# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S297
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PARISH SERVICES AND YOUTH 297

of young children, as well as increase the educational compe-
tence of their parents, e.g., nursery schools, day care centers,
prekindergartens, kindergartens, weekday schools, nursery
rolls, parent education programs, materials centers: therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod urge congregations and boards of
Christian education to study early childhood education research
and delineate the needs and values of Christian education for
the young of their parishes and communities: and be it further

Resolved. That congregations and boards of education
establish the most comprehensive programs deemed necessary
and possible for preschool children as well as related programs
for their parents; and be it finally

Resolved. That congregations and boards of education utilize
the helps available in the church for the establishment of early
childhood education including, wherever possible, the utiliza-
tion of synodically trained full-time personnel as administrators
and teachers.

Recommendation 3: To Help Older Persons Prepare for
Retirement

WHEREAS, Every tenth person in our church and the com-
munities in which we live is 65 years old or older: and

WHEREAS, These older persons need to learn how to cope
with the changes that confront them and how better to make
their constructive contributions to the church's ministry of God’s
Word: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod instruct its Board of Parish Edu-
cation in consultation with education leaders in the Districts of
the Synod to plan and conduct training events to help older
adults prepare for retirement and live in retirement with ful-
fillment as servants of Jesus Christ.

Recommendation 4: To Include Female Teachers on the
Roster of the Synod

WHEREAS, Nearly 60% of all teachers employed by Lutheran
schools are of the female sex: and

WHEREAS, Approximately 60% of all full-time female teachers
are synodically trained and thus have similar teaching creden-
tials as the synodically trained male teachers: therefore be it

Resolred. That female teachers (elementary, secondary,
Directors of Christian Education) who have completed a syn-
odical undergraduate program or the colloquy program for
teachers be eligible to be received into the membership of the
Synod under the terms of Articles V and VI of the Constitution.

Recommendation 5: To Encourage Creative Lutheran School
Funding

WHEREAS, A commitment to support Lutheran schools is
an integral facet of a commitment to the total purpose and spirit
of Lutheran schools; and

WHEREAS, Congregations and school associations have found
it increasingly difficult to fund Lutheran elementary and sec-
ondary schools; and

WHEREAS, Additional funds are often essential in order to
assure high quality programs, satisfactory facilities, respectable
salaries and adequate student aid: and

Wuereas, Individuals and organizations exist who would
gladly aid in the support of Lutheran schools were they given
the opportunity; therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod urge its Board of Parish Education,
the District education leaders, and local congregations and asso-
ciations to develop stewardship programs directly related to the
purposes of Lutheran schools: and be it further

Resolved. That special committees be established for probing
and implementing creative funding ideas which seek support
for education from sources in and outside the church: and be
it finally

Resolved. That special efforts be made by congregations so
that adequate funds may be available for student aid and tui-
tion grants for the poor.

Recommendation 6: To Encourage Wider Lutheran School
Relationships

WHEREAS, It is essential that the educators of non-Lutheran
school systems, government officials, and the general public
understand the purposes of Lutheran schools: and

WHEREAS. Some feelings of distrust, isolation, false purposes.
inadequate information, and negativism regarding Lutheran
schools does exist in the minds of some persons outside the
Lutheran school system: and

WHEREAS. The responsibilities and concerns of education
in our country are complex and diverse, needing the coordinated
efforts of public educators, nonpublic educators, government
officials, and many other individuals and groups: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod urge congregations to communi-
cate to others the purposes and practices of their schools: and
be it finally

Resolved. That the Synod encourage Lutheran school educa-
tors to participate actively, when appropriate, in the activities
and meetings of local public and nonpublic school personnel
and other local, state, and national level groups, including gov-
ernment, that have educational concerns and jurisdiction.

Recommendation 7: To Encourage Calling Directors of
Christian Education

WHEREAS. The high priority of Christian education in the
mission and ministry of the church demands the best possible
quality of educational leadership and instruction in every con-
gregation: and

WHEREAS. The expertise to provide professionally developed
educational skills is still lacking in many congregations: and

WHEREAS, The Lord has blessed our Synod with leaders
specifically trained to serve congregations as Directors of
Christian Education (DCE): and

WHEREAS. The Board of Parish Education and the Depart-
ment of Pastors and Directors of Christian Education of the
Lutheran Education Association offer congregations such tools
as bulletins and filmslips for investigating the possibility of
engaging a Director of Christian Education (DCE): therefore
be it

Resolved. That every congregation be encouraged to study
the possibility of engaging a Director of Christian Education
(DCE) either alone or together with sister congregations: and
be it further

Resolved. That congregations be encouraged to call a Direc-
tor of Christian Education (DCE) trained in synodically approved
programs for this type of ministry.

Recommendation 8: To Carefully Select and Use
Parish Education Materials

WHEREAS, The Synod at its Milwaukee convention rightly
acknowledged that ‘the parish is ultimately responsible for
what is taught in its educational agencies’’ and resolved to
“remind every congregation of its responsibility to evaluate
critically all the materials used in its educational program”: and

WueEREAS. Both this freedom of choice and the responsibility
for what is taught or not taught are a serious burden that dare
not be discharged lightly: and

WHEREAS. Opportunities for choice of programs, courses.
materials, and local planning of parish education are growing
on all levels: and

WHEREAS, Recent surveys have indicated that congregations
are using a great variety of study materials that have not under-
gone critical examination by the synodical Board of Parish
Education, the synodical review process, or District and local
review committees; therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod encourage its local congregations
to joyfully live in their freedom by creatively developing their
local educational programs with whatever curricular resources
and helps are thought to be most helpful for the carrying out of
the church’s educational task: and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod also call to the attention of all its

members their grave responsibility to look critically at both the
methods and the materials in their parish programs, and to use