LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1965, Page 155

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PARISH EDUCATION AND SERVICES 155

faith in the Word of God as the source through which
its members individually and collectively are equipped
and empowered for their mission; and be it finally

Resolved, That this convention urgently call all
adults and youth of our church to participate in Bible
study and work groups so that through ongoing spir-
itual growth they may be better equipped for their
Christian calling.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

“Handbook” Changes in Art. VII of Bylaws
“Parish Education”

RESOLUTION 7-07

Report 7-01, Recommendation 7 (CW, pp. 293—298)

WuereEas, The expanding activities of the Board of
Parish Education make the present paragraphs in the
Handbook of the Synod dealing with the activities of
said board inadequate; therefore be it

Resolved, That the proposed wording of Art. VII of
the Bylaws, “Parish Education,” be accepted with the
following changes:

7.03 Instruction for Confirmation

In harmony with the best traditions of the Lutheran
church, every pastor of the Synod shall regard the care-
ful and conscientious instruction of catechumens pre-
paratory for confirmation as one of the primary duties
of his ministry. This duty must be regarded as par-
ticularly urgent when the catechumen has had no
religious training or Christian background.

745 Educational Director, change to Director of Edu-
cation

7.53 Encouragement to Form

Congregations in the same area should be encouraged
to form associations to establish and maintain secondary
schools and to seek the advice of Boards of Parish Edu-
cation of the Synod and the Districts and of the Board
for Higher Education for professional guidance in setting
up the programs. The general supervision of this pro-
gram, however, shall be provided by the District Board
of Parish Education.

Action: This resolution was referred to the Synod’s
President.

Nore: Following is the proposed wording of the per-
tinent sections of Art. VII of the Bylaws, including the
changes added in the above resolution, as well as the
sections and paragraphs retained unchanged from the
1963 edition of the Handbook.

VI. PARISH EDUCATION

A. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AS A FUNCTION
OF THE CHURCH

7.01 Christian Education in the Program of the Church

One of the basic tasks of the church is to edify the body
of Christ. This work of Christian education is a ministry of
Christ’s members to Christ’s members in Christ’s name. Only
through the use of God’s Word can the growth processes
described in Ephesians 4:12,13 be achieved, namely, the
equipping of the saints, the “building up of the body of
Christ,” growth in the “unity of the faith,” growth in “knowl-
edge of the Son of God,” growth toward “mature manhood,”
‘and growth “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of

Christ.” The Spirit of God works through the Word of God
to nurture Christian growth in faith, in knowledge, in atti-
tude, in conduct, and in the skills of discipleship.

The Synod urges that every congregation recognize that
the process of making disciples for Christ is a lifelong
process:

a. It begins in the concern of the church for the newly
baptized infant.

b. It continues through childhood, youth, and adulthood.

c. It depends on the role of the Christian home as a Chris-
tian school for its members.

d. It involves all informal as well as formal educational
programs of the church for all age levels particularly in the
local parish.

7.02 Christian Education a Shared Responsibility

Christian education is a responsibility of both the home
and the church. To parents the words of Ephesians 6:4 and
Deuteronomy 6:6,7 point up the necessity of bringing up
the children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord
and of teaching God’s Word diligently.

To the church the words of Matthew 28:19, 20; 2 Peter
3:18; Ephesians 4:16; and 2 Timothy 3:17 become the direc-
tive to make disciples for Christ, help the individual grow
unto the stature of Christ, and to help equip the individual
for every good work.

Since both home and church must do their full duty, each
in its own sphere and both in cooperation with each other,
the Synod urges —

a. that every congregation in the Synod provide a pro-
gram of Christian family life education.

b. that every congregation in the Synod be mindful of
its great responsibility to provide an effective program of
Christian education for all age levels. God has clearly set
forth His will regarding Christian education, but He has not
identified the specific agencies we are to use. Full-time
Christian schools are the ideal at all grade levels, for they
aim at developing a Christian world view and provide for
the continuous nurture of Christian faith and life. Where
full-time schools are not possible, the congregation must
bend every effort to achieve the maximum development of
the part-time agencies.

7.03 Instruction for Confirmation

In harmony with the best traditions of the Lutheran
Church, every pastor of the Synod shall regard the careful
and conscientious instruction of catechumens preparatory
for confirmation as one of the primary duties of his ministry.
This duty must be regarded as particularly urgent when the
catechumen has had no religious training or Christian back-
ground.

7.05 Lutheran Elementary and Secondary Schools

The most effective educational agencies available to the
church for equipping God’s people for ministry are the full-
time Lutheran elementary and secondary schools. The Synod
therefore urges —

a. that congregations of the Synod establish elementary
and secondary schools wherever possible, either singly or
in conjunction with other congregations;

b. that elementary and secondary schools be stressed in
the mission of the church, both in self-sustaining and in sub-
sidized congregations; and that the Synod through the Dis-
tricts advance the cause of the elementary and secondary
schools by granting subsidies to schools where such action
is necessary;

c. that congregations seek to engage as teachers in their
schools such men and women as have been trained in the
Synod’s teachers colleges or have the equivalent qualifica-
tions as to both character and professional training;

d. that congregations extend permanent calls to teachers
eligible for calls, that they pay equitable salaries to their
teachers and give them any financial aid needed to make
further study and professional growth possible;

e. that congregations provide the physical plant and
equipment needed for a modern and efficient instructional
program: well-planned buildings, adequate grounds, suitable
equipment, and effective materials of instruction; that they