LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 10–11, 2015, Page 13

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

It is also noteworthy that the BIM in their document “LCMS Best Practices in Short-Term
Mission” use[s] this bylaw to point [out] how it is “vital” that any LCMS person work
through the BIM and be approved by those elected/appointed/hired individuals there. Vital is
a very ambiguous word that could be used as either a good idea or mandatory. Nevertheless,
this bylaw is used, at a minimum, by the BIM to show that this bylaw does apply to shortterm missions in some regards. Thus, there is at least some confusion as to what is
encompassed by the terms “only sending agency.”
Opinion: “Foreign missions” is a jurisdiction that the Synod has reserved for itself (Bylaw 4.1.5), and
congregations and church workers by their membership in the Synod have agreed to honor this
jurisdiction. Bylaw 3.8.3 then specifically addresses formal mission activity by the Synod, naming the
BIM as the sending agency solely responsible for “the calling, appointing, assigning, withdrawing, and
releasing of missionaries…for the ministries in foreign areas.” But it has also become necessary to
distinguish between missionary efforts involving such official actions as listed in Bylaw 3.8.3 and other
more spontaneous and short-term mission activity that takes place in support of ministries of the Synod in
foreign countries (Bylaw 3.8.3.1), often within the jurisdictions of partner churches. The best-practices
document, called for by the 2013 convention, invites and facilitates such short-term mission and ministry
activity, thereby also fostering the good order clearly intended by the Synod with the adoption of Bylaws
3.8.3–3.8.3.6.
Therefore, in answer to the specific questions asked under Question 1: (1) Opinion 14-2724 did not
directly address short-term mission trips, instead zeroing in on formal mission efforts that involve calls or
contracts. The Synod itself, in keeping with its foreign missions jurisdiction, has addressed matters related
to short-term mission efforts by requiring the creation of the short-term missions document [2013 Res. 108 “To Work Together in Mission,” Proceedings, p. 103]. Hence, (2) the Synod itself has already made
this distinction between short- and long-term mission efforts, (3) the definition of “short-term mission”
necessarily becoming mission activity other than what is specifically addressed by Bylaw 3.8.3. Districts
and congregations engaged in mission projects are therefore encouraged to communicate their
international mission activities to appropriate Synod entities “for the purposes of healthy coordination and
good stewardship” (2013 Res. 1-08).
Question 2: As this bylaw states that the BIM is the only sending agency to foreign mission areas, and
the opinion of the CCM seems to be directed primarily towards the districts and
congregations that form up the Synod, does this apply to all agencies and their
elected/appointed/hired workers? Thus the point, is it necessary for the seminaries, colleges,
and all agencies to work solely through the BIM for sending professors and workers around
the world if said country is a designated foreign mission field?
Opinion: CCM Opinion 14-2724 responded to specific questions pertaining to districts, congregations,
auxiliaries, and recognized service organizations. The Synod’s seminaries, colleges, and other agencies
must also comply with the requirements and expectations of Synod Bylaw 3.8.3 and 2013 Res. 1-08 and
related policies provided by the BIM.
Question 3: In the interpretation of the opinion that is commended by the Office of the President, a
hyperlink is given to know what those foreign areas are. It is a map of every place to which
any funds have gone, any agreement is in place, any missionary is working, or there is
anything taking place. Is the definition of a foreign area any country in which there is
contact? Thus, if the BIM has given a grant for Bibles to be sent to China, does that mean
that work among the over 1 billion in China is off limits except through the BIM?
Opinion: Coordination and cooperation are essential for good order, especially for such a widespread and
varied activity as foreign missions. Designation of foreign mission areas is not intended to curtail interest
or activity.

CCM Minutes – July 10–11, 2015 – Page 97