Mission Projects

Guidelines and Criteria
for the Selection of Projects
by the Concordia Lutheran Mission Society

Background Information

1. Concordia Lutheran Mission Society (CLMS) will be guided in the selection of its Mission Projects by two basic considerations:

1.1 CLMS is committed to its Mission Statement which reads, "Empowered by God's own mission to save the world, the mission of Concordia Lutheran Mission Society ... is to enlist the prayers, gifts, and energies of God's people in Lutheran Church–Canada to share the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever God provides opportunity."
1.2 CLMS is committed to functioning as an Auxiliary Organization of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) both in exercising its privileges and in fulfilling its responsibilities.

2. CLMS funding is ordinarily applied on a Project Basis. Projects may fall into one of three categories:

2.1 Regular Projects are those for which CLMS is responsible for soliciting support. Support for such a project, if it is actually undertaken and completed, is guaranteed, even if it must be carried over to the next year.
2.2 Donor Initiated Projects are those for which CLMS will receive and disburse funds, but for which it makes no financial commitment. Donor Initiated Projects must have the prior approval of the President of CLMS or the Director of Ministries and Projects before the treasurer can receive funds for them. A Donor Initiated Project must be compatible with the objectives of CLMS, and must not be contrary to the doctrine or practice of LCC or the regulations of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
2.3 Special Projects are usually multi-year projects for which CLMS receives the bulk of the funding from an outside source. CLMS may allocate its own funds to such a project as well, and may receive donor designated funds for it.

Criteria for the selection of projects

3. The following General Criteria shall guide CLMS in determining which proposals warrant consideration:

3.1 Projects shall include, but not be limited to those projects which fit into the mission strategy of Lutheran Church–Canada or that of a partner church in a mission area in which LCC is pursuing mission work.
3.2 Projects shall ordinarily relate to the larger mission undertaking. As such, they shall seek to build on work which has been done, or generate potential for new work to be undertaken.
3.3 Projects will require reliable on-site supervision as to the disbursement and use of funds.
3.4 Projects shall be distributed somewhat evenly among the mission areas of Lutheran Church–Canada, including mission projects in Canada.

4. The following Specific Criteria will guide CLMS in the ranking of projects:

In selecting Regular Projects, preference will be given to those

  • which provide evangelistic outreach to new communities
  • which most directly facilitate the on-going proclamation of the Gospel
  • which enable and equip people in partner churches to do the work of the mission within their own culture and among their own people
  • which provide for the holistic well-being and nurture of new Christians
  • which assist in the support and education of children and youth

Procedures

5. The following procedures will be followed for the selection of projects:

5.1 CLMS, through its Ministries and Projects Committee shall annually request mission projects from LCC's Committee for Mission and Social Ministry Services, through its executive secretary. These proposals will ordinarily represent the bulk of projects which CLMS will consider.
5.2 CLMS may solicit or receive mission projects from overseas churches and agencies, and from districts of LCC.
5.3 CLMS will not ordinarily solicit or support projects which have already been approved by other auxiliary organizations or Listed Service Organizations of LCC, although it will cooperate with such entities to support a project which requires more resources than a single organization can provide.
5.4 Those submitting projects shall demonstrate how they fit the above criteria, identify the on-site person or agency which will supervise the carrying out of the project and agree to submit a concluding report on how the project was carried out and what was accomplished.
5.5 Regular Projects are ordinarily considered only at the meeting of the Board of Directors held in connection with the annual meeting. Special Projects may be considered whenever the need arises. In either case, final approval for Regular or Special Projects requires the approval of the Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of the Ministries and Projects Committee to bring the appropriate recommendation(s) to the Board.
5.6 Ordinarily, Regular Projects will be supported only on a year-by-year basis. If a Regular Project, for which funds have been committed, is not undertaken or only partially carried out, CLMS' commitment to the project will be adjusted accordingly.

Adopted by the Board of Directors

February 8, 2003