Task Force Updates
LCMS National Convention
Task force updates are available on resolutions approved by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod during the 2019 national convention. While the 2019 convention called for much collaborative work to be done, Res. 7-03 was the only adopted resolution requiring the efforts of a task force.
Resolution 7-03
To Direct a Collaborative Process to Propose a New Governance Plan
Resolution 7-03 (2019) expressed the collective recognition of Synod leadership and the Concordia University System (CUS) institution presidents, higher education in America faces an “uncertain future.” Both future challenges and opportunities are predicted to exist for CUS institutions. The resolution called for a new CUS institution governance plan be presented to the 2023 convention of the Synod for consideration by the delegates. Over the last 15 months, the draft proposed new governance model has been developed under the leadership of the Synod Board of Directors with active involvement of the President of the Synod, the CUS institution presidents, the CUS President and Board of Directors, and others. As required by Res. 7-03 (2019), the proposed model has been disseminated to the Synod for comments due no later than September 30, 2021. Comments can be emailed to the Office of the Secretary at lcmssecretary@lcms.org or by U.S. mail to the Office of the Secretary, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7595.
2016 Convention Task Force Updates
Resolution 3-04
To Create Task Force for Study of Issues Relating to Procreation, Fertility and Care for Unborn
Resolution 3-04 recognized the blessing of children, changing science and technology, and the desire of Christians to receive guidance from the church on procreation, fertility and care of the unborn (e.g., contraception, procreative alternatives, reproductive assistance and even abortion). The adopted resolution called for the president of the Synod to appoint a task force to take up these issues and report back to the next convention.
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Resolution 4-03B
To Convene Task Force to Review Recognized Service Organization Program and Bylaws
Resolution 4-03B highlighted the long history of the Synod in recognizing the contributions of and working in partnership with Recognized Service Organizations (RSO). In recent years, these organizations have been challenged by funding issues, government restrictions and legal issues related to their work in the community as a nonprofit organization recognized by the LCMS. While a thorough review of the program was conducted in 2006–07, which resulted in program improvements, the convention delegates called for a task force to be formed to address specific issues, make recommendations and report its findings to the next convention.
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Resolution 7-02B
To Preserve Concordia Colleges and Universities as Institutions of the Church and Strengthen Their Structural Bonds with Synod
Resolution 7-02B recognized the Concordia colleges and universities as “treasures of the church” that serve to educate students for service both in church work and secular occupations. The Res. 7-02B task force is a continuation of the task force established at the 2013 convention through Res. 5-01A, “To Encourage Continue Faithful Witness by Concordia University System.” The convention delegates commended the previous work accomplished through the Res. 5-01A task force and called for the task force to continue its work.
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Resolution 8-03A
To Support the Quality and Sustainability of Lutheran Schools through the Work of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Lutheran Schools
Resolution 8-03A recognized the importance of supporting our Lutheran schools and raising up school administrators to continue the long history of the Synod in providing a strong Lutheran school system. This resolution called for the continuation of the Blue Ribbon Committee, established in a prior convention, to support and address issues related to our Lutheran schools. The committee’s work is to be completed by mid-2018 so that it can be reported to the 2019 convention for consideration.
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Resolution 11-10
To Authorize Review of Synod Nominations/Elections Processes
Resolution 11-10 recognized that the nominations and elections processes leading up to convention have gone through many changes over the past 10 years. These changes resulted in cumbersome and complicated processes that were confusing and had difficult time-frame expectations. This resolution calls for a thorough review of Bylaw 3.12, “Nominations and Elections.”
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Resolution 13-01A
To Extol and Equip the Blessed Partnership between the Royal Priesthood and the Office of the Public Ministry
Resolution 13-01A recognized the blessings of both those called to the royal priesthood (all believers) and those called to the Office of the Public Ministry (pastors or deacons preaching the Word of God and administering the Sacraments). The resolution called for the formation of a task force to continue the dialogue about strengthening the complementary relationship between the laity and those called to the public ministry.
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Resolution 13-03
To Address Future Church Leadership Needs in Light of Current and Future Challenges
Resolution 13-03 continues the study of the church’s need to reach out and evangelize to the increasingly ethnically diverse population in America, while also preserving the divinely instituted pastoral office and remaining faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.
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