LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1962, Sheet 117

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

PARISH EDUCATION 117

Resolved, That every circuit in the Synod be en-
couraged to study the possibility of founding and sup-
porting a continuing Bible institute; and be it further

Resolved, That every congregation in the circuit be
urged to direct every effort to making the Bible insti-
tute an effective agency of Christian adult education.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

Family-Life Education in the Local Church
RESOLUTION 4-17
Report 401, VII, B, pp. 197,198, Reports and Memorials

Wuereas, Family-life education has become an in-
creasing concern and responsibility of the local con-
gregation; and

Wuereas, Family-life education has usually not been
assigned either to a person or a committee in the local
congregation; therefore be it

Resolved, That congregations be encouraged to ap-
point qualified persons to a family-life committee to
serve under the directives of the Board of Christian
Education, which will give guidance to this committee
with the new congregational manual “Ministry to Fam-
ilies.”

Action: This resolution was adopted.

Marriage Education and Counseling
RESOLUTION 4-18
Report 401, Vil, C, p. 198, Reports and Memorials

Wuereas, The 1960 survey on divorces within Mis-
souri Synod homes reveals a sharp increase in the
divorce rate from 1951 to 1960; and

Wuereas, There is evidence of a general decline of
moral values in marriage and family life; therefore be it

Resolved, That we encourage our seminaries and col-
leges to serve pastors and church workers by arranging
workshops, seminars, and courses in this field; and be
it further

Resolved, That the Family Life Committee be di-
rected to call together for consultation leaders of related
groups and agencies (Wheat Ridge Foundation, Depart-
ment of Social Welfare, Walther League, the Commis-
sion on College and University Work, and represent-
atives from our terminal schools) in order —

1) to explore our church’s needs and its resources
regarding marriage education and family counseling;

2) to propose to the next convention of the Synod
a long-range overall approach and an adequate program
of action; and be it finally

Resolved, That pastors be encouraged to utilize op-
portunties to become better equipped for marriage and
family counseling by taking courses or participating
in workshops and conferences dealing with this area of
the ministry.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

Board of Parish Education and Coordinating
Council
RESOLUTION 4-19
Report 401, VIII, A, pp. 199, 200, Reports and Memorials

Wuereas, The Coordinating Council has contributed
much to the simplification, unification, and intensifica-
tion of the work of congregations through its cooperative
planning and issuance of “Parish Activities” with an-
nual and monthly themes and through the development
of educational materials for the annual programs; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the Coordinating Council be con-
tinued for the purpose of unifying the programs of the
local parish under an annual theme and monthly em-
phases; and be it further

Resolved, That this educational coordination be ini-
tiated by the Board of Parish Education as part of its
assignment to coordinate and integrate educational ac-
tivities (Handbook 7.25 d and 7.35); and finally be it

Resolved, That the Board of Parish Education in-
volve the Executive Director and leaders of other de-
partments of the Synod in setting up the program for
the annual meeting of the Coordinating Council and the
annual issue of “Parish Activities” (June issue of Ad-
vance).

Action: This resolution was adopted.

Federal Aid to Church-related Schools
RESOLUTION 4-20
Report 401, VU, G, pp. 201—203, Reports and Memorials

Wuereas, The opinion of the Board of Parish Edu-
cation of March 21, 1961, dealt with specific matters re-
lated to the question of federal aid to church-related
schools which are submitted to the Synod for examina-
tion and reaction; and

Wuereas, State or federal aid to any educational in-
stitution must be accompanied by controls of some sort
and to some degree; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its official position
on state aid to non-public schools and emphasize its
position also in further discussion of federal aid to
church schools; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod go on record as opposed to
loans for the construction of church-related elementary
and secondary schools; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod approve the inclusion of
payments of tuition as contributions on federal and state
income tax returns as a means of providing some relief
for parents who are paying educational fees, whether at
the elementary or the secondary level, in church-
related schools; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod go on record as opposing
allowance of “tax credits” for the full cost of the school
tuition; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod urge all its members to