Synod boards hold fall meetings

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Board of Directors (BOD), Council of Presidents (COP), Board for International Mission (BIM) and Board for National Mission (BNM) held their regularly scheduled meetings in August and September.

BOD

The BOD met Aug. 16–17 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The board heard reports from LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, Chief Mission Officer (CMO) Rev. Kevin Robson and Chief Financial Officer Nathan Haak.

Among other items, Harrison highlighted this year’s $4 million gift from the Bolick Foundation, calling it a “tremendous shot in the arm,” particularly to the Synod’s church-planting efforts. The ONM is working with 17 partner districts on about 60 church plants. Robson reviewed work going on in the five units that report to him (National Mission, International Mission, Pastoral Education, Mission Advancement and Communications) and noted the impending retirement of Jeannie Smithson, longtime assistant to the CMO. Smithson has facilitated the work of his office and the operations of the Synod’s governing boards for many years, and she will be missed.

Haak commented on preliminary financial statements (as of the close of FY24), pending the conclusion of audit procedures. He noted that FY24 closed with record net assets of $186.7 million, putting corporate Synod in a “strong financial position.” He noted the dominant proportion of giving made up by bequests and large gifts, generally the result of long donor relationships, and underscored the importance of current investments in Mission Advancement in hope of such future support.

The board heard updates on Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor (CUWAA) and the Concordia University System (CUS). The Rev. Dr. Aaron Moldenhauer, CUWAA vice-president for Mission and Church Relations, presented remotely on the plan for CUAA, which was a presentation previously shared with the LCMS Michigan District Board of Directors. The plan involves four commitments: a physical presence in Michigan, mission fidelity, high-quality academic programs and a financially sustainable model.

The board next meets Nov. 22–23. Meeting minutes are available at lcms.org/bod.

BIM and BNM

The BIM met Sept. 5–6 and the BNM Sept. 12–13, both in St. Louis. The BIM heard an update from the Rev. Dr. Cory Rajek, executive director of the LCMS Office of International Mission (OIM). Rajek reviewed work ongoing in the OIM, including staff development, recent changes in personnel, a renewed emphasis on the FORO (“forum”) model for facilitating the church’s engagement with the international mission field, and efforts to address logistical challenges related to missionary work (visas, business, legal, etc.).

BIM subcommittees reported on work related to 2023 Resolutions 2-06A (“To Study Synod Relationships with Independent Lutheran Congregations in Foreign Mission Areas”) and 2-03 (“To Strengthen Pastoral Care of Missionaries and Clarify Ecclesiastical Supervision”).

Both the BIM and BNM spent considerable time during their respective meetings discussing the work of the Joint Mission Assessment Committee (JMAC). The JMAC is a joint committee of the BIM and BNM that has been spearheading the mission boards’ study of the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphasis. This work is required by LCMS bylaws, and the boards are further instructed to provide a joint report of their findings to the Synod’s districts in advance of their district conventions. The boards have been working closely to finalize that report before the conventions begin in early 2025.

The BNM heard a report from the Rev. Dan Galchutt, executive director of the LCMS Office of National Mission (ONM). Among other items, Galchutt reviewed his ongoing interaction with the Synod’s districts, which includes visitation. Twelve of the 35 LCMS districts have been visited so far this triennium, with more visits planned.

The BIM next meets Nov. 7–8; the BNM next meets Nov. 14–15.

COP

The COP met Sept. 9–12 in St. Louis. LCMS Missouri District President Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan, who serves as COP chair, introduced new COP members Rev. Michael Von Behren (Northwest District), Rev. Jeffrey Miskus (English District) and Rev. Eric Skovgaard (South Wisconsin District). During the course of the meeting, the COP heard reports from President Harrison; the Rev. Dr. James Baneck, executive director of LCMS Pastoral Education; the Rev. Craig Muehler, director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces; the Rev. Bart Day, president and CEO of Lutheran Church Extension Fund; ONM Executive Director Galchutt; and ONM Managing Director for Human Care and Ministerial Support Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor.

The COP heard a report from a committee that was formed to consider a recommendation from the Black Ministry Think Tank (BMTT). The BMTT requested that the LCMS Locator include a means of searching for parishes that offer Black/African American Ministry. After hearing from the committee, the COP endorsed a memorandum from LCMS Secretary Rev. Dr. John Sias directing the Synod’s Rosters and Statistics department to add Black/African American Ministry as a new ministry type in the Locator.

The COP welcomed the Rev. Dr. Bruce Hartung and the Rev. Mark Hricko of the Wellspring Center for Leadership and Wellness, which provides workshops and conferences for pastors and lay leaders.

Hartung and Hricko shared results of a survey of seminarians who, from 2012 to 2023, were called as associate/assistant pastors. Of 386 men who were requested to participate in the survey, 247 (65%) responded. The results showed that there are many positives for seminarians whose first call is to team ministry. There are, however, a significant number of instances where there have been challenges. Hartung and Hricko offered a number of recommendations for addressing these challenges.

LCMS First Vice-President Rev. Peter Lange presented his report, which included updates on commissioned and pastoral colloquy. The revision process for the commissioned ministry colloquy manual is wrapping up, and the updated manual will soon be available. The Rev. Dr. Paul Philp is now serving as the executive director of CUEnet (the Concordia University Education Network).

The Rev. Dr. Richard Serina, associate executive director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), spoke to the COP about 2023 Resolution 5-13A, which called for a joint document from the COP, the CTCR and the Office of the President on the use of online technology in the church. Serina informed the COP that the CTCR will produce a draft document, with a plan to provide it to the COP at its February 2025 meeting.

The Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, former president of the LCMS English District who is now serving as CUS president, introduced the Rev. Dr. Douglas Spittel, recently appointed as CUS vice-president. Before going on to present his report, Hardy expressed heartfelt thanks for his years on the COP: “You men manage and have responsibility over important things in the church. These tasks … matter. I count you all as brothers and give thanks to God for our sainted brother, [former LCMS South Wisconsin District President Rev.] John Wille.” (Wille was called to glory earlier this year.)

Hardy emphasized the importance, in his role, of visitation, sharing that he had so far visited four of the CUS campuses. “Our colleges are in good shape,” Hardy said. “We have five phenomenal presidents. We have great people at our universities. It’s a pleasure and a joy to be there and listen to them and talk to them.”

The COP discussed work related to assignments from the 2023 Synod convention and received the following vacancy report:

Number of districts reporting: 35

Calling for sole pastor: 413

Calling for senior pastor: 54

Calling for associate or assistant pastor: 63

Total calling congregations: 530

Congregations being served part-time: 630

New starts: 5

Congregations closed since last meeting: 16

Posted Oct. 31, 2024