Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 3. p. 324. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 4-04
Canonical number: 4-04
Committee: Life Together
Source: Today's Business, Issue 1
Printed pages: pp. 85-86
PDF pages: 85-86
Version: original, superseded
Source reference: Issue 1, pp. 85-86
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 1, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 85
- To Clarify Oversight and Revitalize Role of Registered Service Organizations
- RESOLUTION 4-04
- Report R1 (CW, 1–5); Overtures 4-32–35 (CW, 319–22); President’s Report, Part 2, (TB, 1:28); Overture L4-57 (TB,
- 1:46–48)
- WHEREAS, The 2016 Synod convention created a task force to review the current structure and recommend the best
- model for the Synod’s relationship to recognized service organizations (RSOs) (Res. 4-03B, “To Convene Task Force to
- Review Recognized Service Organization Program and Bylaws,” Proceedings, 146–47); and
- WHEREAS, The 2019 Synod convention adopted the recommendation of the task force in Resolution 4-06A, “To
- Amend Bylaw Section 6.2 to Revitalize Synod’s Recognized Service Organization Program” (Proc., 137–42), and began
- implementing the vast new recommendations; and
- WHEREAS, 2019 Resolution 4-06A (ibid.) granted RSOs numerous privileges, under the ecclesiastical oversight of
- district presidents who report any concerns to Synod’s mission offices (Office of International Mission or Office of
- National Mission) (Bylaw 6.2.1 [b–c]); and
- WHEREAS, The Synod Board of Directors (BOD), Board for International Mission, and Board for National Mission
- were charged with creating policy for RSO oversight, and implementation delegated to staff; and
Page 86
- WHEREAS, “Over the past five years, 115 organizations have been granted RSO status; in the same period, 77 have
- been terminated, denied or withdrawn. Of those 77, 49 organizations did not represent LCMS doctrine and practice
- adequately and RSO status was ended.” (President’s Report, Part 2, Today’s Business, 1:28); and
- WHEREAS, Some mercy service organizations (Bylaw 6.2.2 [c]), such as adoption agencies, have been compelled by
- law or controlling regulation, on occasion, to facilitate actions contrary to the Word of God; and
- WHEREAS, Other organizations intentionally promote and facilitate actions contrary to the Word of God; and
- WHEREAS, The role of and faithful work of RSOs are to be commended, celebrated, and encouraged; therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod remain patient as the RSO office and Synod staff continue implementing all the revisions
- from the 2016 task force and 2019 resolution that resulted in the current Bylaw section 6.2, “Recognized Service
- Organizations” in collaboration with the appropriate district president; and be it further
- Resolved, That the RSO office keep the BOD apprised of legal and regulatory constraints on the service of RSOs in
- the adoption and foster care space which may burden an RSO’s religious exercise, and the BOD is encouraged to monitor
- this area for potential to stand with our organizations in the unfettered “extension of the divine mercy without
- compromising the church’s scriptural and confessional standards” (Bylaw 6.2.2 [c]), to which they may be entitled under
- the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States or other laws protecting religious liberty, and thus support
- and extend latitude to those RSOs striving to remain faithful while navigating these situations; and be it further
- Resolved, That the RSO office withdraw RSO status from organizations that intentionally promote actions contrary
- to the Word of God, including but not limited to unnatural or unbiblical family structures; and be it finally
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks for the work of our many faithful RSOs.
