Official Workbook PDF page source text

2026 Convention Workbook

303FLOOR COMMITTEES: REPORT AND OVERTURE ASSIGNMENTS

4. Life Together

REPORTS

R1, R1.2–R1.2.2, R1.2.5, R5.2–R8,

R10, R12, R20–R58, R60

OVERTURES

Ov. 4-01

To Commend and Sunset Synod Mission Priorities

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention instructed the Board for National Mission and Board for International Mission to recommend possible revisions to the mission priorities and possible

Bylaw revisions that would articulate both the process for

developing mission priorities and how those priorities would function in the mission and ministry of the Synod (2023 Res. 4-03, “To Affirm and Continue Mission Priorities for 2023– 2026 Triennium”); and

WHEREAS, Bylaws do not specifically require the Synod convention to establish “mission priorities”; and

WHEREAS, The two mission boards have had extensive fraternal conversations with every district pertaining to the Synod’s mission priorities and their effectiveness for the work of each district; and

WHEREAS, The districts expressed general agreement with the doctrine and practice articulated in the current m ission priorities, yet found them less than helpful for the specific priorities and work of their districts; and

WHEREAS, Many districts have established their own mission priorities under the Synod’s triennial m ission and m inistry emphasis; and

WHEREAS, Every priority of the current list of seven m ission priorities is already articulated in the objectives of Synod ( Const.

Art. III); and

WHEREAS, Conversations with the districts by the two mission boards indicated no particular desire to retain the current m ission priorities, or establish an elaborate procedure for creating m ission priorities in the future; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the district presidents and their districts for the constructive fraternal conversations they have had with the mission boards over the last triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks for how the original mission priorities helped shape the work of national and international mission during the early years after restructuring; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend and identify the Synod objectives (Const. Art. III) as the mission priorities of the Synod and a faithful articulation of its work; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm the responsibility of the respective mission boards (Bylaws 3.8.2, 3), under the leadership of the President and pursuant to Bylaw 3.3.1.1.1, to assist in identifying the specific goals and priorities for national and international mission work.

Board for National Mission; Board for International Mission

Ov. 4-02

To Establish Tell the Next Generation as Synod Mission and Ministry Emphasis

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention (2023 Res. 4-02) instructed the Board for National Mission (BNM) and the Board for International Mission (BIM) to recommend a new mission and ministry emphasis for consideration at the 2026 Synod convention;

and

WHEREAS, The two mission boards have consulted with the district presidents, the Office of National Mission, and the Office of International Mission in an extensive series of fraternal discussions toward seeking input for the development of the triennial mission and ministry emphasis; and

WHEREAS, The two mission boards, in collaboration with the President of the Synod, have unanimously agreed to recommend to the Synod in convention a triennial mission and ministry emphasis that captures the desire to spread the Gospel and the full counsel of God’ s Word to those who do not know Christ, as well as the generations of church members that will follow us; and

WHEREAS, The theme for the 2026 –29 National Offering has been established as “Christ Is Risen! Tell the Next Generation,” reflecting this desire to spread the Gospel and the full counsel of God’s Word to those who do not know Christ and to the generations to come; therefore be it

Resolved, That the BNM and the BIM commend Tell the Next Generation to the Synod for adoption as her mission and ministry emphasis for the 2026–29 triennium.

Board for National Mission; Board for International Mission

Ov. 4-03

To Establish Tell the Next Generation as Synod Mission and Ministry Emphasis

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Board for International Mission (BIM)

and Board for National Mission (BNM) have consulted with Council of Presidents , the O ffice of N ational Mission, and the Office of International Mission in an extensive series of fraternal discussions toward seeking input for the development of the triennial mission and ministry emphasis; and

WHEREAS, The BIM and BNM , in collaboration with the President of the Synod, have unanimously agreed to recommend to the Synod in convention a triennial m ission and ministry emphasis that captures the desire to spread the Gospel and the full counsel of God’s Word to those who do not know Christ, as well as the generations of church members that will follow us; therefore be it

Resolved, That the triennial m ission and m inistry emphasis for the 2026–29 triennium shall be Tell the Next Generation.

Board for National Mission

Ov. 4-04

To Encourage Acceptance of Triennial Mission and Ministry Emphases

WHEREAS, Bylaw 4.2.1 (b) requires districts to submit triennial mission and ministry emphases for consideration by the national convention; and