LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 25

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 25

cordia campuses. The examples depicted below are consistent with
the results of the entire evaluation process. In all 23 distinct areas of
outcomes measured, the teachers in the online colloquy program
have scored above the 80th percentile. These interviews are con-
ducted independent of any evaluation of the candidate by CUEnet,
nor are any of the interviews attended by CUEnet personnel. These
results are dated October 2003, and are compiled from 340 assess-
ment reports of a total of 114 teachers.

Familiarity with the Lutheran Confessions. ee
Clear atcuttion ofthe doctrine of justtcaton a

Atlee datingush betwen wand oper
Ole aticuaton othe Secret Es
Commitment to teaching the falth in the classroom | :

Ability to articulate Lutheran doctrine es

Ability to distinguish Lutheran (esp. LCMS) doctrine es

i
Apparent certainty of faith and doctrine |

0 10 20 3 40 50 & 70 & 90 100
Percentile

Recruitment and the Traditional Teacher Education Program

Simultaneous to the development of the new online teacher col-
loquy program, the LCMS colleges and universities have redou-
-bled their efforts to recruit undergraduate students into the Lutheran
teacher programs of the campuses. In the opinion of so many edu-
cational leaders interviewed by the Task Force, the graduate of the
traditional, campus-based program has the very best formation to
serve as a teacher in a Lutheran school. Nevertheless, the colleges
and universities are currently supplying only 16 percent of the an-
nual need for teachers in Lutheran schools.

Recommendations of the Task Force

The members of the Task Force have unanimously adopted five
resolutions to be placed in front of the 2004 convention of the
Synod. The resolutions address the assignments given the Task
Force. The first of these resolutions calls for the congregations to
strengthen their schools by enrolling their non-synodically trained
teachers in the teacher colloquy program and to do so for the sake
of the children of the next generation. The resolution calls for the
total number of synodically certified teachers to be increased by 5
percent per year in coming years. If the congregations of the Synod
can live up to such a challenge, restoration of doctrinally strong
schools is but one decade away.

The second resolution of the Task Force calls for Bylaw
changes intended to ease restrictions for enrollment in the teacher
colloquy program.

The third resolution from the Task Force addresses the signifi-
cant number of teachers in Lutheran schools who do not hold mem-
bership in a Missouri Synod congregation and are, therefore, ineli-
gible to enroll in the teacher colloquy program. The Task Force is
calling for professional workshops to be drawn from the regular
colloquy program to introduce the non-Missouri Synod teacher in
an LCMS classroom to the history, ethos, doctrine, and practice of
the Synod. The resolution stipulates that the participant in the
workshops would not be granted any official status within the
Synod but would be greatly strengthened in the ability to support
the mission of the congregational school.

The fourth resolution addresses a most complex issue. A little
background will be helpful. In recent decades, as the number of
non-synodically certified teachers in Lutheran classrooms grew, ef-
forts were frequently made at the local Lutheran school to avoid
any suggestion of “class” distinction between the synodically cer-

tified and non-synodically certified teachers. Salaries were set in
such a way that the non-synodically certified teacher was paid the
same as the synodically certified teacher. While the effort to main-
tain high morale may have been commendable, the result was di-
minished incentive for the non-synodically trained teacher to seek
certification. Ironically, school salaries recognized all other forms
of continuing education. The Task Force’s fourth resolution calls
for congregations to introduce adjustments to the salary of those
teachers who have taken the extra education that synodical certifi-
cation represents. The resolution also calls for congregations to
support colloquy students financially in their studies and to issue
calls to teacher colloquy graduates, formalizing the calling with
services of commissioning and installation. Such opportunities
strengthen the vision of both the teacher and the laity for the mis-
sion of the school.

The final resolution of the Task Force urges the congregations
of the Synod to recruit future teachers for our Lutheran classrooms
in greater numbers and to encourage their enrollment at one of our
Concordia colleges or universities. Once again a numeric goal is
recommended.

Almighty God,

Look with favor upon the schools of

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
and strengthen, we pray, the teachers in the classroom
that they may be a channel of Your blessing
to the next generation.
Amen.
D. Ray Halm, Chairman

R1-8-03

President’s Select Blue Ribbon Task Force
on Ecclesiastical Supervision
and Dispute Resolution

Historical Background

In 1992 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod adopted a
process for Synodical Dispute Resolution to replace the existing
process which involved Commissions on Adjudication and a Com-
mission on Appeals. To a large extent this process has proved to
be beneficial and has received general acceptance in spite of efforts
to return to the former process. Nevertheless, over the years the
need for refinement of the Bylaws governing this process has been
recognized and a number of changes have been adopted to deal
with issues which required change or clarification.

Included among these were such things as the addition of Ap-
peals Panels and Review Panels for the purpose of assuring that
those involved in disputes or charges brought against them received
just and fair treatment. This was especially true with regard to those
whose membership in the Synod was involved, whether individual
or congregational. A set of Rules of Procedure was also developed
in order to bring about greater uniformity on the part of various
panels.

In spite of the efforts toward refinement some problems contin-
ued and continue to exist. These are particularly evident in those
matters which involve membership in the Synod. That fact became
apparent in cases involving faculty members of the Concordia Uni-
versity System against whom charges were brought as well as those
brought against District and Synod officials. Although less appar-
ent, the same problems affected situations in which charges were
brought against ordained and commissioned other members of the
Synod.

Recognizing the need for dealing with the issues noted above,
President Kieschnick in May 2003 appointed a Blue Ribbon Task
Force on Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution in The

2004 Convention Workbook