LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 151

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Whereas, Several entities of the LCMS provided financial support to facilitate the new affiliation; and
Whereas, Many individuals provided expertise and leadership
to create the new affiliation; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS thank Concordia University Wisconsin for taking leadership to facilitate an affiliation with Concordia
University Ann Arbor; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS thank all districts, boards and individuals who worked to create the affiliation between these two entities;
and be it finally
Resolved, That LCMS in convention give thanks to God that the
mission and ministry of Lutheran higher education will continue
in the region as a result of the affiliation of Concordia University
Wisconsin and Concordia University Ann Arbor.
Action: Adopted (7)
(The convention voted to adopt Res. 5-07 without discussion by
rising and clapping hands, as instructed by the chair.)

To Establish a Standard for Continuing
Education of Pastors
RESOLUTION 5-08B
R7-02, R5-01–5-03 (CW, pp. 95–105)
Whereas, The 2010 convention of the Synod encouraged continuing education for LCMS pastors in Res. 5-05A, “To Support
Pastoral Formation,” which stated in part: “That the 2010 LCMS
convention direct the Council of Presidents and the administration
and faculties of the Synod’s seminaries and universities to continue
to study how best to certify clergy and hold them accountable for
continuing education” (cf. 5-05A Task Force Report and Recommendations), echoing similar resolutions in 2007, 2004, 2001, and
1998; and
Whereas, Other professions require a continuing education
component in order to maintain the highest level of competence;
and
Whereas, The church expects theological and professional
excellence of all her pastors (2 Tim. 2:15); and
Whereas, The Synod’s biblical, confessional, and catechetical
heritage compels her pastors to a lifetime of learning for their own
benefit, for the benefit of their congregations, and for the benefit
of the church-at-large; and
Whereas, The Synod’s seminaries are well prepared to provide
continuing education to her pastors (e.g., regionalized summer
course offerings, Web-based offerings, on-campus symposia/conferences, et al.); and
Whereas, Pastors serve in an increasingly complex and challenging world which demands continual development of skills; and

R e s olu t i on s

Whereas, The 2007 Synod convention encouraged congregations to grant sabbatical leave to pastors (Res. 6-08, “To Encourage
Congregations to Provide Professional Church Work Sabbaticals”);
and
Whereas, The Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support
(PALS) program is an avenue for continuing education in the first
three years of parish ministry; and
Whereas, While the divine call is not contingent upon continuing education, the Word of God calls for growth in grace and
wisdom (2 Tim. 3:14–17); therefore be it
Resolved, That the seminaries
• continue to instruct and demonstrate the importance of
the biblical languages in the pastoral ministry and provide
resources to that end
• provide guidance and direction to LCMS ordination-track
seminarians in the development of “a personal continuing
education portfolio including a long-term plan of action and
goals for continuing education” (5-05A Task Force Report
and Recommendations)
• include a review of the personal continuing education portfolio prior to program completion
• work collaboratively with the Council of Presidents to develop
a list of qualified continuing education resources and activities; and be it further
Resolved, That in accord with the direction given to the Council
of Presidents and the administration and faculties of the Synod’s
seminaries and universities in 2010 LCMS Resolution 5-05A, each
pastor:
• regularly identify those personal and pastoral skills which
need to be addressed by continuing education
• regularly revise his continuing education plan accordingly;
and be it further
Resolved, That all pastoral colloquy candidates submit a written
personal continuing education portfolio, beyond what is required
for certification, to his district president; and be it further
Resolved, That Winkels (circuit pastoral conferences)
• discuss “doctrinal, professional, and practical matters” (Bylaw
4.9.1 [a]) ; and be it further
Resolved, That each circuit counselor (visitor)
• discuss the pastor’s personal continuing education portfolio
during his triennial visit with each pastor under his care; and
be it further
Resolved, That each district president
• encourage and support each pastor’s self-developed continuing education program as part of his regular visitation
program
• model for the Synod the importance of continuing education
• work with congregations to encourage and support the pastor in his continuing education; and be it further
Resolved, That the Executive Director of Pastoral Education
• continue to incorporate continuing education into the PostSeminary Applied Learning and Support (PALS) program;
and be it finally
2 0 1 3 C o n v e n t io n P r o c e e d i n g s

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