R6 Board for National Mission

R6

Board for National Mission As stated in Synod Bylaw 3.8.2, the Board for National Mission (BNM) “is charged with developing and determining policies for the coordination of and in support of district ministries which support congregations and schools (Bylaw 1.2.1 [n]).” Furthermore, under the President of the Synod, “the board shall assist in identifying the specific goals for the Office of National Mission [ONM].” In addition, Bylaw 3.8.2.1 states that the BNM “shall have over - sight of the implementation of policies adopted by the board and implemented by the Office of National Mission for the coordination of and in support of district ministries which support congregations and schools.” Finally, the BNM works conjointly with the Board for International Mission (BIM) “offering ideas and guidance for proposing triennial mission and ministry emphases to the national convention” (Bylaw 3.8.2.2). This last aspect is officially addressed through a Joint Mission Assessment Committee served by two members of the BNM and two members of the BIM. This committee in turn reports to both mission boards toward finalization of overtures to the Synod and other recommendations to the President of the Synod.

Increased Fraternal Dialogues with District Presidents and Staffs A major goal which has been realized and to which we are committed to continuing is increased communication and partnership between the BNM and our district presidents and staffs. We had the privilege to work with the ONM unit executive, the Rev. Dan Galchutt, who with a mighty and joyful servant’s heart epitomizes bridge-building and networking between Synod at the national level and Synod at the district and congregational levels. The BNM has shared this commitment to work more closely with our districts and has been proactive in meeting with our district presidents and staffs for living out our walking together.

A Record Number of Submitted Overtures to Proclaim Christ Is Risen Indeed The current BNM has never been as driven to offer overtures that will make a positive impact for providing the best resources we possibly can to our districts and congregations as we celebrate the

2026 Convention Workbook 54 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS the calling (ordained and commissioned) and appointing (lay workers) as missionaries in foreign areas.

The board also reviews and endorses the OIM strategic plan and provides input on the OIM annual budget.

A. Assignments from the 2023 Convention The 2023 Synod convention adopted three resolutions directing the board to study the following matters.

2023 Resolution 2-03, “To Strengthen Pastoral Care of Missionaries and Clarify Ecclesiastical Supervision,” and Res.

2-06A, “To Study Synod Relationships with Independent Lutheran Congregations in Foreign Mission Areas”: These resolutions, respectively, called for BIM to: (1) identify and implement measures to improve pastoral and spiritual care of foreign missionaries; assess and revise ecclesiastical supervision policies, procedures, and practices in collaboration with the Council of Presidents (COP); and (2) to study and provide recommendations to the 2026 convention regarding a mechanism for receiving international, independent Lutheran congregations into Synod membership in collaboration with the COP.

The BIM established a task force for each of these resolutions and appointed two of its members, and the COP appointed two of its members to each task force to study these matters. The Chief Mission Officer and Executive Director for the OIM also were members of the task forces. After careful study, the two task forces determined the issues being considered were similar and they joined together to carry out further discussions.

The combined task force concluded that the issues raised by the resolutions could be addressed by joint policy statements by the BIM and the COP. The work of developing those policies contin - ues.

2023 Res. 4-02, “To Affirm and Continue Making Disciples for Life as Mission and Ministry Emphasis for 2023–26 Triennium”: The Joint Mission Assessment Committee of the BNM and BIM was assigned to define activities under continued mission and ministry emphasis; recommend refined process to the 2026 convention; and engage districts in conversation regarding the next mission and ministry emphasis. This was undertaken as part of their normal triennial mission assessment and is discussed further in their separate Report R8.

B. Calling of Missionaries The BIM works closely with the OIM in the selection and calling of missionaries. Currently the OIM has over 100 LCMS missionaries, 15 alliance missionaries (missionaries ordained by other church bodies with whom we are in fellowship), and over 345 missionary family members in foreign mission fields. A high priority of the BIM is to encourage the recruitment of new missionaries to expand our presence in foreign mission areas of the Synod and to provide missionaries to fill positions as current missionaries retire or accept calls to serve in other contexts. The BIM also works closely with the Office of Ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF) to call military chaplains. The recruitment, orientation, and deployment support efforts carried out by both the OIM and MAF are exemplary. Currently we have 51 LCMS military chaplains on active duty, and 65 pastors/chaplains in the Reserve, National Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Veterans Affairs Hospitals, as well as 2 directors of religious education serving the military.

Changes and Blessings on the Board for National Mission This past triennium the BNM was blessed to welcome the Rev.

Craig Niemeier, the Rev. Michael Schuermann, and Mr. Stephen Weller. To say that these servants of the Risen Christ have been helpful to us would be an understatement. They have all brought exceptional and timely gifts to the board and have clearly made us more effective in fulfilling our responsibilities. Furthermore, the other executive committee members I have the privilege to serve with are among the most talented disciples I know. Mrs. Crysten Sanchez has served with meticulous detail and organization as our secretary, and the Rev. Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor has served with wisdom and love as our vice-chair.

Finally, the entire board has had the distinct pleasure of partnering with Ms. Carla Claussen who, upon entering the end of this triennium, is no longer eligible to serve on the BNM. I must take this opportunity, however, to point out the gem in Christ the Church has had in Ms. Claussen. In July 2004, Ms. Claussen was elected to serve the Board for District and Congregational Services and she fulfilled her duties from 2004 to 2010. Since the restructuring of the Synod in 2010, Ms. Claussen has served the BNM from 2010 to the present. That is, our sister in Christ has served in this arena of national ministry for 22 years. We are in awe of her dedication and her living faith which has led Ms. Claussen to demonstrate the love of Christ in heart, soul, and mind to her brothers and sisters in Christ in our Synod and for all those we serve in the world. We give thanks and praise to God for her!

Going Forward The BNM is focused on the upcoming triennium to be our very best since our inception in 2010. We are determined to understand what we can do at the national level to be truly helpful and mean - ingful to our districts and congregations. In this vision, we are determined to make strides in better coordination and stewardship of our shared Synod resources. We are focused on providing for the next generations so that they not merely know what we believe, but also why we believe and how to “give an answer for the hope that is within [us]” (1 Peter 3:15). We desire real ways of growing and increasing local congregations and schools and we are focused on making our best contributions for supporting worker wellness, especially with resources that keep us spiritually strong while abiding in our baptismal grace in the Risen Christ. We cannot provide only for the body but must also provide for the mind and most impor - tantly for the spirit, so that we abide in our baptismal grace and reliance upon the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments of Christ not just for those our church workers minister to, but for themselves and their families.

Alfonso O. Espinosa, Chairman