To Commend Use and Attendance of FOROs

WHEREAS, A FORO, Spanish for forum, is a model for collaboration in which congregations, pastors, districts, and institutions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) partner with the Office of International Mission (OIM) in spreading the Gospel, planting Lutheran churches, and showing mercy; and

WHEREAS, The FORO includes discussion and dialogue of the plan for planting Lutheran churches in that field through finances, short-term teams, and vocational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, We are directed by the Lord Jesus to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20), and in Acts 1:8, “… you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”; and

WHEREAS, Districts and congregations support Synod’s partner churches through FOROs such as Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, and Venezuela and LCMS missions, such as Belize, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Uganda; and

WHEREAS, A FORO invites districts and their congregations to participate and build partnerships through a FORO to support OIM with the planting of Lutheran mission churches through mission education, short-term teams, and financial opportunities; and

WHEREAS, These small Lutheran church plants are encouraged through the FORO visitation and are joyful to witness that the Church (the Body of Christ) is larger than themselves in this place and time; and

WHEREAS, In these countries OIM supports FOROs and this furthers the mission; and

WHEREAS, Participation of districts and congregations in these FOROs helps the district and their congregations to witness and support the spread of the Gospel of Christ crucified; and

WHEREAS, Church planting is furthered through FOROs, and districts and congregations are enlightened and strengthened through their visitation in supporting preaching Christ crucified; and

WHEREAS, OIM aims to spread the Gospel, plant Lutheran churches, and show mercy to the ends of the earth; therefore be it

Resolved, That OIM be commended for the development of the FORO model; and be it further

Resolved, That OIM apply the FORO model in other regions; and be it finally

Resolved, That districts and congregations be encouraged to participate in a FORO in order to strengthen our walk together as “We Preach Christ crucified” to all nations