# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S221
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

12. RETENTION: SCHOOLS, FAMILY, YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS
To Commend and Give Thanks for our
Lutheran Early Childhood Centers,
Elementary Schools, and High Schools
RESOLUTION 12-01A
Reports R1.2, R63 (CW, 43–44, 343–48), Overture 12-01
(CW, 550–51)

WHEREAS, The establishment of Lutheran schools has
been a priority of faithful Lutherans since even before they
joined to form the Synod; and
WHEREAS, In The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) in 2018–2019 there were 1,774 early childhood
centers, 785 elementary schools, and 96 high schools
(2018–2019 The Early Childhood and School Statistical Report;
www.luthed.org); and
WHEREAS, Early childhood centers, elementary schools,
and high schools shared the Gospel with over 200,000
students in 2018–2019 (ibid.); and
WHEREAS, 2,249 students were baptized into the faith
through our schools in 2018–2019 (ibid.); and
WHEREAS, The Office of National Mission (ONM) has
identified planting schools as a priority for this triennium
(2019 Resolution 4-03); and
WHEREAS, The 2017 LCMS Study of Young Adults found
that a typical congregation with higher retention rates
operated or was associated with a Lutheran school
(Retention of Lutheran Millennials: LCMS Study of Young
Adults, 2017); and
WHEREAS, The Blue Ribbon Committee on Lutheran
Schools report (R63) highlights the need for continued
development of school ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That all congregations of the LCMS support and
uplift our Lutheran schools in prayer and encourage them
to continue to be faithful to God’s Word and strive for
excellence in catechizing and educating the students in
their care; and be it further
Resolved, That districts, circuits, and congregations
investigate the possibility of planting schools and early
childhood centers (Office of National Mission priority); and
be it further
Resolved, That ONM through LCMS School Ministry
develop a process to resource congregations and districts
who are developing new school ministries, revitalizing
existing ministries, and resurrecting former ministries
(2019 Res. 4-03); and be it further
Resolved, That Synod in convention commend the Blue
Ribbon Committee for Lutheran Schools for their work in

highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing our
Lutheran schools (R63); and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to
God for congregations that faithfully support our Lutheran
schools; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to
God for Lutheran school administrators, teachers, and all
who serve in our Lutheran schools.
Action: Adopted (9)
After discussion by the assembly, closure of debate carried by
voice vote. Res. 12-01A was adopted by voice vote.

To Exhort the Congregations
of the LCMS to Actively Encourage
Future Lutheran School Teachers
RESOLUTION 12-02A
Reports R1.2, R63 (CW, 43–44, 343–48); Overture 12-01
(CW, 550–51)

WHEREAS, Only 28 percent of teachers serving in
Lutheran schools are on the active commissioned minister
roster of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
(2018–2019 Early Childhood and School Statistical Report;
www.luthed.org); and
WHEREAS, The LCMS in the 2016 Synod convention
adopted Resolution 8-01A, “To Encourage and Strengthen
the Lutheran Ethos of Our LCMS Early Childhood Centers,
Elementary Schools, and High Schools”; and

Committee 12 Chairman Roger Paavola
Resolutions

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 221