To Restructure Mission Boards

Official Workbook overture source text

9-12 
To Restructure Mission Boards 
WHEREAS, The 2010 Synod convention adopted the 
recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure 
and Governance to consolidate the boards and commissions of 
national Synod, including the Board for Pastoral Education, the 
Board for University Education, the Board for Black Ministry 
Services, the Board for Communication Services, the Board for 
District and Congregational Services, the Board for Human Care 
Ministries, the Board for Mission Services, the Commission on 
Ministerial Growth and Support, the Commission on Structure, and 
the Commission on Worship (2010 Res. 8-08A); and 
W
HEREAS, The bylaws, functions, and offices related to these 
boards and commissions were either eliminated, distributed to other 
existing entities of Synod, or combined into two newly created 
mission offices —the Office of National Mission (ONM) and the 
Office of International Mission (OIM); and 
WHEREAS, These newly created mission offices function under 
policies created by their respective boards, the Board for National 
Mission and the Board for International Mission, neither of which 
has the authority to issue calls  (except as specifically permitted in 
Bylaws 3.8.2 and 3.8.3), make personnel decisions, or set budgets, 
unlike their predecessor boards and commissions; and 
W
HEREAS, Operating under this new structure for 16 years has 
reduced the authority with which these boards may act and therefore 
represent the Synod, which they are by design intended to do; and 
W
HEREAS, This lack of representation of the Synod in the 
mission boards is not only a departure from the long-established 
pattern of boards, commissions, and committees of the Synod, but 
has also raised suspicion of and temptation to abuses of power, 
fiscal malfeasance, and unresponsiveness to the congregations of 
the Synod; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention thank the mission boards 
for their labors under these conditions and for their efforts at 
representing those who elected and appointed them; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention revise bylaws so as to 
combine the two mission boards into one Board for Mission, setting 
policy for both the ONM and the OIM; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Board for Mission be comprised of 16 
members, including five elected laypersons (one from each region), 
five elected ordained ministers (one from reach region), two elected 
commissioned ministers, two faculty representatives from the 
respective sem inaries, one district president appointed by the 
Council of Presidents, and the President of the Synod or his 
representative; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Board for Mission select four of its members 
to represent it as voting members of the Synod Board of Directors 
(BOD), thereby bringing the membership of the latter to 20 total 
members, 19 voting, thereby ensuring greater representation of the 
Bo
ard for Mission on the BOD and exercise of the powers and 
duties enumerated in Bylaw 3.3.4; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the implementation of these bylaws and elections 
be delayed until the 2029 Synod convention. 
Christ, La Mesa, CA; Circuit 9 (Decatur), Indiana District 
Ov.