The work of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is succinctly described in Bylaw 3.4.2: the CAO “shall assist the Board of Directors of the Synod in carrying out the responsibilities given to it by the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod.” Over the past triennium, there was significant work related to legal matters. The CAO’s office manages these efforts by coordinating LCMS legal counsel, local legal counsel, stakeholders internal and external to corporate Synod, the Board of Directors, and others as necessary. With three significant legal matters active during large parts of the triennium (Hot Chalk, Concordia University Texas, and Hong Kong International School Association, Ltd.), and other items frequently arising requiring attention, this was no small task during the last triennium. Beyond these legal efforts, and in other work with many external stakeholders including Concordia University System and the Concordia universities, the CAO represents and supports the Synod Board of Directors and undertakes significant efforts in the work of corporate Synod, some of which are highlighted as follows:
A. International Efforts The CAO works with Synod legal counsel, foreign legal counsel, and the Office of International Mission to determine how to best structure LCMS operations in the many foreign countries where we work. These efforts are critical for protecting LCMS assets abroad, protecting LCMS employees working abroad, and protecting LCMS assets in the U.S. by ensuring appropriate structures are in place. As we clarify a strategy and preferred methodology for entering a country, this work can shift from setting up new entities to managing and maintaining what’s already in place.
B. Operations Team The CAO is charged with convening the Operations Team, comprised of the CAO, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Mission Officer of the Synod. This meeting provides a regular forum to ensure operational and strategic alignment across LCMS programs. The Operations Team regularly meets with leaders of LCMS operational units including Human Resources, Information Technology, Operations Support Services, and others to align key efforts in those areas.
C. Process Improvement As mentioned in the Chief Financial Officer report (Report R5.2), we have been working to improve the tools and processes we use to do the work of the Synod. A key effort currently underway is implementation of a new constituent relationship management system, which is a key tool used daily by many of the employees of the Synod, helping manage relationships with donors, congregations, church workers, other entities, and more. This program has brought together a substantial portion of our workforce to ensure our many varied requirements are met, and the objectives of the program include increasing efficiency in how we work, improving our relationships with constituents across the Synod, and identifying opportunities to increase revenues. We cannot accomplish the work given to us by convention in support of the Synod without the significant support of the church, via your prayers, time, talents, and treasures. I pray that the Lord continues to bless our efforts for the good of the Synod, recognizing that in all things His will is done, that the world may know that Christ Is Risen Indeed. Nathan M. Haak, Interim Chief Administrative Officer