LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 149

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

3. LIFE TOGETHER
3-01

kinds, and laity) to support and increase, both at the Synod and local
levels, the education ministry that is Lutheran schools; and be it finally
Resolved, That the 2012 convention of the Indiana District of the
LCMS send this resolution to the 2013 LCMS convention.
Indiana District

To Support, Commend, and Increase Witness,
Mercy, and Life Together Ministry of Lutheran
Schools
Whereas, Elementary and secondary schools in the LCMS have
a long and distinguished history in America, participating in Christ’s
mission of His church for 175 years; and
Whereas, Dr. Martin Luther’s words ring as true in the 21st century as when he wrote them: “For if the devil is to be dealt a blow that
really hurts, it must be done through young people who have come to
maturity and knowledge of God, and who spread His word and teach
it to others” (“To the Councilmen of All Cities in Germany That They
Establish and Maintain Christian Schools,” 1524); and
Whereas, Lutheran schools bear witness to the importance our
forebears gave to Dr. Luther’s imperative in the same 1524 document that “for the sake of the Church, we must have and maintain
Christian schools”; and
Whereas, Schools in the LCMS have been established to
encourage, support, equip, and empower parents in their duty and
responsibility to bring their children up “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4); and
Whereas, Schools in the LCMS strive to connect the congregation to the community they serve through daily instruction, activities,
and programs; and
Whereas, Congregations and Lutheran day schools within the
LCMS also operate 2,300 early childhood centers and preschools,
serving more than 129,000 children; and
Whereas, LCMS congregations operate 946 elementary schools
serving 107,000 students; and
Whereas, 130 domestic and international Lutheran high schools
touch the lives of students and families alike; and
Whereas, Lutheran schools provide a strong witness to their communities through rigorous academic programs, competitive athletic
programs, and a passion for the arts; and
Whereas, In Lutheran schools families outside the church are
often drawn to life together with LCMS families, thus facilitating a
Gospel witness; and
Whereas, The purpose and mission of Lutheran schools is to
equip children, youth, young adults, and their parents to fulfill the
great commission of Jesus Christ by baptizing and teaching, and to
this end prepare them for service and leadership in Lutheran congregations, all of which support our Synod’s theme of Witness, Mercy,
Life Together; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention congratulate its Lutheran
schools and their associated students, parents, teachers, administrators, and congregations across the nation for their ongoing
contributions to education; and be it further
Resolved, That this convention affirm Dr. Luther’s urgent call to
maintain Christian schools; and be it further
Resolved, That our Lutheran schools be urged to excellence in all
areas of the educational enterprise (pedagogy, assessment, technology, etc.); and be it further
Resolved, That the commitment to proclaiming the pure Gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ as taught in the Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions be a major focus of the ethos of the school, that hope and
healing may be applied to the students and families of our Lutheran
schools; and be it further
Resolved, That this convention unequivocally and passionately
encourage all church leaders (pastors, commissioned workers of all
149

3-02

To Empower Blue Ribbon Committee on Lutheran
Schools
Whereas, Lutheran schools from nursery school through high
school are the second-largest parochial school system in the US; and
Whereas, A combination of factors, including parishes with aging
and declining congregational membership, lower percentages of congregational students in Lutheran schools, lower school enrollments in
many school districts due to changing demographics, charter schools,
and cost factors involved in operating a Lutheran school have negatively impacted urban, rural, and suburban Lutheran schools; and
Whereas, These factors have led to what amounts to a wholesale
retreat from Lutheran education in urban areas across the country and
increasing pressure on rural and suburban schools economically; and
Whereas, The critical ministry of Lutheran Christian education
and catechesis in a quality educational setting is in crisis in many
areas of the LCMS; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Office of National Mission, through the
Department of Schools of the LCMS, be empowered to convene a
blue ribbon committee on Lutheran schools; and be it further
Resolved, That such blue ribbon committee be composed of
LCMS educators and others from within and without the LCMS for
the most comprehensive analysis possible; and be it further
Resolved, That the economic needs not only of congregations but
also of commissioned, rostered workers and teachers be taken into
account in this analysis; and be it further
Resolved, That beyond a comprehensive analysis, a set of collaborative and creative options for the future of Lutheran schools in the
21st century be developed during this triennium; and be it further
Resolved, That creative solutions and implementations being
undertaken be analyzed as “pilot projects” by the blue ribbon committee; and be it finally
Resolved, That the report, analysis, and recommendations toward
creative collaborative educational options for Lutheran schools be
presented to the delegates at the 2016 LCMS convention for adoption and implementation.
St. Peters
Brooklyn Park, NY
3-03

To Partner and Support Raising Children
in Christian Faith
Whereas, God desires for all people to be saved; and
Whereas, The Church is the Body of Christ and is given the
responsibility to go and make disciples of all nations; and
Whereas, God has given the privilege and responsibility to parents to raise their children in the Christian faith; and
Whereas, The church has made it a practice to take over the
instruction of children in the faith; and
Whereas, Parents have become accustomed to this practice; and

2013 Convention Workbook