LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 179

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theology faculty receive prior approval from the CUS Board of
Directors before being appointed or called (Bylaw 3.6.6.1)”; and

colleges and universities as a unified system of the
Synod through their respective boards of regents.

Whereas, Our Concordia institutions are lights in a dark world
and provide valuable opportunities to share the Gospel; when they
identify an academic course as a theology course they are making
a public confession that it is intended to convey the Gospel and our
doctrine in its truth and purity, and thus it is appropriate that all
those who regularly teach such courses receive prior approval in
accordance with Synod bylaws; and

…
3.10.5.6.2 Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, the
board of regents, on recommendation of the president of the institution, shall appoint all full-time
members of the faculty. The terms and conditions
of every appointment shall be stated in writing and
be in the possession of both the institution and the
prospective faculty member before the appointment
is consummated. Limitations of academic freedom
because of the religious and confessional nature and
aims of the institution shall be stated in writing at the
time of the appointment and conveyed to the person
being appointed. Faculty members, full- and parttime, shall pledge to perform their duties in harmony
with the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God,
the Lutheran Confessions, and the Synod’s doctrinal statements.

Whereas, In the rapidly changing world of higher education,
many colleges and universities increasingly use adjunct instructors who teach courses on campus, online, and at satellite locations,
often on a regular and continuing basis; and
Whereas, It is necessary to provide a process for prior approval
that ensures mastery of the appropriate academic qualifications,
aptness to teach, and theological soundness, while ensuring that
our institutions have the flexibility they require to meet the needs
of their particular academic programs from semester to semester,
by allowing the appointment of faculty, or the redeployment of faculty already on staff who are not already full-time theology faculty,
so as to meet the institution’s needs under the oversight of its theology department for up to one year, thus providing adequate time
to seek prior approval if the instructor will continue to teach theology courses beyond one year; and
Whereas, CUS schools are given responsibility for the training of ministers of religion—commissioned; and
Whereas, An important mission of the CUS is to prepare
church workers, some of whom continue their theological education at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; and
Whereas, “We, though many, are one body in Christ” (Rom.
12:5); and
Whereas, Students continuing through multiple institutions
of the CUS, as well as to the Synod at large, would benefit from the
application of consistent standards of excellence in the selection
and approval of theology faculty; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks for the diligent and faithful work of all those who have been involved in the prior approval
processes as they now exist; and be it further
Resolved, That the Bylaws of the Synod be amended as follows:

3.10.5.6.3 All initial appointments to persons serving on theology faculties, or teaching classes in or cross-listed
with the theology department, shall require prior
approval by a majority vote of the President of the
Synod (or his designee), the chairman of the Council of Presidents (or his designee), and a member
of the Concordia University System board selected
by the chair, and shall include a thorough theological review. The three voters shall be ordained. The
process shall be facilitated by the president of Concordia University System. Initial appointment refers
to the initial engagement of any person to teach one
or more theology courses, regardless of assigned
academic department, other than faculty who teach
theology courses no more than one academic year in
any three-year period.
and be it finally
Resolved, That the immediately following bylaw sections beginning with current Bylaw 3.10.5.6.3 be renumbered accordingly.
Action: Adopted (9)
(After debate was ended, Res. 7-06B was adopted as presented
[Yes: 660; No: 171].)

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.6.6.1

The Board of Directors of the Concordia University System has authority with respect to the Synod’s
colleges and universities. It shall have the overall responsibility to provide for the education of
pre-seminary students, ministers of religion—commissioned, other professional church workers of the
Synod, and others desiring a Christian liberal arts
education by providing facilitating prior approval as
set forth in Bylaw 3.10.5.6.3 for all initial full-time
theology appointments to college/university faculties and by coordinating the activities of the Synod’s

“7. University Education”

To Celebrate 125th Anniversary of Concordia
University, St. Paul, Minnesota
RESOLUTION 7-08
Overture 7-25 (CW, p. 376)
Whereas, The Lord of the Church has blessed Concordia University, St. Paul, by empowering it to serve The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) for 125 years as an institution to prepare church workers and lay leaders for thoughtful and
U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

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