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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 507

mission board to reach concurrence on a slate of candidates for 
the position. 
(fe) … 
3.8 Mission Boards and Offices 
Mission Boards 
3.8.1 The mission boards of The Lutheran Church —Missouri 
Synod are the following: 
1. Board for National Mission 
2. Board for International Mission 
3.8.1.1 Each mission board shall relate to a mission office, 
developing and determining its policies and supervising their 
implementation by an executive director. 
(a) The President shall make the initial appointment of an 
executive director from a slate developed in consultation with, 
and having the concurrence of, the respective mission board. 
Nominations shall first be solicited, in an official publication of 
the Synod, from the agencies and officers, congregational and 
individual members of the Synod. 
(b) Each appointment of an executive director is for no more than 
three years, during which period the executive director shall serve 
at the pleasure of the President. 
(c) Each mission board, with the assistance of Synod’s 
Department of Human Resources, shall conduct a review of the 
executive director of its respective office every third year of 
service, after which the appointment may be renewed by the 
President with the concurrence of the respective mission board. 
Board for National Mission 
3.8.2 The Board for National Mission 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]). These policies shall embrace and apply 
the mission and ministry emphases adopted by the national 
convention. Under the leadership of the President of the Synod, 
pursuant to Bylaw 3.3.1.1.1, the board shall assist in identifying the 
specific goals for t he Office of National Mission. Policies 
determined by the board (implemented by staff) may include but not 
be limited to: 
• strong national mission leadership 
• Lutheran school ministries and accreditation 
• human care and domestic mercy efforts 
• stewardship 
• evangelism 
• church planting and revitalization 
• youth ministry 
 Upon recommendation of the Office of National Mission, the Board 
for National Mission shall serve as a calling agency for institutional 
and agency chaplains and other non -foreign specialized ministers 
(e.g., Veterans Administration chaplains, Bureau of Pri son 
chaplains, hospital chaplains, pastoral counselors, and teachers of 
chaplaincy and pastoral counseling) after consultation with the 
appropriate district presidents(s) (cf. Bylaw 2.12.1.4). 
3.8.2.1 The Board for National Mission shall have oversight of  
supervision over the executive director of the Office of National 
Mission regarding 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.  The board shall annually review and 
endorseapprove the Office of National Mission strategic plan and 
review and provide input on approve the Office of National Mission 
initial annual budget proposal prior to its submission for approval by 
the Board of Directors.  The board shall be under the ecclesiastical 
supervision of the President of the Synod regarding doctrine and 
administration consistent with the President’s responsibility under 
Constitution Art. XI B 1 –4 (also Constitution Art. XI B 7; Bylaws 
3.3.1.1–3.3.1.3) between conventions of the Synod and ultimately 
shall be responsible to the Synod in convention (Constitution Art. XI 
A 1–2). 
… 
Office of National Mission 
3.8.2.4 The Office of National Mission implements the policies of 
the Board for National Mission under the supervision of the Chief 
Mission Officer and the Board for National Mission and shall be 
responsible for domestic ministries that especially serve 
congregations and schools through the districts of the Synod. Such 
district ministries may include but not be limited to: 
• Lutheran school ministries and accreditation 
• human care and domestic mercy efforts 
• stewardship 
• evangelism 
• church planting and revitalization 
• youth ministry 
3.8.2.5 In carrying out its mission responsibilities, the Office of 
National Mission shall receive its primary focus from the mission 
and ministry emphases developed triennially by the national Synod 
in convention and from the policies developed and determined by 
the Board for National Mission. Through the Chief Mission Officer, 
it shall also receive direction from the President of the Synod on all 
aspects of its responsibilities. 
3.8.2.6 The President’s supervisory responsibilities under 
Constitution Art. XI B and Bylaws 3.3.1.1 –3.3.1.3 will assure that 
the Office of National Mission incorporates the doctrine, mission, 
and vision of the Synod in its service to the Synod. All staff shall be 
responsible and accountable for their activities to the President of the 
Synod ( Constitution Art. XI B 1 –
4) between conventions of the 
Synod and ultimately to the Synod in convention ( Constitution Art. 
XI A 1–2). 
…  
Board for International Mission 
3.8.3 The Board for International Mission is charged with 
developing and determining policies in support of mission and 
ministry in foreign countries for the Office of International Mission 
(Bylaw 1.2.1 [ n
]). These policies shall embrace and apply the 
mission and ministry emphases adopted by the national convention. 
Under the leadership of the President of the Synod, pursuant to 
Bylaw 3.3.1.1.1, the board shall assist in identifying the specific 
goals for the Office of International Mission. Policies determined by 
the board (implemented by staff) may include but not be limited to: 
• strong mission leadership 
• training of missionaries 
• ministry for all of the Synod’s military personnel 
• safeguarding the rights of partner churches 
• ministry for all civilians and their dependents overseas 
• international human care 
• liaison with the colleges, universities, and seminaries of the Synod 
• liaison with the chief ecumenical officer of the Synod 
• international schools 
 Upon the recommendation of the Office of International Mission, the 
board shall serve as the only sending agency through which workers 
and funds are sent to the foreign mission areas of the Synod, 
including the calling, appointing, assigning, withdrawing,  and 
releasing of missionaries (ministers of religion — ordained and 
ministers of religion — commissioned) and other workers for the 
ministries in foreign areas. 
2026 Convention Workbook
472 STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION