# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S80 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SOOO er ee 80 SYNODICAL REPORTS offerings by extension or distance learning in areas distant from synodical campuses and instruction-specific for special ministry functions in the church. 3. Conduct leadership development workshops for young administrators in synodical higher education through coordination of leadership training groups. 4. Encourage cooperative application of international study experiences and cross-cultural activities among students and faculty members of synodical institutions. 5. Continue the process of assisting synodical colleges, universities, and seminaries achieve and maintain financial viability to build $100M endowments. 6. Increase awareness of LCMS higher education programs through national marketing approach resulting in 10% increase in total enrollments and 50% increase in annual gifts. 7. Expand the system relationship and college course offerings with Lutheran high schools to increase matriculation of Lutheran high school students to the system campuses by 50%. 8. Coordinate purchase and installation of administrative software (AIS) for all 12 campuses. 9. Develop and implement strategies to expand the application of the DELTO program. 10. Process an annual search for minority (ethnically diverse) faculty persons with credentials to serve at a college/ university/seminary. What the Board for Higher Education/Concordia Univer- sity System does to provide a continued supply of church work- ers: * Supports a variety of church work programs on each campus * Distributes endowment earnings restricted for church work stu- dents * Promotes educational experiences to strengthen values and de- velop leadership skills + Partners with congregations to develop and establish approaches to recruit locally Maintains an updated list of LCMS youth and contacts the same four times during junior and high school years Represents the institutions at conventions, gatherings, and Lutheran College Nights * Meets annually with Lutheran high school leadership Develops and distributes brochures and promotional materials Displays information on web site through Internet + Offers an annual Concordia Sunday celebration to each congre- gation Standing Committee for Pastoral Ministry The Standing Committee for Pastoral Ministry (SCPM) is ap- pointed by the BHE to provide professional and/or technical assis- tance, advice, or recommendations with respect to issues or con- cerns initiated by the BHE, the members of the SCPM, the presidents of the seminaries, the Council of Presidents, or the mem- bership of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. As a committee of the BHE, the SCPM assists the BHE to fulfill its responsibility of providing leadership and supervision of educational services and processes to prepare individuals for the pastoral ministry. The com- mittee seeks to identify ways and means to coordinate and enhance programs and activities of the two seminaries and pretheological programs at the colleges/universities of the Concordia University System. The primary function of the SCPM is to support the BHE, providing for consideration of specific recommendations, proce- dures, or resolutions for implementation of theological education. Currently the SCPM meets quarterly with the Board for Higher Ed- ucation in order to maintain a strong coordinating relationship. During the past triennium the SCPM has been active in two im- portant areas. During 1995 and 1996 the SCPM worked in each meeting to study “Theological Education in the 21st Century.” In addition to studying printed materials and discussing trends in the Synod, the committee hosted a number of guest experts in the reg- ular meetings. Another important aspect of SCPM activity has been to monitor and guide the efforts of the two seminaries in the pursuit of innov- ative educational methods, particularly by coordinating the estab- lishment of off-campus programs. A program has been established in Irvine that offers an M.A. degree from Concordia University si- multaneously with seminary education leading to ordination. Since 1996 the two seminaries have been cooperating to establish a pro- gram of Distance Education Leading to Ordination (DELTO) that provides an opportunity for qualified students to pursue seminary studies locally when their ministry activities prevent them from moving to a seminary campus. Placement Figures 1994-97: Commissioned Ministers, Pastors, and Vicars Placement of Commissioned Ministers 94-95 95-96 Lay Ministers Deaconess Placement of Pastors 94-95 95-96 96-97 160 197 Vicar Assignments 94-95 95-96 Entered Service Reinstated ito Service Retired or Died in Office