Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 508

3.8.3.1 The Board for International Mission shall have oversight 
of supervision over  the executive director of the Office of 
International Mission regarding  the implementation of policies 
adopted by the board and implemented by the Office of International 
Mission for the coordination of and in support of ministries of the 
Synod in foreign countries.  The board shall annually review and  
endorseapprove the Office of International Mission strategic plan 
and review and provide input on approve the Office of International 
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 (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 International Mission 
3.8.3.4 The Office of International Mission implements the 
policies of the Board for International Mission under the supervision 
of the Board for International Mission and the Chief Mission Officer 
and shall be responsible for the work of the Synod in foreign 
countries. Such responsibilities may include but not be limited to: 
• placement and support of foreign missionaries 
• establishment and maintenance of international schools 
• coordination of international relief efforts 
• policy recommendations to the Board for International Mission 
• support and encouragement of international partner churches in 
conjunction with the office of the President 
3.8.3.5 In carrying out its mission responsibilities, the Office of 
International 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 International Mission. Through the 
Chief Mission Officer, it shall also receive direction from the 
President of the Synod on all aspects of its responsibilities. 
3.8.3.6 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 International 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 activit ies 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). 
… 
LCMS Board of Directors 
Ov. 9-12 
To Restructure Mission Boards 
WHEREAS, The 2010 Synod convention adopted the 
recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure 
and Governance to consolidate the boards and commissions of 
national Synod, including the Board for Pastoral Education, the 
Board for University Education, the Board for Black Ministry 
Services, the Board for Communication Services, the Board for 
District and Congregational Services, the Board for Human Care 
Ministries, the Board for Mission Services, the Commission on 
Ministerial Growth and Support, the Commission on Structure, and 
the Commission on Worship (2010 Res. 8-08A); and 
W
HEREAS, The bylaws, functions, and offices related to these 
boards and commissions were either eliminated, distributed to other 
existing entities of Synod, or combined into two newly created 
mission offices —the Office of National Mission (ONM) and the 
Office of International Mission (OIM); and 
WHEREAS, These newly created mission offices function under 
policies created by their respective boards, the Board for National 
Mission and the Board for International Mission, neither of which 
has the authority to issue calls  (except as specifically permitted in 
Bylaws 3.8.2 and 3.8.3), make personnel decisions, or set budgets, 
unlike their predecessor boards and commissions; and 
W
HEREAS, Operating under this new structure for 16 years has 
reduced the authority with which these boards may act and therefore 
represent the Synod, which they are by design intended to do; and 
W
HEREAS, This lack of representation of the Synod in the 
mission boards is not only a departure from the long-established 
pattern of boards, commissions, and committees of the Synod, but 
has also raised suspicion of and temptation to abuses of power, 
fiscal malfeasance, and unresponsiveness to the congregations of 
the Synod; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention thank the mission boards 
for their labors under these conditions and for their efforts at 
representing those who elected and appointed them; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention revise bylaws so as to 
combine the two mission boards into one Board for Mission, setting 
policy for both the ONM and the OIM; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Board for Mission be comprised of 16 
members, including five elected laypersons (one from each region), 
five elected ordained ministers (one from reach region), two elected 
commissioned ministers, two faculty representatives from the 
respective sem inaries, one district president appointed by the 
Council of Presidents, and the President of the Synod or his 
representative; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Board for Mission select four of its members 
to represent it as voting members of the Synod Board of Directors 
(BOD), thereby bringing the membership of the latter to 20 total 
members, 19 voting, thereby ensuring greater representation of the 
Bo
ard for Mission on the BOD and exercise of the powers and 
duties enumerated in Bylaw 3.3.4; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the implementation of these bylaws and elections 
be delayed until the 2029 Synod convention. 
Christ, La Mesa, CA; Circuit 9 (Decatur), Indiana District 
Ov. 9-13 
To Revisit 2010 Restructuring 
WHEREAS, The Synod has periodically deemed it necessary to 
restructure its organization and operations  and has done so 
repeatedly, including 1959, 1979, 1995, and most recently in 2010; 
and 
WHEREAS, The 2010 Synod convention undertook a substantial 
restructuring of the Synod which impacted various boards, 
commissions, and other agencies; and 
WHEREAS, That restructuring has since reduced the debt of 
Synod, streamlined operations, and produced many other benefits; 
and 
WHEREAS, The restructuring also eliminated or consolidated 
numerous longstanding boards, commissions, and other agencies, 
reduced the representation of the  Synod’s congregations in 
2026 Convention Workbook
473STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION