LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 243

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HIGHER EDUCATION 243

WHEREAS, This proposed switch might have a negative impact
on the work that has already been accomplished; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention declare that there shall
be no shift in the responsibility for continuing education for pas-
tors; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education be directed to
work with the CMGS to develop a coordinated and mutually agree-
able plan for the continuing education of pastors and commissioned
workers.

Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support

5-61

To Encourage All Church Workers to Engage
in Continuing Education

Wuereas, Continuing education is essential to the maintenance
and growth of competence in any profession, including those of the
church; and

WuereEas, God has richly blessed church workers with talents to
be developed and used for the benefit of God’s people; and

Wuereas, Church workers are committed to serving well the
people of God; and

WuerEAS, Church workers are professionals responsible for
maintaining current knowledge in their field of expertise and for
acquiring the skills needed to perform well their various tasks; and

WHEREAS, From time to time there are calls for mandated con-
tinuing education related to ongoing synodical certification; and

WHEREAS, Church workers are accountable for effective perfor-
mance, not simply attendance at continuing education activities;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm its commit-
ment to encourage, support, and recognize continuing education for
all of the church’s workers; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations, Districts, and all entities of the
Synod assist and support the church’s workers by providing re-
sources and opportunities for continuing education and ongoing
professional development; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reject any attempts to
mandate continuing education for ongoing synodical certification
of its workers.

Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support

5-62

To Include Council of Presidents in Certification
of Candidates and Continuing Education

WHEREAS, The mission and ministry of congregations, schools,
and institutions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod require
well-prepared professional church workers; and

WHEREAS, The need for such workers to reach diverse peoples
and cultures with the eternal truth of the Gospel calls us to contin-
ually evaluate our methods of preparing and certifying workers for
the church today; and

. WHEREAS, The Synod has entrusted this preparation of profes-
sional church workers to our colleges/universities and seminaries;
and

WHEREAS, The Mission 21st Century Task Force has identified
reasons for strengthening the process of certification of candidates
for the office of the public ministry; and

WHEREAS, It is healthier for the church to have the preparation
and certification of men for the Office of the Public Ministry in two
separate entities of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Preparation for the Office of the Public Ministry con-
tinues beyond the conclusion of the formal program of training;
and

WuerEAS, It benefits missions, congregations, and The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as a whole that pastors con-
tinue their professional development; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod, acting in convention, direct the
Council of Presidents to research and develop a plan for the certi-
fication of men to hold the Office of the Public Ministry that in-
volves the participation of the Council of Presidents; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That the Synod, acting in convention, direct the
Council of Presidents to research and develop a plan for the re-
quiring of continuing education of pastors of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod in order for them to maintain their sta-
tus on the roster of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and be
it finally _

Resolved, That the Synod, acting in convention, require that The
Council of Presidents present its recommendations to the 2007 reg-
ular convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Board of Directors, Iowa District West; Board of Directors,
Southeastern District

5-63

To Shift Responsibility for Continuing Education
for Pastors to Board for Higher Education

Rationale

The Board for Higher Education has considered for several
years whether it should rightfully provide for the continuing edu-
cation of pastors, rather than a separate entity. Presently, Bylaw
3.915 gives the responsibility or “assessing and promoting the con-
tinuing educational and vocational growth of the church’s work-
ers” to the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support. How-
ever, this approach may not be sufficiently focused on continued
growth in pastoral formation. The education of a pastor extends
from recruitment to retirement, a lifelong process. More emphasis
should be given in the church at large to encourage pastors to fur-
ther hone their pastoral skills. The Director of Pastoral Education
(BHE Office) and the seminary presidents (seminary faculties)
should coordinate the initial education in pastoral formation with
the ongoing opportunities for continued educational experiences.

Resolved, That responsibility of continuing education for pas-
tors be shifted from the Commission on Ministerial Growth and
Support to the Board for Higher Education..

Board for Higher Education/
Concordia University System

5-64

To Commemorate Black Centennial
of Higher Education

WHEREAS, Luther College, New Orleans, La., and Immanuel
Lutheran College, Greensboro, N.C. (both founded in 1903), rep-
resented the first institutions of higher education for blacks in the
history of Lutheranism in America; and

WuerEas, In 1916, a missionary named Nils Bakke unwittingly
sowed the seed for what would become the third institution of
higher education among blacks when a Normal School for Black
Women in Alabama was organized; and

WHEREAS, The school founded by Rev. R. O. L. Lynn would
evolve into Alabama Luther College (1922-1939), then Alabama
Lutheran Academy (1940-1946), then Alabama Lutheran Acad-
emy and College (1947-1984); and .

WHEREAS, The questionable, and certainly, untimely closing of
Luther College (1932) and Immanuel Lutheran College (1961) re-
sulted in a relocation of these institutions to the campus of Alabama
Lutheran Academy and College, Selma, Ala.; and