LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1989, Page 149

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HIGHER EDUCATION 149

made the immediate concern of our entire Synod, spe-
cifically 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 recruitment committee;

and

Wuereas, The LCMS, meeting in convention in 1986
adopted a statement of mission and purpose (Res. 6-03A)
which states:

The colleges and seminaries of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod exist to supply the higher
education services needed to accomplish the mission
of the church. Strongly committed to the Lutheran
concept of vocation, synodical colleges are liberal arts
institutions which provide a Christ-centered spiritual
and value-oriented environment for men and women
who will be Christians at work in the church and in
secular occupations;
and

Wuereas, The intense need for recruitment still exists;
therefore be it

Resolved, That we applaud the Board for Higher Edu-
cation Services (BHES), the Districts who have appointed
recruitment committees, and the congregations who have
established recruitment committees; and be it further

Resolved, That every congregation of the Synod which
does not have a student recruitment committee for syn-
odical schools be encouraged to establish one; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the BHES be encouraged to continue to
develop, update, and disseminate resource materials for
the coordination and supervision of recruitment efforts by
congregations, colleges, and Districts.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Urge Certification of Nonsynodically
Certified Teachers and DCEs

RESOLUTION 6-13A
Overtures 6-22A-B (CW, p. 248)

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) has diligently sought through its colleges and sem-
inaries to “recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other
professional church workers” (Art. III 3) for the various
ministries requested by its member congregations; and

Wuereas, The Synod has committed itself to “aid con-
gregations to develop processes of thorough Christian ed-
ucation and nurture” (Art. III 5); and

Wuereas; The Synod has patiently and thoughtfully
sought to “encourage congregations to strive for uniformity
in church practice” (Art. III 7); and

Wuereas, Synodically approved teacher and director of
Christian education programs aim to equip teachers and
DCEs to carry out the office of a minister of religion; and

Wueneas, Not all teachers or directors of Christian ed-
ucation serving in our schools and congregations are cer-

tified by a synodical college to carry out the office of
minister of religion; and

Wuereas, In response to the 1986 convention calling
for a certification program, the Board for Higher Education
Services (BHES) and the Board for Parish Services are in
the process of developing a Provisional Endorsement for
Lutheran Teaching (PELT) program; therefore be it

Resolved, That congregations and agencies of the Synod
engaging workers not certified by the Synod to serve as
teachers or DCEs be encouraged to have those individuals
seek certification as soon as possible through the various
colloquy programs offered by the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations and other agencies of the
Synod engaging a worker not certified by the Synod be
encouraged to make provision for time and financial as-
sistance to these workers for such certification; and be it
further

Resolved, That nonsynodically certified teachers and
DCEs be encouraged to use the PELT program as a first
step toward qualifying as a Lutheran minister of religion,
commissioned; and be it finally

Resolved, That the colleges and seminaries of the Synod
be encouraged to establish and/or increase extension ser-
vices for those seeking certification, especially to those geo-
graphical areas not immediately proximate to any
synodical higher education institution.

Action: Adopted as amended (12).
(The final resolve was added by amendment.)

To Circulate the Scriptural Standards
and Ecclesiastical Expectations
Document of the Standing Committee
on Pastoral Ministry

RESOLUTION 6-14
Report R6-02, Appendix I (CW, pp. 114-18, 291-97)
Wuereas, The Standing Committee on Pastoral Min-
istry has prepared an indepth document, “Scriptural Stan-

dards and Ecclesiastical Expectations for Servants in
Office of Public Ministry”; and

Wuereas, The SCPM is committed to circulate this doc-
ument; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod implement the distribution of
this document to the pastors and congregations of the
church in appropriate form for study, discussion, and use
as a guide to practice.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Amend Bylaw 3.233 1
RESOLUTION 6-15
Overtures 6-62, 6-70 (CW, pp. 255-57)

Wuereas, The President’s Commission on Higher Ed-
ucation (PCHE) has completed an extensive review of the
entire system of colleges and seminaries of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS); and

Wuereas, Present Bylaw 3.233 | creates‘a situation that