# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S554
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

554
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RETENTION: SCHOOLS, FAMILY, YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS
tools to find LCMS U chapters and connect college students
to them;
national conferences for college students and campus
workers;
a weekly LCMS U radio program, “The Student Union,” on
Worldwide KFUO;
resources to help connect and prepare those who are college
bound;
consultation for new and existing campus ministries;

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and
WHEREAS, All ministry takes place in its own unique context; yet
in every context it exists in the commonality of the Word
proclaimed with Law and Gospel rightly divided, and the
Sacraments rightly administered; and
WHEREAS, Students at colleges and universities are independent
young adults seeking knowledge, are open and apt to the thoughtful
study of the rich treasures of Holy Scripture, the Confessions, and
the liturgy at a high level; and
WHEREAS, Students therefore should be fed accordingly: “strong
meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by
reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and
evil,” (Heb. 5:14); and
WHEREAS, As these young adults will graduate and take their
places in vocations in the working world using the knowledge
imparted to them, so too should they graduate as adults prepared for
their vocations as faithful laity in their local congregations;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks for the
faithful work of LCMS U campus ministry, including all individual
campus ministries whether supported by districts, or as missions of
local congregations in proximity to institutions of higher learning,
or on the campuses of our Concordia University System (CUS)
schools; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm, and encourage
as best practice, the housing of campus ministry in a physical
location suited for Word and Sacrament ministry in proximity to the
relevant campus, be it a freestanding chapel facility or a local
congregation, and exhort those districts with such facilities to use
all reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve them; and be it
further
Resolved, That pastors of each congregation in the Synod be
exhorted to connect their members attending colleges and
universities away from their home congregation with local LCMS
campus ministries where available, or if not with local LCMS
congregations, by contacting the campus pastor or pastor directly
with the name and contact information of each student, and by
providing information about LCMS campus worship opportunities
to such students; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm, and encourage
as best practice, that campus ministries use the liturgy from the
Synod’s hymnals as the order of worship, with lessons read by the
pastor, and offer the Lord’s Supper every Sunday, given the
sometimes-sporadic worship attendance of college students; and be
it further
Resolved, That the Synod urge all campus ministries to provide
a college level theological education to the students in their care, by
conducting regular and high-level Bible and confessional studies
led by the pastor; and be it finally
2019 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage all
congregations to support campus ministries in their district,
including those at CUS schools, including through the extension of
hospitality to students.
Board of Regents
Concordia University Chicago
Ov. 12-07

To Encourage Ministry
to College-Age Young People
WHEREAS, The college years have historically been a time where
many of our young people are tempted to fall away from the faith
as they find themselves confronted by dominant secular and
increasingly anti-Christian worldviews; and
WHEREAS, We have experienced escalating turmoil on our
nation’s university campuses in recent years, including the loss of
freedom of speech and religious expression; and
WHEREAS, An annual survey of over 153,000 college freshmen,
“The American Freshman,” (Los Angeles: Higher Education
Research Institute) demonstrates that college freshmen are
increasingly distancing themselves from any religion (28% in 2015
compared to 12% in 1971); and
WHEREAS, According to a recent Gallup poll in 2015, the
percentage of Christians continues to trend lowest among college
age young adults (18–24); and
WHEREAS, One of the greatest tasks each generation has is to
hand over the faith to the one that follows it; and
WHEREAS, We all wish to join the apostle, John in saying of the
young people of the church, “I have no greater joy than to hear that
my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4); and
WHEREAS, We are witnessing increased zeal by many of our
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) college students to
confess their faith in the public square, although it is getting
increasingly more difficult to do so; and
WHEREAS, The enormous challenges that our young people face
on our university campuses also present equally tremendous
opportunities for our collective witness to the truth of God’s Word
in the academic square and the marketplace of ideas; and
WHEREAS, The 2016 Synod convention resolved to “increase our
efforts to retain college-age youth” (Resolution 16-05); therefore be
it
Resolved, That we give thanks to God for the renewed emphasis
on campus ministry in the Synod through LCMS campus ministry
and that we continue to encourage congregations and circuits to
intentionally support local campus ministry and outreach wherever
possible; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage all LCMS families, pastors, youth
workers, and congregations in our district to teach Luther’s Large
Catechism throughout their youth and to increase their own efforts
to help connect their graduating high school students transitioning
into college to our LCMS U campus ministries and/or local
congregations as early as possible; and be it further
Resolved, That we also encourage the congregations in the
Wyoming District to support district gatherings such as Lander
Youth Camp and the Youth Breakaway Weekend; and be it further