To Establish Tell the Next Generation as Synod Mission and Ministry Emphasis

Official Workbook overture source text

4-03, 
“To Affirm and Continue Mission Priorities for 2023– 2026 
Triennium”); and 
W
HEREAS, Bylaws do not specifically require the Synod 
convention to establish “mission priorities”; and 
WHEREAS, The two mission boards have had extensive fraternal 
conversations with every district pertaining to the Synod’s mission 
priorities and their effectiveness for the work of each district; and 
WHEREAS, The districts  expressed general agreement with the 
doctrine and practice articulated in the current m ission priorities, 
yet found them less than helpful for the specific priorities and work 
of their districts; and 
WHEREAS, Many districts have established their own mission 
priorities under the Synod’s triennial m ission and m inistry 
emphasis; and 
WHEREAS, Every priority of the current list of seven m ission 
priorities is already articulated in the objectives of Synod ( Const. 
Art. III); and 
WHEREAS, Conversations with the districts by the two mission 
boards indicated no particular desire to retain the current m ission 
priorities, or establish an elaborate procedure for creating m ission 
priorities in the future; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the district 
presidents and their districts for the constructive fraternal 
conversations they have had with the mission boards over the last 
triennium; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks for how the 
original mission priorities helped shape the work of national and 
international mission during the early years after restructuring; and 
be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend and identify 
the Synod objectives (Const. Art. III) as the mission priorities of the 
Synod and a faithful articulation of its work; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm the 
responsibility of the respective mission boards (Bylaws 3.8.2, 3), 
under the leadership of the President and pursuant to Bylaw 
3.3.1.1.1, to assist in identifying the specific goals and priorities for 
national and international mission work. 
Board for National Mission; Board for International Mission 
Ov. 4-02 
To Establish Tell the Next Generation  
as Synod Mission and Ministry Emphasis 
WHEREAS, The Synod in convention (2023 Res. 4-02) instructed 
the Board for National Mission (BNM) and the Board for 
International Mission (BIM) to recommend a new mission and 
ministry emphasis for consideration at the 2026 Synod convention; 
and 
W
HEREAS, The  two mission boards have consulted with the 
district presidents, the Office of National Mission, and the Office of 
International Mission in an extensive series of fraternal discussions 
toward seeking input for the development of the triennial mission 
and ministry emphasis; and 
WHEREAS, The two mission boards, in collaboration with the 
President of the Synod, have unanimously agreed to recommend to 
the Synod in convention a triennial mission and ministry emphasis 
that captures the desire to spread the Gospel and the full counsel of 
God’
s Word to those who do not know Christ, as well as the 
generations of church members that will follow us; and 
WHEREAS, The theme for the 2026 –29 National Offering has 
been established as “Christ Is Risen! Tell the Next Generation,” 
reflecting this desire to spread the Gospel and the full counsel of 
God’s Word to those who do not know Christ and to the generations 
to come; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the BNM  and the BIM commend Tell the Next 
Generation to the Synod for adoption as her mission and ministry 
emphasis for the 2026–29 triennium. 
Board for National Mission; Board for International Mission 
Ov. 4-03 
To Establish Tell the Next Generation  
as Synod Mission and Ministry Emphasis 
WHEREAS, The Synod’s Board for International Mission (BIM) 
and Board for National Mission (BNM)  have consulted with 
Council of Presidents , the O ffice of N ational Mission, and  the 
Office of International Mission in an extensive series of fraternal 
discussions toward seeking input for the  development of the 
triennial mission and ministry emphasis; and 
WHEREAS, The BIM and BNM , in collaboration with the 
President of the Synod, have unanimously agreed to recommend to 
the Synod in convention a triennial m ission and ministry emphasis 
that captures the desire to spread the Gospel and the full counsel of 
God’s Word to those who do not know Christ, as well as the 
generations of church members that will follow us; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the triennial m ission and m inistry emphasis for 
the 2026–29 triennium shall be Tell the Next Generation. 
Board for National Mission 
Ov.