LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 264

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264

VIII. REPORT OF RES. 5-01A TASK FORCE
Lutheran theological principles to their specific discipline could be
very helpful.

9. Preparation of Church Workers
10. Campus Pastor
Explanation: (Best Practice) The campus pastor will strive to work together
with other LCMS clergy on and off campus for the spiritual well-being
of the campus community.
Explanation: (Best Practice) Other campus ministers may be called to
assist the pastor in this work. These may include commissioned ministers (e.g., deaconesses) and other staff as needed.

Assessment of Institutional Commitment to Lutheran Identity
Explanation: Reports should candidly note both areas of success and areas
that need improvement. They should include practical, specific plans
to move towards fulfillment of these standards.
Discussion item: This process should be managed by the executive director
of the CUS. It would be helpful if the CUS would provide a template
for these reports.
Discussion item: These reports could form the basis for the periodic CUS
visits to each of the campuses.

Task Force Recommendations
The 2013 Res. 5-01A Task Force was charged with
1. studying and reporting on the issues of confessional Lutheran identity
in all CUS institutions;
2. strengthening all CUS institutions’ connection to the synod;
3. reviewing the composition, size, and selection of boards of regents;
4. review of Bylaw 3.6.6.5 (k) regarding the consolidation, relocation,
separation, or divesting of CUS institutions; and
5. review of governance structures.

All of these issues are addressed below. While there are many topics related to the CUS and the colleges and universities of the Synod,
the task force focused on its charge. After much study and discussion
with the task force, university presidents, board members, and other
stakeholders, we have addressed these topics in the following ways.
1. Studying and reporting on the issues of confessional Lutheran
identity in all CUS institutions
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The task force adopted a set of identity standards for all CUS schools.
These standards have been adopted by the CUS institution presidents.
Each campus is being asked to communicate these standards to their
faculty and staff by January 31, 2016.
Each board of regents is being asked to formally adopt them no later
than May 31, 2016, and to report this to their campus community and
to the CUS.
Identity standards approved by presidents
Will be formally adopted by regents and shared
Each campus will prepare its first annual report on the standards and
will share them with their campus community and report them to the
CUS no later than May 31, 2016.
Thus we will have concrete evidence and further affirmation of these
identity statements before the Synodical Convention.
We recommend that the Synod in convention affirm and celebrate the
universities’ affirmation of the identity standards. We further recommend that the Synod pledges to stand with the CUS institutions in these
times of social change and political pressures and that members and
congregations are urged to support and pray for the colleges and universities of our Synod.

2. Strengthening all CUS institutions’ connection to the Synod

The entire work of the Res. 5-01A Task Force has involved
strengthening the connections of the colleges and universities in

2016 Convention Workbook

the Synod. This report evidences this. Following are some specific
highlights:
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The adoption of uniform Lutheran identity standards and a mechanism
for ongoing reporting and review of key markers of identity
A new process for vetting regents which will facilitate the election of
effective board members who are faithful to our church-related mission
Two additional regents who are directly appointed by the Synod
President, whose concurrence is required for nominees under consideration for presidential succession before submission to the Synod’s
prior-approval process
An ecclesiastical subcommittee of the boards of regents with particular responsibilities related to identity issues. This will be added to the
CUS policy manual. The ecclesiastical subcommittee
assists the president, board, and campus with theological and
ecclesiastical issues;
interfaces with campus ministry personnel, theology and ministry
faculty, and called workers;
is directly involved with interviews of full-time faculty members
with an eye toward mission and identity; and
is responsible for receiving and evaluating Lutheran identity reports and facilitates their proper distribution and communication.

3. Reviewing the composition, size, and selection of boards of regents

See recommended Bylaw changes below.
4. Review of Bylaw 3.6.6.5 (k) regarding the consolidation, relocation,
separation, or divesting of CUS institutions

See recommended Bylaw changes below.
5. Review of governance structures

See recommended Bylaw changes below.
For further discussion and action (by others)

While we have addressed the themes of 2013 Res. 5-01A, we
recognize that there are other topics that should be considered in the
future. These include
a comprehensive consideration of the purpose, function, and efficiency
of the Concordia University System and the Council of Members;
discussion of shared governance issues, including faculty governance
and communication;
further discussion of which college/university positions should be filled
by LCMS faculty (e.g., should provosts be required to be LCMS members? school deans? heads of certain departments?);
development of deeper pools of qualified LCMS faculty prospects;
enhancement of faculty development programs, including research on
whether these are done individually or with system-wide resources;
and
encouraging LCMS faculty to pursue colloquy and supporting them
in this endeavor.
Recommended Bylaw changes

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Concordia University System
3.6.6.3 The Board of Directors of Concordia University System shall be
composed of nine voting members and four nonvoting members (no
more than one member two members elected by the Synod shall be
from the same district, and no executive, faculty member, or staff member from a Lutheran institution of higher education may serve on the
Board of Directors of Concordia University System as a voting member): [Rationale: brings in alignment with other boards; better able
to select the best board members]
Voting Members:
The Synod’s Board of Directors shall serve as the nominating committee for the Concordia University System Board of Directors
and is responsible for verifying their qualifications. Voting mem-