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2. International Witness

REPORTS

R1–R1.2, R1.2.2, R1.2.4–R1.2.5, R5.2, R7–R8,

R12, R56–R57, R62.5

OVERTURES

Ov. 2-01

To Encourage Prayer, Partnership, and Participation in International Mission

WHEREAS, Scripture exhorts believers to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt.

9:38) and to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3); and

WHEREAS, Congregations of the Michigan District partner with Lutheran church ministries around the world, such as with Lutheran Church of Uganda through Women of the Pearl, Mission Opportunities Short Term Ministries, Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots, and the Office of International Mission in Puerto Rico through the FORO model (international.lcms.org/events-foros); therefore be it

Resolved, That the district’s Gospel partnership with other Lutheran churches in the world be commended to all Synod congregations as a worthy focus for prayer and thanksgiving in corporate worship; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its congregations to commit to praying regularly for the Lord to raise up pastors and to prosper the ministry of the Lutheran churches in the world, and to consider supporting their works through their time, talents, and treasure s as the Spirit moves them; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod adopt the already commended practice of participation in forums, such as the Latin American FORO, committing to regular support, including a financial commitment;

and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod consider how the FORO model could be employed to create partnerships between congregations in the Synod and the mission field, and inspire congregation members to be in mission at home and abroad; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its congregations to prayerfully explore the FORO model as a framework for deepening their connection to the global mission of the Church through financial support and personal involvement.

Michigan District

Ov. 2-02

To Encourage Every Congregation to Adopt a Missionary

WHEREAS, Our Lord has instructed His Church to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has heeded this instruction in part by sending missionaries to many countries in its history; and

WHEREAS, In recent years , the Synod has supported this effort through the Network Supported Missionary (NSM) model, where congregations adopt and support the missionaries of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, This program has been a great success not only in the support of our missionaries, but also in raising the awareness of mission work in our congregations and in joining them and their members in this effort; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of the NSM model is not only financial support, but also the prayers of God’s people for our missionaries;

and

WHEREAS, Some congregations do not participate in this effort due to financial limitations, missing out on the joy of supporting a missionary through their prayers and in learning about the work that is going on around the world; and

WHEREAS, Our Lord has given many great and precious promises regarding prayer, and that He is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20); and

WHEREAS, Gifts are of great value, significance, and joy to our Lord Jesus; therefore be it

Resolved, That the SELC District in convention encourage all its congregations to adopt a missionary to support with their prayers and, if possible, with their mission giving; and be it further

Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize the Synod in convention in the same, until each and every congregation in our Synod be connected to and praying for one of our missionaries and financially supporting them as they are able.

SELC District

Ov. 2-03

To Direct Board for International Mission to Study Ecclesiastical Supervision, Pastoral Care, and Synod Membership in International Mission Contexts

WHEREAS, The 2023 Synod c onvention adopted Resolutions 2- 03 and 2-06A (2023 Proceedings, 124–126), which address matters related to ecclesiastical supervision, pastoral care of missionaries, and Synod membership for international congregations; and

WHEREAS, These matters relate to the responsibility of the Board for International Mission (BIM) under Bylaw 3.8.3; and

WHEREAS, The BIM has already invested significant time studying the possibility and advisability of such arrangements and has determined that reasonable pathways exist; and

WHEREAS, Responsible stewardship requires careful study and appropriate consultation prior to proposing potential actions to the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the BIM continue to study and identify priority considerations related to ecclesiastical supervision, pastoral care, and structural organization in international mission contexts; and be it further

Resolved, T hat such study include, but not be limited to, examination of the Synod’s historical international districts, prior inclusion efforts, mission -based or associate relationship models, existing international mission structures, and core ecclesiastical needs (including supervision, pastoral care, and call processes), while considering policy based solutions within the existing constitutional and bylaw frameworks of the Synod; and be it finally 2026 Convention Workbook

295FLOOR COMMITTEES: REPORT AND OVERTURE ASSIGNMENTS