# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S229
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Seminary and University Education
entities of the Synod to whom leadership for pastoral education and
certification is entrusted, and in so doing provided a helpful model
for continuing such collaborative work; and
Whereas, The SMP program is supported by the Office for
Pastoral Education, the faculties of both seminaries, and the Council
of Presidents; and
Whereas, The SMP program, in its four years of operation, has
established a proven track record of excellence in preparing pastors
for the specialized ministry category; and
Whereas, SMP vicars and pastors have proven to be faithful servant shepherds, well received and appreciated by those they serve; and
Whereas, The SMP program is faithfully meeting the ministry
needs for which it was designed; therefore be it
Resolved, That the CNH District affirm the SMP program as a
great blessing to the LCMS in its endeavor to raise up faithful laborers for Christ’s harvest and pledge its ongoing support of the SMP
program; and be it further
Resolved, That the CNH District thank and commend the extraordinary service of the faculties and staffs of both Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and
the Office for Pastoral Education for developing, administrating, and
monitoring the progress of the SMP program; and be it finally
Resolved, That the CNH District memorialize the 2013 LCMS
convention to commend and affirm the SMP program and pledge its
ongoing support.
California-Nevada-Hawaii District
5-34

To Continue Offering Specific Ministry Program
Whereas, Mission work in our post-churched and increasingly
diverse society calls for a diversity of gifted mission leaders; and
Whereas, There is an unmet need for qualified and capable mission planters to provide the necessary leadership for this work; and
Whereas, There are ministry settings that are vacant and waiting for a worker; and
Whereas, Ministries of the Eastern District are being blessed
with the service of workers who have come through alternate routes
of ministry education, especially that of the Specific Ministry Pastor
program; and
Whereas, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers few.
Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Eastern District in convention commend The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for its bold and courageous work
in addressing real need with a real solution through the adoption of
alternate route programs such as the Specific Ministry Pastor program; and be it further
Resolved, That the Eastern District in convention commend the
seminaries for their work in the development and execution of this
program; and be it finally

229

Resolved, That the Eastern District memorialize The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod in convention to continue offering the
Specific Ministry Pastor program so that new workers for specific
ministries are prepared for service to the church.
Eastern District
5-35

To Amend Bylaw 3.6.6.5 re Procedure
to Consolidate Colleges/Universities
Rationale
The current procedure for consolidating, relocating, separating,
or divesting a college or university makes it a complicated and potentially lengthy process. This process is inappropriate in the case of a
potential separation (making independent) or divestiture (sale), given
the irreversible nature of those decisions.
However, a potential consolidation of two LCMS colleges or universities or a potential relocation of a college or university is a matter
that may be necessary within a relatively short period of time. Since
such action would retain the institutions as part of the Synod, it seems
advantageous to accomplish such consolidation or relocation with a
less arduous, more agile procedure.
The proposed bylaw will make it easier to consolidate or relocate
by allowing the decision to be made by the LCMS Board of Directors
plus one of three other entities, rather than one of two other entities;
therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.6.6.5 be amended as follows:
Concordia University System
3.6.6.5 In keeping with the objectives and the Constitution, Bylaws,
and resolutions of the Synod, the Board of Directors of Concordia University System shall …
(j) together with schools, districts, congregations, and national efforts, foster continuing education for ministers of religion—commissioned; and
(k) have authority to consolidate or relocate a college or university
after receiving the consent of the Board of Directors of the Synod by its
two-thirds vote and the consent of any one of the following: the Board
of Directors of Concordia University System by its two-thirds vote, the
Council of Presidents by its two-thirds vote, or the appropriate board of
regents by its two-thirds vote; and
(kl) have authority to separate or divest a college or university after
receiving the consent of the Board of Directors of the Synod by its twothirds vote and also the consent of either the Council of Presidents by
its two-thirds vote or the appropriate board of regents by its two-thirds
vote. to consolidate, relocate, separate, or divest a college or university.

LCMS Board of Directors

2013 Convention Workbook