LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1967, Page 143

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PARISH EDUCATION AND SERVICES 143

ity for the Christian nurture of their children — all
contribute to the weakening of family influences.

Added to these powerful external forces affecting
Christian education and nurture in our time are dis-
tressing weaknesses within the church. Widespread
Biblical illiteracy among church members is coupled
with their tendency to remain “audience” or “organiza-
tion” rather than to become dynamic disciples. The
growth rate of our educational agencies has declined,
our confirmed youth have too often become Bible class
“dropouts,” adult Bible class accessions have not kept
pace with our growth in church membership. Many
congregations not only fail to provide professional lead-
ership for their programs of Christian education but also
neglect the training of lay teachers and officers for this
essential effort. A too-general failure to involve families
in a program of planned Christian nurture is sympto-
matic of apathy toward organizing the local congregation
for a comprehensive program of Christian education.

The Nature and Scope of the Church’s Educational Task

The entire congregation is a fellowship in Christ. It is
‘responsible for nurturing, edifying, and educating its
members. Christian education is the means whereby
Christians equip one another to participate in the
mission of the church.
We affirm that Christian education is an essential func-
tion of the church. (Deut. 6:6; Matt. 28: 19-20; Eph. 4:12;
1 Peter 2:9-10)
Christian education for discipleship involves growth
in knowledge, in attitude, in conduct, and in the skills
of discipleship.
We affirm that Christian teaching must provide occa-
sions for Christians to speak of God’s love to one an-
other, to witness to their Lord by dealing with one an-
other in love and forgiveness, and to reach out in love to
others in their community. (Matt. 28:19-20; Eph.
1: 16-19; 3:4-19; 4: 11-16)
God’s great gifts to the church are His Word and the
sacraments, the means whereby the Holy Spirit nur-
tures the faith life of the church. The love of God in
Christ is the interpreting key to the Bible.

We affirm that the church must encourage more exten-
sive, intensive, and evangelical use of the Bible in its ed-
ucational programs for the renewal of the church’s life
and spirit. (John 8:31-32; Col. 3:16-17; John 15: 26-27;
16: 13-15)
The Holy Spirit enlightens, sanctifies, and empowers
God’s people through the Word of God and the wit-
ness of Christians. Christian teachers need to know
the Scriptures. They must also understand the inter-
ests and problems of individuals at specific age levels.

We affirm the need to train consecrated teachers who

will proclaim and teach the Word. (Eph. 4: 11-12)
Christian education is a lifelong process. Spiritual
growth is both necessary and possible at all age lev-
els. A formal program of Christian education pro-
vides positive influences for Christian training and
learning.

We affirm that in the process of Christian education
every member of the church must be both teacher and
learner. (Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Peter 3:18)
Family attitudes and values profoundly affect family
members. The Christian home is vital to spiritual
growth, for parents exert important educative influ-
ences on their children both through example and
through precept.

We affirm that the Christian family is an influential
agency in Christian education and that the church must
equip adults for their important Christian mission.
(Deut. 6: 1-9; Eph. 6:4)
Effective leadership in equipping the saints will de-
velop plans to serve all age levels in the congrega-
tion, supervise the implementation of such plans, and
appraise their effectiveness.

We affirm the need for administration and supervision to
carry forward programs of Christian education.

A Call to Action

Wuereas, The threats posed to the church by the
contemporary world together with observed weaknesses
in the life of the church make mandatory a large-scale
renewal of the parish through Christian education; and

Wuereas, The declarations on the scope and nature of
the church’s educational task enunciate basic principles
for rethinking and renewing the goals and activities of
parish education; and

Wuergeas, The Reformation doctrine of justification
by grace speaks to the church of continuing renewal;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod encourage each congrega-
tion to make a searching examination of the nature,
scope, and effectiveness of its educational program; and
be it further

Resolved, That the synodical Board of Parish Educa-
tion be instructed to develop self-study documents to
assist congregations in this self-examination and that
District Boards of Education be requested to assist
congregations in this process; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod encourage each congrega-
tion to act on its findings so that it will maintain its
strengths, correct its weaknesses, and provide the maxi-
mum possible program of Christian education for the
sake of our church in mission.

Action: Adopted.

To Appoint an Editor-Consultant
in Urban Education

RESOLUTION 7-02
Report 7-01 (CW, pp. 248—249)
Overtures 7-05, 7-06 (CW, pp. 256—257)

Wnuereas, Many of our Lutheran churches and
schools are located in rapidly changing urban communi-
ties and are urgently in need of help in dealing with the
many unique problems which confront them in fulfilling
their educational mission; and