THE LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD, INC. (incl. MISSION CENTRAL, Mapleton, Iowa)

The Office of National Mission coordinates and supports domestic ministries that serve congregations and schools through the districts of the Synod (Bylaw 3.8.2.3). To that end the Office of National Mission will enliven, equip, coordinate, and engage domestic congregations, districts, and Recognized Service Organizations in order to enhance their local and regional missions and ministries. The Office of National mission supports the work of church planting and revitalization, domestic disaster response and human care, evangelism, school ministry, stewardship, and youth ministry.

The Office of Pastoral Education plans, promotes, and coordinates pastoral education in order to provide healthy, well-trained, and faithful clergy for the LCMS. The executive director of pastoral education assists the Synod’s chief mission officer in “providing leadership, coordination, and oversight for pre-seminary education programs, seminary education and post-seminary continuing education, and by providing advocacy for pastoral education and health with the Synod” (Bylaw 3.4.3.8).
Planning includes the collection and integration of data gathered from the Concordia University System (CUS) schools and the seminaries in order to provide an accurate description of the present. Planning also includes identification of trends and patterns in data that could be predictive and signal prudent changes for the future. It includes ongoing visitation of university theology faculty and pre-seminary director. It also includes communication with, and serving as a resource for, the LCMS Council of Presidents and others who are key stakeholders in pastoral education.
The promotional efforts of the office include informing the church concerning the mission of both LCMS seminaries and how both seminaries are undertaking that mission. This takes place through visitation, the Pastoral Formation Committee, and bringing leaders from both seminaries together for ongoing cooperation and collaboration to foster rapport and advance mission effectiveness. They also include extolling the office of pastor and what God accomplishes through that office. These efforts are designed to advance the work of the seminaries with prospective students, potential donors, alumni and other key stakeholders in pastoral education. The Pastoral Education budget also reflects the distribution of designated financial gifts and bequests to support both seminaries joyfully given by the church through the LCMS Joint Seminary Fund, Global Seminary Initiative, endowments contributions, and regular worship offerings (subsidy).
The coordination of pastoral education includes working toward the creation of a seamless system of pastoral formation in the Synod that begins at the baptismal font and continues throughout the life and service of the pastor. The office promotes ways in which those to whom God has given the desire to serve Him in pastoral ministry may be identified, informed, encouraged, nurtured and effectively formed for that service. It designs and advances to the Synod a plan of lifelong learning for pastors that begins with oversight of the Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support (PALS) program, Preach the Word, and providing the COP with a system for tracking and reporting continuing education units on the pastor’s Self Evaluation Tool (SET).
All these efforts are undertaken so that God’s people will be faithfully fed the Lord’s Word and Sacraments whereby the Holy Spirit creates and sustains saving faith in His people.

Communications exists to interpret the Synod’s purpose and program to its members and to promote an increased understanding on the part of the church’s publics of the mission of the Synod as identified in Article III of the Constitution.
Communications provides resources to the boards, commissions, congregations and other entities and agencies of the Synod. It provides creative ideas and information along with programs, production facilities and other assistance for print and electronic media. It assists the appropriate officers of the Synod in their communication responsibilities. It encourages and assists the Synod’s colleges, universities and seminaries in providing educational opportunities in print and electronic media. It establishes communication policies to guide staff in organizing and coordinating communications activities at all judicatory levels. Communications serves the public relations needs of the Synod. It shall authorize and supervise the production of the necessary print and broadcast materials for the church and its publics.
Communications is responsible for the official periodicals of the Synod, The Lutheran Witness and Reporter, whose primary purposes are to promote growth and strengthen the individual Christian life; include official reports and notices; promote the Synod’s work; provide current synodical news; transmit to the congregations information concerning the Synod’s positions and programs; assist congregational leaders in developing coordinated programs; facilitate the exchange of information concerning successful methods of practical church work; serve as a forum for the responsible exchange of opinion on issues confronting the Synod; and report general church news of interest to the Synod.

The LCMS provides funding to support the operations of LCMS-owned colleges and universities, through the Concordia University System. The bulk of budget support is in the form of annual principal and interest payments on an accumulated operating debt incurred by the colleges over time. The Concordia University System is a separately incorporated, wholly-owned agency of the Synod.
The Concordia University System (CUS) board develops policies and procedures for coordinating roles and responsibilities for the colleges and universities. It reviews and approves new programs and manages peer review of programs in the interest of the universities and the church.
CUS reviews and approves institutional budgets, establishes policy guidelines for distribution of Synodical financial support, approves capital projects, establishes criteria for institutional viability, fiscal and otherwise, and grants prior approval of initial appointments to the university faculties.
A primary emphasis is the promotion of church work programs and recruitment processes for students, professional church work, and lay higher education for future Lutheran leaders. CUS has its own EIN number, and the colleges are fall under a blanket exemption granted by the IRS to the LCMS as the "parent" organization.

