by the OIM. In 2022, the BIM began a complete rewrite of its policies to focus on monitoring the strategic plan of the OIM and the supporting budget. The policies allow for the BIM to monitor the OIM strategic plan to ensure that OIM staffing and programs support Article II and III of the Synod Constitution and the mission and ministry emphasis established by the Synod in convention. The BIM anticipates that the revised policies will be submitted to the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) prior to the current 2023 Synod convention.
C. International Schools
The LCMS schools in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Hanoi continue to be exemplary academic college preparatory schools. These schools primarily serve K–12 children of expatriate families. Due to religious freedom restrictions in effect in China and Vietnam, the ability to maintain a Lutheran identity and to proclaim the pure Gospel is constrained. In order to address these concerns, the Synod Board of Directors and the BIM working with the Chief Mission Officer and the OIM have established an international schools task force that is researching options and developing plans for the Synod’s international schools going forward.
D. Assessment of Mission and Ministry
The Boards for National Mission and International Mission under and 3.8.3.2 during each triennium between national conventions are to gather sufficient information from Synod members to facilitate the boards’ assessment of the effectiveness of the Synod’s mission and ministry. See separate report of the Joint Mission Assessment Committee. Based on this assessment, the boards jointly submitted two overtures for 2023 Synod convention consideration. The BIM is also proposing in its aforementioned revised policies to include new policies to improve communications with districts, Recognized Service Organizations, and congregations regarding international mission activities.
The Board for International Mission (BIM) is charged with developing and determining policies in support of mission and ministry in foreign countries for the Office of International Mission. These policies shall embrace and apply the mission and ministry emphases adopted by the national convention. BIM also serves as the only sending agency through which workers and funds are sent to foreign mission areas of the Synod including the calling of missionaries (ordained and commissioned) and other workers in foreign areas.