# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S133 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) RESOLUTIONS 133 To Expand and Improve Educational Programs RESOLUTION 7-03 Report 7-01, I, D, Recommendation 3 (CW, p.339) Wuereas, The world in which the members of the church have been called to give their Christian witness is rapidly changing and demands an open, relevant, evangelical, and Spirit-filled Christian education pro- gram; and Wuereas, Congregations which conscientiously ex- amine and reevaluate their Christian education programs in view of rising needs in the dynamic years of the seventies recognize that more than one hour per week of instruction time is necessary for effective Christian nurture; and Wuereas, Professional leadership and supervision is necessary to develop programs that are relevant to the needs of the local congregations; therefore be it Resolved, That every congregation be urged to de- velop a variety of meaningful learning settings and experiences for Christians of all age levels by — 1) providing a basic program of Christian nurture and education for every child and youth through either a day school or a weekday school; 2) extending the basic program with such agencies as Sunday school and vacation Bible school; 3) providing an effective youth and adult education ministry through programs that are relevant and ap- propriate; 4) carefully selecting and thoroughly training all church school teachers; 5) providing professional educational leadership through wise utilization of Christian day school teachers or by engaging a director of Christian education; 6) cooperating with sister congregations in sharing educational resources, programs and personnel. Action: Adopted (9). (An amendment to add “or a combination of both” to number 1 failed.) To Authorize Research in Christian Education RESOLUTION 7-04 Report 7-01, I, D, Recommendation 4 (CW, p. 339), and Il, E, Recommendation 6, 1 (CW, p.359); Overtures 7-04, 7-09 (CW, pp. 360—362, 366); 7-12U (URO, p. 72) Wuereas, Christian education needs to be a vital force in our changing society; and Wuereas, Many are wondering whether our present educational forms and procedures are adequate; and Wuereas, Our Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod is looking for answers to these needs and yet has done little in the area of in-depth research with the intent of finding the specific objectives and needs in our Lu- theran educational program; and Wuereas, The synodical Handbook (7.25 £) directs the Board of Parish Education to “initiate and direct re- search activities necessary to promote and improve par- ish education”; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod authorize its Board of Directors, together with the Board of Parish Education and Concordia Publishing House, to explore ways to provide funds for educational research; and be it further Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Synod select a project director to initiate a comprehensive study of Christian education; and be it finally Resolved, That this research be a team approach of the Board of Parish Education, the Board for Higher Education, and the Synod’s terminal schools in coopera- tion with the synodical Department of Research and Statistics. Action: Adopted (9). To Encourage Government Support of Education RESOLUTION 7-05 Overtures 7-03, 7-07, 7-10 (CW, pp. 360, 365, 366—367) Wuenreas, The Detroit convention declared federal aid for children attending nonpublic schools acceptable, “so long as it does not interfere with the distinctive purposes for which such schools are maintained” (Resolution 7-03, pp. 153—154, Proceedings, 1965); and Wuereas, Children in nonpublic schools have already benefited from federal and state government programs without sacrificing the above-stated principle; and Wuereas, Supporters of nonpublic schools pay their full share of taxes for education; therefore be it Resolved, That the convention reaffirm its 1965 De- troit resolution 7-03: “To Deem Federal Aid Acceptable for Children Attending Nonpublic Schools”; and be it further Resolved, That synodical, District, and congregational boards of education actively promote and, where pos- sible, help to shape legislation which is acceptable in terms of the Detroit resolution; and be it further Resolved, That in promoting such legislation these boards give attention to the needs of children in public and nonpublic schools, particularly of educationally deprived children; and be it finally Resolved, That these boards continue to inform their several constituencies of available public aid benefits. Action: Adopted as amended (12). (By amendment the assembly deleted a fourth whereas: “Good stewardship and love compel Christians to seek gov- ernment aid so that all children in the nation receive fair treatment from public aid benefits.” The convention refused to reword the second resolved to read: “. . . actively promote where possible the utilization of federal aid acceptable in terms...” and to drop from the next resolved the words: “in promoting such legislation.”