# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S428
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

428

SCHOOLS, FAMILY, YOUNG ADULTS, AND YOUTH

Resolved, That images from Bible stories, liturgical art, and
images of our Lord Jesus Christ do not only include images of
people of European descent, but better reflect global artistic
traditions; and be it further
Resolved, That the publication arms of the LCMS consult
directly with people from diverse cultures, sociological
backgrounds, and ministry experiences in the LCMS to ensure the
resources are appropriate; and be it finally
Resolved, That progress on this front be reported to the Synod
for the 2026 Synod convention.
Atlantic District
Ov. 12-06

To Establish National Lutheran Teacher
Student Debt Assistance Program
for Commissioned Minister—Teachers
WHEREAS, Our Lutheran schools struggle to find rostered
teachers to serve in the classrooms of our high schools, elementary
schools, and child development centers, as in the 2019 Resolution
12-02A, “To Exhort the Congregations of the LCMS to Actively
Encourage Future Lutheran School Teachers”:
WHEREAS, The number of new commissioned teachers has
steadily declined since 2005 (Concordia University System
[CUS] Board for University Education [BUE] statistics); and
WHEREAS, The fulfillment rate of requests for first-year Synodtrained candidates to LCMS calling entities has declined from 63
percent in 2010 to 30 percent in 2018 because of the lack of
available Synod-trained candidates (CUS BUE statistics);
WHEREAS, The CUS only graduated 23 early childhood
educators, 39 elementary educators, and 32 secondary educators
in 2018 (CUS BUE statistics) (2019 Proceedings, 222);
and
WHEREAS, Research has shown that a primary reason for this is
the lower salary offered for teachers within the Lutheran school
systems, as in Theme 8 of the “LCMS Church Worker Wellness
Insights” presentation by Rev. Robert Zagore, Executive Director,
Office of National Mission, to Gospel 2019:
• Financial wellbeing is unique among worker needs in that
the major problems are beyond the worker’s ability to
change – most often the problem is that the workers are in a
mathematically impossible situation
• Workers are under-paid for their skill level and workload
• Costs for health care are being pushed to the workers
• Young workers are burdened with significant student debt
• Many calling bodies are unable to pay their workers what is
necessary
• “The toughest work is being done in the places that can pay
the least” (i.e. dying congregations, inner-city churches,
immigrant ministries, etc.)
and in 2019 Report R63, “Final Report of the Blue Ribbon
Committee on Lutheran Schools” (Workbook, 344–45):
Lutheran education is a noble calling, yet it is facing significant
challenges. Data support a real need for synodical entities to
bring resolution to indebtedness for church workers. With the
im-pending retirement of many teachers and administrators
coupled with the diminishing numbers of Lutheran Teacher
2023 Convention Workbook

Diploma (LTD) candidates enrolling in the Concordia
University System, there is an increased sense of urgency to
recruit and retain qualified young people in the Lutheran
teaching ministry. The desire to enter the vocation of education
is lessening due to several factors including classroom
management issues, public perception of the profession and state
regulations. Additionally, many students are coming out of
college with significant debt and are paid salaries below
recommended levels. The trendline on debt and salary must
change or the teacher shortage will likely continue. Teachers and
administrators are in a great position to influence current and
future students about the joys and rewards of church work and
need to be intentional in their efforts to help recruit new students
for the Concordia University System.
and
WHEREAS, Concordia Plans reported in 2021 that 27 percent of
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod workers have student debt that
averages $46,000 per student; and
WHEREAS, The reality of student loan debt is an important part
of the decision to seek employment outside the Lutheran school;
and
WHEREAS, It is a value that we fill our schools with rostered
workers, as in the 2019 Resolution 12-02A, “To Exhort the
Congregations of the LCMS to Actively Encourage Future Lutheran
School Teachers” (Proceedings, 221):
WHEREAS, the 2016 Synod convention Res. 8-01A, “To
Encourage and Strengthen the Lutheran Ethos of Our LCMS
Early childhood Centers, Elementary Schools, and High
Schools” specifically identified that a characteristic of a
Lutheran school with a strong Lutheran ethos has “LCMStrained Lutheran teachers…who know and are committed to the
truths of the Scriptures as confessed in our Lutheran
Confessions.”
Therefore be it
Resolved, That the English District memorialize the Synod in
convention to develop a National Lutheran Teacher Student Debt
Assistance Program that recognizes the service of Lutheran teachers
through Student Loan Debt Reduction; and be it further
Resolved, That all Synod congregations be encouraged to
contribute towards a special, designated offering to establish this
program to be taken during the National Lutheran Schools Weeks
of 2024, 2025, and 2026.
English District
Ov. 12-07

To Address Lutheran Teacher Shortage
and Low Teacher Salaries by Initiating
Student Debt Assistance Program
for Commissioned Minister—Teachers
WHEREAS, Our Lutheran schools struggle to find rostered
teachers to serve in the classrooms of our high schools, elementary
schools, and child development centers:
The number of new commissioned teachers has steadily declined
since 2005 (Concordia University System [CUS] Board for
University Education [BUE] statistics); and the fulfillment rate
of requests for first-year Synod-trained candidates to Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) calling entities has declined