Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 144
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 144.
This page reproduces text from the 2023 LCMS Handbook for study and navigation. Readers should verify procedural, legal, parliamentary, or governance questions against the official LCMS Handbook and appropriate LCMS authorities.
• church planting and revitalization • youth ministry
3.8.2.5 In carrying out its mission responsibilities, the Office of National Mission
shall receive its primary focus from the mission and ministry emphases developed triennially by the national Synod in convention and from the policies developed and determined by the Board for National Mission.
Through the Chief Mission Officer, it shall also receive direction from the President of the Synod on all aspects of its responsibilities.
3.8.2.6 The President’s supervisory responsibilities under Constitution Art. XI B
and Bylaws 3.3.1 .1– 3.3.1.3 will assure that the Office of National Mission incorporates the doctrine, mission, and vision of the Synod in its service to the Synod. All staff shall be responsible and accountable for their activities to the President of the Synod ( Constitution Art. XI B 1 – 4) between conventions of the Synod and ultimately to the Synod in convention (Constitution Art. XI A 1– 2).
3.8.2.7 The staff of the Office of National Mission shall assume a coordinative role
for ministry areas in respon se to directives from the Synod in convention or upon the request of two -thirds of the members of the Council of Presidents on behalf of the districts.
3.8.2.8 The Office of National Mission shall be responsible for granting recognized
service organization status to organizations providing services primarily within the United States that are independent of the Synod, engage in program activity that is in harmony with the programs of the Synod, and warrant recognition by the Synod according to section 6.2 of these Bylaws.
Board for International Mission
3.8.3 The Board for International Mission is charged with developing and
determining policies in support of mission and ministry in foreign countries for the Office of International Mission (Bylaw 1.2.1 [ n]). These policies shall embrace and apply the mission and ministry emphases adopted by the national convention. Under the leadership of the President of the Synod, pursuant to Bylaw 3.3.1.1.1, the board shall assist in identifying the specific goals for the Office of International Mission.
Policies determined by the board (implemented by staff) may include but not be limited to:
• strong mission leadership • training of missionaries • ministry for all of the Synod’s military personnel • safeguarding the rights of partner churches • ministry for all civilians and their dependents overseas • international human care • liaison with the colleges, universities, and seminaries of the Synod • liaison with the chief ecumenical officer of the Synod • international schools Upon the recommendation of the Office of International Mission, the board shall serve as the only sending agency through which workers and funds are sent to the foreign mission areas of the Synod, including the calling,