The Commission on Theology and Church Relations exists to assist the President of the Synod in matters of church relationships and to assist congregations in achieving the objectives of Article III, 1 and 6 of the Constitution of the Synod.
The commission assists the President at his request in discharging his constitutional responsibilities for fostering and preserving doctrinal unity within the Synod and doctrinal integrity as he relates to other church bodies. When a church body applies for formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod or when a synodical mission applies for formal recognition as a self-governing partner church (by the Board for Mission Services), such recognition shall be proposed at a synodical convention only after the approval of the commission.
The commission shall provide guidance to the Synod in matters of theology and church relations. It shall suggest and provide studies of contemporary issues, including also current social issues, as they affect the church and as the church may affect such social issues. It shall foster and provide for ongoing theological education through institutes, seminars, and other means.

The Commission on Constitutional Matters exists to interpret the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and Resolutions upon the written request of a member (congregation, ordained or commissioned minister), official, board, commission, entity, or agency of the Synod and ensures the constitutionality of the governing instruments of the Synod and its agencies. It examines all reports and overtures to the Synod asking for amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod to determine their agreement in content and language with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. It examines in advance the articles of incorporation and the bylaws or regulations of every synodical entity and all proposed amendments of such documents to ascertain whether they are in harmony with the Constitution, Bylaws, and Resolutions of the Synod.

The Council of Presidents shall provide opportunity for the President to advise and counsel his representatives in the districts and for the district presidents in turn to give counsel to the President.
The Council of Presidents exists to provide opportunity for the presidents of the districts and the praesidium of the Synod to counsel with one another on matters pertaining to the doctrine and administration of the Synod and its districts, to edify and support one another in the work they share, and to serve as the Board of Assignments of the Synod.
The Council of Presidents shall assign first calls to candidates for the offices of ordained and commissioned ministers and to handle or assist with placement of other professional church workers.

KFUO is the longest continually operating Christian radio station in the United States. KFUO's programming includes Bible studies (e.g., Thy Strong Word), theological and social commentary (e.g., Law and Gospel and Issues, Etc.), and Lutheran sacred music. The station airs a total of four Lutheran church services on Saturday evening, Sunday morning, and Sunday evening

A special committee formed to address internal conflict within the denomination

An every-three-years gathering of delegates representing the Synod's membership, meeting to decide the Synod's priorities and purpose for the following triennium through Convention resolutions and other actions. (IMPORTANT NOTE: For FY2020, the Convention was already held in Tampa, Florida in July 2019, after the beginning of the new fiscal year July 1. Funding was through a schedule of convention fees and assessments.) Budget figure includes $150,000 allocated for the work of convention-mandated committees and task forces in FY2020.

Department responsible for collecting and maintaining statistical information about the Synod and its membership.

Church Relations maintains dialog with official LCMS partner churches around the world, and pursues new partnerships with emerging or established U.S. and international Lutheran bodies who are in doctrinal agreement with the LCMS.

CHI is the official archives of the LCMS, and a source of historical information about the Lutheran Church for researchers and others.

Functions of the national headquarters operation not mandated by Constitution/Bylaws or Convention action, some of which also serve the needs of Concordia Plans Services and The LCMS Foundation (separate corporate entities).

The Constitution of the LCMS specifies officers, boards, commissions and special task forces to carry out the will of the Synod expressed in its Bylaws and Convention actions;.

Mission Central, a unique arm of LCMS Mission Advancement (see Program 20), connects God's disciples with opportunities to share the Gospel through the work of called or appointed LCMS missionaries and mission projects. Located on a renovated farm near Mapleton, Iowa and supported by an army of volunteers under the direction of "Old Missionary Gary (Thies)" Mission Central stands as a mission outpost serving people throughout the Great Plains and Upper Midwest. Mission Central is a collaboration of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, Inc. (Mission Advancement), the Nebraska District of the LCMS, the Iowa-West District of the LCMS and the Kansas District of the LCMS. Founding documents detailing Mission Central's history and role in the operation of The LCMS, Inc. can be obtained by contacting Mission Advancement.

Mission Central's mailing address is 40718 Highway E 16
Mapleton, IA 51034

Mission Advancement (including Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa - described above) serves those who voluntarily contribute time, talent and financial resources to the mission and work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and those who are willing to consider contributing to the mission. It’s overarching goal is carrying out its assigned duties in the manner most worthy of our Savior Jesus Christ. Because the primary “customer” or “client” is the current or potential contributor, Mission Advancement is a distinct programmatic unit under the supervision and oversight of the Synod’s Chief Mission Officer per Synod Bylaw 3.4.3.6.