LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 194

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1°26

194

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Synod be
authorized to implement this plan immediately if it is
found to be feasible.

Action: None.

To Make Recruitment for Church
Vocations Concern of Entire Church

RESOLUTION 6-15
Overtures 6-62-6-69 (CW, pp. 318-20)

Wuereas, The number of preseminary and teacher-
training students has been decreasing at our synodical col-
leges; and

WHEREAS, The enrollments at our U.S. seminaries have
also declined in recent years; and

Wuereas, The number of traditional college-age stu-
dents (18- to 22-year-olds) will continue on a downward
trend until 1992; and

Wuereas, There is already a shortage of Lutheran-
trained teachers for the elementary and secondary class-
rooms of the schools of our congregations, and the number
of pastoral vacancies will be increasing; and

Wuereas, Projected new congregations and new mis-
sion outreach programs requiring theologically trained
workers will be increasing; and

Wuereas, The Board for Professional Education Ser-
vices is strongly supportive of the congregation’s stake in
its Christian education system from primary through sec-
ondary and higher education; therefore be it

Resolved, That recruitment for church vocations be
made the immediate concern of our entire Synod, specifi-
cally—

1. that pastors and congregations be reminded of their
crucial role in encouraging young men and women to study
for church vocations, and that every congregation of the
Synod be urged to establish an active church-worker re-
cruitment committee;

2. that children and young people be encouraged to at-
tend Lutheran elementary and high schools where they
are available;

3. that the teachers and directors of Christian education
be reminded of their crucial role in encouraging young men
and women to study for church vocations;

4. that congregations annually submit names and ad-
dresses of potential future students for ministries to the
nearest synodical college, and that the list of names be
coordinated through the BPES office for contact by the
appropriate college or seminary;

5. that district recruitment committees be directed to
adopt specific and challenging recruitment goals, to com-
municate them to congregations, and to coordinate, sup-
port, and equip congregational recruitment committees for
their mission;

RESOLUTIONS

6. that campus pastors be encouraged to use to the full.
est extent their ministries to encourage church vocations
to students on secular campuses;

7. that the recruitment committees and pastors advise
students who intend to enter the pastoral ministry of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to enroll in one of the
synodical colleges as early as possible in their professional
preparation; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to estab-
lish scholarship and grant-in-aid funds to assist young men
and women in pursuing church vocations.

Action: Adopted (15).

To Commend and Encourage Increased
Funding for Seminaries

RESOLUTION 6-16B

Overture 6-43-6-44, 6-47-6-49, 6-52A-6-54, 6-56-6-60,
6-126A-6-128 (CW, pp. 313-18, 342-43)

Wuereas, The Synod in convention resolved, “That the
Synod instruct the Board for Higher Education to provide
40% of the educational and general budget of the two sem-
inaries for the 1982-83 fiscal year; and be it further re-
solved that the Synod instruct the Board for Higher
Education to increase the support granted to the semi-
naries by no less than an additional 5% per year until the
Synod is providing at least 65% support for the educational
and general budget of the two seminaries.” (Res. 6-18A,
1981); and

WHEREAS, The original intent of the 1981 resolution was
that this support come from synodical subsidy; and

WHEREAS, The synodical financial income level has not
significantly increased to meet this objective; and

Wuereas, On the other hand, the Department of Stew-
ardship and Financial Support has cooperated with the
BPES and seminary personnel to raise development funds
for seminaries, so that the combination of synodical sub-
sidy and development funding totals 53.3% (CW, p. 439);
and

Wuereas, The Alive in Christ appeal will provide ad-
ditional financial resources for seminary scholarships and
building maintenance; therefore be it

Resolved, That we commend the cooperative achieve-
ments of the BPES, the Department of Stewardship and
Financial Support, seminaries, and the response of the
Synod to the Alive in Christ appeal for their efforts toward
desired funding levels; and be it further

Resolved, That we commend the seminaries, the BPES,
and the Department of Stewardship and Financial Support
for the joint seminary system approach to development and
also toward recruitment; and be it finally

Resolved, That the seminaries, the BPES, and the De-
partment of Stewardship and Financial Support be en-