To Promote and Collaborate with the Office of International Mission

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

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

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;

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

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

• short-term volunteer mission teams;

• Ministry to the Armed Forces;

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

• missionary recruitment;

and be it further

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

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

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