ORGANIZATION OF MISSIONS IN THE LCMS

Mission Work on Several Levels

Individual Congregational Associational (Auxiliaries and RSOs) Circuit District Synod wide (national) International

Missions Organization a Complex Issue Today At one time there were more than 16

committees, commissions, and boards In 1965 they were brought under one board,

the “Board for Mission Services” Today they go by the name: “LCMS World

Mission”

Missions Organization a Complex Issue Today People today want to have a direct involvement

in mission People today want to feel connected to the

mission activity they are supporting People today are more aware of the world People today are able to travel with ease Much of this is possible because of Western

Affluence

Constitution of the LCMS

Article IIIPurpose

Article III ObjectivesThe Synod, under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, shall—1. Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor. 1:10), work through itsoffic ial structure toward fe llowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a uniteddefense against schism, secta rianism (Rom. 16:17), and heresy;2. Strengthen congregations and their members in giving bold witness by word and deed tothe love and work of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spir it, and extend that Gospel witnessinto all the world;3. Recruit and tra in pastors, teachers, and other professiona l church workers and provideopportunity for their continuing growth;4. P rovide opportunities through which its members may express their Christian concern, love, andcompassion in meeting human needs;5. Aid congregations to develop processes of thorough Christian education and nurture and toestablish agencies of Christian educa tion such as elementary and secondary schools and to supportsynodical colleges, universities, and seminaries;6. Aid congregations by providing a variety of resources and opportunities for recognizing,promoting, expressing, conserving, and defending their confessional unity in the true faith;7. Encourage congrega tions to strive for uniformity in church practice , but a lso to develop anappreciation of a va riety of responsible practices and customs which are in harmony with ourcommon profession of faith;8. P rovide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care for pastors, teachers, and other professionalchurch workers of the Synod in the performance of their official duties;9. P rovide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, and other church workers in theperformance of their of ficial duties and the maintenance of their rights;10. Aid in providing for the welfare of pastors, teachers, and other church workers, and theirfamilies in the event of illness, disability, retirement, special need, or death.

LCMS Bylaws

H.6Board for Mission Services

6. Board for Mission Services3.841 MembershipThe Board for Mission Services shall consist of nine members who shall be elected by the national convention of the Synod: four ordained ministers, one commissioned minister, four laypersons.3.843 Seminary RepresentationThe Board of Regents of each seminary shall be entitled to designate a representative on the Board for Mission Services to serve as an advisory member.3.845 FunctionsThe board shall a. formulate, recommend, review, and supervise the mission pollicies of the Synod, recommend and monitor budgets, review organizational effectiveness, and provide for an aggressive and united mission effort for the Synod;b. call, appoint, assign, withdraw, and release missionaries (ordained and commissioned ministers) and other workers for the ministries and areas within its direct responsibility, always safeguarding the rights of the partner churches and workers involved; c. serve as the only sending agency through which workers and funds are sent to the mission areas of the Synod, even though programs are supported by Districts or other agencies;

d. maintain a concern for the specific training of missionaries and other workers related to the mission endeavors of the Synod and establish a continuing liaison with the terminal schools of the Synod;e. counsel with the mission boards of the Districts and partner churches with reference to their total mission program and supervise the planning and implementation of programs which will best utilize the Synod’s resources of people and possessions;f. have a special concern for the mission and ministry among minorities, among sensory impaired, and on campuses;g. provide a ministry for all the Synod’s military personnel, dependents of military personnel overseas, civilians and their dependents overseas, and patients of veterans hospitals;h. function as a recruitment, liaison, and endorsement agency with the various governmental units involved in the Armed Forces and Veterans Administration and between these units and the Synod’s chaplains and directors of religious education;i. maintain liaison and cooperation with assigned auxiliary and other recognized service organizations.

