LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 133

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RESOLUTIONS 133

To Expand and Improve Educational
Programs
RESOLUTION 7-03

Report 7-01, I, D, Recommendation 3 (CW, p.339)

Wuereas, The world in which the members of the
church have been called to give their Christian witness
is rapidly changing and demands an open, relevant,
evangelical, and Spirit-filled Christian education pro-
gram; and

Wuereas, Congregations which conscientiously ex-
amine and reevaluate their Christian education programs
in view of rising needs in the dynamic years of the
seventies recognize that more than one hour per week
of instruction time is necessary for effective Christian
nurture; and

Wuereas, Professional leadership and supervision is
necessary to develop programs that are relevant to the
needs of the local congregations; therefore be it

Resolved, That every congregation be urged to de-
velop a variety of meaningful learning settings and
experiences for Christians of all age levels by —

1) providing a basic program of Christian nurture
and education for every child and youth through either
a day school or a weekday school;

2) extending the basic program with such agencies
as Sunday school and vacation Bible school;

3) providing an effective youth and adult education
ministry through programs that are relevant and ap-
propriate;

4) carefully selecting and thoroughly training all
church school teachers;

5) providing professional educational leadership
through wise utilization of Christian day school teachers
or by engaging a director of Christian education;

6) cooperating with sister congregations in sharing
educational resources, programs and personnel.

Action: Adopted (9).

(An amendment to add “or a combination of both” to
number 1 failed.)

To Authorize Research in Christian
Education
RESOLUTION 7-04
Report 7-01, I, D, Recommendation 4 (CW, p. 339), and

Il, E, Recommendation 6, 1 (CW, p.359); Overtures
7-04, 7-09 (CW, pp. 360—362, 366); 7-12U (URO, p. 72)

Wuereas, Christian education needs to be a vital
force in our changing society; and

Wuereas, Many are wondering whether our present
educational forms and procedures are adequate; and

Wuereas, Our Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod is
looking for answers to these needs and yet has done
little in the area of in-depth research with the intent

of finding the specific objectives and needs in our Lu-
theran educational program; and

Wuereas, The synodical Handbook (7.25 £) directs
the Board of Parish Education to “initiate and direct re-
search activities necessary to promote and improve par-
ish education”; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod authorize its Board of
Directors, together with the Board of Parish Education
and Concordia Publishing House, to explore ways to
provide funds for educational research; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Synod
select a project director to initiate a comprehensive
study of Christian education; and be it finally

Resolved, That this research be a team approach of
the Board of Parish Education, the Board for Higher
Education, and the Synod’s terminal schools in coopera-
tion with the synodical Department of Research and
Statistics.

Action: Adopted (9).

To Encourage Government Support
of Education
RESOLUTION 7-05
Overtures 7-03, 7-07, 7-10 (CW, pp. 360, 365, 366—367)

Wuenreas, The Detroit convention declared federal aid
for children attending nonpublic schools acceptable, “so
long as it does not interfere with the distinctive purposes
for which such schools are maintained” (Resolution
7-03, pp. 153—154, Proceedings, 1965); and

Wuereas, Children in nonpublic schools have already
benefited from federal and state government programs
without sacrificing the above-stated principle; and

Wuereas, Supporters of nonpublic schools pay their
full share of taxes for education; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention reaffirm its 1965 De-
troit resolution 7-03: “To Deem Federal Aid Acceptable
for Children Attending Nonpublic Schools”; and be it
further

Resolved, That synodical, District, and congregational
boards of education actively promote and, where pos-
sible, help to shape legislation which is acceptable in
terms of the Detroit resolution; and be it further

Resolved, That in promoting such legislation these
boards give attention to the needs of children in public
and nonpublic schools, particularly of educationally
deprived children; and be it finally

Resolved, That these boards continue to inform their
several constituencies of available public aid benefits.

Action: Adopted as amended (12).

(By amendment the assembly deleted a fourth whereas:
“Good stewardship and love compel Christians to seek gov-
ernment aid so that all children in the nation receive fair
treatment from public aid benefits.”

The convention refused to reword the second resolved to
read: “. . . actively promote where possible the utilization
of federal aid acceptable in terms...” and to drop from the
next resolved the words: “in promoting such legislation.”