LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 221

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HIGHER EDUCATION 221

date any radical change in tenure Johns Hopkins Magazine, Sep-
tember 1997, p. 31); and

WHEREAS, Any substantive change in the tenure policy as out-
lined in the Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(6.25) can impact the well-being of faculty and institutions; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the boards of regents, administrators, and fac-
ulty of the colleges and universities of the Concordia University
System engage in a discussion of the role of tenure in their mis-
sion; and be it further

Resolved, That a proposed change in Bylaw 6.25 of the Hand-
book of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be delayed until
such discussions have occurred in institutions of the Concordia
University System; and be it further

Resolved, That boards of regents and administrators of institu-
tions of the Concordia University System solicit input from faculty
in any proposed change from tenure to rollover contracts.

Faculty
Concordia College
Seward, NE

5-41

To Consider Issues re Tenure
and Rollover Contracts

WHEREAS, Discussions regarding the issue of tenure policies are
taking place; and

WuereEaS, Synodical doctrine is protected by the Statement of
Limitations to Academic Freedom which applies to tenured faculty
as well as nontenured faculty; and

WHEREAS, Tenured faculty may be dismissed on reasonable
grounds; and

WHEREAS, Tenure policies are useful in protecting academic
freedom and excellence; and

WHEREAS, Tenure policies, when advertised, attract higher qual-
ity applicants for positions; and

WHEREAS, Most full-time faculty members accepted job open-
ings offered as tenure track positions and changing that status
would be a switch from their agreement; and

WHEREAS, Tenure constitutes a vested property right for those
who have tenure; and

WHEREAS, It is unclear that current tenure policies are at the root
of the problems being addressed; and

WHEREAS, Faculty hold few other tangible job benefits compa-
rable to other institutions of higher education; and

WHEREAS, The University of Minnesota recently lost a bitter
legal battle with its faculty regarding tenure rights; therefore be it

Resolved, That any proposed changes to Bylaw 6.25 of the
Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be rejected;
and be it further

Resolved, That boards of regents and administrators of institu-
tions of higher education in the Concordia University System so-
licit input and approval from university faculties in any proposed
changes to current tenure policies.

Faculty
~ Concordia University
St. Paul, MN

5-42

To Insure LCMS Faculty in System Schools
WHEREAS, The Concordia University System represents The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as an arm of the church to edu-
cate church workers and others; and
WHEREAS, The theology and practice of the Concordia Univer-
sity System pledges to conform to the Lutheran Confessions and

the doctrinal position of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod;
and

WHEREAS, The tradition of the constituency of the faculty in the
Concordia University System has been 90 percent LCMS mem-
bers; and

WHEREAS, It is necessary to maintain a strong LCMS faculty to
integrate Lutheran theology and academic excellence; therefore be
it

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education make it official
policy, and not merely the prerogative of the chairman of the Board
of Higher Education, or of the president of the Concordia Univer-
sity System, to insure that 90 percent of the faculties at each of our
Concordia colleges/universities be members of the LCMS; and be
it further

Resolved, That all colleges/universities of our system work to-
ward compliance with such a policy as soon as possible.

Circuit 16 Forum, South Wisconsin District; Circuit 17
Forum, South Wisconsin District

5-43

To Amend Colloquy Bylaws

WHEREAS, The 1992 Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod (LCMS) contained a category of eligibility for admis-
sion to the colloquy program for the pastoral ministry for those who
are “‘communicant members in good standing of synodical congre-
gations who are graduates of an established nonsynodical semi-
nary” (Bylaw 6.91 3); and

WHEREAS, The 1995 Handbook of the LCMS contains no cate-
gory of eligibility for admission to the colloquy program for the
pastoral ministry for graduates of nonsynodical seminaries unless
they are “ministers who are in good standing in other Christian
church bodies, are graduates of established seminaries, and have
served at least three years in a recognized ministry in their church
body” (Bylaw 6.91 a); and

WHEREAS, The alternate route programs at both LCMS semi-
naries are designed only for those who are either ministers of reli-
gion, commissioned, with at least 8 years of experience or laymen
with at least 10 years of significant experience related directly to
Word and Sacrament ministry within the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, The alternate route programs do not afford opportu-
nity for a candidate to have a program of preparation tailored to his
individual background after a theological interview has been con-
ducted; and

WHEREAS, Graduates of nonsynodical seminaries who want to
become pastors in the LCMS have no program of preparation open
to them within the LCMS other than completing an additional mas-
ter of divinity degree or applying to the alternate route program
after they have accumulated 10 years of significant experience re-
lated directly to Word and Sacrament ministry within the LCMS;
therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 6.91 1 in the 1995 Handbook of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be amended by adding the fol-
lowing category of eligible applicants: Communicant members in
good standing of synodical congregations who are graduates of an
established nonsynodical seminary.

Faculty
Concordia Seminary
St. Louis, MO
5-44
To Clarify Seminary Requirement
for Pastoral Colloquy Applicants
Rationale

Bylaw 6.91 provides a process for ministers who were ordained
in anon-LCMS church body to become members of The Lutheran