LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 213

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

HIGHER EDUCATION 213

WHEREAS, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) has demonstrated
its value in developing one’s capacity to know better self and oth-
ers; and

WHEREAS, Many LCMS pastors have experienced helpful inte-
gration of their theology into their pastoral ministry through insti-
tutional and church-based CPE; therefore be it

Resolved, That each of our seminaries be encouraged to include
a quarter of Clinical Pastoral Education as an integral part of their
curricula.

Texas District

5-22

To Require Teaching that Ordination
Is Not a Sacrament

WHEREAS, Several speakers at the 1999 National Walther Con-
ference noted that there are recent graduates of our seminaries who
insist that ordination is a sacrament, which places them in some
special class above laymen; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions do not teach that ordina-
tion is a sacrament like Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; and

WHEREAS, C. F. W. Walther insisted that ordination is not a
sacrament: and

WHEREAS, “A Briet Statement of the Doctrinal Position of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.” which is still the official po-
sition of the LCMS, says: “33. Regarding ordination we teach that
it is not a divine but a commendable ecclesiastical ordinance”
(Smalcald Articles, Triglot. p. 525, and 70 M., p. 342); and

WHEREAS, Some of the speakers at the 1999 National Walther
Conference claimed that the doctrine of ordination as a sacrament
has come from Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the LCMS urge the Pres-
ident and Vice-Presidents of the LCMS anid the Boards of Regents
of both seminaries (Ft. Wayne and St. Louis) to insist that all
LCMS professors teach that ordination is not a sacrament.

Redeemer, St. Clair Shores, MI; Christ, Juniata, NE:
Trinity, New Haven. MO: Redeemer, John Day, OR

5-23

To Provide Chaplains for Seminaries

Whereas, The preparation of men for the Office of the Holy
Ministry is onc of the highest responsibilities of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, In recent years there has been a shift of the type of
man entering into the ministry from traditional routes of synodical
high schools and colleges to men who have spent a significant por-
tion of their aduit life in the secular world in other professions; and

WHEREAS, Most of the second-career students are also married,
and many have families and the related requirements of time and
energy to be both fathers and full-time students; and

Wuereas, The tamilies are required to make major adjustments
in terms of lifestyles, income, and living to assist the student while
training for the ministry; and

WHEREAS, In the past there have not been spiritual life programs
in place that minister to the new type of students and their fami-
lies, nor for the traditional student; and

WuereEAS, In the past there has not been in the seminary system
an advocate for the student to assist in the adjustment from the sec-
ular world who can speak with authority to the special needs of the
new type of student entering the ministry: and

WHEREAS, There is no means available to the student to address
special needs or concerns through the seminary system, and those
needs or concerns place the student in an awkward position re-
garding enrollment at the seminaries without means to explicate
them; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be authorized to call a
chaplain for each of the seminaries in St. Louis and in Fort Wayne:
and be it further

Resolved, That the chaplain’s dutics be to establish a pastoral
presence for the student body and to develop a spiritual life and
mentoring program that is separate from the academic preparation
for the Holy Ministry: and be it finally

Resolved, That these men be accountable to the Council of Pres-
idents and in the event of special needs of the students be able to
contact the COP on the students’ behalf and to act as an ombuds-
man to seek assistance and redress of needs.

St. Peter. Columbus, IN; Faith, Madison, AL

5-24

To Encourage Cooperative Work between Seminaries

WHEREAS, Our Synod has historical precedent and good reason
to have more than one seminary, especially as they have been dis-
tinguished by different emphases in curriculum and students: and

WHEREAS, Recent years have seen duplication of programs and,
at times, competition for students, resources. and support from the
limited resources in our church; and

WHEREAS, The newly revised structure of the Board for Higher
Education now includes a Committee for Pastoral Education with
staff support provided by the Director of Pastoral Education; and

WHEREAS, Both seminarics seck to serve the church faithfully
in providing theological education for the pastoral ministry, both
through a Master of Divinity degree and by providing curriculum
for Alternate Route students; therefore be it

Resolved, That our Synod, specifically through the work on the
Committee for Pastoral Education. study the needs of our church
for pastoral education in collaboration with the faculties and ad-
ministrations of both seminaries; and be it further

Resolved, That both seminaries pledge cooperation and colle-
giality in working together toward a common purpose; and be it
further

Resolved, That both seminaries seek common agreements in ad-
missions requirements and curricular objectives, including course
work, pastoral suitability. and spiritual formation; and be it further

Resolved, That both seminaries seck to avoid areas of direct
competition; and be it finally

Resolved, That together we all affirm and seek to foster a hum-
ble spirit of service in mecting the needs of our church and its mis-
sion.

Concordia Seminary
St. Louis, MO

5-25

To Assure that Creation Is Taught
in Synod’s Schools

WHEREAS, The LCMS is founded upon the inerrancy of Scrip-
ture; and

WHEREAS, Many major Protestant denominations, the Roman
Catholic Church, and the Pope now permit their schools to teach
evolution from secular textbooks: and

WHEREAS, In spite of the doctrine of the six-day creation, sec-
ondary schools of the LCMS in 26 states teach mostly evolution;
and

WHEREAS, Evolution has been proven repeatedly to be an un-
scientific teaching that has as its central belief the nonexistence of
God; tberefore be it

Resolved, That the 2001 LCMS convention direct President A.
L. Barry to take steps to see that the truth of the Scripture is the
basis for all teaching in our Synod’s secondary schools and col-
leges.

Christ
Juniata, NE

2001 Convention Workbook