# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S468
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

468

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

Ov. 7-09

To Streamline the Concordia University System
and Provide for the Education
of Professional Church Workers
WHEREAS, The Concordia University System (CUS) is
comprised of nine colleges and universities in the United States
which are affiliated with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS); and
WHEREAS, The initial purpose of these colleges and universities
was to prepare men and women for full-time service in the church;
and
WHEREAS, There are students at CUS institutions that are not
preparing for full time church work; and
WHEREAS, A number of the faculty at CUS institutions are not
rostered members of the Synod nor members of LCMS
congregations; and
WHEREAS, The chartering of a gay pride student organization at
Concordia University, Portland, indicates an inconsistency of the
confession of our faith; and
WHEREAS, It requires considerable resources to maintain the
physical plant and bureaucratic infrastructure for nine universities;
and
WHEREAS, Streamlining the CUS would enhance the ability of
the Synod to attend to the integrity of its confession; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Montana District in convention memorialize
the LCMS at its 2019 convention to direct the President of the
Synod to appoint a blue ribbon task force to perform the following
tasks:
• Determine which campuses will serve as the sites for a
streamlined CUS.
• Constitute the streamlined CUS with a primary focus on
training such students as desire to become rostered members
of Synod.
• Assess the needs of the streamlined CUS in terms of the
number and composition of the faculty to be comprised of
rostered members of Synod.
• Develop a plan for caring for those currently employed
within the CUS who would not have a position in the
streamlined CUS.
• Develop a plan for the gradual closing and sale of the unused
campuses over a period of ten years using the proceeds from
such sales to fund the streamlined CUS joint endowment,
retire all debts, and assist in funding professional church
worker education.
Montana District
Ov. 7-10

To Give Thanks for the Concordia University
System Presidential Search Process
and Those Participating Therein
WHEREAS, The selection of a president is a task of the utmost
importance for any Concordia University System (CUS) school,
given that the president is its spiritual, administrative, and academic
head, ensuring its successful and faithful operation as an institution
of the Synod and in accordance with the policies and strategic plan
of its Board of Regents; and
2019 Convention Workbook

WHEREAS, As part of the restructuring implemented by the
Synod at our 2010 convention, the presidential search process was
revised to ensure that all relevant constituencies were represented
in an inclusive manner, consistent with the proper balance of
accreditation requirements and the responsibility of the CUS
schools to operate as institutions of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS); and
WHEREAS, The process includes:
• a detailed review of the specific needs of the institution, in
collaboration with the CUS;
• ability of all congregations of the LCMS to nominate
candidates;
• formation of a search committee including faculty
representatives who are members of local LCMS
congregations, to assist in narrowing the list of nominees;
• selection by the Board of Regents of a slate of at least five
qualified candidates;
• review of the slate by the district president of the district
where the institution is located, the President of Synod, and
a representative of the CUS, with a two-thirds vote required
to remove any candidate from the slate; and
• election of the president of the institution from the remaining
candidates originally chosen by the Board of Regents,
provided at least two candidates remain; and
WHEREAS, The process is by design lengthy and detailed to
ensure a thorough review of candidates and involvement by persons
at all levels of the Synod, to allow maximum opportunity for input
and review, understanding that it is more important to find the right
candidate than to find a candidate quickly; and
WHEREAS, Concordia University Chicago followed the process
during its 2013–2014 presidential search, and found the process to
be extremely beneficial to our institution, allowing the Board of
Regents to call from among a slate of extremely well-qualified
candidates, a president, Rev. Dr. Daniel Gard, who was
recommended by our search committee; and
WHEREAS, The experience of the Board of Regents with those
from the district and Synod who were involved in this process was
extremely positive, and the Board wishes to thank all such
individuals, and commend in particular the assistance given us by
our former district president, the Rev. Dan Gilbert; the CUS
representative, Rev. Dr. Dan Jastram; and the President of Synod,
Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison; and
WHEREAS, Any process can only succeed with the good faith
participation of all involved; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend and affirm the
current search process for CUS presidents, and the opportunities
that it presents for fraternal dialogue, and input from all
constituencies; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention exhort all CUS
institutions that are or may be involved in the search for a new
president to do so joyfully, faithfully, and in compliance with the
letter and spirit of the process and the relevant requirements that our
Synod has set forth for CUS presidents, in full cooperation with
those persons and entities that our Synod has placed into the process
for the good of the institution and of the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That those involved in the presidential search process
that we have established as Synod be encouraged to view this
process as a blessing and not a hindrance, putting the best