Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 339
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 339

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

PARISH EDUCATION AND SERVICES 339

hopeful discussion of the issues mentioned. For the
strengthening of its educational viewpoint, the Synod is
urged to consider and acknowledge the following:

a) That education is the fundamental process of a
church in mission.

b) That most congregations need to expand and im-
prove their programs of parish education.

c) That professional leadership and supervision is
needed for all the education agencies and programs of
the local congregation.

d) That life today demands an open, relevant, evan-
gelical, and Spirit-filled type of educational process in
our parish programs.

e) That there can be far more interparish cooperation
in the educational endeavors of the church than we
presently find.

f) That synodical and District financial support may
have to be given to local and regional educational pro-
grams if these are to improve and expand.

g) That in addition to increased congregational and
synodical support of parish education programs, the need
calls for efforts at shaping policies that will provide some
measure of state and federal support for church-related
and other nonpublic schools in the interest of a demo-
cratic, pluralistic state as well as for the strengthening
of the church’s role in our society.

h) That there is a growing need for team ministries,
special training for directors of Christian education, and
more coordinated training of pastors, teachers, and other
professional servants of the church, so that, with the
many kinds of ministries needed by a church in mission,
a oneness of purpose and spirit will prevail among the
professional ministers of the church.

i) That our church needs research which will serve to
identify and develop more evangelical teaching and
administrative structures, programs, and techniques.

We are learning what the church’s mission is. In the
edifying Word and the workings of God’s Spirit we have
the power to carry out our mission. What remains is
for us to examine what we are actually doing, to dis-
cover better ways of doing what we are doing, and to
begin doing what needs to be done even if we have not
done it before.

These are times not only of distress but of great
opportunity. Never in human history has the church
had so many communication channels available. Never
before has there been as much interest in education as
can be seen in the world today. Never have channels
of communication been more open to truth than in
the present.

Above, behind, and under all this we continue to
have God—His grace in Christ Jesus and the power
of His Spirit. In addition we have His efficacious Word,
a Gospel Word of promise and hope that frees, inspires,
and moves the church forward in its mission through
agonies to victories.

D. Recommendations of the
Board of Parish Education

What then shall we resolve as educational strategies
for our church in the ’70s? The following major actions
are recommended:

Recommendation 1. The Importance of Christian Education

That the Synod in convention assert that Christian
education, understood as the ministry of the Word, is
essential to the life of the church and that it is the pri-
mary process and fundamental activity of the church
in mission and the basic means for church renewal.

Recommendation 2. Participation in Parish Renewal

Through Education

That the Synod urge its congregations to consider
why Christian education is essential to the life and future
of the church and that every congregation be asked to
restudy the nature, scope, and effectiveness of its edu-
cational program, using ‘Parish Renewal Through
Education” materials now available.

Recommendation 3. Expanding and Improving Educational
Programs

That the Synod challenge its congregations to expand
their educational programs for the ’70s, to consider
adding full-time directors of Christian education to their
staffs, and to experiment with interparish educational
ventures and team ministries that could provide them
with increased educational leadership.

Recommendation 4. Funds for Research in Education

That inasmuch as the synodical Handbook directs
the Board of Parish Education to “initiate and direct
research activities necessary to promote and improve
parish education,” the Synod encourage its Board of
Directors to explore with Concordia Publishing House
and the Board of Parish Education some ways by which
needed funds for educational research and develop-
ment might be provided.

Recommendation 5. Establishing a Center for the Study of
Present-Day Parish Life and Its Nurture

That in order to keep alert and creatively farsighted
in its educational mission and ministries, the Synod ask
the boards in the Division of Parish Services to consider
establishing a Center for the Study of Present-Day
Parish Life and Its Nurture.

Such a laboratory might be conducted jointly by the
division and the Practical Department of Concordia
Seminary, St.Louis, Mo., in a local parish setting. It
could provide clinical training for students as well as
a context for experimental research and for in-service
training of pastors, teachers, youth leaders, and laity.

II. SUPPORT FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
IN THE ’70S
A. Board and Staff Reorganization for Renewal
1. Board Organization

After the New York convention the Board of Parish
Education elected Dr. Justus P. Kretzmann as chairman