Very much so. To receive government money, LIRS signs a contract that prohibits proselytizing. Consequently, even if we had made a sincere effort to reach the people settled in the USA, we were banned from doing so! I asked LIRS to tell me where the nearest refugee cluster was then so that I could arrange for them to receive teaching and preaching. The rep scoffed at me; the question was too absurd.
In terms of the three national Lutheran agencies - LIRS/Global Refuge, Lutheran Services in America (LSA), and Lutheran World Relief (LWR) - the Missouri Synod has for pretty much all of the past decade pulled back significantly in support of any kind. Your post has already been answered in the positive. There are no Synodical funds going to any of the three national agencies. Board representation is limited to one person on each board from the LCMS. It's hard to know whether or how active they are, but "one is the loneliest number of them all." Overtures and resolutions would basically ratify what's already happened at the national level.
As far as the remnant LCMS participants on the national Lutheran agency boards, I don't know how the boards operate or gain members, if from names sent by the national denomination or on their own steam. So I can't answer.
In terms, however, of local congregation or individual congregant donations, I am not sure of the reach of a resolution from the national convention to me as an individual or a local congregation. The denomination isn't really constituted that way.
It's telling that the LCMS could not influence or reform LIRS to return to a Lutheran identity. So much of this is going on, and we are losing institution after institution. Robert Conquest's three laws remain undefeated.
What about the smaller agencies that are RSOs of the LCMS? Is there oversight as to whether their current programs and practices are "in harmony with the doctrine and practice of the LCMS"?
Not really. The ratio of RSOs to the staff assigned to vet them is overwhelming. If there is a desire to fix the issue, I will publish some proposed corrective actions. The point is to shift the burden to the RSOs to be in compliance yearly on a range of issues.
Synodical President Harrison commented on one of those RSOs just tonight in a letter about LIRS/Global Refuge. That I'm sure is available at the LCMS.org site. The RSOs which have received LIRS and other immigration dollars have been involved in housing and security of unaccompanied minors through the years, all well monitored and legitimate. Your question may be more to whether LCMS Recognized Service Organizations which are inter-Lutheran or have other ecumenical ties are in harmony with Synodical rules, or whether there are programs that are not in line with the LCMS. There is a system of internal LCMS oversight for them.
You are focusing on one particular instance, but this does not guarantee that all instances are "well monitored and legitimate". You cannot possibly know that. Nor that because a "system" of oversight exists that it is automatically effective.
All great questions and #7 and #8 are key.
Very much so. To receive government money, LIRS signs a contract that prohibits proselytizing. Consequently, even if we had made a sincere effort to reach the people settled in the USA, we were banned from doing so! I asked LIRS to tell me where the nearest refugee cluster was then so that I could arrange for them to receive teaching and preaching. The rep scoffed at me; the question was too absurd.
In terms of the three national Lutheran agencies - LIRS/Global Refuge, Lutheran Services in America (LSA), and Lutheran World Relief (LWR) - the Missouri Synod has for pretty much all of the past decade pulled back significantly in support of any kind. Your post has already been answered in the positive. There are no Synodical funds going to any of the three national agencies. Board representation is limited to one person on each board from the LCMS. It's hard to know whether or how active they are, but "one is the loneliest number of them all." Overtures and resolutions would basically ratify what's already happened at the national level.
Indeed, that's why I am specific about this being a decade old, but it remains puzzling that nobody could answer any of the questions.
The LCMS should not be sending any representative to any of those orgs. What is the purpose, especially if they are only there for minority cover?
As far as the remnant LCMS participants on the national Lutheran agency boards, I don't know how the boards operate or gain members, if from names sent by the national denomination or on their own steam. So I can't answer.
In terms, however, of local congregation or individual congregant donations, I am not sure of the reach of a resolution from the national convention to me as an individual or a local congregation. The denomination isn't really constituted that way.
It's telling that the LCMS could not influence or reform LIRS to return to a Lutheran identity. So much of this is going on, and we are losing institution after institution. Robert Conquest's three laws remain undefeated.
Also worth noting is that funds are still flowing to the LIRS tentacles from Synod congregations.
What about the smaller agencies that are RSOs of the LCMS? Is there oversight as to whether their current programs and practices are "in harmony with the doctrine and practice of the LCMS"?
Not really. The ratio of RSOs to the staff assigned to vet them is overwhelming. If there is a desire to fix the issue, I will publish some proposed corrective actions. The point is to shift the burden to the RSOs to be in compliance yearly on a range of issues.
I didn't let the students in my classes write the rules or decide how they were going to enforce them.
It won't be self-policing; it will be mandatory annual reporting with automated evaluation triggering human review when necessary.
Synodical President Harrison commented on one of those RSOs just tonight in a letter about LIRS/Global Refuge. That I'm sure is available at the LCMS.org site. The RSOs which have received LIRS and other immigration dollars have been involved in housing and security of unaccompanied minors through the years, all well monitored and legitimate. Your question may be more to whether LCMS Recognized Service Organizations which are inter-Lutheran or have other ecumenical ties are in harmony with Synodical rules, or whether there are programs that are not in line with the LCMS. There is a system of internal LCMS oversight for them.
We should never be party to contracts that prohibit proselytizing. There is never a justification.
You are focusing on one particular instance, but this does not guarantee that all instances are "well monitored and legitimate". You cannot possibly know that. Nor that because a "system" of oversight exists that it is automatically effective.
This is a good letter, not perfect, but good. Thank you, President Harrison. https://reporter.lcms.org/2025/lcms-president-harrison-letter-about-u-s-immigration-and-lutheran-organizations/