# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S213 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) HIGHER EDUCATION 213 WHEREAS, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) has demonstrated its value in developing one’s capacity to know better self and oth- ers; and WHEREAS, Many LCMS pastors have experienced helpful inte- gration of their theology into their pastoral ministry through insti- tutional and church-based CPE; therefore be it Resolved, That each of our seminaries be encouraged to include a quarter of Clinical Pastoral Education as an integral part of their curricula. Texas District 5-22 To Require Teaching that Ordination Is Not a Sacrament WHEREAS, Several speakers at the 1999 National Walther Con- ference noted that there are recent graduates of our seminaries who insist that ordination is a sacrament, which places them in some special class above laymen; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions do not teach that ordina- tion is a sacrament like Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; and WHEREAS, C. F. W. Walther insisted that ordination is not a sacrament: and WHEREAS, “A Briet Statement of the Doctrinal Position of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.” which is still the official po- sition of the LCMS, says: “33. Regarding ordination we teach that it is not a divine but a commendable ecclesiastical ordinance” (Smalcald Articles, Triglot. p. 525, and 70 M., p. 342); and WHEREAS, Some of the speakers at the 1999 National Walther Conference claimed that the doctrine of ordination as a sacrament has come from Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the LCMS urge the Pres- ident and Vice-Presidents of the LCMS anid the Boards of Regents of both seminaries (Ft. Wayne and St. Louis) to insist that all LCMS professors teach that ordination is not a sacrament. Redeemer, St. Clair Shores, MI; Christ, Juniata, NE: Trinity, New Haven. MO: Redeemer, John Day, OR 5-23 To Provide Chaplains for Seminaries Whereas, The preparation of men for the Office of the Holy Ministry is onc of the highest responsibilities of the Synod; and WHEREAS, In recent years there has been a shift of the type of man entering into the ministry from traditional routes of synodical high schools and colleges to men who have spent a significant por- tion of their aduit life in the secular world in other professions; and WHEREAS, Most of the second-career students are also married, and many have families and the related requirements of time and energy to be both fathers and full-time students; and Wuereas, The tamilies are required to make major adjustments in terms of lifestyles, income, and living to assist the student while training for the ministry; and WHEREAS, In the past there have not been spiritual life programs in place that minister to the new type of students and their fami- lies, nor for the traditional student; and WuereEAS, In the past there has not been in the seminary system an advocate for the student to assist in the adjustment from the sec- ular world who can speak with authority to the special needs of the new type of student entering the ministry: and WHEREAS, There is no means available to the student to address special needs or concerns through the seminary system, and those needs or concerns place the student in an awkward position re- garding enrollment at the seminaries without means to explicate them; therefore be it Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be authorized to call a chaplain for each of the seminaries in St. Louis and in Fort Wayne: and be it further Resolved, That the chaplain’s dutics be to establish a pastoral presence for the student body and to develop a spiritual life and mentoring program that is separate from the academic preparation for the Holy Ministry: and be it finally Resolved, That these men be accountable to the Council of Pres- idents and in the event of special needs of the students be able to contact the COP on the students’ behalf and to act as an ombuds- man to seek assistance and redress of needs. St. Peter. Columbus, IN; Faith, Madison, AL 5-24 To Encourage Cooperative Work between Seminaries WHEREAS, Our Synod has historical precedent and good reason to have more than one seminary, especially as they have been dis- tinguished by different emphases in curriculum and students: and WHEREAS, Recent years have seen duplication of programs and, at times, competition for students, resources. and support from the limited resources in our church; and WHEREAS, The newly revised structure of the Board for Higher Education now includes a Committee for Pastoral Education with staff support provided by the Director of Pastoral Education; and WHEREAS, Both seminarics seck to serve the church faithfully in providing theological education for the pastoral ministry, both through a Master of Divinity degree and by providing curriculum for Alternate Route students; therefore be it Resolved, That our Synod, specifically through the work on the Committee for Pastoral Education. study the needs of our church for pastoral education in collaboration with the faculties and ad- ministrations of both seminaries; and be it further Resolved, That both seminaries pledge cooperation and colle- giality in working together toward a common purpose; and be it further Resolved, That both seminaries seek common agreements in ad- missions requirements and curricular objectives, including course work, pastoral suitability. and spiritual formation; and be it further Resolved, That both seminaries seck to avoid areas of direct competition; and be it finally Resolved, That together we all affirm and seek to foster a hum- ble spirit of service in mecting the needs of our church and its mis- sion. Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO 5-25 To Assure that Creation Is Taught in Synod’s Schools WHEREAS, The LCMS is founded upon the inerrancy of Scrip- ture; and WHEREAS, Many major Protestant denominations, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Pope now permit their schools to teach evolution from secular textbooks: and WHEREAS, In spite of the doctrine of the six-day creation, sec- ondary schools of the LCMS in 26 states teach mostly evolution; and WHEREAS, Evolution has been proven repeatedly to be an un- scientific teaching that has as its central belief the nonexistence of God; tberefore be it Resolved, That the 2001 LCMS convention direct President A. L. Barry to take steps to see that the truth of the Scripture is the basis for all teaching in our Synod’s secondary schools and col- leges. Christ Juniata, NE 2001 Convention Workbook