# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S249 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 249 Resolved, That the Bylaws be amended to reflect these changes in the Constitution. Faculty Senate Concordia University St. Paul, MN 7-32 To Place Directors of Parish Music on Roster of Synod WHEREAS, The importance of music in church life is evident in the Scriptures and throughout the history of the Christian church; and WHEREAS, The role of the church musician is also important in the history of the church; and WHEREAS, The congregations of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod have been well served by generations of church workers, often teachers, who have provided service as musicians; and Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod does not presently recognize this special vocation of church musician as a rostered position; and WHEREAS, Some congregations of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod recognize a need for full-time leadership in the area of church music and would be interested in calling a worker to such a position; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod affirm the service provided by all church musicians as important service to the church; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for- mally recognize the vocation of director of parish music and pro- vide opportunity for roster status as Ministers of Religion—Com- missioned to those individuals who have successfully completed an approved academic program of study in church music and have been properly certified for a call into this ministry according to guidelines established by the Board for Higher Education and the Commission on Worship of the Synod in consultation with the ap- propriate music faculties of the Concordia University System; and be it further Resolved, That individuals holding degrees in church music from Lutheran or other institutions of higher learning be provided opportunity to apply for roster status as directors of parish music through a program of colloquy similar to colloquy programs estab- lished for other categories of Minister of Religion—Commis- sioned; and be it finally Resolved, That those Ministers of Religion—Commissioned who are already rostered in other categories of service such as teacher or director of Christian education but who have also com- pleted an approved program of academic study in church music be provided the opportunity to be listed as directors of parish music. Faculty, Concordia University, River Forest, IL; Concordia University, Seward, NE; Commission on Worship; Faculty, Concordia University at Austin, Austin, TX 7-33 To Place Directors of Family Life Ministry on Roster Rationale The need for congregations and schools to provide ministry in the area of family life is steadily growing. In response to this need, the Board for Higher Education/Concordia University System pre- viously approved the establishment of a program of preparation in family life at Ann Arbor. The Family Life program is multidisciplinary, emphasizing the- ology, sociology, law, economics, and psychology. The Family Life graduate will possess the theological, academic, and practical training needed for providing specialized ministry to families in a variety of situations and settings. Students preparing for the position “Director of Family Life Ministry” will participate in a program of study that conforms to the requirements established by the Concordia University System for admitting, monitoring, and placing church vocations students. The requirements for the study of theology are the same as for Lutheran Teacher and Director of Christian Education students. Family Life ministry programs on Concordia University Sys- tem campuses will maintain the academic standards for program certification by the National Council on Family Relations (or a sim- ilar certifying body), so that graduates will also be eligible for pro- fessional licensure. The Family Life ministry program has now been recognized by the CUS Presidents as a significant ministry that will benefit the LCMS. It therefore seems appropriate that the BHE/CUS Board approve the Family Life ministry program as a church work pro- gram and recommend it to the convention for adoption as a church work program. Graduates of the program will be certified as “Di- rectors of Family Life Ministry” and entitled to be placed on the roster of the LCMS as Ministers of Religion—Commissioned. Therefore be it resolved: 1. That persons who are graduates of a Director of Family Life ministry program recognized by the Board for Higher Educa- tion/Concordia University System and who are called by qualified LCMS entities be rostered as members of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (Ministers of Religion—-Commissioned); and 2. That the Secretary of the Synod be directed to follow the es- tablished processes for bringing the Constitution and Bylaws into conformity with this resolution. Board for Higher Education/ Concordia University System 7-34 To Support CCM Ruling re Advisory Nature of Synod WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has ruled that the meaning of “advisory” in Art. VII of our Synod’s Consti- tution never was intended to include matters of doctrine, but rather non-doctrinal matters; and WHEREAS, There appear to be those who do not wish to walk together in both doctrine and practice with their fellow members of the Synod; therefore be it Resolved, That the Commission on Constitutional Matters’ rul- ing regarding Art. VII of the Constitution be affirmed by the Synod in convention as a correct interpretation of our Synod’s Constitu- tion; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod in convention implore all members of the Synod to honor and uphold those resolutions adopted that are doctrinal in nature. Lamb of God Pleasant Prairie, WI 7-35 To Affirm Advisory Nature of Synod Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has always based all of its teachings on the Word of God as we have under- stood it in the Confessions of the Lutheran church; and WHEREAS, Martin Luther, when asked to recant the books he had written, replied: “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeat- edly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God”; and WHEREAS, During ordination pastors are asked to abide by the Scriptures and the Confessions of the church; and Wrereas, In the Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod it states specitically that “the Synod is not an ecclesi- 2001 Convention Workbook