To Amend Bylaw 6.2.2 (a) to Revise Recognized Service Organization Requirement of 100 Percent Synod Board Membership

WHEREAS, The 2016 Synod convention created a task force to review the current structure and recommend the best model for the Synod’s relationship to recognized service organizations (RSOs) (2016 Res. 4-03B, “To Convene Task Force to Review Recognized Service Organization Program and Bylaws,”Proceedings,146–47); and

WHEREAS, The task force was charged with, among other things, “[ensuring] that all recommendations maintain the important relationships with the agencies that are recognized by the LCMS” (2016 Res. 4-03B, Proc., 146); and

WHEREAS, The 2019 Synod convention adopted the recommendation of the task force in Resolution 4-06A, “To Amend Bylaw Section 6.2 to Revitalize Synod’s Recognized Service Organization Program” (2019 Proc., 137–42); and

WHEREAS, This resolution thoroughly revised and redefined the structure and expectations of RSOs; and

WHEREAS, An unintended consequence of adopting such a large and sweeping change in a single resolution was that some long- standing RSOs subsequently found themselves no longer qualified; and

WHEREAS, The language of Bylaw 6.2.2 (a), adopted in 2019 Res. 4-06A, states that any witness service organization (a new category) must now have 100 percent of its board of directors holding membership in a congregation of the Synod or its partner churches; and

WHEREAS, An organization involved in mission or service in areas without Synod representation, or that desires to expand into regions without Synod congregations, would find it invaluable to recruit board members who better understand the mission context; and

WHEREAS, This requirement has forced RSOs to choose between proudly partnering and affiliating with the Synod or pursuing the mission goals for which they exist; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 6.2.2 (a) be amended as follows, so that a witness service organization may have board membership of at least two-thirds members from congregations of the Synod or its partner churches; PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 6.2.2 Policies shall distinguish the three classes of recognized service organization, with criteria, procedures, and benefits appropriate to each, further distinctions being drawn within the categories as needed: (a) A witness service organization, under the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions, engages in Word or Word-and-Sacrament ministry (including chaplaincy), religious media/programming, mission society activity, support of specific missions, mission- and-ministry training, church worker professional development, church worker care, or other work directly related to the church’s proclamation. A witness service organization is governed solely by Synod (or partner church) congregations or a board comprising solely members, at least two-thirds of whom are members of member congregations of the Synod (or its partner churches). (b) An educational service organization … (c) A mercy service organization …

and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the work of the many and various service organizations and their support of the Gospel proclamation; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention express the earnest desire that longtime and faithful RSOs not be needlessly severed from affiliation with the Synod.