Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2023 · 68th Convention, Milwaukee › Page 344
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 344

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

344

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND SEMINARIES

but the absence of serious study of that Word and our Lutheran
Confession leads to the rupture of koinonia; therefore be it
Resolved, That the district president provide to all circuit visitors
and pastors of the district a template for the traditional Synod
conference winkel model which provides, on a monthly basis, for
significant and adequate time devoted to:
• the regular, formal study of God’s Word in the original
languages led by a circuit pastor;
• the regular, formal study of our blessed Lutheran Confession
and/or the Lutheran dogmatic tradition led by a circuit
pastor;
• the regular, formal study of an historical, pastoraltheological, or polemical topic led by a circuit pastor;
• regular, formal pastor-led critique of the winkel preacher’s
sermon;
and be it further
Resolved, That this convention and the district president provide
strong encouragement to circuit visitors and pastors to adopt the
traditional Synod conference winkel model described above as the
regular practice in all circuits; and be it further
Resolved, That the pastors of the district be encouraged to
embrace the traditional Synod conference winkel model and
readily, gladly, and energetically to participate in it, for their own
theological growth, to maintain the tools of theology in their midst,
and to foster koinonia in their midst; and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations of the district encourage their
pastors’ robust participation in the study of God’s Word and our
blessed Lutheran Confession in their circuit winkels using the
traditional Synod conference winkel model by providing them with
adequate time—personal study and preparation and additional time
spent with the circuit pastors in winkel—and sufficient resources—
book purchases, travel to winkel; and be it further
Resolved, That the district president report back to this
convention in 2026 on the implementation of the traditional Synod
conference winkel model in the circuits of our district and its
reception by and benefit to pastors and congregations alike; and be
it finally
Resolved, That this convention memorialize the Synod at the
2023 convention to urge and encourage:
• the district presidents, the executive director of Pastoral
Education, the circuit visitors, and pastors to adopt the
traditional Synod conference winkel model in all circuits of
the Synod;
• the pastors to embrace and readily, gladly, and energetically
to use the model;
• the congregations to encourage their pastors’ use of the
model by providing them with adequate time and sufficient
resources to do the same.
Kansas District
Ov. 6-40

To Increase Continuing Education Unit
Opportunities throughout the Synod
WHEREAS, The Synod in convention in the year 2019, Resolution
6-04, encouraged the pastors of our Synod to attend continuing
education courses every year; and
2023 Convention Workbook

WHEREAS, Synod Bylaw 4.8.2 (d) requires pastors to attend two
district-sponsored conferences each year; and
WHEREAS, Historically, many pastoral conferences, such as the
Pittsburgh Pastoral Conference, were held throughout the Synod;
and
WHEREAS, Many other conferences are held throughout the
Synod each year; therefore be it
Resolved, That those pastors who attend both district
conferences in a calendar year receive one Continuing Education
Unit (CEU); and be it further
Resolved, That pastoral conferences be restored where they no
longer function and that those who attend all meetings of these
conferences during the school year receive one CEU; and be it
further
Resolved, That other conferences held throughout the Synod
be allowed to apply to the proper authorities, be they seminary or
Synod office, to be able to grant one CEU to those who attend
them; and be it finally
Resolved, That Synod investigate other ways to incentivize
continuing education among her pastors and be mindful of a
recently adopted document entitled, “Board for National Mission
Policies for the Office of National Mission Under the Seven
Mission Priorities of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod”
(Adopted Oct. 2020).
English District
Ov. 6-41

To Encourage the Synod’s Seminaries
to Teach the Handbook
WHEREAS, The psalmist says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it
is when brothers dwell in unity” (Psalm 133:1); and
WHEREAS, It is beneficial to that unity to avoid unnecessary
offense; and
WHEREAS, Knowing and following the agreed upon procedures
of our church body is very important to that end; therefore be it
Resolved, That the seminaries of the Synod be encouraged to
teach students the Handbook.
Holy Trinity
Walnut, IL
Ov. 6-42

To Provide for Prior Approval
for Seminary Adjunct Faculty
WHEREAS, Our seminaries currently utilize part-time faculty,
sometimes referred to as adjunct, visiting, or guest instructors
(“adjuncts”), to teach a significant portion of the credit hours
offered for various programs; and
WHEREAS, Full-time faculty must receive prior approval from
the Synod prior to being called or hired (Bylaw 3.10.5.7.3 [a]),
whereas there is no such oversight for adjuncts; and
WHEREAS, Because a course taught by a part-time faculty
member is no less a part of the seminary formative process than a
course taught by a full-time faculty member, it is appropriate that
the same level of oversight apply to persons regularly teaching as
part-time faculty; therefore be it