LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 139

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

SEMINARY AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
Sacraments” (Convention Proceedings, 1989, p. 112); therefore be
it Resolved, That the Board for Pastoral Education and the Council of Presidents be requested to study the situations currently
served by licensed lay deacons, and to present that report with recommendations at the 2010 convention of the Synod. The chair
ruled this to be a substitute resolution, and the assembly voted
not to consider it. An amendment was introduced to add the following words to the resolve following the word Synod: and additionally, to study this program as it relates to Augustana XIV. The
motion to amend failed, leaving Res. 5-02 without amendment.
An amendment was proposed to add a resolve paragraph before
the existing resolve paragraph as follows: Resolved, That the
Board for Pastoral Education be encouraged to develop financial
incentives for licensed lay deacons to enroll in the Specific Ministry Pastor Program (SMPP); and be it further. This proposed
amendment also failed, and the resolution was adopted as presented by the committee [Yes: 948; No: 202].)

To Strengthen Seminary
Boards of Regents
RESOLUTION 5-03A
Overtures 5-19–21 (CW, pp. 219–220)
WHEREAS, The boards of regents of Concordia Seminary
and Concordia Theological Seminary are to be commended
for their fine work within the inherited configuration of
seminary boards of regents; and
WHEREAS, The seminaries of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod find that new challenges and opportunities
are facing them as they seek to sustain their service to the
Synod in an increasingly difficult educational environment;
and
WHEREAS, The local campus leaders and boards of regents must exercise an increasing level of governance and
leadership in response to the needs and opportunities presented by campus constituencies while remaining faithful
to the mission and needs of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and
WHEREAS, Effective boards of regents must include members with a specific set of skills, including knowledge in the
areas of finance, law, investments, human resources, facilities, fund development, administration of complex organizations, and higher education administration; and
WHEREAS, The seminaries total over 1,500 students and
faculty/staff personnel, resulting in legal and human resource management challenges; and
WHEREAS, The seminaries manage operational budgets
between $12 million and $20 million, requiring strategic decision making to maintain fiscal viability; and
WHEREAS, The seminaries insure facilities in excess of
$150 million, some of which is financed through state and
local bond issues, requiring management, maintenance, financing, and scheduling of multiple facilities to minimize
capital debt; and
WHEREAS, There must be sufficient board of regents
members with commitment to the mission and purpose of
the respective institution, knowledge regarding the region
in which the institution is located, and commitment to allocating time, talent, and treasure to the institution and assisting with the identification and encouragement of
donors; and
WHEREAS, Effective governance of our seminaries requires competent leadership in all skills sets, and boards of

139

regents need authority to appoint additional regents to
complement the skills of the existing regents; and
WHEREAS, Each board of regents is best able to assess its
own unique needs and identify and appoint individuals who
best meet those needs; and
WHEREAS, Currently all elected and appointed board of
regents members hold membership in the LCMS, and
LCMS membership will continue to be required for all
elected and appointed board of regents members; and
WHEREAS, The Board for Pastoral Education encourages
the adoption of the following changes so that seminary education can serve the Synod’s mission and ministry needs
more effectively; therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod Bylaw 3.8.2.5.2 be amended to
read as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.8.2.5.2 The board of regents of each theological seminary
shall consist of nine no more than thirteen voting
members:
1. Three ordained ministers, one commissioned
minister, and three laypersons shall be elected
by the convention of the Synod.
(a) Elected and appointed Sseminary boards of
regents members may be elected to serve a
maximum of two consecutive six-year terms
and must hold membership in a member
congregation of the Synod.
(b) Not more than two of the elected members
shall be members of the same congregation.
2. A vice-president of the Synod shall be designated by the President of the Synod.
3. A district president other than the geographical district president shall be appointed by the
Council of Presidents.
4. Four members may be appointed as voting
members by the board of regents.
5. Appointed members may not vote on the appointment of other members of the board.
6. In order to achieve continuity, a plan of staggered terms for the appointed board members
will be adopted by each board of regents.

Action: Adopted (10)
(During discussion, an amendment was offered to insert a new
#5 under Bylaw 3.8.2.5.2, 5. Appointed members may not vote on
the appointment of other members of the board. After the Commission on Constitutional Matters reported that the amendment
would affect other appointed members of the board such as the
officers of the Synod, discussion continued until debate was terminated, the amendment was adopted, and the resolution was
adopted as amended [Yes: 742; No: 214].)

To Strengthen College and University
Boards of Regents
RESOLUTION 5-04
Overtures 5-17, 5-22 (CW, pp. 218, 220)
WHEREAS, The colleges and universities of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod find that new challenges and opportunities are facing them as they seek to sustain and advance their service to the Synod in an increasingly complex
educational environment; and
2007 Convention Proceedings