BFMS Structure

Synod Mission Board Executive Director Staff

BFMS Structurealso known asLCMS World Mission National

– Ministries to certain ethnic groups– Ministries to other groups– Ministries to Anglo America

Military– Liason with U.S. Armed Forces– Assist with recruitment and certification

LCMS World Mission in the U.S.

Director for North America Counselors Black Ministry has its own Board

BFMS Structurealso known asLCMS World Mission International

– Associate Executive Director for World Areas– Four World Areas

Eurasia (Rev. John Mehl) Africa (Rev. Kenneth Greinke) Asia (vacant) Latin America (Dr. Jorge Groh)

“Partnerships”

Today this word is used in a variety of ways “Partner Churches” “Mission Partners”

– Auxiliaries– RSOs (Recognized Service Organizations)– International Organizations with which we have

a working agreement

Partner Churches

Not all churches we are working with are officially recognized as “partner churches”

Official Partner Church status is granted two ways– A Historical Relationship (daughter church)– A Formal Declaration by Synodical Convention

Countries where we work

This can be found on the LCMS World Mission Web Site

The International Lutheran Council A World Wide Organization of

Confessional Lutheran Churches Has more the 30 Member Churches Membership does not imply “Altar and

Pulpit Fellowship” It, too, has a web site Publishes a regular bulletin

Lutheran World Federation

A Counterpart to the ILC Created after WWII LCMS is not a part of the LWF Membership does imply Altar and Pulpit

Fellowship Some churches are members of both ILC and

LWF Web site: www.lutheranworld.org

LCMS has two “Auxiliaries”

Lutheran Laymen’s League Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

LWML ILLL

Recognized Service Organizations Work with LCMS in a variety of ways Most are related to “Human Care Ministries” Are recognized by an LCMS Board Staff can remain rostered Must have goals congruent with those of the

LCMS Must be “Lutheran”

Some RSOs

Wheatridge Foundation Lutheran Bible Translators Children’s Christian Concern Society Many nursing homes, development

organizations, and social ministry organizations

At least 100 RSOs connected to the LCMS

Many others involved in Mission Outreach of Some Kind Individuals Congregations Independent Agencies and Mission Societies Association of Lutheran Mission Agencies

(ALMA)– Growing Membership– Some 70+ members

A Complicated Picture

Remember the Synodical Bylaws This is putting stress on our Synodical

Structure People want a more direct involvement People want to be well informed about how

their support is being used People want to have first hand experience

Is this Good or Bad?

What do you think? What has been your experience? Have you made a “Mission Trip”?

Is this Good or Bad?

It is the reality The LCMS Board for Mission Services is

changing its way of operation It is trying to become more inclusive It is not only our denomination It is a reflection of what is going on in our

society

How has this affected LCMS’ BFMS? The funding of Mission work has changed Ten years ago, 80% came from regular

Sunday Offerings Today, less than 20% Missionaries around the world?

– From a high of about 350 in 1968– To less than 100 today

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

91-'92 92-'93 93-'94 94-'95 95-'96 96-'97 97-'98 98-'99 99-'00 00-'01

Giving to LCMS World Mission

Weekly Offerings Direct Gifts

27%27%37%37%

47%47%55%55%

56%56%61%61%

67%67% 72%72%71%71%

74%74%

73%73% 63%63% 53%53% 45%45% 44%44%39%39% 33%33% 28%28% 29%29%

26 %26 %

What will the future bring?

More individual initiative More “partnerships” with and between the

various groups More small special interest mission

societies A changed role for the BFMS But a role none-the-less

The Role of the Pastor in Creating Mission Awareness Individual Congregational Associational Circuit District Synod wide

Pastor: The Key

Mission Awareness Mission Activity or Involvement of the

Congregation

How to Increase Awareness?

Preaching Teaching Mission Sundays Staying Informed of Issues Pray for Missionaries

How to be Active?

Special immigrant group? Support a new mission start Support directly a missionary Support directly a special mission project Help all members speak their faith in their

daily lives