LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 212

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212 HIGHER EDUCATION

wherewithal of individual candidates for ordination and placement
in the ministerium of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and

WHEREAS, In-depth interviews by trained theologians in a vari-
ety of academic subjects and practical applications enjoyed a long
and fruitful history in the certification and placement of pastoral
candidates in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and greater
Christendom; therefore be it

Resolved, That psychological profiling of students and candi-
dates for ordination at our seminaries be ended: and be it further

Resolved, That a program of theological interviews of candi-
dates by faculty of our seminaries prior to graduation and place-
ment be restored; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod will stipulate that any psychological
testing at the seminaries of the LCMS be limited to those persons
who request such evaluation for themselves or to those whose be-
havior suggests that they pose a direct physical threat to themselves
or to others.

Zion
Tomball, TX

5-18

To Restore Theological Interviews at Seminaries

WHEREAS, Seminaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod have the responsibility to certify candidates for the Holy
Ministry and have used the theological interview as a tool in that
process; and

WHEREAS. This practice was discontinued at Concordia Semi-
nary, St. Louis to “reduce the amount of stress” placed on the stu-
dents: and

WHEREAS, Stress and stressors are a significant part of the life of
a pastor; and

WHEREAS, Many other professional masters degree programs
include oral examinations; therefore be it

Resolved, That seminaries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod reconsider their decision to eliminate the theological inter-
view: and be it further

Resolved, That faculties of those seminaries make proper use of
the results of the theological interviews in their deliberations to-
ward certification of pastoral candidates; and be it finally

Resolved, That this resolution be effective with the academic
year 2001-2002.

St. John
Aliceville, Westphalia, KS

To Involve Congregations in Certification
for Ordination

WHEREAS, The biblical qualifications for a bishop (elder/pastor)
focus primarily on the personal character of the man (1 Tim. 3:1—7;
2? Tim. 2:24.-25:; Titus |:5—-9); and

WHEREAS, This presupposes that the congregation selecting the
pastor/elder is acquainted with his personal life and therefore able
to determine whether or not he meets the biblical requirements; and

WHEREAS, Pastors are not to be imposed upon congregations
without their approval] and consent: and

WHEREAS, For these reasons, congregations ought to be in-
volved in determining whether or not a certain individual ought to
be ordained into the pastoral ministry; and

WHEREAS, Under the present circumstances, a seminary faculty
does not have the opportunity to observe the personal life of stu-
dents preparing for the pastoral ministry; and

WHEREAS, Seminary faculties are, therefore, unable to deter-
mine whether or not the individual meets the biblical requirements
given in 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5—9; therefore be it

2001 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education, through its
Committee on Pastoral Education, together with the Council of
Presidents, who are charged with the oversight of pastors and con-
gregations, prepare and submit to the Synod a way of certifying
men for ordination to the pastoral ministry which would include
the following:

I. The seminaries continue to certify the academic and doctrinal
fitness of their graduates.

2. Graduates of the seminaries serve a congregation for a period of
one year or more, during which time the congregation may ob-
serve the graduate’s personal life to determine whether he mects
the biblical requirements as given in | Tim. 3:17 and Titus
1:5-9.

3. This year of in-service training replaces the present vicarage pro-
gram.

4. This year of training is under the supervision of a mentoring pas-
tor, together with the Circuit Counselor and the District Presi-
dent.

5. At the completion of the period of in-service training, the candi-
date is ordained only after having received the endorsement of
the congregation he has served, and following an examination
by a colloquy committee composed of pastors of the Circuit, the
Circuit Counselor, the District President, or his appointed repre-
sentative.

6. Upon the call of the congregation his ordination is authorized.

and be it further
Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education submit its rec-

ommendations to the next synodical convention for approval.

Montana District

5-20

To Make Financial Counseling Available
to Seminary Students

WHEREAS, It is often necessary for most of our seminary stu-
dents to borrow money in order to pay for their seminary educa-
tion; and

WHEREAS, Students may acquire substantial indebtedness,
which they may not be able to repay unless they receive financial
assistance or a large salary; and

Wuereas, A number of graduates from our seminaries are re-
sorting to bankruptcy in order to find relief from their creditors’
demands; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Montana District ask the Synod, in conven-
tion assembled, to require seminaries to make available financial
credit counseling to all seminary students annually; and be it further

Resolved, That the seminaries provide training in personal bib-
lical stewardship for all seminary students; and be it finally

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded by the
Secretary of the Montana District as an overture to the 2001 con-
vention of the Synod.

Montana District

5-21

To Include Clinical Pastoral Education
in Seminary Curriculi

WHEREAS, The ministry of Jesus Christ is expressed in the
Gospels as one of teaching, preaching, and healing; and

WHEREAS, The healing dimension of ministry incorporates
many of the skills of interpersonal relationships and thoughtful
awareness of self and others; and

Wuereas, Many of the difficulties in ministry and the large
church are related to inadequacies in interpersonal relationships and
insensitivities to people’s emotional and personal needs: and