LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 143

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HIGHER EDUCATION
WHEREAS, Concordia College, Selma, has been called
“The Miracle on Green Street” by Dr. Richard Dickinson in
his most recent book of the same name, signifying its survival over 80 years; and
WHEREAS, Concordia College, Selma, is a fast-growing
and successful institution of higher education with a 2004
enrollment of over 850 students, and prepares students for
black ministry in this new century; therefore be it
Resolved, That there be a special celebration of The Centennial of Black Higher Education within the LCMS in conjunction with the 2006 Black Ministry Family Convocation;
and be it further
Resolved, That this celebration reflect, as much as possible, the histories of Luther College, New Orleans, LA; Immanuel Lutheran College, Greensboro, NC; and Concordia
College, Selma, AL; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Board for Black Ministry Services
and Concordia College, Selma, work together to plan and
coordinate this celebration.
Action: Adopted (6)
(Permission was granted to the committee to read the whereas
sections when it introduced the resolution. After discussion was
ended, the resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 1,103; No: 13].)

To Affirm District Programs that Equip
Laity for Ministry
RESOLUTION 5-09
Overtures 5-28–29 (CW, pp. 230–231)
WHEREAS, We the Synod affirm the historical Lutheran
understanding of the priesthood of all believers, that God
through the work of His Son by the power of the Holy Spirit
has made all believers “a royal priesthood . . . to declare the
praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9); and
WHEREAS, Recent statistics show that one in two Americans are not Christian, making the United States a mission
field of opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Workers are needed to serve in this time of
great challenge and opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Nineteen Districts of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod have developed ministry education and
training programs for church members so that they may be
more effective in their ministry and assist in areas of need;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod, acting in convention, affirm
the role of the laity in expanding the mission of the church
and recognize the need further to equip laypersons for mission work; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod, acting in convention, recognize, affirm, and encourage the work of the Districts in developing ministry-equipping programs for the laity such as
the Lay Leader Institute, Missionary Training Center,
Training Leaders for Ministry, and The Alaskan Project;
and be it finally
Resolved, That for the sake of good order, the Council of
Presidents of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and
the new Board for Pastoral Education with the guidance of
the seminary faculties develop a standardized core curricu-

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lum for District lay-training programs and coordinate a national listing of participants.
Action: Adopted (8)
(During discussion, the resolution was amended to insert the
words and the new Board for Pastoral Education with the guidance of the seminary faculties in the final resolve after the word
Synod. When debate was ended, the resolution was adopted as
amended [Yes: 927; No: 244].)

To Amend Commissioned Ministry
Colloquy Bylaws
RESOLUTION 5-12A
Overtures 5-35–36 (CW, pp. 232–234)
Resolved, That Bylaws 6.105−6.141 be amended by replacement with the following:
Purpose of the Colloquy Programs
a. The colloquy programs prepare men and women who
are currently serving in ministry roles for membership in
the Synod. Colloquy programs ensure that those who seek
to join the Synod have been educated in theology, have become oriented to service in the Synod, and have demonstrated the professional and spiritual attributes that the
Synod expects of its members.
b. Qualified applicants are competent workers in the
field for which they seek colloquy; therefore, colloquy does
not provide basic preparation for the field of service. For example, colloquy does not provide courses in lesson preparation; rather, it provides a theological education to professionally qualified teachers.
Colloquy Committees [expansion of present Bylaw
6.105]
a. The Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry
shall consist of a Vice-President of the Synod, the executive
director of the Board for Higher Education, and two college/university presidents. The President of the Synod shall
appoint the Vice President of the Synod and the two college/university presidents serving on the committee. The
Vice President appointed by the President shall be chairman of the committee.
b. The Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry
shall direct the Synod activity in matters of colloquies for
commissioned ministries.
c. The Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry
shall also establish and monitor academic and theological
standards for each of the colloquy programs. The committee
shall consult the directors of the programs at the Synod’s
colleges and universities when establishing or reviewing
the standards.
d. The Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry
shall render a report on commissioned minister colloquy activities to each convention of the Synod.
e. Each of the Synod’s colleges and universities shall
have a colloquy examining committee. The institution’s
president shall appoint the committee, and it shall include
the directors of the commissioned ministry programs.
f. Each individual college or university shall be responsible for acting upon applications and for establishing a pre2004 Convention Proceedings