To Strengthen Pastoral Care of Missionaries and Clarify Ecclesiastical Supervision

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

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

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

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

WHEREAS, The provision of ecclesiastical supervision to the Synod’s missionaries likewise presents practical challenges and ambiguities in roles and responsibilities;

therefore be it

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

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