and programs of theological
education and pastoral formation continue to grow; and
WHEREAS, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), and
Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW) provide
theological education not just to future pastors and
deaconesses of the Synod, but also to pastors, theological
educators, and other servants from LCMS partner churches
and other emerging confessional Lutheran church bodies; and
WHEREAS, CSL and CTSFW work in foreign mission areas
of the Synod is carried out in close coordination and
collaboration with the LCMS Office of International Mission,
LCMS Church Relations, and the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations; and

WHEREAS, CSL and CTSFW have graduate students from
25 different countries where the Synod has partner churches
or emerging confessional Lutheran church bodies; and
WHEREAS, CSL has established, as one of the components
of its current strategic plan, to “[r]esource international
Lutheranism with clear biblical and confessional Lutheran
teaching” (Report R13.1, “Concordia Seminary, St. Louis,
Missouri,” Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Egger, Workbook, 62); and
WHEREAS, CTSFW has experience in providing theological
education worldwide and has established an accredited
extension site in Gothenburg, Sweden, which offers a Master
of Sacred Theology for students from Scandinavia and Europe;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod commend CSL and CTSFW, their
presidents, and their boards of regents for the commitment
and support of theological education among LCMS partner
churches and other emerging confessional Lutheran church
bodies; and be it further
Resolved, That faculties of both seminaries be commended
for their faithfulness and dedication to confessional Lutheran
teaching at Lutheran seminaries, conferences, and other
venues worldwide; and be it further
Resolved, That the seminaries be commended for
continuing to assist in training theological educators from
partner churches and other emerging confessional Lutheran
church bodies through their respective graduate schools; and
be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod encourage her congregations to
support and give thanks to God for CSL and CTSFW in the
work of theological education and pastoral formation
worldwide.
Action: Adopted (6)

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

WHEREAS, Synod President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison
stated in his President’s Report, Part 1, “Without our strong
faculties, confessional Lutheranism would be horribly
crippled globally,” since many students “come to our
seminaries and return to their home countries making vital
contributions to their churches in doctrine and life”; and

Resolutions

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 125