# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S446 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 446 education, and reasons for wishing to qualify for lay ministry service in the Synod. 2. Official transcripts of the applicant's secondary and collegiate training and a full description of noncredit academic work done by the applicant. 3. Testimonials as to Christian character and life. personality, ability, and previous service from the applicant's pastor and two references from pre- vious employers or persons who have observed the appicant for at least two recent years 4. A letter of endorsement from the applicant's District president 4.104 Publication of Applicant's Request The name of an applicant requesting admission to the lay ministry program shall be published in the official periodicals of the Synod after his appli- cation has been endorsed by the District President and approved by the Colloquy Board. If no vahd objection is filed within 4 weeks after publication of such notice, the colloquy procedure may con- tunue 4.105 Academic and Theological Requirements Applicants for admission to lay Ministry hy colloquy shall be expected to meet the following academic and theological requirements before their final examination by the board. a. A college program culminating in the associ- ate in arts degree or its demonstrated equivalent b. The completion of required courses or their equivalent in the areas of general education, Chris- tian doctrine, Biblical interpretation, church his- tory and practice, to meet the academic and theo- logical standards established by the Colloquy Board. c. Evidence of successful service in a church agency within the Synod prior to regular place- ment in the church d. Residence at a synodical college as deter- mined necessary cr desirable by the Colloquy Board. 4.106 Certification Applicants who nave satisfactorily passed their colloquy for the Lay Ministry shall be given a cer- tificate of eligibility by the Colloquy Board 4.107 Placement a, The Colloquy Board shall recommend place- ment of those applicants who have satisfactorily completed their colloquy studies and passed their colloquy examination b. The Colloquy Board shall report its action to the President of the District in which the candi- date resides and publish a report of its favorable action in the official periodicals of the Synod. Every applicant whom the board declares quali- fied for lay ministry shall be assigned his first Placement by the Board of Assignments. To Improve’ Our Ministry to Women RESOLUTION 6-28 Overture 6-63 (CW, p. 283) Wuereas, The need for a greater awareness both of the special gifts and the special concerns of women has become increasingly evident: and Wuereas, Our Mission Affirmations commit us to a ministry “to the whole society” and Wuereas, The concern expressed in Overture 6-63. that the special needs of women “do not now receive sufficient focus in current programs of instruction at our seminaries, or in discussicns at pastoral conferences,” would seem to be a valid one: therefore he it Resolved, That we ask the Board for Higher Educa- tion, the faculties at our colleges and seminaries and the program committees for our pastoral conferences to be alert to this problem and to seek the advice and assistance of qualified women in the planning of edu- cational programs. To Review the Requests of Ann Arbor and Milwaukee RESOLUTION 6-29 Overtures 6-53A, 6-53B. 6-544. 6-54B (CW. pp. 279—280) WHEREAS, The Michigan District and the South Wis- consin District have expressed strong encouragement and support for the establisnment of d-year college pro- grams at Ann Arbor and at Milwaukee, respectively: and WHEREAS, The Synod has given direction and author- ity to the Board for Higher Education. Handbook 6.05 r. REFERRED RESOLUTIONS to develop carefully prepared d-year programs which serve the purposes of the church and are economically defensible: therefore be at Resolved. That the New Orleans convention direct the Board for Higher Education to review the requests as expressed in Overtures 6-53A, 6-53B. 6-544, and 6-54B. To Accept the Report of the Board of Parish Education RESOLUTION 7-01 Report 7-01 (CW. pp. 285—295) Wurrras. The Board of Parish Education (BPE) is committed: a) to education that is Christian: b) to education for all people of all ages: c) to education in a variety of settings: d) to providing the best possible study programs and media for teaching and learning the faith: e) to help train teachers of the faith: f) to the principle that the family is the basic teach- ing-nurturing unit: g) to Lutheran education in elementary and secon- dary schools: h) to build on what is good in our past while ex- ploring new potentials in the future: and Wuereas, The Board as a Christian education com- munity :s committed to the Lord. His church. and His purposes. therefore be it Resoived. That the Synod accept the report of the BPE (CW. pp. 285—295): and be it further Resolved. That the Synod commend the Board and staff for the services they have continued to provide to the Syned: and be it tinally Resolved. That congregations of the Synod be urged to study and utilize the report of the Board as it applies to the local situation To Encourage Development of Early Childhood Education Program RESOLUTION 7-03 Report 7-01, Recommendation 2 (CW. pp. 296—297) Wuereas. Early