LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 138

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138

HIGHER EDUCATION

tion was adopted delegates defeated a motion calling for reconsideration.)

To Study Faculty Tenure
within the Board for Higher Education
Concordia University System
RESOLUTION 5-07
Overtures 5-40–41 (CW, pp. 220–21)
WHEREAS, The faculties of two synodical schools have expressed concern over the tenure policy; and
WHEREAS, It is important that this issue be addressed in
a fair and wise manner; therefore be it
Resolved, That the President of the Synod, in consultation with the Board for Higher Education/Concordia University System, appoint a task force of representatives of
synodical faculties, regents, and administrators as well as
representatives of the BHE/CUS to study the matter and
report their recommendations to the 2001 synodical convention.
Action: Adopted (4)

To Amend Bylaw 3.913
RESOLUTION 5-08A
Overture 6-01 (CW, p. 227)
WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.913 concerning the Commission on
Ministerial Growth and Support (CMGS) stipulates that
one of the members “shall have professional expertise in
clinical psychology and/or pastoral counseling,” the Commission is of the view that it has need for many areas of
professional expertise, without a particular delimiting requirement; therefore be it
Resolved, That the membership provision in Bylaw
3.913 stating that “one of the above shall have professional
expertise in clinical psychology and/or pastoral counseling”
be eliminated.
Action: Adopted (4)

To Convene Task Force to Provide
Pastoral Assistance Where Full-Time
Ministry Cannot Be Maintained
RESOLUTION 5-09
Report R5-01A (CW, pp. 83–85); Overtures 3-81, 383–84, 3-91, L5-64 (CW, pp. 177–78, 180; TB, pp.
10–12)
WHEREAS, There is a growing number of congregations
whose pastoral needs cannot be provided by full-time pastors, and our Synod needs to meet challenges in the rural
and urban congregations as well as the rapidly growing opportunities among immigrant and ethnic groups; and

WHEREAS, The Board for Higher Education, the Standing Committee for Pastoral Ministry, and the Council of
Presidents have been studying our Synod’s need for church
workers; and
WHEREAS, A consultation group consisting of the synodical President, First Vice-President, both seminary presidents, five District presidents, two parish pastors, a representative of the Board for Mission Services, and staff, was
jointly convened by the synodical President and the Board
for Higher Education to seek solutions to these needs; and
WHEREAS, This consultation group’s study clearly indicated a need for action; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education convene
a task force to create a church worker position that will respond to the urgent needs identified by the consultation
group; and be it further
Resolved, That this task force shall consist of representatives of the office of the synodical President, the synodical
Board of Directors, the Council of Presidents, the Board for
Higher Education, the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, and the seminaries; and be it further
Resolved, That the synodical Board of Directors shall be
empowered to authorize a provisional implementation of
this church worker position within the next triennium, having first received the concurrence of the entities represented on the task force; and be it finally
Resolved, That the task force submit this program and
any needed Bylaw changes to the Commission on Constitutional Matters for clearance before presenting it to the 2001
convention of the Synod for final approval.
Action: Adopted (4)
(An amendment to substitute support of a majority of for concurrence of in the third resolve was declined as was an amendment to strike the second to last resolve and one to add Lutheran
Lay Ministry Association in the second resolve.)

To Affirm Word and Sacraments in Issues
of Pastoral Care
RESOLUTION 5-10
Overture 5-23 (CW, p. 216)
WHEREAS, Psychology and therapy can be useful tools in
pastoral care; and
WHEREAS, They are not a replacement for Word and
Sacraments, but are tools that, where suitable, may be utilized in conjunction with the Word and Sacraments; and
WHEREAS, Word and Sacrament ministry has always
been and remains the focus for pastoral care; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 1998 convention of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod affirm that Word and Sacraments
are primary in dealing with issues of pastoral care.