To Restructure Mission Boards

WHEREAS, The 2010 Synod convention adopted the recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Task Forceon Synod Structure and Governance to consolidate the boards and commissions of national Synod, including the Board for Pastoral Education, the Board for University Education, the Board for Black Ministry Services, the Board for Communication Services, the Board for District and Congregational Services, the Board for Human Care Ministries, the Board for Mission Services, the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support, the Commission on Structure, and the Commission on Worship (2010 Res. 8-08A); and

WHEREAS, The bylaws, functions, and offices related to these boards and commissions were either eliminated, distributed to other existing entities of Synod, or combined into two newly created mission offices—the Office of National Mission (ONM) and the Office of International Mission (OIM); and

WHEREAS, These newly created mission offices function under policies created by their respective boards, the Board for National Mission and the Board for International Mission, neither of which has the authority to issue calls (except as specifically permitted in Bylaws 3.8.2 and 3.8.3), make personnel decisions, or set budgets, unlike their predecessor boards and commissions; and

WHEREAS, Operating under this new structure for 16 years has reduced the authority with which these boards may act and therefore represent the Synod, which they are by design intended to do; and

WHEREAS, This lack of representation of the Synod in the mission boards is not only a departure from the long-established pattern of boards, commissions, and committees of the Synod, but has also raised suspicion of and temptation to abuses of power, fiscal malfeasance, and un responsiveness to the congregations of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention thank the mission boards for their labors under these conditions and for their efforts at representing those who elected and appointed them; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention revise bylaws so as to combine the two mission boards into one Board for Mission, setting policy for both the ONM and the OIM; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Mission be comprised of 16 members, including five elected laypersons (one from each region), five elected ordained ministers (one from reach region), two elected commissioned ministers, two faculty representatives from the respective seminaries, one district president appointed by the Council of Presidents, and the President of the Synod or his representative; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Mission select four of its members to represent it as voting members of the Synod Board of Directors (BOD), there by bringing the membership of the latter to 20 total members, 19 voting, there by ensuring greater representation of the Board for Mission on the BOD and exercise of the powers and duties enumerated in Bylaw 3.3.4; and be it finally

Resolved, That the implementation of these bylaws and elections be delayed until the 2029 Synod convention.