# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S154
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

154

RESOLUTIONS

To Study Certification Process
RESOLUTION 5-10
Overture 5-19 (CW, p. 212)
WHEREAS, The Scripture requires that the church call
men into the office of pastor who possess both right faith
and holy life; and
WHEREAS, The church suffers and the faithful are spiritually harmed when a pastor compromises the faith of the
church and the life to which the church is called; and
WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the church to ensure
that only men of demonstrated right faith and blameless
life be placed into the office of pastor; and
WHEREAS, It is good and prudent that the church from
time to time assess the effectiveness of its method of pastoral certification; therefore be it
Resolved, That the seminaries and the synodical Pastoral Colloquy Committee be commended for their longstanding faithfulness in carrying out the pastoral certification responsibility entrusted to them by the Synod; and be
it further
Resolved, That the Synod request the Council of Presidents, together with the faculties of the seminaries, to assess the wisdom and effectiveness of the present certification process and, if necessary, to make recommendations
for change in the present process; and be it further
Resolved, That a report on their deliberations and conclusions be submitted to the Synod at its 2004 convention;
and be it finally
Resolved, That all action taken in this resolution shall be
used to help carry out “The Great Commission” and shall
not in any way detract or distract from the primary mission
of God’s kingdom here on earth. We will remember 1-02!
Action: Adopted (10)
(By common consent a proposed amendment to replace in the
first whereas the words bishop (elder/pastor) with the word pastor was approved. The resolution was adopted [yes: 956; no: 94].
The final whereas is added as required by Res. 1-02, adopted by
the convention in an earlier session.)

To Work Collaboratively re Issues
of Pastoral Leadership
RESOLUTION 5-11A
Overture 5-53 (CW, p. 223)
WHEREAS, A need exists for parish pastors to discuss
concerns and gain both insight and skill in the area of pastoral leadership; and
WHEREAS, There are significant questions of appropriate
theology and practice inherent in teaching and applying
principles of leadership within the office of the pastoral
ministry; and
WHEREAS, Such education must be pursued in the field
with theological integrity from within a confessional
Lutheran framework; and
WHEREAS, Both seminaries of our church have affirmed
the importance of pastoral leadership insofar as it relates to
the pastoral office; and
WHEREAS, Both seminaries have expressed the value of
continuing education for pastors through formal courses of
200l Convention Proceedings

training as well as through seminars, symposia, and other
means; and
WHEREAS, Both seminaries have expressed concerns
about certain models of parish leadership regarding their
consistency with Lutheran confessional theology; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention recognize the
importance of developing programs of parish leadership
within a Lutheran confessional framework; and be it further
Resolved, That all organizations that address issues of
pastoral leadership work cooperatively and collaboratively
within the structures of our Synod and especially with the
theological faculties of our church to ensure that the theology and practice taught in the area of pastoral leadership
are in agreement with the doctrine and practice of our
Synod; and be it finally
Resolved, That all action taken in this resolution shall be
used to help carry out “The Great Commission” and shall
not in any way detract or distract from the primary mission
of God’s kingdom here on earth. We will remember 1-02!
Action: Adopted (12)
(The resolution was adopted after brief comment [yes: 749; no:
106]. The final resolve is added as required by Res. 1-02, adopted
by the convention in an earlier session.)

To Develop Plan for Education, Training,
and Certification of Lutheran Counselors
RESOLUTION 5-12
Overture 5-28 (CW, p. 215)
WHEREAS, Lutheran Child and Family Services suffers
from a shortage of Lutheran counselors; and
WHEREAS, Such a shortage is not unique to LCFS but is
present in other Recognized Service Organizations of the
LCMS that provide counseling services; and
WHEREAS, A group of theologically trained Lutheran
counselors who know the importance of the proper distinction between Law and Gospel, the means of grace, God’s
Word, and the Sacraments would be invaluable in helping
clients deal with issues of sin and grace; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS operates the Concordia University
System for the purpose of providing the church with theologically trained workers to serve in the church; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the BHE/CUS Board be encouraged to
develop and implement a plan for the education, training,
and certification of Lutheran counselors; and be it further
Resolved, That all action taken in this resolution shall
be used to help carry out “The Great Commission” and shall
not in any way detract or distract from the primary mission
of God’s kingdom here on earth. We will remember 1-02!
Action: Adopted (12)
(The resolution was adopted without debate [yes: 828; no: 34].
The final resolve is added as required by Res. 1-02, adopted by
the convention in an earlier session.)