# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S358
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

358

SEMINARIES

Whereas, LCMS seminaries and universities serve the Synod
by teaching and giving faithful examples to their students and communities; and
Whereas, Constitution Article III 7 states as an objective of
Synod: “Encourage congregations to strive for uniformity in church
practice, but also to develop an appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs which are in harmony with our common
profession of faith”; therefore be it
Resolved, That LCMS seminaries and universities be required to
make exclusive use of our Synod’s hymnal, Lutheran Service Book, in
their worship services, prayer offices, public devotions, and the like—
for both orders of service and corporate singing; and be it further
Resolved, That special musical arrangements conform to our common profession of faith, which is to the Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions; and be it finally
Resolved, That each seminary be required to train their seminarians to lead congregations pastorally to the exclusive use of our Synod
hymnals as their membership in the Synod requires.
Our Savior
Cheyenne, WY

Whereas, This condemnation has been repeatedly reconfirmed
by numerous Synod resolutions, in the dogmatic and pastoral theology texts of the LCMS, and through many other means; and
Whereas, Scripture admonishes the pastors to be well equipped
and ever-vigilant against error within the church; and
Whereas, Despite the decreased attention given, lodges still
remain prominent organizations, and lodge membership has not
ceased to be a significant issue in our own congregations; and
Whereas, Lodge membership has never ceased to be a matter barring fellowship among various Lutheran bodies in the United States;
therefore be it
Resolved, That with full recognition of the numerous things that
must be taught to future pastors, the LCMS fraternally admonish her
seminaries to give the issue of lodge membership due weight as a
still-present issue of pastoral care and doctrinal fidelity in their pastoral theology courses and other classes.
Jacksonville Circuit
Central Illinois District
6-07

To Create a Seminary Education
Futures Task Force

6-05

To Provide Certified Financial Planning
for Prospective Seminary Students
Whereas, Student loan debt for pastors is a significant problem
in the LCMS; and
Whereas, Most new graduates begin their ministry in smaller
congregations, making it difficult to pay back student loans; and
Whereas, A majority of our congregations are in rural areas,
which are themselves facing population declines and therefore
decreasing membership and dwindling funds; and
Whereas, We pray that our Lord would send faithful laborers
into the harvest, and we also take seriously the command of our Lord
that “the worker is worthy of his wage” (1 Tim. 5:18); therefore be it
Resolved, That LCMS seminaries retain the services of a certified
financial planner (CFP) to contract with any interested prospective
student, subject to the following conditions:
1. The CFP will be contracted by but independent of the seminary.
2. The CFP will provide as realistic a picture as possible of both the
short- and long-term financial prospects for any interested prospective student, taking into account at least, but not exclusively, the incoming financial situation of the student, potential student debt load,
tuition and housing costs, potential post-seminary salary, etc.
3. The cost of the CFP at each seminary will be borne equally by the
seminary and the national Synod, with the seminary and the Synod
each encouraged to seek grants for their portion of the cost.
4. This will be instituted no later than the start of the 2017 school year.

High Plains Circuit
Wyoming District
6-06

To Fraternally Admonish Seminaries
to Give Due Weight to Lodge Membership Issue
Whereas, Since the founding of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, lodges have been condemned as in opposition to the church’s
faith; and
2016 Convention Workbook

Whereas, As Christians we are encouraged to be good stewards
of our talents to the glory of God and the furthering of His Kingdom
(Matt. 25; 1 Pet. 4:10); and
Whereas, The decline of enrollment at our two seminaries continues to be a concern; and
Whereas, We live in a changing academic and educational climate which makes it possible to consider a wide variety of ways to
accomplish seminary education; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention create a task force
to study this issue and develop a plan to submit to the 2019 Synod
convention.
Florida-Georgia District
6-08

To Develop MDiv Degree Program Online Options
Whereas, We are commanded by God to go and make disciples
everywhere; and
Whereas, There exists a need to provide sound theological training at an affordable cost to men who have a sense of pastoral vocation;
and
Whereas, There is a need for trained pastors to evangelize the
ever-increasing number of unchurched and dechurched people; and
Whereas, Many churches often cannot afford to pay the salary
expected by graduates of our existing on-campus seminary education
programs because of the student loans many have incurred to attend
those seminaries; and
Whereas, While the cost to attend either of the Synod’s two existing seminaries, coupled with the necessity to quit employment in
order to relocate to either St. Louis or Fort Wayne to engage in study
on campus, plus the moving expenses, housing costs, and family sustainment expenses incurred in on-campus education programs make
seminary education cost prohibitive for many potential pastoral candidates; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2015 convention of the Pacific Southwest
District memorialize the Synod’s seminaries to offer online options