LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 202

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202

Seminary and University Education

Whereas, Initial teacher colloquy programs were designed to provide theology coursework for individuals who had received a teaching
certificate from a non-LCMS institution so that they could enter the
commissioned ministry of the LCMS, and was not intended to provide an alternate route for acquiring a teaching certificate; and
Whereas, Very few non-LCMS DCE preparation programs are
available; and
Whereas, Almost every DCE colloquy candidate would be
entering the colloquy program with a significant deficiency in DCEspecific coursework; and
Whereas, Formal standardized expectations are indicative of
established professions, rather than relying on subjective criteria that may vary with the perspectives of the individuals given the
responsibility for oversight at any given time (e.g., “Additional admission requirements may be established by the Board for University
Education in consultation with the [Synod] Colloquy Committee
for Commissioned Ministry and campus program directors” Bylaw
3.8.3.5.5); therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.8.3.5.5 be amended to read:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.8.3.5.5 Before submitting an application to the director of
Christian education colloquy program, each prospective applicant
shall have been a communicant member in good standing of a congregation of the Synod for at least the past two years and shall possess
a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Additional admission requirements may be established by the Board for University
Education in consultation with the (Synod) Colloquy Committee for
Commissioned Ministry and campus program directors.
(a) Each applicant shall have already received an undergraduate or graduate degree which focused specifically on parish religious education
and shall have served at least three years as a paid worker in a DCErelated position in a previous Christian denomination.
(b) Applicants who do not meet these requirements are ineligible for
colloquy and are to be directed to a university of the Synod that offers a director of Christian education program for enrollment in an
undergraduate or alternate-route program.

and be it further
Resolved, That DCE program directors be encouraged to develop
and maintain postbaccalaureate programs of study to facilitate the
preparation of nontraditional DCE students.
Faculty
Concordia University Nebraska
5-28

To Revise Bylaw 3.8.3.5.5 re DCE Colloquy
Whereas, The LCMS Handbook states that “colloquy does not
provide basic preparation for the field of service” (3.8.3.5 [b]); and
Whereas, Director of Christian education (DCE) programs
throughout the Concordia University System have a fairly standardized program of study consisting of up to 56 semester hours of
DCE-specific course content (not including internship and standardized theology coursework); and
Whereas, Initial teacher colloquy programs were designed to provide theology coursework for individuals who had received a teaching
certificate from a non-LCMS institution so that they could enter the
commissioned ministry of the LCMS—and were not intended to provide an alternate route for acquiring a teaching certificate; and
Whereas, Very few non-LCMS DCE preparation programs are
available; and

Whereas, Almost every DCE colloquy candidate would be
entering the colloquy program with a significant deficiency in DCEspecific coursework; and
Whereas, Formal standardized expectations are indicative of
established professions, preferable to relying on subjective criteria that may vary with the perspectives of the individuals given the
responsibility for oversight at any given time (e.g., “Additional admission requirements may be established by the Board for University
Education in consultation with the [Synod] Colloquy Committee
for Commissioned Ministry and campus program directors” [Bylaw
3.8.3.5.5]); therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.8.3.5.5. be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

Before submitting an application to the director of Christian education colloquy program, each prospective applicant shall have been
a communicant member in good standing of a congregation of the
Synod for at least the past two years and shall possess a bachelor’s
degree from an accredited institution. Additional admission requirements may be established by the Board for University Education
in consultation with the (Synod) Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry and campus program directors.
(a) Applicants who have already received an undergraduate or graduate
degree from an equivalent program in Parish Religious Education
and meet the criteria of the Concordia university through whom they
are seeking certification shall have served at least three years as a
paid worker in a DCE-related position in their previous Christian denomination. (b) Applicants who do not meet these requirements are
ineligible for colloquy and are to be directed to an LCMS university
that offers a director of Christian education program for enrollment
in an undergraduate or alternative-route program.
and be it further

Resolved, That DCE program directors be encouraged to develop
and maintain post-baccalaureate programs of study to facilitate the
preparation of non-traditional DCE students.
Faculty
Concordia University Portland
5-29

To Revise Bylaw 3.8.3.6.2 re Board of Regents
Qualifications
Rationale:
Because of the increasing complexity of oversight and governance of higher education programs and facilities, individuals who
serve as board members should be expected to possess appropriate
specialized qualifications (in addition to the Bylaw 3.8.3.6.2 requirement that board members be members of member congregations of
the Synod). These qualifications grow out of the many technical matters that must be understood and decided as a regent.
1. The Synod’s colleges and universities typically have hundreds
of employees and thousands of students. Personnel, legal, and
administrative issues are inherent in a complex organization.
2. The colleges and universities offer hundreds of majors and
programs, including several at the doctoral level.
3. Seven of the colleges and universities manage operational
budgets exceeding $20 million, with two institutional budgets
exceeding $50 million. Fiscal management requires strategic
decision-making to maintain fiscal viability.
4. Colleges and universities of the LCMS insure facilities with
a replacement value exceeding $1.5 billion, some of which
is financed through state and local bond issues. Managing,

2010 Convention Workbook

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