LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1965, Page 156

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156 RESOLUTIONS — COMMITTEE 7

use such instructional materials as will achieve the objec-
tive as stated in Section 7.01, using, as far as possible, text-
books published by the Synod.

7.07 Sunday Schools

The Sunday school is an important teaching department
and a valuable mission agency of the church. The Synod
therefore urges —

a. that congregations and preaching stations in the Synod
put forth earnest efforts to conduct Sunday schools which
provide Christian instruction at all age levels;

b. that all Sunday schools use the Synod’s Sunday school
literature;

c. that all pastors and congregations provide for careful
and efficient supervision of their Sunday schools and ade-
quate Sunday school teacher training for all their teachers
and to that end establish regular weekly Sunday school
teacher meetings and Sunday school institutes and use every
other means at their disposal to improve the teaching ability
of the men and women appointed to give instruction in the
sacred doctrines of the. Christian religion;

d. that District Boards of Education and officers foster and
direct Sunday school leadership training programs in their
respective Districts.

7.08 Weekday School

There are several kinds of weekday schools: Saturday
school, with religious instruction in the morning or after-
noon; the midweek school, with religious instruction after
school hours; and released-time, with religious instruction
during the time children are released by the public school
to the local church. Each of these types of the weekday
school provides significant opportunities for Christian edu-
cation. The Synod therefore urges —

a. that every congregation evaluate periodically the op-
portunities it provides for all its children for more intensive
and extensive nurture in the Christian faith and life;

b. that for children not attending a Lutheran elementary
or secondary school a weekday school be provided;

ce. that all weekday schools use the Synod’s Weekday
curriculum materials.

7.09 Vacation Bible School

The vacation Bible school provides an excellent oppor-
tunity to augment and supplement the Christian education
provided by other agencies and to serve as an aid to mission
outreach. The Synod therefore urges —

a. that congregations organize vacation Bible schools
from the nursery level through the eighth grade or above
for all of its children and for its mission outreach;

b. that congregations develop worthwhile vacation Bible
schools by giving their workers adequate training, by pro-
viding effective leadership, and by publicizing their school
in the community and in the congregation;

c. that all congregations use the Synod’s vacation Bible
school materials.

7.10 Youth and Adult Education

Christian education cannot cease at the childhood level,
because youth and adult require continued support for
their growing life experiences and because the task of edu-
cating the children demands adult leadership which is grow-
ing in Christian knowledge. The Synod therefore urges —

a. that every congregation provide a comprehensive pro-
gram of Christian education for youth, young adults, and
all adults through study programs in all societies and through
classes for each level, utilizing also class opportunities apart
from the Sunday morning Bible class;

b. that the congregations use the materials and services
made available by the Board of Parish Education, the Board
for Young People’s Work, and the Walther League, the
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and the Lutheran
Laymen’s League;

ce. that the total postconfirmation education of the con-
gregation be correlated by careful planning, clearly ex-
pressing the objective of a whole life in Jesus Christ, our
Lord.

B. BOARD OF PARISH EDUCATION
7.23 Membership

The Board of Parish Education shall consist of three
parish pastors, three teachers, and three laymen elected by
the Synod, plus a representative from each of the seminaries
and each of the teachers colleges appointed by the President
of the Synod on recommendation of the Board of Parish
Education.

7.25 Functions

The Board of Parish Education, in cooperation with the
District Boards of Parish Education, shall in every possible
manner assist the congregations of the Synod in arranging
and carrying out a comprehensive and effective program of
Christian education, so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ may
become ever more effective in the life of the individual
Christian and of the congregation,

The Board of Parish Education shall therefore —

a. assist in planning an effective program of parish edu-
cation and especially seek to improve and extend the system
of elementary and secondary schools in all congregations;

b. watch for all movements and tendencies which might
endanger the program of parish education and marshal all
available resources to counteract such tendencies and move-
ments; .

c. plan and direct the production of textbooks and other
printed materials necessary to carry out an effective program
of parish education;

d. assist in co-ordinating and integrating the various
educational agencies and activities intended to promote
parish education;

e. assist the District Boards of Parish Education in super-
vising and directing all formal educational activities of the
congregations of the Synod, such as the Lutheran elementary
and secondary schools, the Sunday school, summer school,
vacation Bible school, and the part-time weekday religious
school;

f. initiate and direct research activities necessary to pro-
mote and improve parish education;

g. advise the Synod, its Districts, and congregations con-
cerning problems, needs, and possibilities in the field of
parish education;

h. arrange an educational conference of representatives
of the Boards of Parish Education of the Synod and the
Districts which, as a rule, shall meet every year;

i, provide a comprehensive program of leadership training
materials to train church school teachers and church officers
and to integrate the program with other leadership training
in Bible institutes and camps;

j. conduct invitational meetings as needed with members
of the departments of education of our colleges and semi-
naries to deal with basic problems of Christian education;

k. assist our families in the development of Christian
family life on all age levels.

1. provide periodical literature such as story papers and
devotional literature for children and periodicals for youth
and adults.

7.27 Annual Budget

The board shall annually submit a budget to the Board
of Directors of the Synod for recommendation and for
referral to the Work Program Conference.
7.29 Executive Secretary and Staff

The Board of Parish Education shall appoint an Executive
Secretary and such additional staff members as are needed
and authorized.

C. DISTRICT BOARD OF PARISH EDUCATION

741 Membership

Each synodical District shall elect or in some other way
create a committee or board of parish education.
7.43 Functions

The District board shall co-operate with the Synod’s
Board of Parish Education and shall assist and advise the