Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 2B. pp. 278-279. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 2-03A
Canonical number: 2-03
Committee: International Witness
Source: Today's Business, Issue 2B
Printed pages: pp. 278-279
PDF pages: 26-27
Version: revised, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 2B, pp. 278-279
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 2B, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 278
- To Give Thanks to God for Missionary Care Provided by the Office of International Mission
- RESOLUTION 2-03A
- Reports R1.2.2, R7 (CW, 19–28, 54–55); Overture 2-03 (CW, 295–96)
- WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ commands His Church to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19–20), and the
- Synod carries out this work through the sending of missionaries around the world; and
- WHEREAS, The Office of International Mission (OIM) strives to deploy and sustain physically, emotionally, and
- spiritually healthy missionary families for faithful, enduring service in the spreading of the Gospel, the planting of
- Lutheran churches, and the showing of mercy in close proximity to Word and Sacrament ministry; and
- WHEREAS, The OIM begins its comprehensive approach to missionary care already in recruitment and discernment,
- carefully evaluating the suitability of missionary households and seeking appropriate placement for their well-being and
- effective service; and
- WHEREAS, The OIM provides extensive pre -deployment training and support for missionaries, spouses, and
- children—equipping them with the theological, cultural, and practical preparation, while also offering care, resources,
- and clarity during a time often marked by uncertainly and transition; and
- WHEREAS, The OIM continues its care on the mission fields through regionally-based care circles, pastoral support,
- regular care conversations, language and cultural training, appropriate housing, educational benefits for children,
- healthcare, opportunities for rest and continuing education, and other resources directed toward the whole person—
- body, mind, and spirit; and
- WHEREAS, The OIM intentionally supports missionaries and their families at the end of their service through
- reintegration into life in the United States, providing transitional resources, intentional time for reflection and
- adjustment, and opportunities for the Church to give public thanks for their service; and
Page 279
- WHEREAS, This comprehensive care has led to a more than doubling of the five -year and ten -year retention
- rate of missionaries, resulting in a more robust and consistent missionary presence in the field; and
- WHEREAS, Our recruiting efforts are resulting in an increase in the number of missionaries that we have in the
- field, currently 120 Synod and Alliance missionaries and their families —for a total of at least 349 people in need
- of pastoral care; and
- WHEREAS, This comprehensive care is carried out through the collaborative work of the Global Care Team
- and regional care circles, reflecting synodwide commitment to the well -being of those sent in Christ’s name;
- therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks and praise to God for the faithful and compassionate care
- provided to missionaries and their families through the OIM; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod commend and support the OIM’s ongoing efforts to care for missionaries holistically, so
- that they may serve with endurance, faithfulness, and joy; and be it further
- Resolved, That the OIM establish a full- time chaplaincy in each region, as feasible and necessary, b y the 2029
- Synod convention to expand our pastoral care for our missionaries; and be it further
- Resolved, That the congregations, districts, and all members of the Synod be encouraged to pray for the Synod’s
- missionaries and their families, to engage with them in mutual encouragement, and to support the mission of the Gospel;
- and be it finally
- Resolved, That the Synod rejoice that through the faithful service of missionaries, supported by the OIM, the saving
- Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed to the ends of the earth.
- The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
- Committee, anticipate the annual cost to be $800,000, including adding a chaplain in each region and associated
- costs. Historical success at fully funding missionaries is expected to continue and apply to these positions, so that that
- this would not add incremental burden on the unrestricted resources of the Synod
- (estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).
