# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S343
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

VI. 2016 LCMS CONVENTION RES. 7-02B FINAL REPORT
tical supervision of called workers, especially as relates to RSOs
interacting with multiple districts where, it was felt, standards for
supervision and oversight might vary. Mission-oriented RSOs expressed the most concern in this area.
With regard to the distinction of Tier I (closely held by the
church; able to have doctrine and practice at the overt forefront of
all activities) and Tier II (governmental inputs or regulated areas
of work limit ability to proclaim) mercy and educational organizations, the surveyed mercy organizations by and large viewed themselves as aligning more appropriately with the Tier II level, reflecting their challenges of working under government regulations.
The task force also suggested consideration of an appropriate fee structure to help underwrite the cost of the RSO program.
Most RSOs responding expressed a willingness to provide for a
reasonable cost recovery. A few responses expressed the concern
of already being engaged in other associations and having dropped
out of other dues-paying memberships that relate to the services
they provide. Overall the response was positive for a modest and
reasonable cost recovery fee which could be aligned through a sliding scale.
The final survey question related to an interest in attending
a Triennial RSO Conference which would be sponsored by the
LCMS and held in St. Louis. Cost was the main consideration as
well as what the conference would offer to all the various RSOs.
The mercy organizations recommended coordinating with LSA and
their annual conference. Another suggestion was to consider holding smaller group conferences especially as it relates to the various
categories of RSOs.
Having taken these responses and others in to consideration,
the task force has finalized this report and submitted (separately)
two overtures for consideration by the appropriate floor committee
and then the convention. One provides proposed bylaws and implementation language that form the foundation for the revitalization
proposed above, which would be implemented naturally over time
as organizations renew (every five years) their status. The other
overture builds on the proposed platform, directing Synod and its
agencies to begin to explore new directions and enhance services
through the program and encouraging Synod members to re-engage
with recognized organizations and the organizations to engage the
program as it is revitalized. These two overtures contain something
of an “executive summary” of the material reported above and are
commended for the convention’s careful consideration—in the
light of the more extensive material presented here—and adoption.
Kevin Robson, Chairman
John W. Sias, Secretary

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VI. 2016 LCMS Convention Res. 7-02B
Final Report
2019 LCMS Convention
Introduction
The 7-02 B Task Force has spent significant time in meetings
and conversations with external experts, presidents, professors,
pastors, teachers and laity in seeking to carry out its assignment.
The complexity and fluid status of higher education in our sur-

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rounding culture—especially the fiscal challenges that competitive
enrollment, demographics, distance education, tuition discounting,
and modest endowments create—have resulted in a context with
multiple moving parts that precludes a facile and prompt series of
solutions. Rather, the need for a system wide program of collaboration and integration has become apparent.
The presidents of the Concordia University System have excelled in negotiating these turbulent waters on behalf of the church’s
mission and in accord with the Lutheran Identity Statement that was
adopted at the 2016 convention. Aware of the continued growth of
multiple challenges, they have met over the past several years with
the Chairman of the CUS Board of Directors, the President of the
Concordia University System, and President Harrison to consider
and to plan strategically for greater strength through a new model
of governance in which mutual initiatives would strengthen each
of the institutions while retaining their historic and regional identity. By eliminating costly competition and expanding resources
through complementary deployment of assets, greater strength and
sustained growth can be achieved.
Quite simply the goal is twofold: theological integrity and
fiscal viability. The envisioned structure—to be shared in outline
form through a series of white papers—will require extensive work
on multiple levels—academic, accrediting, ecclesial, fiscal, and legal. The presidents, the Concordia University System Board, and
the LCMS President’s office are committed and already at work
on the envisioned structure. These 7-02B Resolutions reflect our
experience and solicit Synod’s support in preparing a new and,
by God’s grace, enduring system of higher education governance
with theological integrity and fiscal viability no matter how high
the educational waves become or how far our culture moves from
Christian truth concerning God, the world, and man and woman’s
place therein.

Recommendations
The 2016 LCMS Convention Resolution 7-02B Task Force
presents the following two overtures, included in this Workbook
among overtures for Floor Committee 7, to the convention for consideration and action:
7-01 To Amend Bylaws Related to Structure and Governance
of the Concordia University System
7-02 To Direct the Concordia University System Advisory
Council to Lead a Process to Propose a New Governance Plan
The first overture includes a series of changes to the present
bylaws governing the Concordia University System and its institutions. The second overture addresses the need for further study in
the next triennium and proposes a plan for the development of a
new CUS Governance Plan.
Gerhard H. Mundinger, Chair
Paul A. Philp, Secretary
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VII. Final Report of the Blue Ribbon
Committee on Lutheran Schools
Addressing RESOLUTION 3-04 (2013)
and RESOLUTION 8-03A (2016)
“To Support the Quality and Sustainability of Lutheran Schools through the Work of the Blue Rib2019 Convention Workbook