# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1965_S153 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) PARISH EDUCATION AND SERVICES 153 grounded in Scripture, witnessing Christians, good stewards of time, talents, and treasures, and construc- tive influences in the community; and be it further Resolved, That this document set standards for in- struction, teacher education, and physical facilities that meet the requirements of church and state; and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod’s Board of Parish Educa- tion and District boards consult in the preparation of this document and promote its effective use by the schools for continued improvement in instruction and training. In the matter of in-service teacher education be it Resolved, That so far as possible, congregations call synodically trained teachers for their schools; and be it further Resolved, That each congregation be encouraged to provide funds for in-service education of all its teach- ers; and be it finally Resolved, That congregations encourage their non- synodically trained teachers with degrees to enter the teacher colloquy program; and any undergraduate teachers to complete their education at one of the Synod’s teachers colleges; and under the guidance of District education officials, help all teachers to work toward meeting current synodical and state require- ments for certification. Action: This resolution was adopted. To Encourage Synodical Financial Support for Lutheran Schools RESOLUTION 7-02 Report 7-01, Recommendation 2 (CW, pp. 290, 291) Wuereas, The Synod urges that schools be stressed “in the mission program of the church” and advises “Districts to advance the cause of the parochial schools by granting subsidies to schools where such action is necessary” (Handbook 7.05 a and b); and Wuereas, A good beginning has been made by 23 of the 34 Districts that in 1964 subsidized their schools to a reported total of somewhat over $200,000, or about 2 percent of the total amount budgeted in these Dis- tricts; and Wuenreas, Inadequate subsidies are in part the reason for a decreasing percentage of congregations with schools; and Wuereas, Higher subsidies and proper planning of first building units would enable more congregations to open schools; therefore be it Resolved, That all Districts be encouraged to ear- mark for school subsidy at least 3 percent of their total 1966 District budget, and that they increase this amount to at least 4 percent in 1967 and to at least 5 percent in 1968; and be it further Resolved, That when Districts grant a loan for a first building unit, the congregation be urged to develop building plans which will serve not only the congre- gation’s worship needs but also permit easy conversion to eventual parochial school use; and be it further Resolved, That District Boards of Education and District Mission Boards be encouraged to consult with each other on school subsidy and Church Extension loans, and with the Committee on Church Architecture on multipurpose plants which can later be converted to school use and can be expanded according to need; and be it finally Resolved, That congregations which receive sub- sidies for the operation of their schools be encouraged to engage in a systematic and ongoing effort to win both unchurched children and their parents for Christ. Action: This resolution was adopted. ‘To Deem Federal Aid Acceptable for Children Attending Nonpublic Schools RESOLUTION 7-03 Report 7-01, Recommendation 3 (CW, pp. 291—293) Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod is grateful to God and the nation for the precious priv- ilege of religious liberty (see First Amendment, Consti- tution of the United States: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit- ing the free exercise thereof”), which guarantees the legal right of private and parochial schools to exist; and Wuereas, Under this liberty parents have the right to educate their children in the school of their choice; and Wuereas, The nation has always considered private and parochial schools as part of her educational re- sources; and WuereEas, The basic aim of the federal government is to equalize educational opportunities and assure every child the opportunity to develop to the extent of his in- herent capacity; and Wuereas, Should federal aid which the government offers be declined, the children attending private and parochial schools would be deprived of educational opportunities which the nation has offered to all citizens; and Wuereas, Federal aid offered to all children attend- ing public, private, and parochial schools would under- gird for parents the “free exercise of religion” and make possible parental choice in the education of their chil- dren; and Wuereas, In keeping with its Scriptural convictions and legal rights The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod maintains schools for the purpose of training Christian citizens; and Wuereas Children attending nonpublic schools have in the past received benefits from the federal govern- ment through the local parish school with increased ad- vantage to the child; therefore be it Resolved, That federal aid for children attending