# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S63 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 62 SYNODICAL REPORTS Concordia, St. Paul—Robert Holst, President * Launched the Church Professional Aid Assurance Program, which will offer a minimum of $10,000 in tuition assistance to qualified students entering the church professions, beginning fall 2001. ' At the midpoint of its five-year $25 million Enlightening Individ- uals, Enriching Generations campaign, gifts and pledges have ex- ceeded $20 million, placing the campaign significantly ahead of schedule. Achieved ranking of 33rd in the top 100 of America’s Most Wired Colleges by Yahoo Internet Life; will upgrade al] laptops in fall 2001 and move to a two-year replacement cycle to keep technology as current as possible. Concordia Selma—Julius Jenkins, President Constructed a health and fitness center. Increased the diversity of the student body (nine percent white and six percent international). Exceeded the $8.66 million goal for the “Expanding the Vision” anniversary appeal. Concordia, Seward—Orville Walz, President Dedicated Thom Leadership Education Center, a 65,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art learning facility replacing 92-year-old Becker Hall; built new maintenance building; celebrated 12 consecutive years of operating in the black. Kept students as the number one priority, with 14 percent enroll- ment increase in three years, total enrollment highest in 27 years; increased church work student enrollment by 17 percent, highest _ In over a decade; placed nearly one-third of all synodical teachers and DCEs; began EAGLS scholarship program to make Concor- dia affordable for more LCMS students. Attainment of earned doctorates or terminal degrees by over 80 percent of faculty; women’s basketball team achieved highest grade point average (3.73) in entire nation on all collegiate levels (NCAA, NAIA, and junior colleges). Seminaries Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne— Dean Wenthe, President Concordia Theological Seminary rejoices in God’s blessings and the support of God’s people whom it serves by forming com- passionate and confessional Lutheran pastors. Among those bless- ings of the past years are the following: * Increased enrollment. From 46 entering M.Div. students in 1995, the seminary has increased to 90+ entering seminarians in the past two years and anticipates an enrollment exceeding 100 in the fall of 2001. * International mission. Many international students have enriched our campus by their desire to study historic Lutheran doctrine and practice as well as be nurtured and formed by Word and Sacra- ment. Opportunities to spread the Gospel in North America and throughout the world continue to grow. * Distinguished faculty. Nine new faculty members have been added since the last convention. Even as honored colleagues have retired, God has provided men with broad and varied pastoral and mission experience who also bring the required academic creden- tials. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis—John Johnson, President Since its establishment in 1839 in Perry County, MO, Concor- dia Seminary in St. Louis has been instrumental in the formation of more than 11,000 pastors and missionaries for the office of pub- lic ministry in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. A number of significant events and accomplishments have marked the past triennium: ¢ Significant enrollment growth over the past triennium with 595 students in all programs for the fall of 2000. 2001 Convention Workbook ¢ The Board of Regents adopted a policy to guarantee that tuition costs will be covered in full for all students at Concordia Semi- nary who are preparing to serve as pastors in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. * Increased innovative efforts were made in providing theological education by extension through the Seminary Hispanic Institute of Theology and a pastoral education program to meet the needs of preparation for ethnic pastoral ministry on the west coast in partnership with Concordia University, Irvine. RSO Saint Paul’s Lutheran High School, Concordia, MO— Rick Gove, Headmaster Saint Paul’s Lutheran High School, a Recognized Service Or- ganization of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, was founded in [883 with its primary purpose being the education of young men for the ministry of the church. Saint Paul’s mission statement is this: “To provide curricular and co-curricular experience in a Christian environment that will equip students, faculty, and staff for joyful, faithful service to Christ and His world.” Through a stable, competent faculty who connect faith, learn- ing, and living, through daily devotions and nurturing in advisor/advisee small-group settings, and through a fully accred- ited curriculum taught in a Christ-centered environment, students at Saint Paul’s receive a Christian education in the finest Lutheran tradition. Saint Paul’s Lutheran High School became an institution affili- ated with but independent of the LCMS and governed by a local Board of Trustees effective July 1, 1997. Saint Paul’s will continue to service the church as a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) by continuing to provide excellence in Christian education includ- ing church worker preparation. Futures in Higher Education * Recruit Lutheran students for professional church work roles * Develop national contracts (i.e., telephone, maintenance, custo- dial, food service, and equipment) ¢ Enhance institutional endowments * Develop reserve endowment fund * Recruit faculty, especially among ethnic minorities * Install affordability measures for educational programs ¢ Coordinate theological education programs ¢ Expand usage of technology in delivering education ¢ Think tank for future strategies in higher education Ralph Reinke, Chairman Board for Higher Education/ Concordia University System William Meyer Executive Director Board for Higher Education President Concordia University System Appendix R5-01A Report and Recommendation of Task Force on Tenure Part 1: Introduction At its 1998 convention, the Synod adopted a resolution (Res. 5- 07; 1998 Proceedings, p. 138) establishing a Task Force to study and make recommendations to the 2001 convention relative to tenure at our colleges, universities, and seminaries. This is the re- port and the recommendations of that Task Force. Why review a system that has been in place for so many years is