To Provide Resources to Assist Consideration of Requests to Support Mission Work

WHEREAS, The Synod’s church workers, congregations, congregation members, districts, universities and seminaries, auxiliaries, recognized service organizations(RSO), and synod wide corporate entities are not infrequently approached by organizations or individuals requesting consideration for support—in the form of financial contributions, materials, or manpower (volunteer or otherwise)—for various mission initiatives, objectives, and actions located both in the U.S. and around the globe; and

WHEREAS, Many organizations or individuals requesting such support have little or no discern able connection or coordination with the Synod’s confessional and scriptural standards, Synod mission objectives, emphases and priorities or Synod boards, committees, and staff who have been assigned and authorized by the Synod to carry out same or similar mission initiatives, objectives, and actions (i.e., to cite only one example, the assignments and responsibilities given to the Synod’s mission boards and offices under Bylaw Section 3.8); and

WHEREAS, Synod church workers, congregations and congregation members, districts, universities and seminaries, auxiliaries, RSOs, and synodwide corporate entities who receive requests for such support sincerely desire to expand the church’s mission and ministry of the Gospel in a manner that: (1) expresses excellent stewardship of the abundant resources that God graciously provides for such worthy endeavors; (2) reflects a continuing determination to walk together as a Synod in unity of confession, purpose, and action; and (3) demonstrates such unity in an intentional, praiseworthy practice of communication, coordination, cooperation, and collaboration (“4C’s”); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has already laid high expectations and standards on her auxiliaries (i.e., Bylaws 6.1.1; 6.1.2.1 [c–d]; 6.1.3 [c, f–g]) and RSOs (i.e., Bylaws 6.2.1; 6.2.1 [b–e]) for the planning and implementation of mission initiatives, programs and actions that reflect such excellent stewardship, unity, and “4C” practices; and

WHEREAS, Where such excellent stewardship, unity and “4C” practices are lacking, the Synod’s church workers, congregations, congregation members, districts, universities and seminaries, auxiliaries, RSOs, and synodwide corporate entities may suffer unintended confusion, disruptive developments, disappointing outcomes and losses in the church’s joyful work and life together, and protocols established with Synod’s global church partners may be breached, resulting in unintended offense against such church partners’ expectations regarding mutually-acknowledged rights and work in fellowship with the Synod; and

WHEREAS, To cite a prior successful example of stewardship, unity, and “4C” practices, a revised short-term mission “Best Practices” document, developed and disseminated by the Office of International Mission (OIM)in fulfillment of2019 Resolution2-06, “To Encourage Support of Short-Term International Mission Activities” has been well-used and much appreciated by the Synod’s members; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod direct the OIM, working in collaboration with the Office of National Mission (ONM) and under established policies and oversight provided by the Synod’s mission boards, to prepare practical resources to assist church workers, congregations, congregation members, districts, universities and seminaries, auxiliaries, RSOs, and synodwide corporate entities who are approached by organizations or individuals requesting consideration for support (i.e., in the distribution of literature or other media, provision of opportunities for presentations to individuals or groups, financial contributions, materials or manpower, volunteer or otherwise) for mission programs and initiatives, objectives, or actions, located either overseas or in the U.S.; and be it further

Resolved, That in the preparation of these resources, the OIM consider the development and dissemination of items such as guidelines, frequently asked questions, survey questions, or other assessment tools among other options; and be it further

Resolved, That once such resources are developed, the OIM, working coordinatively with the ONM, LCMS Communications and the Council of Presidents be tasked with the effective publication and dissemination of the same to Synod church workers, congregations, districts, universities and seminaries, auxiliaries, RSOs, and synodwide corporate entities; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod direct districts and encourage church workers, congregations, universities and seminaries, auxiliaries, RSOs, and synodwide corporate entities to make full use of such resources, once developed and subsequently disseminated under this resolution.