LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 157

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

Resolutions
6. Administration & Finance
To Promote Financially Healthy Universities,
Seminaries, and Church Workers
RESOLUTION 6-01A
Report 5-02 (CW, p.98); Overtures 6-01–06 (CW, pp. 231–232)
Whereas, God desires for us to use His gracious gifts to us,
including financial gifts, for the furthering of the kingdom of God
(Matt. 25:14–30; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7–11; 1 Tim. 6:17–19); and
Whereas, Article III 3 of the Synod’s Constitution states that
one of the main objectives for forming the Synod is to “[r]ecruit and
train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and
provide opportunity for their continuing growth”; and
Whereas, LCMS congregations deserve the very best trained
and educated church workers for building God’s Kingdom who are
not yoked with onerous educational debt; and
Whereas, Financially viable seminaries and universities are
important in conserving and promoting the unity of the true faith
(Eph. 4:3–6); and
Whereas, The Scriptures say (2 Cor. 9:6–11),
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart
to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to
you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,
you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has
scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and
bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed
and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be
made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every
occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
And
Whereas, By adopting resolution 4-04A, the 2010 convention
created a task force with the following charge:
That the Synod in convention charge the Board of Directors
of the Synod, in consultation and concurrence with CUS and
seminary leadership, to appoint an eleven-member task force

R e s olu t i on s

Committee 6 Chairman John Wille

possessing qualifications in higher education and finance (including two members from LCMS Board of Directors as well
as persons from the CUS institutions and seminaries, other
institutions of higher education, and the LCMS at large), to
research the efficiency of cooperative interaction for the fiscal strength of the LCMS system of colleges, universities, and
seminaries, to make recommendations that could be immediately implemented by the respective institutions and continue
to enhance those current programs already in place with the
seminaries and CUS schools, and to bring recommendations
which require convention action to the 2013 LCMS convention for further implementation.
And
Whereas, This task force has recommended specific action to
the 2013 convention for implementation; therefore be it
Resolved, That the convention establish a specific goal of completely eliminating the historic Concordia University System (CUS)
debt of the Synod by 2017 through a special appeal; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention direct the President of the Synod
in consultation with the Board of Directors of the Synod to develop
and implement strategies by 2015 (1) to accomplish this historic
CUS debt elimination goal and (2) to address Synod church worker
educational debt; and be it finally
Resolved, That this convention call upon the Lord of the Harvest
in prayer to send forth laborers into His harvest and implore Him
to equip us with all things needful to carry out His work.
Action: Adopted (6)
(After debate was ended, Res. 6-01A was adopted as presented
[Yes: 859; No: 61].)

2 0 1 3 C o n v e n t io n P r o c e e d i n g s

|

157