LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 172

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5. Theology Faculty—All theology faculty (full-time
and part-time) are active members in good standing
of LCMS congregations and fully affirm the theological confession of the LCMS. As the LCMS Bylaws
indicate, all full-time theology faculty receive prior
approval from the CUS Board of Directors before
being appointed or called (Bylaw 3.6.6.1).
6. Academic Freedom and Responsibility—All fulltime faculty acknowledge their acceptance of the
CUS statement of Academic Freedom and Responsibilities. All faculty, both full- and part-time, pledge
to perform their duties in harmony with Scripture,
the Confessions, and the Synod’s doctrinal statements
(Bylaw 3.10.5.6.2).
7. Faith and Learning—In accordance with the
doctrine of the two kingdoms, all faculty strive to
faithfully bring Lutheran theology into interaction
with their various academic disciplines while respecting the integrity of those disciplines. Likewise, in
other campus arenas, faculty, staff, and administrators will seek to apply Lutheran theology within their
campus vocations.
8. Required Theology Courses—The institution
requires two to three theology courses for an undergraduate degree, typically in Old Testament, New
Testament, and Christian doctrine. Because these
courses are directly related to the theological identity of CUS institutions and to the identity formation
of graduates, these theology courses will normally be
taken at a CUS institution. Exceptions to this will be
approved by the institution’s called theological faculty.
9. Preparation of Church Workers—The institution
provides resources to recruit, form, nurture, and
place students preparing for professional church
work in the LCMS (e.g., pre-seminary, pre-deaconess, deaconess, Lutheran teacher, DCE, DCO, DPM).
Specific programs may vary by campus.
10. Campus Ministry—The institution offers regular
opportunities for worship that reflect the confession of the church. Faculty, staff, and students are
strongly encouraged to participate in these services.
The institution calls a campus pastor or chaplain, who
is a minister of religion—ordained of the LCMS, to
oversee the worship life of the community, organize
opportunities for Christian service and witness, and
provide pastoral care for students;

can give thanks for such a clear and forthright expression of solidarity with the church; and
Whereas, We rejoice that the boards of regents of every Concordia college and university have adopted this statement for their
respective institutions; and
Whereas, Pastors, congregations, and parents are urged to support these faithful presidents and send students as well as financial
assistance so that their mission as institutions of the Synod might
flourish and display the truth that all true knowledge and learning
is rightly ordered in relation to God’s revelation in Jesus Christ; and
Whereas, It is appropriate that the Synod in convention support the faithful witness of the CUS institutions by adopting the
Lutheran Identity Standards prepared by the institution presidents;
and
Whereas, It is appropriate that the achievements of the institutions relating to the Lutheran Identity Standards be shared regularly
with the CUS and the President of the Synod, to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities as assigned by the bylaws, and with
the institution’s own community and the Synod at large for mutual
edification and encouragement; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the institution
presidents and the board of regents of every Concordia institution
for their faithful leadership in the preparation, endorsement, and
adoption of the Lutheran Identity Standards set forth above; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention adopt the Lutheran
Identity Standards set forth above; and be it finally
Resolved, That as contemplated by the standards, each institution
will submit an annual self-evaluation of its institutional commitment to Lutheran identity by submitting a written report to the
CUS Board of Directors and the President of Synod describing, with
evidence, how the institution meets the ten Lutheran identity standards, on or prior to December 1 of each year, which report shall
be submitted by each respective board of regents and shared with
the respective campus community. Additionally, the CUS board
shall use this information to report to the Synod in convention the
achievements of the institutions relating to the Lutheran Identity
Standards, and the President of the Synod and the CUS board shall
use this information to assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities under existing Bylaws 3.3.1.1.1 (c), 3.3.1.2 (a), and 3.6.6.5 (i).
Action: Adopted (4)
(After the resolution was read in its entirety, the chair asked for
a voice vote to end debate and Res. 7-01A was adopted as presented
[Yes: 927; No: 43].)

and
Whereas, Such commitment by the presidents is distinctive
and, by God’s grace, will recommend their institutions not only
to members of the church but also to those that are seeking such a
full and transparent commitment to the integration of the finest in
university education with the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and
Whereas, While some have noted the drift of colleges and universities away from the churches that gave birth to them, the Synod
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U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

“7. University Education”