Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 89

2026 Convention Workbook
54 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
the calling (ordained and commissioned) and appointing (lay work-
ers) as missionaries in foreign areas.
The board also reviews and endorses the OIM strategic plan and 
provides input on the OIM annual budget.
A. Assignments from the 2023 Convention
The 2023 Synod convention adopted three resolutions directing 
the board to study the following matters.
2023 Resolution 2-03, “To Strengthen Pastoral Care of Mis-
sionaries and Clarify Ecclesiastical Supervision,” and Res. 
2-06A, “To Study Synod Relationships with Independent Lu-
theran Congregations in Foreign Mission Areas”: These reso-
lutions, respectively, called for BIM to: (1) identify and implement 
measures to improve pastoral and spiritual care of foreign mission-
aries; assess and revise ecclesiastical supervision policies, proce-
dures, and practices in collaboration with the Council of Presidents 
(COP); and (2) to study and provide recommendations to the 2026 
convention regarding a mechanism for receiving international, in-
dependent Lutheran congregations into Synod membership in col-
laboration with the COP.
The BIM established a task force for each of these resolutions 
and appointed two of its members, and the COP appointed two of 
its members to each task force to study these matters. The Chief 
Mission Officer and Executive Director for the OIM also were 
members of the task forces. After careful study, the two task forc-
es determined the issues being considered were similar and they 
joined together to carry out further discussions.
The combined task force concluded that the issues raised by the 
resolutions could be addressed by joint policy statements by the 
BIM and the COP. The work of developing those policies contin -
ues.
2023 Res. 4-02, “To Affirm and Continue Making Disciples 
for Life as Mission and Ministry Emphasis for 2023–26 Trien-
nium”: The Joint Mission Assessment Committee of the BNM and 
BIM was assigned to define activities under continued mission and 
ministry emphasis; recommend refined process to the 2026 conven-
tion; and engage districts in conversation regarding the next mis-
sion and ministry emphasis. This was undertaken as part of their 
normal triennial mission assessment and is discussed further in 
their separate Report R8.
B. Calling of Missionaries
The BIM works closely with the OIM in the selection and call-
ing of missionaries. Currently the OIM has over 100 LCMS mis-
sionaries, 15 alliance missionaries (missionaries ordained by other 
church bodies with whom we are in fellowship), and over 345 mis-
sionary family members in foreign mission fields. A high priority 
of the BIM is to encourage the recruitment of new missionaries 
to expand our presence in foreign mission areas of the Synod and 
to provide missionaries to fill positions as current missionaries re-
tire or accept calls to serve in other contexts. The BIM also works 
closely with the Office of Ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF) to 
call military chaplains. The recruitment, orientation, and deploy-
ment support efforts carried out by both the OIM and MAF are 
exemplary. Currently we have 51 LCMS military chaplains on ac-
tive duty, and 65 pastors/chaplains in the Reserve, National Guard, 
Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Veterans Affairs Hospitals, as well as 2 
directors of religious education serving the military.
Changes and Blessings on the Board for 
National Mission
This past triennium the BNM was blessed to welcome the Rev. 
Craig Niemeier, the Rev. Michael Schuermann, and Mr. Stephen 
Weller. To say that these servants of the Risen Christ have been 
helpful to us would be an understatement. They have all brought 
exceptional and timely gifts to the board and have clearly made 
us more effective in fulfilling our responsibilities. Furthermore, the 
other executive committee members I have the privilege to serve 
with are among the most talented disciples I know. Mrs. Crysten 
Sanchez has served with meticulous detail and organization as our 
secretary, and the Rev. Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor has served with wis-
dom and love as our vice-chair.
Finally, the entire board has had the distinct pleasure of part-
nering with Ms. Carla Claussen who, upon entering the end of this 
triennium, is no longer eligible to serve on the BNM. I must take 
this opportunity, however, to point out the gem in Christ the Church 
has had in Ms. Claussen. In July 2004, Ms. Claussen was elected 
to serve the Board for District and Congregational Services and she 
fulfilled her duties from 2004 to 2010. Since the restructuring of 
the Synod in 2010, Ms. Claussen has served the BNM from 2010 
to the present. That is, our sister in Christ has served in this arena 
of national ministry for 22 years. We are in awe of her dedication 
and her living faith which has led Ms. Claussen to demonstrate the 
love of Christ in heart, soul, and mind to her brothers and sisters in 
Christ in our Synod and for all those we serve in the world. We give 
thanks and praise to God for her!
Going Forward
The BNM is focused on the upcoming triennium to be our very 
best since our inception in 2010. We are determined to understand 
what we can do at the national level to be truly helpful and mean -
ingful to our districts and congregations. In this vision, we are de-
termined to make strides in better coordination and stewardship of 
our shared Synod resources. We are focused on providing for the 
next generations so that they not merely know what we believe, but 
also why we believe and how to “give an answer for the hope that 
is within [us]” (1 Peter 3:15). We desire real ways of growing and 
increasing local congregations and schools and we are focused on 
making our best contributions for supporting worker wellness, es-
pecially with resources that keep us spiritually strong while abiding 
in our baptismal grace in the Risen Christ. We cannot provide only 
for the body but must also provide for the mind and most impor -
tantly for the spirit, so that we abide in our baptismal grace and 
reliance upon the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word and 
Sacraments of Christ not just for those our church workers minister 
to, but for themselves and their families.
Alfonso O. Espinosa, Chairman
R7
Board for International Mission
The Board for International Mission (BIM) is charged with de-
veloping and determining policies in support of mission and min-
istry in foreign countries for the Office of International Mission 
(OIM). These policies shall embrace and apply the mission and 
ministry emphasis adopted by the national convention. 
BIM serves as the only sending agency through which workers 
and funds are sent to foreign mission areas of the Synod including