LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 178

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178 RESOLUTIONS

future will give attention to the training of future
faculty members for its colleges and seminaries; and

WHEREAS, There are potential candidates for such
advance training among the graduates of our colleges
and seminaries as well as among our professional
church workers already in service; and

WHEREAS, The demands made upon the synodical
treasury are such that it is highly unlikely that funds
can be made available in the forseeable future for each
specialized training; therefore be it

Resolved, That the administrators of our colleges
and seminaries, in cooperation with the Board for
Higher Education and interested, qualified individuals,
be encouraged to solicit fellowship or scholarship funds
from other sources such as foundations and benevolent
associations.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Recruit and Train Pastors
to the Deaf

RESOLUTION 6-18
Overture 6-91 (CW, pp. 258—259)

WHEREAS, The Synod has recognized the outpouring
of God’s blessing for more than 80 years on the
ministry to the deaf, resulting in 54 organized con-
gregations and many related ministries; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has encouraged Districts to
assume responsibility for administration of ministry to
the deaf (1973 Proceedings, Res. 1-01); and

WHEREAS, It will be an impossible task for Districts
to recruit and train pastors to fill vacancies in the deaf
congregations and to expand into new areas; and

WHEREAS, The present methods of recruitment and
training have not provided enough pastors to fill
current vacancies in deaf congregations, nor are the
Districts able to open new fields to reach more of the
400,000 deaf of the United States (1970 census); and

WHEREAS, The time has come for a more concerted
effort to recruit and train pastors for ministry to the
deaf at our synodical schools; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod recognize its continuing

responsibility to recruit and train pastors for ministry
to the deaf; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education, the
Board for Missions, and the administration of the
seminaries establish a more aggressive recruitment
and training program at the seminary level with
adequate funding and with qualified personnel.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Encourage but Not Require
Parish Experience for College
and Seminary Professors

RESOLUTION 6-19
Overture 6-31 (CW, p. 241)
WHEREAS, It is highly desirable for professors and

teachers in our colleges and seminaries to have the
benefit of actual service in parishes; and

WHEREAS, The imposition of rigid regulations
requiring a specified period of time of service in parish
ministry in order to qualify for teaching in our
synodical schools could sometimes become unduly
burdensome and restrictive; therefore be it

Resolved, That the administrators and Boards of
Control be encouraged to continue to give high priority
to parish experiences when considering the
qualifications of prospective candidates; and be it
further

Resolved, That the imposition of the specific
requirements spelled out in Overture 6-31 be respectful-
ly declined.

Action: Adopted (16).

To Expand Continuing Education

RESOLUTION 6-20
Overtures 6-100—6-102 (CW, p. 261)

WHEREAS, The ministry of all professional church
workers continues to change and become more com-
plex; and

WHEREAS, Continuing professional education is a
valuable asset in performing this ministry; and

WHEREAS, In the past such continuing education
has been sought by only a small percentage of total
number of church workers; and

WHEREAS, It is important that the Synod continue to
provide a strong, sound theological leadership to the
church, its pastors and teachers, all other professional
workers, and the entire membership; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education
through the synodical schools continue its efforts to
make available a variety of educational programs for
the church’s professional workers; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education be
urged to plan a system of Continuing Education Units
(CEUs) and, if feasible, implement the plan through the
synodical schools; and be it further

Resolved, That each District be requested through
the Circuit Counselors to urge all congregations to
make time and funds available to their full-time
workers for continuing education; and be it further

Resolved, That the Districts, through the Circuit
Counselors, encourage the church workers to take
advantage of the programs of continuing education
available to them; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Districts be asked to identify for
the congregations the wealth of doctrinal materials
available to them, and to encourage the members of the
congregations to study these materials as well as new
materials as they are made available.

Action: Adopted (16).