wfn.org | Final mission issues addressed by Missouri Synod in convention

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The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services
1333 S. Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO 63122-7295

61st Regular Convention St. Louis, Mo. July 14-20, 2001

July 20, 2001 #50

Contact: Bruce Kueck (314) 342-5715

Final mission issues addressed by Missouri Synod in convention

ST. LOUIS Several mission resolutions were approved Thursday, July 19, by 
the 61st Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, which is 
meeting here through today.

While not originally on the agenda for the day, the missions floor 
committee was given time in the afternoon session of Thursday s business in 
response to delegate request. Six resolutions were adopted by 90-plus 
percent margins, including:

* to promote urban-mission partnerships;
* to utilize the gifts and talents of all LCMS members;

* to recognize the need for variety in mission outreach;

* to recognize and share the results of increased diversity within the 
church body;

* to express appreciation for Dr. Glenn O Shoney, retiring national mission 
executive; and

* to decline an overture regarding appropriation of mission dollars for 
collaborative outreach.

Noting the growth of major metropolitan areas in the United States, the 
first resolution directs the Board for Mission Services to continue 
"operating under the principle" that North America is a mission field. 
Partnerships are encouraged among urban and suburban congregations within 
and between LCMS districts to "maximize mission outreach potential." 
Pentecost 2000 -- a Synod-wide initiative to launch 1,000 new 
cross-cultural ministries -- was affirmed for the next triennium. According 
to mission representatives, 511 new ministries have been started.

The second adopted resolution encourages "special recruitment" to achieve 
election and appointment of "substantially more" regional and national 
leaders from diverse backgrounds." The LCMS president and Board of 
Directors, as well as district presidents and boards of directors, are to 
give priority attention to "barriers within the church structure to diverse 
representation," implementing appropriate actions and encouraging the same 
at the congregational level. An amendment to remove wording describing "the 
makeup of most boards and commission of the LCMS and its regional entities 
[as] primarily Caucasian and male" failed.

Delegates also resolved to "celebrate opportunities to minister to diverse 
cultures" in the United States and abroad, acknowledging that doing so 
requires varied approaches. The LCMS will "work together to minister to 
people of these diverse cultures."

The convention then adopted a motion to pray for continued growth "as a 
church of all nations," reflecting this increased diversity through 
official publications and communications. Those vehicles are encouraged to 
"report regularly ... what God has done through these exciting new ministries."

O Shoney, who will retire Nov. 1 after 12 years of service as the Synod s 
top mission executive, was recognized for his long-time service to the 
church as pastor, mission director and president of the Synod s Texas 
District. Under O Shoney s direction, the Missouri Synod expanded its 
overseas mission involvement from 43 countries in 1989 to 69 in 2000, and 
experienced "remarkable growth" in the number of U.S. congregations, 
particularly among new Americans "from other cultures and languages." He 
also "expanded opportunities" for lay members to serve in long- and 
short-term mission work in the U.S. and abroad.

Finally, an attempt to refer the overture regarding appropriation of 
mission funds for collaborative efforts to the LCMS president s office 
failed. According to the committee, it was "not feasible" to consider the 
resolution at this convention.

The LCMS meets nationally in convention every three years.

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