# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S222 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 222 HIGHER EDUCATION Church—Missouri Synod, under the supervision of the Colloquy Committee. Bylaw 6.91 1 acurrently requires that pastoral colloquy appli- cants “are graduates of established seminaries.” The term “estab- lished” does not require that the applicants have graduated from an educational program that is of a quality and extent that is suitable for service in the LCMS. The change requested below was requested by the Pastoral Col- loquy Committee and is supported by that committee. Resolved, 1. That in Bylaw 6.91 1 a the wording “are graduates of estab- lished seminaries” be replaced with “are graduates of seminaries recognized by The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada in programs of study no less than 60 se- mester hours in length.” 2. That the Secretary of Synod be authorized to bring other parts of the synodical Handbook into conformity with this change, as needed. Board for Higher Education Concordia University System §-45 To Encourage Participation in PALS Program WHEREAS, It has been recognized throughout our Synod that a post-seminary program for first call pastors to help facilitate their transition from seminary life to parish ministry would be of great benefit to new pastors, their parishes, and the entire Synod; and WHEREAS, The 1995 convention of The Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod accordingly charged the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support (CMGS) with responsibility for producing a program model for post-seminary education (Res. 5-09A, 1995 Convention Proceedings, p. 138); and WuEREAS, The CMGS has developed the Post-seminary Ap- plied Learning and Support (PALS) program for seminary gradu- ates receiving first calls into parish ministry, as described in the Convention Workbook (see CMGS Report); and WHereas, The PALS program has received enthusiastic recep- tions from representatives of the Synod’s Board for Higher Educa- tion, seminary faculties, and graduating students and their wives; and WuEREAS, The Council of Presidents was also kept informed throughout the formation of the PALS program and was offered opportunity for input into the program; and WuereEas, The CMGS has begun to introduce the PALS pro- gram throughout the Synod, offering the program for all 1998 grad- uates of our LCMS seminaries; and WHEREAS, Optimal success in the introduction and continuation of the PALS program will depend to a very large extent upon the support of all LCMS Districts as well as the participation of all 1998 seminary candidates and their congregations; therefore be it Resolved, That the 1998 convention of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod strongly encourage all 1998 first call and subse- quent candidates and their calling congregations to participate in the PALS program as offered and supported by the CMGS; and be it further Resolved, That the 1998 convention of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod strongly encourage LCMS Districts to do every- thing possible to promote and support the PALS program in the in- terest of these pastors, their congregations, and the Synod at large. Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support 5-46 To Further Professional Church Worker Continuing Education WHEREAS, Paul encouraged Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15), and our Lord and His church are best served when the pro- fessional church worker is equipped to engage in faithful, compe- tent, and joyful ministry; and WuEeREAS, Professional church workers desire and need to grow and be renewed both personally and professionally in order to re- main so equipped; and Wuereas, Growth and renewal are enhanced when the profes- sional church worker is guided by an annual growth plan; therefore be it Resolved, That each District of the Synod be encouraged to pro- mote continuing education fostered by an annual growth plan for each of its professional church workers; and be it further Resolved, That each congregation budget annually an amount equal to two percent of annual salary and housing value for con- tinuing education for each professional church worker, and be it fi- nally Resolved, That Circuit Counselors be encouraged to discuss with congregations in their annual visit implementation of a con- tinuing education plan with appropriate financial support for each professional church worker. Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support 5-47 To Develop Program for Certification of Counselors WHEREAS, There have been increased demands by Lutheran Church——-Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations and schools for counseling; and WHEREAS, Some counselors are members of LCMS churches but have not had the opportunity for certification since no program is presently available; and WueErEAS, Not all of the counselors providing said counseling are members of the LCMS; therefore be it Resolved, That the Central Illinois District memorialize the LCMS at its next convention to establish a certification program for counselors serving LCMS congregations, schools, and Recog- nized Service Organizations. Central Illinois District 5-48 To Train Workers for LCFS WHEREAS, LCFS has served in the state of Illinois for 124 years to assist in this expanding area of ministry; therefore be it Resolved, That the Central Illinois District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its 1997 convention memorialize The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its 1998 convention to in- struct the Concordia educational institutions to develop and/or maintain a model and system offering undergraduate and graduate programs with LCFS for interested students with a confessional Lutheran counseling approach that will thus provide a source of Christ-centered counselors. Central Illinois District