Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2019 · 67th Convention, Tampa › Page 460
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 460

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

460

FLOOR COMMITTEE REPORTS AND OVERTURES ASSIGNMENTS

7. University Education
REPORTS
R1, R1.1, R1.2, R2, R2.2, R11,
R16, R16.1–8, R62, R66
OVERTURES
Ov. 7-01

To Amend Bylaws Related to Structure and
Governance of the Concordia University System
WHEREAS, The 2013 5-01A Task Force began a comprehensive
study of matters related to Concordia University System (CUS)
structure, governance, connection to the Synod, and Lutheran
Identity; and
WHEREAS, The work of the 2013 5-01A Task Force resulted in
the adoption by the CUS Board of Directors, the institution
presidents, and the boards of regents of the CUS institutions all
adopting a Lutheran Identity Statement; and
WHEREAS, The 2016 convention of the Synod affirmed the
Lutheran Identity Statement; and
WHEREAS, The CUS institutions have begun reporting on their
compliance with the Lutheran Identity Statement demonstrating
their fidelity to the Church; and
WHEREAS, The 2016 convention of the Synod adopted several
bylaw revisions which have further strengthened the connection
between the CUS institutions and the Synod; and
WHEREAS, The 2016 convention of the Synod established the
Resolution 7-02B Task Force to continue the work of the 2013 501A Task Force; and
WHEREAS, The 7-02B Task Force has continued to study matters
of CUS structure and governance; and
WHEREAS, During the past triennium, the CUS presidents, the
president of CUS, and the CUS board have discussed greater
collaboration; and
WHEREAS, The CUS presidents have formalized their role as the
CUS Advisory Council; and
WHEREAS, The CUS Advisory Council continues to discuss
matters of structure and governance and is committed to proposing
a new plan for governance to the 2022 convention of the Synod as
outlined in 7-02B Task Force Overture 2; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) has
developed a partnership with the CUS and the CUS Advisory
Council to underwrite the ongoing work of the CUS Advisory
Council in order to strengthen the CUS and its institutions; and
WHEREAS, The work of the CUS Advisory Council is bearing
fruit related to matters of CUS structure and governance, which
require further planning, discussion, and the development of bylaw
revisions that allow for implementation of the plan upon its
completion and approval; and
WHEREAS, The 2016 Res. 7-02B Task Force believes that the
ongoing work of the CUS Advisory Council will result in the
formulation of much stronger and effective bylaws for the CUS and
its institutions that ensure fidelity to the Church and the agility
necessary to ensure institutional financial stability; and
2019 Convention Workbook

WHEREAS, The 2016 Res. 7-02B Task Force has identified
several bylaw changes that are necessary in order to resolve current
structural and governance challenges in advance of the CUS
Advisory Council recommendations; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 Res. 7-02B Task Force recommends
that minimal changes be made to the present bylaws related to
structure and governance of the CUS and its institutions; and be it
further
Resolved, That the bylaws of the Synod be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Concordia University System
3.6.6
Concordia University System, as a corporation under the
laws of the State of Missouri, is operated by its members and board
of directors in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and
corporate Bylaws to further the objectives of higher education within
the Synod. Any amendments to these Articles of Incorporation shall
be subject to approval by the members.
3.6.6.1
The Board of Directors of the Concordia University
System has authority with respect to the Synod’s colleges and
universities. It shall have the overall responsibility to provide for the
education of pre-seminary students, ministers of religion–
commissioned, other professional church workers of the Synod, and
others desiring a Christian liberal arts education by facilitating prior
approval as set forth in Bylaw 3.10.6.7.3 for theology appointments
to college/university faculties and by coordinating the activities of
the Synod’s colleges and universities as a unified system of the
Synod through their respective boards of regents.
3.6.6.2
The members of Concordia University System shall
consist of the Synod and the colleges and universities of the Synod.
The Board of Directors of the Synod and the Council of Presidents
of the Synod each shall elect appoint delegates representing the
Synod. The boards of regents of the colleges and universities of the
Synod shall elect appoint delegates representing the colleges and
universities. The numbers of delegates elected appointed by the
Board of Directors of the Synod, the Council of Presidents, and the
boards of regents shall be established by the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of 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 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):
Voting Members:
1. Two ministers of religion–ordained elected by the Synod
2. One minister of religion–commissioned elected by the Synod
3. Two laypersons elected by the Synod
4. Three laypersons appointed by the delegates of the members
of Concordia University System
5. The President of the Synod or his representative
Nonvoting Advisory Members:
1. A district president appointed by the Council of Presidents
2. The Chief Financial Officer of the Synod
3. The Chief Mission Officer or his/her representative
4. One university president appointed by the CUS Advisory
Council
Persons elected or appointed to the Concordia University System
Board of Directors should have demonstrated familiarity and support
of the institutions, and shall support the doctrinal positions of the
Synod, and shall possess two or more of the following qualifications:
theological acumen, an advanced degree, experience in higher