# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S232 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 232 HIGHER EDUCATION §-33 To Place Directors of Family Life Education 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. The family life program is multidisciplinary, emphasiz- ing theology, sociology, law, economics, and psychology. The fam- ily life graduate will possess the theological, academic, and practical training needed for providing specialized services-to families in a variety of situations and settings. Students preparing for the posi- tion of Director of Family Life Education will participate in a pro- gram 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 theol- ogy are the same as for Lutheran teacher and director of Christian education students. Family life education programs on Concordia University System campuses will maintain required academic stan- dards so that graduates will also be eligible for professional licen- sure. The family life education program has now been recognized by the CUS presidents as a significant ministry that will benefit the LCMS. It therefore is appropriate that the BHE/CUS Board ap- proved the Director of Family Life Education program as a church- work program and recommends it to the convention for adoption as a church-work program. Graduates of the program will be certified as directors of family life education and entitled to be placed on the roster of the LCMS as ministers of religion—commissioned. Resolved, That persons who are graduates of a Director of Fam- ily Life Education program recognized by the Board for Higher Ed- ucation/Concordia University System and who are called by quali- fied LCMS entities be rostered as members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (ministers of religion—commissioned). Board for Higher Education/ Concordia University System 5-34 ‘To Identify and Roster Family Life Ministers WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has histori- cally ministered to families in and through its teaching and preach- ing; and WHEREAS, In the last few decades family ministry has become more “intentional” and “specialized” in order to address the Word to the challenging and complex problems, issues, and diversity found among faith-based families in faith-based communities; and WHEREAS, Family ministry is “intentional” because it is a needs-based ministry; and WHEREAS, Family ministry is “specialized” in that it calls for competency in theology, family science, and adult education; and WHEREAS, Both concepts of “intentional” and “specialized” re- quire a combination of careful academic preparation, skills devel- opment, and considerable experience; and WHEREAS, Because of the very complex problems and rapid changes found and experienced by families in the church and soci- ety today, anyone who is referred to as a “family minister” doing this “intentional” and “specialized” ministry must have knowledge and skills grounded in biblical theology and enhanced by family science and adult education; and WHEREAS, The task of family ministry is too critical and too complex to be assigned to someone who lacks professional educa- tion; therefore be it Resolved, That church workers who have completed specialized training in family ministry be formally identified and rostered as such by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod even as we do other focused ministries (e.g., pastors, teachers, and DCEs); and be it further Resolved, That this official recognition by the church of a fam- ily life minister be given only after the professional church worker has completed at least three years of ministry and a complete pro- gram of study in family ministry making it consistent with what the church body, in its wisdom, has required for other specialized ministries (e.g., the military chaplaincy, campus ministry, and uni- versity professor); and be it finally Resolved, That a minimum core of post-graduate studies be re- quired either in the form of continuing education (CEUs leading to a certificate in family life ministry) or a master’s degree in family life ministry. ‘ Board of Directors. Pacific Southwest District 5-35 To Amend Commissioned Ministry Colloquy Bylaws Resolved, That Bylaws 6.105-6.141 be amended by replace- ment with the following: Purpose of the Colloquy Programs a. The colloquy programs prepare men and women who are cur- rently serving in ministry roles for membership in the Synod. Col- loquy programs ensure that those who seek to join the Synod have been educated in theology, have become oriented to service in the Synod, and have demonstrated the professional and spiritual attrib- utes that the Synod expects of its members. b. Qualified applicants are competent workers in the field for which they seek colloquy; therefore, colloquy does not provide basic preparation for the field of service. For example, colloquy does not provide courses in lesson preparation; rather, it provides a theological education to professionally qualified teachers. Colloquy Committees (expansion of present Bylaw 6.105) a. The Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry shall consist of the First Vice-President of the Synod, the Executive Di- rector of the Board for Higher Education, and two college/univer- sity presidents. The President of the Synod shall appoint the col- lege/university presidents. The First Vice-President shall be chairman of the committee. b. The Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry shall direct the Synod activity in matters of colloquies for commissioned ministries. c. The Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry shall also establish and monitor academic and theological standards for each of the colloquy programs. The committee shall consult the di- rectors of the programs at the Synod’s colleges and universities when establishing or reviewing the standards. d. The Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry shall render a report on commissioned minister colloquy activities to each convention of the Synod. e. Each of the Synod’s colleges and universities shall have a colloquy examining committee. The institution’s president shall ap- point the committee, and it shall include the directors of the com- missioned ministry programs. f. The colloquy examining committees shall be responsible for acting upon applications, establishing the prescribed program of study for each person admitted, and recommending students to the faculty for certification upon completion of all requirements. Applications (replacement of present Bylaw 6.106) a. The application process begins with the applicant’s District President. It is the responsibility of the District President to pro- vide the application documents and to guide the applicant during the application process. b. Prospective students shall submit an application to an institu- tion offering the desired colloquy program or to the Concordia Uni- versity Education Network (CUEnet) when applicable. After the application is complete, the colloquy examining committee for- wards a copy of the application to the Colloquy Committee for