# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S243 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) HIGHER EDUCATION 243 WHEREAS, This proposed switch might have a negative impact on the work that has already been accomplished; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention declare that there shall be no shift in the responsibility for continuing education for pas- tors; and be it further Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education be directed to work with the CMGS to develop a coordinated and mutually agree- able plan for the continuing education of pastors and commissioned workers. Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support 5-61 To Encourage All Church Workers to Engage in Continuing Education Wuereas, Continuing education is essential to the maintenance and growth of competence in any profession, including those of the church; and WuereEas, God has richly blessed church workers with talents to be developed and used for the benefit of God’s people; and Wuereas, Church workers are committed to serving well the people of God; and WuerEAS, Church workers are professionals responsible for maintaining current knowledge in their field of expertise and for acquiring the skills needed to perform well their various tasks; and WHEREAS, From time to time there are calls for mandated con- tinuing education related to ongoing synodical certification; and WHEREAS, Church workers are accountable for effective perfor- mance, not simply attendance at continuing education activities; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm its commit- ment to encourage, support, and recognize continuing education for all of the church’s workers; and be it further Resolved, That congregations, Districts, and all entities of the Synod assist and support the church’s workers by providing re- sources and opportunities for continuing education and ongoing professional development; and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod in convention reject any attempts to mandate continuing education for ongoing synodical certification of its workers. Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support 5-62 To Include Council of Presidents in Certification of Candidates and Continuing Education WHEREAS, The mission and ministry of congregations, schools, and institutions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod require well-prepared professional church workers; and WHEREAS, The need for such workers to reach diverse peoples and cultures with the eternal truth of the Gospel calls us to contin- ually evaluate our methods of preparing and certifying workers for the church today; and . WHEREAS, The Synod has entrusted this preparation of profes- sional church workers to our colleges/universities and seminaries; and WHEREAS, The Mission 21st Century Task Force has identified reasons for strengthening the process of certification of candidates for the office of the public ministry; and WHEREAS, It is healthier for the church to have the preparation and certification of men for the Office of the Public Ministry in two separate entities of the Synod; and WHEREAS, Preparation for the Office of the Public Ministry con- tinues beyond the conclusion of the formal program of training; and WuerEAS, It benefits missions, congregations, and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as a whole that pastors con- tinue their professional development; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod, acting in convention, direct the Council of Presidents to research and develop a plan for the certi- fication of men to hold the Office of the Public Ministry that in- volves the participation of the Council of Presidents; and be it fur- ther Resolved, That the Synod, acting in convention, direct the Council of Presidents to research and develop a plan for the re- quiring of continuing education of pastors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in order for them to maintain their sta- tus on the roster of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and be it finally _ Resolved, That the Synod, acting in convention, require that The Council of Presidents present its recommendations to the 2007 reg- ular convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Board of Directors, Iowa District West; Board of Directors, Southeastern District 5-63 To Shift Responsibility for Continuing Education for Pastors to Board for Higher Education Rationale The Board for Higher Education has considered for several years whether it should rightfully provide for the continuing edu- cation of pastors, rather than a separate entity. Presently, Bylaw 3.915 gives the responsibility or “assessing and promoting the con- tinuing educational and vocational growth of the church’s work- ers” to the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support. How- ever, this approach may not be sufficiently focused on continued growth in pastoral formation. The education of a pastor extends from recruitment to retirement, a lifelong process. More emphasis should be given in the church at large to encourage pastors to fur- ther hone their pastoral skills. The Director of Pastoral Education (BHE Office) and the seminary presidents (seminary faculties) should coordinate the initial education in pastoral formation with the ongoing opportunities for continued educational experiences. Resolved, That responsibility of continuing education for pas- tors be shifted from the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support to the Board for Higher Education.. Board for Higher Education/ Concordia University System 5-64 To Commemorate Black Centennial of Higher Education WHEREAS, Luther College, New Orleans, La., and Immanuel Lutheran College, Greensboro, N.C. (both founded in 1903), rep- resented the first institutions of higher education for blacks in the history of Lutheranism in America; and WuerEas, In 1916, a missionary named Nils Bakke unwittingly sowed the seed for what would become the third institution of higher education among blacks when a Normal School for Black Women in Alabama was organized; and WHEREAS, The school founded by Rev. R. O. L. Lynn would evolve into Alabama Luther College (1922-1939), then Alabama Lutheran Academy (1940-1946), then Alabama Lutheran Acad- emy and College (1947-1984); and . WHEREAS, The questionable, and certainly, untimely closing of Luther College (1932) and Immanuel Lutheran College (1961) re- sulted in a relocation of these institutions to the campus of Alabama Lutheran Academy and College, Selma, Ala.; and