ORGANIZATION OF MISSIONS IN THE LCMS

Mission Work on Several Levels n Individual n Congregational n Associational (Auxiliaries and RSOs) n Circuit n District n Synod wide (national) n International

Missions Organization a Complex Issue Today n At one time there were more than 16 committees, commissions, and boards n In 1965 they were brought under one board, the “Board for Mission Services” n Today they go by the name: “LCMS World Mission”

Missions Organization a Complex Issue Today n People today want to have a direct involvement in mission n People today want to feel connected to the mission activity they are supporting n People today are more aware of the world n People today are able to travel with ease n Much of this is possible because of Western Affluence

Constitution of the LCMS Article III Purpose

LCMS Bylaws H.6 Board for Mission Services

6. Board for Mission Services Membership The 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 Seminary Representation The 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 Functions The 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 n Synod n Mission Board n Executive Director n Staff

BFMS Structure also known as LCMS World Mission n National – Ministries to certain ethnic groups – Ministries to other groups – Ministries to Anglo America n Military – Liason with U.S. Armed Forces – Assist with recruitment and certification

LCMS World Mission in the U.S. n Director for North America n Counselors Counselors n Black Ministry has its own Board

BFMS Structure also known as LCMS World Mission n International – Associate Executive Director for World Areas – Four World Areas n Eurasia (Rev. John Mehl) n Africa (Rev. Kenneth Greinke) n Asia (vacant) n Latin America (Dr. Jorge Groh)

“Partnerships” n Today this word is used in a variety of ways n “Partner Churches” n “Mission Partners” – Auxiliaries – RSOs (Recognized Service Organizations) – International Organizations with which we have a working agreement

Partner Churches n Not all churches we are working with are officially recognized as “partner churches” n 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 n A World Wide Organization of Confessional Lutheran Churches n Has more the 30 Member Churches n Membership does not imply “Altar and Pulpit Fellowship” n It, too, has a web siteweb site n Publishes a regular bulletin

Lutheran World Federation n A Counterpart to the ILC n Created after WWII n LCMS is not a part of the LWF n Membership does imply Altar and Pulpit Fellowship n Some churches are members of both ILC and LWF n Web site:

LCMS has two “Auxiliaries” n Lutheran Laymen’s League n Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

LWMLILLL

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

Some RSOs n Wheatridge Foundation n Lutheran Bible Translators n Children’s Christian Concern Society n Many nursing homes, development organizations, and social ministry organizations n At least 100 RSOs connected to the LCMS

Many others involved in Mission Outreach of Some Kind n Individuals n Congregations n Independent Agencies and Mission Societies n Association of Lutheran Mission Agencies (ALMA) (ALMA) – Growing Membership – Some 70+ members

A Complicated Picture n Remember the Synodical Bylaws n This is putting stress on our Synodical Structure n People want a more direct involvement n People want to be well informed about how their support is being used n People want to have first hand experience

Is this Good or Bad? n What do you think? n What has been your experience? n Have you made a “Mission Trip”?

Is this Good or Bad? n It is the reality n The LCMS Board for Mission Services is changing its way of operation n It is trying to become more inclusive n It is not only our denomination n It is a reflection of what is going on in our society

How has this affected LCMS’ BFMS? n The funding of Mission work has changed n Ten years ago, 80% came from regular Sunday Offerings n Today, less than 20% n Missionaries around the world? – From a high of about 350 in 1968 – To less than 100 today

What will the future bring? n More individual initiative n More “partnerships” with and between the various groups n More small special interest mission societies n A changed role for the BFMS n But a role none-the-less

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

Pastor: The Key n Mission Awareness n Mission Activity or Involvement of the Congregation

How to Increase Awareness? n Preaching n Teaching n Mission Sundays n Staying Informed of Issues n Pray for Missionaries

How to be Active? n Special immigrant group? n Support a new mission start n Support directly a missionary n Support directly a special mission project n Help all members speak their faith in their daily lives