LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 262

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262

VIII. REPORT OF RES. 5-01A TASK FORCE

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VIII. Report of Res. 5-01A Task Force
The 5-01A Task Force was successful in carrying out its charge
“to study and report on the issues of confessional Lutheran identity
in all Concordia University System (CUS) institutions.” The fruit of
this study was that the CUS presidents and their boards of regents
embraced “The Lutheran Identity Standards for CUS Institutions,”
along with ten protocols that specify the ways in which confessional
Lutheran identity will be incorporated into all aspects of institutional
and campus life. These “Lutheran Identity Standards” begin with
a brief doctrinal prologue that indicates solidarity with the doctrinal and theological confession of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod. This is noteworthy, as such a clear and thorough identification with a church’s confession and practice is extraordinary in the
culture of higher education.
A drafting committee of the 5-01A Task Force met and began
work on potential Bylaw changes that would enhance and support best
practices in governance. The committee’s working drafts and suggestions will be shared with the floor committee for their consideration as
possible material for its convention resolutions on higher education.
Lutheran Identity Standards for CUS Institutions
As educational institutions of the LCMS, the colleges and universities of the CUS confess the faith of the church. The Concordias
uphold the teachings of sacred Scripture and its articulation in the
Lutheran Confessions. This includes the biblical teaching that Jesus
Christ—true God and true man—is the sole way to God’s mercy and
grace; that at the beginning of time the triune God created all things;
that life is sacred from conception to natural death; and that marriage
between a man and a woman is a sacred gift of God’s creative hand—
over against the reductionistic assumptions of many in our culture
who view men and women as only transitory and material beings.
As educational institutions of the LCMS, the Concordias are committed to providing an excellent, robust curriculum in the liberal arts
and professional studies, which together equip students for various
vocations of service to church and society. As C. F. W. Walther wrote,
As long as and wherever the Christian church flourished, it always and
everywhere proved itself to be a friend and cultivator of all good arts and
sciences, gave its future servants a scholarly preparatory training, and
did not disdain to permit its gifted youth at its schools of higher learning
to be trained by the standard products of even pagan art and science.1

Accordingly, the colleges and universities of the CUS affirm and
promise to uphold these identity standards:
1. Identity Statements
The institution’s mission statement (and/or vision statement)
clearly identifies it as a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
institution, as do the institution’s primary print and electronic
publications.
2. Governing Board
All of the institution’s regents are active members in good standing of an LCMS congregation (Bylaw 3.10.5.2 [5]).2
3. Senior Leadership
The president and the senior leaders over academics, student life,
admissions, and athletics are active members in good standing of
LCMS congregations, and all faithfully participate in worship and
religious activities on campus and in their local congregations.
4. Faculty
Each tenure track or continuing-level faculty search is given
optimal exposure among members of congregations of the LCMS to
identify faculty who are qualified in their respective academic disciplines and are members of LCMS congregations.
2016 Convention Workbook

Ideally, all faculty members are active members of LCMS congregations. When academically qualified LCMS members are not
available, faculty members will be Christians who affirm, at minimum, the content of the Ecumenical Creeds and are members of
Christian congregations. All faculty members promise to perform
their duties in harmony with the truths of Holy Scripture, the Lutheran
Confessions, and the doctrinal statements of the LCMS (cf. Bylaw
3.10.5.6.2).
The majority of the full-time faculty are members of LCMS congregations. In cases where this standard is not met, the institution
will develop a plan to reach this minimum standard and submit it to
the CUS.
The institution has an ongoing faculty and staff development program required of all faculty, senior administrators, and senior staff
members that clearly explains the tenets of LCMS higher education
and what it means to be a faculty, administrative, or staff member at
a CUS institution. Adjunct or part-time faculty members engage in a
similar faculty development program that likewise explains the fundamental tenets of LCMS higher education and what it means to be
a part-time faculty member at an LCMS institution.
5. Theology Faculty
All theology faculty (full-time and part-time) are active members in good standing of LCMS congregations and fully affirm the
theological confession of the LCMS. As the LCMS Bylaws indicate,
all full-time theology faculty receive prior approval from the CUS
board of directors before being appointed or called (Bylaw 3.6.6.1).
6. Academic Freedom and Responsibility
All full-time faculty acknowledge their acceptance of the CUS
statement of Academic Freedom and Responsibilities. All faculty,
both full- and part-time, pledge to perform their duties in harmony
with Scripture, the Confessions, and the Synod’s doctrinal statements
(Bylaw 3.10.5.6.2).
7. Faith and Learning
In accordance with the doctrine of the two kingdoms, all faculty strive to faithfully bring Lutheran theology into interaction with
their various academic disciplines while respecting the integrity of
those disciplines. Likewise, in other campus arenas, faculty, staff
and administrators will seek to apply Lutheran theology within their
campus vocations.
8. Required Theology Courses
The institution requires two to three theology courses for an undergraduate degree, typically in Old Testament, New Testament, and
Christian doctrine. Because these courses are directly related to the
theological identity of CUS institutions and to the identity formation of graduates, these theology courses will normally be taken at a
CUS institution. Exceptions to this will be approved by the institution’s called theological faculty.
9. Preparation of Church Workers
The institution provides resources to recruit, form, nurture and
place students preparing for professional church work in the LCMS
( e.g., pre-seminary, (pre-)deaconess, deaconess, Lutheran teachers,
DCEs, DCOs, DPMs, etc.). Specific programs vary by campus.
10. Campus Ministry
The institution offers regular opportunities for worship that reflect
the confession of the church.
Faculty, staff, and students are strongly encouraged to participate
in these services. The institution calls a campus pastor or chaplain,
who is a minister of religion—ordained of the LCMS, who oversees the worship life of the community, organizes opportunities for
Christian service and witness, and provides pastoral care for students.