childhood experiences and impres- sions are important to a person's total life: and Wuereas. An increasing awareness of this has re- sulted in the development of many educational agencies, schools. and programs for the benefit of the very young and their parents: and Wuereas, The Synod’s Board of Parish Education and other synodical groups have recognized the im- portance of a Christian atmosphere to help these chil- dren and their parents during this crucial time of de- velopment by preparing materials and programs for the use of congregations desiring to establish Christian day care centers. nursery schools, prekindergartens, kinder- gartens, weekday schools, nursery rolls, parent educa- tion programs, or materials centers: therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod direct the Board of Parish Education to devote special efforts in the next biennium to this specialized field, in order that: 1. Each congregation of the Synod may become aware of the needs, opportunities, and available ma- terials for the Christian nurture of the very young in the congregations and their communities: 2. Each congregation may be helped to analyze its own situation and resources to determine how it can best serve these children of God and their parents; 3. Teachers may have the opportunity to receive in- service training for early childhood education; and be it further Resolved, That the Board of Parish Education con- tinue to develop materials for the use of congregations in this endeavor: and be it further Resolved, That the synodical teachers colleges be di- rected to prepare more specialists for this ministry: and be it finally Resolved, That the Districts be encouraged to con- sider ways of incorporating this emphasis especially in their inner city programs. To Encourage Lutheran School Funding RESOLUTION 7-06 Report 7-01, Recommendation 5 (CW, p. 297) Wuerras, A commitment to the total purpose and spirit of Lutheran schools is a commitment to support Lutheran schools; and Wuereas, Congregations and school associations are finding it increasingly difficult to fund Lutheran ele- mentary and secondary schools: and Wuereas, Additional funds are often essential in order to assure high quality programs, satisfactory fa- cilities, respectable salaries, and adequate student aid: and Wuereas, Individuals and organizations exist which would gladly aid in the support of Lutheran schools were they given more information and opportunity: therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod urge the Board of Parish Education, District education leaders, and local congre- gations and associations, in cooperation with the Board of Stewardship of the Synod, to develop emphases di- rectly related to the purposes of Lutheran schools, as part of stewardship programs; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod urge that special local, District, or synodical committees be established in sit- uations where they might be effective in probing and implementing creative funding ideas to gain additional support for Christian education from sources in and outside the church, such as industry, foundations, be- quests, and gifts: and be it finally Resolved, That special efforts be made by congrega- tions so that adequate funds may be available for stu- dent aid. To Increase the Number and Improve the Quality of Christian Education Programs RESOLUTION 7-12 Report 7-01, Recommendation 11; Overture 7-11 (CW, Pp. 298, 304) Wuereas, The Lord of the church has blessed the Missouri Synod with a strong commitment to Christian education: and Wuereas. The Study of Generations has demon- strated that Bible knowledge tends to correlate posi- tively with a Gospel-oriented life-style: and Wuereas, The study also has shown that Christian education is effective if engaged in over longer periods of time. but may be ineffective or even negative if the time is short; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod urge its congregations to commit themselves and their resources to provide the best possible programs of Christian education for their members for a life-long study of the Word by establish- ing more education possibilities, such as nursery, kin- dergarten, elementary. middle and higb schools. vaca- tion church schools, weekday and or evening schools for children, youth, and adults, To Support “Lutheran Effectiveness Training for Parents and Teachers” RESOLUTION 7-13 Report 7-01, Recommendations 10—11 (CW. p. 298) Wuereas, Our Lord has clearly commanded parents and teachers: “Do not provoke your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”: and Wuereas, Many parents and teachers desire to im- prove their effectiveness in these God-given roles: and Wuereas. The Board of Parish Education is offering a Synodwide program to increase the effectiveness of parents and teachers as they relate to children and stu- dents: therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod support the Board of Par- ish Education sponsorship of “Lutheran Effectiveness Training for Parents and Teachers”: and be it further Resolved. That our congregations and schools be encouraged to make this program available to parents and teachers: and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod thank members of the Aid Association for Lutherans for their generous grant of $120,000 which is helping to make this program possible.