To Commend and Sunset Synod Mission Priorities

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention instructed the Board for National Mission and Board for International Mission to recommend possible revisions to the mission priorities and possible Bylaw revisions that would articulate both the process for developing mission priorities and how those priorities would function in the mission and ministry of the Synod (2023 Res. 4-03, “To Affirm and Continue Mission Priorities for 2023–2026 Triennium”); and

WHEREAS, Bylaws do not specifically require the Synod convention to establish “mission priorities”; and

WHEREAS, The two mission boards have had extensive fraternal conversations with every district pertaining to the Synod’s mission priorities and their effectiveness for the work of each district; and

WHEREAS, The districts expressed general agreement with the doctrine and practice articulated in the current mission priorities, yet found them less than helpful for the specific priorities and work of their districts; and

WHEREAS, Many districts have established their own mission priorities under the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphasis; and

WHEREAS, Every priority of the current list of seven mission priorities is already articulated in the objectives of Synod (Const. Art. III); and

WHEREAS, Conversations with the districts by the two mission boards indicated no particular desire to retain the current mission priorities, or establish an elaborate procedure for creating mission priorities in the future; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the district presidents and their districts for the constructive fraternal conversations they have had with the mission boards over the last triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks for how the original mission priorities helped shape the work of national and international mission during the early years after restructuring; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend and identify the Synod objectives (Const. Art. III) as the mission priorities of the Synod and a faithful articulation of its work; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm the responsibility of the respective mission boards (Bylaws 3.8.2, 3), under the leadership of the President and pursuant to Bylaw 3.3.1.1.1, to assist in identifying the specific goals and priorities for national and international mission work.