LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 222

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222 HIGHER EDUCATION

Church—Missouri Synod, under the supervision of the Colloquy
Committee.

Bylaw 6.91 1 acurrently requires that pastoral colloquy appli-
cants “are graduates of established seminaries.” The term “estab-
lished” does not require that the applicants have graduated from an
educational program that is of a quality and extent that is suitable
for service in the LCMS.

The change requested below was requested by the Pastoral Col-
loquy Committee and is supported by that committee.

Resolved,

1. That in Bylaw 6.91 1 a the wording “are graduates of estab-
lished seminaries” be replaced with “are graduates of seminaries
recognized by The Association of Theological Schools in the
United States and Canada in programs of study no less than 60 se-
mester hours in length.”

2. That the Secretary of Synod be authorized to bring other parts
of the synodical Handbook into conformity with this change, as
needed.

Board for Higher Education
Concordia University System

§-45

To Encourage Participation in PALS Program

WHEREAS, It has been recognized throughout our Synod that a
post-seminary program for first call pastors to help facilitate their
transition from seminary life to parish ministry would be of great
benefit to new pastors, their parishes, and the entire Synod; and

WHEREAS, The 1995 convention of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod accordingly charged the Commission on Ministerial
Growth and Support (CMGS) with responsibility for producing a
program model for post-seminary education (Res. 5-09A, 1995
Convention Proceedings, p. 138); and

WuEREAS, The CMGS has developed the Post-seminary Ap-
plied Learning and Support (PALS) program for seminary gradu-
ates receiving first calls into parish ministry, as described in the
Convention Workbook (see CMGS Report); and

WHereas, The PALS program has received enthusiastic recep-
tions from representatives of the Synod’s Board for Higher Educa-
tion, seminary faculties, and graduating students and their wives;
and

WuEREAS, The Council of Presidents was also kept informed
throughout the formation of the PALS program and was offered
opportunity for input into the program; and

WuereEas, The CMGS has begun to introduce the PALS pro-
gram throughout the Synod, offering the program for all 1998 grad-
uates of our LCMS seminaries; and

WHEREAS, Optimal success in the introduction and continuation
of the PALS program will depend to a very large extent upon the
support of all LCMS Districts as well as the participation of all
1998 seminary candidates and their congregations; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 1998 convention of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod strongly encourage all 1998 first call and subse-
quent candidates and their calling congregations to participate in
the PALS program as offered and supported by the CMGS; and be
it further

Resolved, That the 1998 convention of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod strongly encourage LCMS Districts to do every-
thing possible to promote and support the PALS program in the in-
terest of these pastors, their congregations, and the Synod at large.

Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support

5-46

To Further Professional Church Worker
Continuing Education

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 pro-
fessional church worker is equipped to engage in faithful, compe-
tent, and joyful ministry; and

WuEeREAS, Professional church workers desire and need to grow
and be renewed both personally and professionally in order to re-
main so equipped; and

Wuereas, Growth and renewal are enhanced when the profes-
sional church worker is guided by an annual growth plan; therefore
be it

Resolved, That each District of the Synod be encouraged to pro-
mote continuing education fostered by an annual growth plan for
each of its professional church workers; and be it further

Resolved, That each congregation budget annually an amount
equal to two percent of annual salary and housing value for con-
tinuing education for each professional church worker, and be it fi-
nally

Resolved, That Circuit Counselors be encouraged to discuss
with congregations in their annual visit implementation of a con-
tinuing education plan with appropriate financial support for each
professional church worker.

Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support

5-47

To Develop Program for Certification of Counselors

WHEREAS, There have been increased demands by Lutheran
Church——-Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations and schools for
counseling; and

WHEREAS, Some counselors are members of LCMS churches
but have not had the opportunity for certification since no program
is presently available; and

WueErEAS, Not all of the counselors providing said counseling
are members of the LCMS; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Central Illinois District memorialize the
LCMS at its next convention to establish a certification program
for counselors serving LCMS congregations, schools, and Recog-
nized Service Organizations.

Central Illinois District

5-48

To Train Workers for LCFS

WHEREAS, LCFS has served in the state of Illinois for 124 years
to assist in this expanding area of ministry; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Central Illinois District of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod in its 1997 convention memorialize The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its 1998 convention to in-
struct the Concordia educational institutions to develop and/or
maintain a model and system offering undergraduate and graduate
programs with LCFS for interested students with a confessional
Lutheran counseling approach that will thus provide a source of
Christ-centered counselors.

Central Illinois District