LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 76

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76

7, Anin-depth study of the colleges has been begun by
a President’s Commission on Higher Education.
Should the Synod wait until the 1986 convention to
implement the recommendations of the commis-
sion? If not, who should implement them?

8. Are the colleges and seminaries properly equipped
to train minority workers required for mission
expansion? Are more special colloquy or bother
training programs in order?

9. Are we properly equipping current and new pastors
to meet the challenges of this changing society? Are
we giving full-time church workers the support they
need in their professional and personal lives? Do we
need additional programs of continuing education
and professional growth?

10. Are new pastors and teachers meeting the expecta-
tions of congregations? If not, how can their educa-
tion be improved?

11. Are present plans for Canadian seminary education
adequate, even though some disagreement remains?

Specific Suggestions and Recommendations

1. Support the strong review of all colleges and semi-
naries by a presidential task force and authorize
responsible entities within the Synod to take appro-

~“

(Part ITI)

Dear Friends in Christ:

It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to welcome the
delegates, representatives, and friends of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod to its 55th regular convention.
May the Lord of the church guide all our deliberations
and help us to proclaim Him faithfully and well through
all that we do.

In the first two sections of the President’s Report
(delivered to the meeting of floor committees in St. Louis
at the end of May and printed in Today’s Business
beginning with page 19), I outlined a number of major
challenges facing our Synod today in this time of
change and uncertainty in our society, and also listed
my personal suggestions and recommendations on
several items requiring action by the convention. Those
sections were intended not only to guide the members of
floor committees, but to help all of you prepare for the
decisions to be made at this convention. In this section
of the report, presented as we begin our actual conven-
tion sessions, I should like to do two things with you:
first, to briefly overview some of the specific activities of
my office during the past biennium not treated else-
where in the Convention Workbook and, second, to
consider together with you what we can do to help
ourselves and our fellow members be a church in
mission, proclaiming Him to one and all.

A. Overview of Activities

1. Transition. Former President J. A. O. Preus
effected an exceptionally smooth transition, and has

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

priate actions on the basis of that report at an early
date (cf. 6-21). °

2. Reduce synodical restrictions on fund solicitation
for the educational and general budgets of thé
seminaries, provided that the central responsibility
for such solicitation rests with the Department of
Stewardship and Financial Support and provided
there is adequate control of approved seminary
budgets. ’

3. Ask the Board for Professional Education Services
to develop a projection for the Synod’s church:
worker needs for the next decade and to devise g
corresponding recruitment program in cooperation
and coordination with our colleges and seminaries

4. Support a periodic review of the performance 0
college and seminary presidents (6-36).

5. Support a strong emphasis on continuing educatiog
programs for pastors, teachers, and other church
workers through the creation of a Standing. Cont
mittee on Continuing Education and increased
efforts on the part of Districts. ne

6. Support 6-49 and 6-58 on Canadian seminaries ake

decline request to reconsider prior actions which

established two Canadian seminaries.

continued to provide able and helpful counsel from.
to time as requested. As a new President, Ih
understandably spent a great deal of time these,p
two years in becoming better acquainted with the
officers and the synodical staff as well as the ma
boards, commissions, and committees of the Syn
They have been most kind and helpful, and. 1-3
grateful to all of them for their patience and assistangg
2. Synodwide Visits. In accepting the high hot
bestowed on me in 1981 by the Synod, I promised:
listen and learn in an effort to serve the whole S;
and not just some of its people or some of its
Throughout the biennium, I have traveled extensi
throughout the Synod in order to familiarize .m.
with as many of the people and programs of the
as possible. These visits have included participati
major gatherings in 29 of our 38 Districts, includiég
District conventions, 9 District pastoral confere nt
meetings of Circuit Counselors, and 5 Distne "
convocations. I have also been privileged to
national conventions of our Sunday school teachers
Lutheran Laymen’s League, the Lutheran W
Missionary League, Lutherans for Life, and the:.
Ministry Convocation. I have had the opport
visit several of our colleges and seminaries, ‘4
preach the good news of Jesus Christ to many cone:
tions of the Synod observing special events oF"
versaries. Special videotaped messages have ort
used for reports to a number of other groups whe
impossible for me to be present personally- I