Mission boards look to convention

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The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Boards for International Mission (BIM) and National Mission (BNM) met in St. Louis May 1–2 and May 8–9, respectively.

BIM

During its meeting, the BIM approved solemn appointments for two missionaries to Eurasia. These two joined seven other new missionaries — who received their calls or appointments after the February meeting — at missionary orientation in June. The board also extended a call to one military chaplain at the recommendation of LCMS Military to the Armed Forces staff.

On May 1, Dr. Eric Semler, who recently accepted the call to serve as head of school at Concordia International School Shanghai (CISS) after serving an interim period, joined via Zoom. He reported that CISS currently has 1,150 students, as well as “a committed leadership team” and “parents that value our faith foundation.” Semler noted that some families are drawn to CISS specifically because of its dedication to Christian values and its connection to the LCMS.

The next day, the BIM endorsed the appointment of two new members for the CISS board.

During the meeting, the board also heard from:

Synod Secretary Rev. Dr. John W. Sias and Nathan Thomas, executive director of the LCMS Human Resources department, who spoke about missionary calls from the perspective of the Bylaws and employment law, respectively.

The Rev. Dr. David Preus, regional director of the Synod’s work in Eurasia, who updated the board on new relationships that are bearing fruit in Greenland, Israel and Ireland. He mentioned growing interest in the theological education being offered at the Luther Academy in Riga, Latvia, and discussed the upcoming LCMS Eurasia Church Planting Conference, set for Oct. 21–24 in Wittenberg, Germany.

The Rev. Dr. Cory Rajek, executive director of the LCMS Office of International Mission, who reported on a mission education conference held in the Dominican Republic (DR) in April. Ten district presidents attended the conference, where they discussed what is and is not “mission,” met LCMS missionaries and Concordia the Reformer Seminary students, and shadowed the seminarians on visits to residents’ homes. “We’re there to bring Word and Sacrament ministry, and we connect that to mercy. That was a message that was heard loud and clear [by conference attendees],” Rajek said.

LCMS Chief Mission Officer Rev. Kevin Robson, who updated the board on progress on 2023 Resolutions 2-03, “To Strengthen Pastoral Care of Missionaries and Clarify Ecclesiastical Supervision,” and 2-06A, “To Study Synod Membership for International Lutheran Congregations in Foreign Mission Areas.” He presented a concept, still in development, that would provide ecclesiastical supervision and ensure Bylaw compliance of individual Lutheran congregations around the world that desire to be a part of the LCMS — and are not able to join another partner church body.

At the last LCMS convention, delegates approved Resolutions 4-02 and 4-03, which tasked the BIM and BNM to work with LCMS districts and members to recommend revisions to the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphasis (currently Making Disciples for Life) and mission priorities at the next convention. The board spent several sessions discussing this at its May meeting and set a goal of September for a first draft.

Following the meeting, BIM Chairman John Edson said that “calls of missionaries are always our top priority,” but that the discussions surrounding 4-02 and 4-03 are also important, as the mission boards “help to develop those for the next triennium … so that we carry out the will of God.”

BNM

Like the BIM, the BNM spent time discussing its work to produce a joint BNM and BIM proposal on the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphasis and its mission priorities. BNM Chairman Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa thanked the board members for their ongoing efforts to connect with district representatives to gather their input.

The board heard from CMO Robson, who provided updates on:

The FORO (“forum”) model for international mission work, which began in the LCMS Latin America and the Caribbean region but is now spreading to the Synod’s other regions. The model brings together districts, circuits, congregations and individuals to partner with mission fields to support the ongoing work.

The plan to purchase a facility adjacent to the Old Latin School in Wittenberg, Germany, that will allow for more conference/classroom/office space for events.

Efforts at the LCMS International Center (IC) to streamline/update the means by which the various ministries in the building track and use data.

The ongoing work of the Pastoral Formation Committee, which is nearing the end of a major research project on residential and non-residential formation, the results of which will be presented to the 2026 LCMS convention.

The recent call services held at both LCMS seminaries. “It could not be more evident [than in the call services],” Robson said, “how God has blessed the LCMS. … Pastoral formation starts right there, with the training of men to serve in the Office of the Holy Ministry.”

The board heard an update from Office of National Mission (ONM) Executive Director Rev. Daniel Galchutt, who reviewed ONM staffing, budget and work in a variety of areas. Among other items, Galchutt noted Youth Ministry’s final preparations for the LCMS Youth Gathering, scheduled for July; ongoing work in church planting, including the impending arrival of the Rev. Dr. Quintin Cundiff as director of LCMS Church Planting; and conversations happening within LCMS School Ministry about developing resources for classical schools, microschools and homeschoolers.

The Rev. Andy Becker, who recently began serving as manager of family discipleship for the ONM, joined the board to report on his first several months at the IC. Espinosa welcomed him, recalling his (Espinosa’s) own involvement in advancing the Synod’s focus on family ministry, both at the 2016 convention, which made family ministry a mission priority of the LCMS, and the 2019 convention, which directed the Synod, via Res. 12-03A, “To Encourage Lifelong Catechesis in the Home and Church.”

“And now you’re here!” Espinosa said to Becker. “We praise God for you.”

Becker’s presentation covered a range of topics, including the impact of a changing culture on family ministry and his efforts to connect with LCMS districts and workers and hear from them what resources are needed. Becker emphasized that “family” is not a one-size-fits-all word, but that every Lutheran household comprises a family unit that needs to hear and know the love of Christ.

The BNM spent time discussing potential overtures for the 2026 LCMS convention and heard a presentation from the Rev. Dr. Todd Biermann, executive director of the Concordia Center for the Family, an LCMS Recognized Service Organization with the mission of “uniting homes and congregations in making lifelong disciples of Jesus.”

Posted July 14, 2025