# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S178 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 178 RESOLUTIONS future will give attention to the training of future faculty members for its colleges and seminaries; and WHEREAS, There are potential candidates for such advance training among the graduates of our colleges and seminaries as well as among our professional church workers already in service; and WHEREAS, The demands made upon the synodical treasury are such that it is highly unlikely that funds can be made available in the forseeable future for each specialized training; therefore be it Resolved, That the administrators of our colleges and seminaries, in cooperation with the Board for Higher Education and interested, qualified individuals, be encouraged to solicit fellowship or scholarship funds from other sources such as foundations and benevolent associations. Action: Adopted (16). To Recruit and Train Pastors to the Deaf RESOLUTION 6-18 Overture 6-91 (CW, pp. 258—259) WHEREAS, The Synod has recognized the outpouring of God’s blessing for more than 80 years on the ministry to the deaf, resulting in 54 organized con- gregations and many related ministries; and WHEREAS, The Synod has encouraged Districts to assume responsibility for administration of ministry to the deaf (1973 Proceedings, Res. 1-01); and WHEREAS, It will be an impossible task for Districts to recruit and train pastors to fill vacancies in the deaf congregations and to expand into new areas; and WHEREAS, The present methods of recruitment and training have not provided enough pastors to fill current vacancies in deaf congregations, nor are the Districts able to open new fields to reach more of the 400,000 deaf of the United States (1970 census); and WHEREAS, The time has come for a more concerted effort to recruit and train pastors for ministry to the deaf at our synodical schools; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod recognize its continuing responsibility to recruit and train pastors for ministry to the deaf; and be it further Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education, the Board for Missions, and the administration of the seminaries establish a more aggressive recruitment and training program at the seminary level with adequate funding and with qualified personnel. Action: Adopted (16). To Encourage but Not Require Parish Experience for College and Seminary Professors RESOLUTION 6-19 Overture 6-31 (CW, p. 241) WHEREAS, It is highly desirable for professors and teachers in our colleges and seminaries to have the benefit of actual service in parishes; and WHEREAS, The imposition of rigid regulations requiring a specified period of time of service in parish ministry in order to qualify for teaching in our synodical schools could sometimes become unduly burdensome and restrictive; therefore be it Resolved, That the administrators and Boards of Control be encouraged to continue to give high priority to parish experiences when considering the qualifications of prospective candidates; and be it further Resolved, That the imposition of the specific requirements spelled out in Overture 6-31 be respectful- ly declined. Action: Adopted (16). To Expand Continuing Education RESOLUTION 6-20 Overtures 6-100—6-102 (CW, p. 261) WHEREAS, The ministry of all professional church workers continues to change and become more com- plex; and WHEREAS, Continuing professional education is a valuable asset in performing this ministry; and WHEREAS, In the past such continuing education has been sought by only a small percentage of total number of church workers; and WHEREAS, It is important that the Synod continue to provide a strong, sound theological leadership to the church, its pastors and teachers, all other professional workers, and the entire membership; therefore be it Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education through the synodical schools continue its efforts to make available a variety of educational programs for the church’s professional workers; and be it further Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education be urged to plan a system of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and, if feasible, implement the plan through the synodical schools; and be it further Resolved, That each District be requested through the Circuit Counselors to urge all congregations to make time and funds available to their full-time workers for continuing education; and be it further Resolved, That the Districts, through the Circuit Counselors, encourage the church workers to take advantage of the programs of continuing education available to them; and be it finally Resolved, That the Districts be asked to identify for the congregations the wealth of doctrinal materials available to them, and to encourage the members of the congregations to study these materials as well as new materials as they are made available. Action: Adopted (16).