LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 222

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12. RETENTION: SCHOOLS, FAMILY, YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS
WHEREAS, Res. 8-01A specifically identified that a
characteristic of a Lutheran school with a strong Lutheran
ethos has “LCMS-trained Lutheran teachers … who know
and are committed to the truths of the Scriptures as
confessed in our Lutheran Confessions”; and
WHEREAS, The number of new commissioned teachers
has steadily declined since 2005 (Concordia University
System [CUS] Board for University Education [BUE]
statistics); and
WHEREAS, The fulfillment rate of requests for first-year
Synod-trained candidates to LCMS calling entities has
declined from 63 percent in 2010 to 30 percent in 2018
because of the lack of available Synod-trained candidates
(CUS BUE statistics); and
WHEREAS, The CUS only graduated 23 early childhood
educators, 39 elementary educators, and 32 secondary
educators in 2018 (CUS BUE statistics); and
WHEREAS, “The Final Report of the Blue Ribbon
Committee on Lutheran Schools” (Workbook, 343–48)
recommended that congregations equip and encourage
young Lutherans to become strong Lutheran teachers in
academics and in the Christian faith; and
WHEREAS, One of the top factors tied to likelihood to
recommend teaching to a young person is support from
school administration and Synod (“What’s Happening in
our Schools?”, Concordia Plan Services research); therefore
be it
Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS
aggressively, financially, and publicly support Lutheran
administrators and teachers; and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS and their
pastors and teachers, being led by the Holy Spirit, actively
encourage future Lutheran school teachers; and be it
further
Resolved, That the districts and congregations of the
LCMS strongly consider providing financial support for
future Synod-trained Lutheran teachers; and be it finally
Resolved, That Synod work to increase the Lutheran
identity of our schools by providing scholarships to enable
non-rostered teachers to complete teacher colloquy
through the CUEnet program.
Action: Adopted as amended (8)
It was moved and seconded to amend by adding a resolve as
follows:
Resolved, That Synod work to increase the Lutheran
identity of our schools by providing scholarships to enable
non-rostered teachers to complete teacher colloquy through
the CUEnet program.
It was moved, seconded, and carried to close debate on the
amendment [Yes: 804; No: 60] and the amendment was
adopted [Yes: 656; No: 269]. At the orders of the day, debate on
the resolution was closed and Res. 12-02A was adopted as
amended, both by voice votes.
222 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION

To Encourage Lifelong Catechesis
in the Home and Church
RESOLUTION 12-03A
Overtures 12-01–04 (CW, 550–52)

WHEREAS, It is the duty of parents to pass on the faith to
their children, even as Paul says, “Fathers, do not provoke
your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline
and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4); and
WHEREAS, Moses writes in Deut. 6:6–7, “And these words
that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall
teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of
them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the
way, and when you lie down, and when you rise;” and
WHEREAS, The Large Catechism comments on the
promise God makes for those who keep this commandment
in reference to Ex. 20:12 and Eph. 6:3 saying, “From this you
can see for yourself how serious God is about this
commandment. He not only declares that it is well pleasing
to Him and that He has joy and delight in it, but He also
declares that it shall prosper us and promote our highest
good, so that we may have a pleasant and agreeable life,
furnished with every good thing” (LC I 131–32); and
WHEREAS, It is clear this command was not meant to be
just for the next generation but for succeeding generations
as Moses says, “Now this is the commandment—the
statutes and the rules—that the LORD your God
commanded me to teach you ... that you may fear the LORD
your God, you and your son and your son’s son” (Deut. 6:1–
2); and
WHEREAS, The life of a Christian involves ongoing
catechesis; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Martin Luther in his Small Catechism
begins with, “As the Head of the Family Should Teach Them
in a Simple Way to His Household”; and
WHEREAS, We hold the doctrines expressed in the
Lutheran Confessions contained in the Book of Concord to
truly represent the beliefs of the Christian faith and we
avoid resources contrary to Lutheran doctrine; and
WHEREAS, Faith is given as a gift of grace in Baptism, and
faith needs to be fed and nourished throughout the life of
each disciple of Jesus; therefore be it
Resolved, That congregations should encourage and train
parents, guardians, and members to be active teachers and
life-long learners of the faith (2 Tim. 3:15–17); and be it
further
Resolved, That we encourage congregations and official
youth ministries of the Synod toward providing resources
for ongoing catechesis after confirmation, using the Bible
and the Small Catechism, with generous references to the
Lutheran Confessions and The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS) resources; and be it further
Resolutions