Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1998 · 60th Convention › Page 79
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 79

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

SYNODICAL REPORTS 79

ment, skilled leadership, and member ownership and support.
Under God’s grace and blessings the BHE/CUS Board is
pleased to share this report of ongoing activity and achievement in
the educational mission of the LCMS and expresses its sincere ap-
Preciation to the members of the Synod for their prayers and sup-
port.
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Board for Higher
Education Statement of Mission and Purpose (as established
by the 1986 synodical convention):

The colleges, universities, and seminaries of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod exist to supply the higher education services
needed to accomplish the mission of the church.

Strongly committed to the Lutheran concept of vocation, synodical
colleges, and universities are liberal arts institutions which provide a
Christ-centered spiritual and value-oriented environment for men and
women who will be Christians at work in the church and in secular oc-
cupations.

The objectives of the Synod include the recruitment and education
of professional church workers. Therefore, central to the system of syn-
odical education is the preparation of those who are called to serve
through preaching, teaching, and related vocations. Professional prepa-
ration for the pastoral ministry is the special assignment of the Synod’s
seminaries.

Major Achievements and Significant Events

The Board for Higher Education, during the last triennium, not
only aggressively pursued the development of combined activities
and events that enhanced the mission of education for the LCMS,
but also supported the development of each institution individually.
The following activities and events reflect the last triennium’s im-
pact on higher education in the LCMS today and in the future:

* Conducted national marketing of LCMS higher education
Promoted church worker careers to 140,000 youth annually
Completed sale of 151 housing lots in Irvine, CA

Established the joint seminaries’ DELTO program for off-site
preparation of future pastors

Authorized a doctor of education program at Concordia Univer-
sity, River Forest

Installed a “traveling” program for Board of Regents orientation

Established an advisory position to the BHE to be filled by a
seminary president

Positioned St. Paul Lutheran High School as a Recognized Ser-
vice Organization

Updated policy manuals for the BHE and campus activity
Reviewed and revised the teacher colloquy program
Hosted a Concordia University System All-Faculty Gathering

Received St. John’s Foundation of Winfield, KS, and Lutheran
Bible Institute of Irvine, CA, as Recognized Service Organiza-
tions

Participated in a Joint Seminary Faculty and Council of Presi-
dents discussion of vicarage and seminary distance education
Reviewed the bylaws for higher education with the President of
Synod’s Blue Ribbon Committee

Studied the possibilities for health insurance coverage for future
church workers

Researched identification of ethnic minorities as possible profes-
sors in the LCMS

Conducted research to determine demand for professional church
workers

Conducted transition reviews at Fort Wayne, Mequon, Irvine,
and Bronxville

Elected new campus presidents: Rev. Dr. Dean Wenthe, Rev. Dr.

George Heider, Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry, Rev. Dr. J. A. O. Preus
Hl.

* Reviewed preseminary curriculum

Facts about Higher Education in the LCMS
* over 13,000 students

* over 1,000 full and part-time faculty

* over 100 majors

Degrees Awarded

Associate’s Degrees
Bachelor’s Degrees
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Master’s Degrees
Doctoral Degrees

Annual Budgets

$147 million

Endowments
$56 million

Student Aid Awarded
$29 million

Enroltment Trends

CUS Total Enroliment

| 13,000
| 12,000

11,000
| 10,000

CUS Church Vocations Students
tr
Seminaries' Total Enroiiment

3

Operational Deficit Reduction Program
(000's)
| 16,000 |
| 15,000 i
; 14,000
| 13,000
12,000
11,000
10,000
9,000
8,000 t

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 |

Deficit Reduction

Campus administrators understand the delicate nature of edu-
cational activity. Shifts in enrollment, reduction in gift income, un-
expected maintenance repairs, and revisions in governmental regu-
lations and funding all affect achievement of goals. The Board for
Higher Education carefully monitors strategic indicators for cam-
pus success. Despite the many challenges to higher education fi-
nances, our campuses are implementing strong programs to cut
costs while investing in technology and improving academic qual-
ity.

Work Plan for Years between Conventions

1. Promote and expand technologies in instructional delivery
systems, especially interactive video, through campus
connections.

2. Promote and expand college, university, and seminary course