LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 138

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138 RESOLUTIONS |

.. WHEREAS, It continues to be:desirable:for members of
college, university, and seminary faculties to have congre-
gational experience; therefore be it
Resolved, That: those ‘who are called to teach at our
' seminaries and those’ at our colleges and universities
whose primary responsibility relates to. preparing future
church workers ordinarily will have a minimum of three
years experience as a full-time called worker in a congre-
gation prior to their initial call.

Action: Referred to Resolution B.

To Prepare and Promote Continuing
Education Program for Pastors

RESOLUTION 5-09A
Overtures 5-23-24 (CW, p. 207)

WHEREAS, The circumstances and needs of people in our
congregations and parish communities are far more di-
verse and subject to rapid change than ever before, re-
quiring pastors who can communicate the Gospel and care
for souls under many conditions, while developing and em-
ploying all their God-given gifts; and

WHEREAS, A good deal of pastoral understanding and
skill is acquired through a combination of formal instruc-
tion and experience in the parish (course work, field work,
and vicarage already being integral parts of seminary ed-
ucation); and

WHEREAS, Our pastors, nevertheless, frequently en-
counter new circumstances and perceive the need to build
on the foundation laid in their seminary education; and

WHEREAS, Our pastors can, therefore, profit from con-
tinuing education employing various methods of formal in-
struction and mentorship contacts with fellow pastors,
synodical and District staff, and others, in order to deepen
their faith, sharpen their skills, and adapt to new cultures
and circumstances; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Ministerial Growth and
Support, in consultation with our seminaries, has under-
taken pastoral need surveys; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Standing Committee for Pastoral
Ministry and the Commission on Ministerial Growth and
Support jointly intensify their study of the matter of con-
tinuing post-seminary education; and be it further

Resolved, That a model be presented to the seminary
faculties by July 1, 1996, designed to bring together pas-
tors with relevant resources, e.g., other local pastors, Dis-
trict and synodical personnel, and seminary faculties, in
a post-seminary continuing education program; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the program model be developed in de-
tail by the committee and the seminary faculties for ap-
proval by the Board for Higher Education by July 1998.

Action: Adopted (10).

To Further Professional Church Worker
Continuing Education

RESOLUTION 5-10A
Overture 5-22 (CW, p. 206)

WHEREAS, Paul encouraged Timothy, “Do your best to
present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who

-does not need to be.ashamed and who correctly handles

the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15), and our Lord and His
church are best served when the professional church
worker is equipped to engage in faithful, competent, and
joyful ministry; and. . :

WHEREAS, Professional church workers desire and need ©
to grow and be renewed both personally and profession-
ally in order to remain so equipped; and -

WHEREAS, Growth and renewal are enhanced when the-
professional church worker is guided by an annual growth
plan; therefore be it _

Resolved, That each District of the Synod be encour-
aged to promote continuing education fostered by an an-
nual growth plan for each of its professional church work-
ers, with a suggested minimum of 2.0 continuing
education units (20 contact hours) or its equivalent; and
be it further

Resolved, That the resources of our colleges, universi-
ties, and seminaries be included among the options con-
sidered in the continuing education programs of our Dis-
tricts; and be it further

Resolved, That District Presidents be encouraged to im-
plement a uniform system for the reporting, recording,
and communicating of continuing education credits; and
be it further

Resolved, That the District Presidents and others in
leadership positions in the Synod be encouraged to set the
example for continuing education expectations for profes-
sional church workers; and be it finally

Resolved, That each District of the Synod encourage
each of its congregations to foster the continuing educa-
tion of its professional church workers by providing non-
vacation time and monetary support.

Action: Adopted (10).

To Amend Bylaw 2.09
RESOLUTION 5-11A
Overture 5-27 (CW, p. 217)

WHEREAS, The responsibility to certify candidates for
full-time church work is a very important one; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has assigned this responsibility
to the faculties of its terminal schools; and

WHEREAS, The faculties of Synod’s colleges and univer-
sities may include members who are not themselves mem-
bers of the Synod and in some cases are not members of
any congregation of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the following be added to Bylaw 2.09:
RRESENFT/PROPOSED WORDING

e. For purposes of declaring candidates qualified for.
placement and recommending them for synodical mem-

bership, the Synod considers the “faculty” of a terminal
school to be defined as follows:

1. Seminaries: all full-time faculty members who are
in good standing on the Synod’s roster of “ministers of
religion—ordained.”

2. Colleges and universities: all full-time faculty
members who are in good standing as individual mem-
bers of the Synod (i.e., as pastors, teachers, directors of
Christian education, directors of Christian outreach,
deaconessés, or certified lay ministers) or are members