To More Narrowly Focus the Synod’s Mission Priorities

Official Workbook overture source text

4-08 
To More Narrowly Focus  
the Synod’s Mission Priorities 
WHEREAS, The Handbook states that district conventions shall 
forward to the national convention a list of two or three triennial 
mission and ministry emphases (Bylaw 4.2.1 [d]); and 
WHEREAS, The Board for National Mission (BNM) and the 
Board for International Mission (BIM) asked districts to provide 
feedback on the Synod’s mission priorities (2023 Res. 4-03); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod’s current seven mission priorities are to: 
• plant, sustain, and revitalize Lutheran congregations; 
• support and expand theological education; 
• perform human care in close proximity to Word and 
Sacrament ministries; 
• collaborate with the Synod’s members and partners to 
enhance mission effectiveness; 
• promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, financial, and 
physical well -being of pastors and professional church 
workers; 
• enhance early childhood education, elementary and 
secondary education, and youth ministry; and 
• strengthen and support the Lutheran family in living out 
God’s design; 
and 
WHEREAS, Ohio District leaders have discussed the Synod’s 
current seven mission priorities with BNM and BIM 
representatives; and 
WHEREAS, District President Kevin Wilson has received 
feedback on the Synod’s seven mission priorities from both circuit 
meetings and congregational visitations; and 
W
HEREAS, The consensus of these meetings is that the Synod’s 
current mission priorities, while important, are so broad that almost 
anything done by a district fits the mission priorities; therefore be it 
Resolved, That Synod more narrowly focus its mission emphasis; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod include in its mission priorities for the 
next triennium the following: 
• 
strengthen congregations and schools of the Synod by 
building on their biblical and confessional foundation; 
• equip laity and church workers to more intentionally and 
joyfully live out their vocations; and 
• increase Gospel outreach throughout the Synod, especially 
through new congregations, schools, and recognized service 
organizations;  
Ohio District