LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 179

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To Thank and Praise God
for Blessings Bestowed
on Synodical Higher Education

RESOLUTION 6-01
Report 6-01 (CW, p. 227)

WHEREAS, The members of the Synod’s congrega-
- tions through their Forward in Remembrance gifts
have made it possible for the Synod’s colleges and
seminaries to make necessary and long-delayed repairs
on physical facilities without using operating funds;
and

WHEREAS, The synodical schools’ enrollment has
grown to almost 7,000 students in spite of the decreasing
number of college-age students throughout the nation;
and

WHEREAS, The schools have prudently utilized their
resources to offer fully accredited, quality programs to
meet the needs of the Synod and the students; therefore
be it

Resolved, That we thank and praise God for the
many blessings bestowed on the Synod’s colleges and
seminaries, for the Board for Higher Education, Boards
of Control, presidents, faculties, professional and support
staffs, students, parents, and for all the people of God
who support the synodical schools with their prayers
and gifts.

Action: Adopted (7).

To Authorize Lutheran Church—
Canada to Determine the Location
of Seminary Education in Canada

RESOLUTION 6-02A
Overtures 6-24—6-34 (CW, pp. 257—260)
Preamble

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in several
previous conventions has encouraged Lutheran
Church—Canada to become an autonomous church
body. A 1959 Act of Canadian Parliament sponsored by
the three geographical Canadian Districts and affiliates
of three nongeographic Districts in Canada created
Lutheran Church—Canada. Among the objects of LC—
C were: (1) to promote the extension of the kingdom of
God and the work of Lutheran Church—Canada; (2) to
speak unitedly and with authority in conferring with
the federal and/or provincial government; (3) to work
toward doctrinal unity with other church bodies; and (4)
to study the matter of the formation of an independent
Lutheran Church—Canada to be affiliated with The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. From the begin-
ning, LC—C and the LCMS recognized that seminary
education in Canada for Canadians was essential to the
vitality of LC—C. In 1971, the LCMS convention

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181

6. HIGHER EDUCATION

established a chair of theology in Saskatoon. In 1975, a
resolution mandated an extension of the Fort Wayne
seminary for eastern Canada, which was established at
St. Catharines, Ontario, in 1976. Subsequently, the 1979
convention gave St. Catharines independent status.
The same convention voted to phase out the theological
education in Saskatoon, and establish seminary educa-
tion in western Canada. Various attempts were made to
carry out this resolution without success (CW, p. 231).

Since 1979, the Canadian Districts have accelerated
efforts to move toward an autonomous LC—C. Until
that time, however, seminary education remains the
responsibility of the LCMS. The following resolution is
a direct response to meet that obligation and aid LC—C
in its growth toward partner church status:

WHEREAS, The life and work of LC—C is and will
continue to be of great importance to the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, The seminary program of LC—C, as an
integral part of the LCMS, is the responsibility of the
Board for Higher Education, and, therefore the Synod
has the obligation as well as the prerogative to make
specific recommendations relative to the establishment
and implementation of such a seminary education
program; and

WHEREAS, It is advantageous both to LC—C and the
LCMS, especially in view of the proposed partner
church status, that LC—C be actively involved in any
decisions regarding the seminary program; and

WHEREAS, There are theological considerations
which have made it advisable to phase out participation
in the present Saskatoon seminary program; and

WHEREAS, Geographic and demographic factors in
Canada tend to favor two seminaries, while the need to
conserve resources and to cultivate unity within LC—C
would tend to favor the establishment of a single
seminary; therefore be it

Resolved, That the choice between one or two
seminaries, and the location of the single seminary or
the western seminary be made in a fair and consistent
manner by LC—C at its convention to be held at
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Nov. 18—20, 1981, by a simple
majority vote; and be it further ,

Resolved, That if the choice is two seminaries in
Canada, the present seminary in St. Catharines,
Ontario, be retained, the location of the other seminary
to be determined by LC—C, both to be governed by a
single board, if possible; and be it further

Resolved, That subject to the BHE and the Board of
Directors of the Synod being assured that the decision
allows for seminary training that is theologically sound,
academically acceptable, and financially viable, the
implementation of the seminary program decided upon
be carried out by LC—C as an administrative unit of the
Synod, with the assistance of the BHE; and beit further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors be authorized