Res. 2-02 — To Direct Districts and Encourage Congregational Participation in Global Mission through Prayer, Partnership, and Support

WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded His Church to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19); and

WHEREAS, The Lord exhorts His people to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:38), and assures His Church that He “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20); and

WHEREAS, The Church is called to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3), including fellowship and cooperation in the work of the Gospel across nations and cultures; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has long carried out this mission through the sending of missionaries and the support of partner churches throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The Synod presently carries out its support of missionaries through the significant contributions of agencies like Mission Central (an extension of LCMS Mission Advancement), the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and others; and

WHEREAS, The FORO model aligns congregations, districts, and the Synod in Lutheran missiology (spreading the Gospel, planting Lutheran churches, and showing mercy), keeping funding and accountability unified in mission together; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has established structures, including the Network Supported Missionary (NSM) model, which aids missionaries, as well as—through partnerships that foster prayer, financial support, and active participation in Synod mission projects among districts, recognized service organizations, congregations, and other Synod entities —the FORO model; and

WHEREAS, 2023 Resolution 2 -07A encouraged the use, attendance, and expansion of the FORO model in all four regions of the Office of International Mission (OIM); and

WHEREAS, During the last triennium, the OIM has expanded the number of FOROs from 11, in one region, to 20, across all four regions; and

WHEREAS, Some congregations have not yet been connected to specific mission efforts, whether through financial limitations or lack of awareness, and thus may be missing opportunities to participate more fully in the Lord’s mission;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for the many blessings that have come forth from the FOROs in Honduras, Panama, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Belize, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Bolivia, Cuba, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Malawi, Eritrea, Rwanda, and the Philippines, with more in development; and be it further

Resolved, That Synod in convention direct each district to assess the feasibility of adopting a FORO partnership and present it for consideration at their next district convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod be encouraged to include regular prayers in corporate worship and in their life together for the Lord’s mission, for His Church throughout the world, and for the raising up and sustaining of faithful workers in the harvest; and be it further

Resolved, That all Synod congregations be encouraged to actively participate in LCMS international mission through the FORO model, as faithful stewards of the Gospel and all of God’s gifts; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged, where possible, to adopt and support one or more missionaries of the Synod through the NSM model, committing themselves especially to faithful prayer and, as they are able, to financial support; and be it further

Resolved, That the OIM continue to expand opportunities for congregations to be connected meaningfully to mission work—whether through missionary support, FORO partnerships, or other faithful means; and be it finally

Resolved, That these opportunities be commended to all congregations of the Synod for prayerful consideration, that they may participate more fully in the Lord’s work of gathering His Church from all nations.