LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 173

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7. UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
first, that they chart, in doctrinal, practical, and mission
terms, the right course; second, that they marshal their
material resources properly to perform that task, without
undue worldly entanglements, and in the long term.
Consideration of the right-hand realm and left-hand realm
are both absolutely necessary but each calls for different gifts
and approaches.
Proposed is moderate and focused change to CUS, not to
introduce or enhance mechanisms by which it directs the
universities or to involve it in their kingdom-of-the-left
business decisions, but to focus and enhance the Synod’s effort
in the guidance, encouragement, and provision of
accountability for the schools’ accomplishment of their
churchly purpose. “Left-hand” responsibility of Synod’s BOD
under Constitution Article XI E 2 remains (see Section C
below). The BOD has in its members, in its Chief Financial
Officer, and in other experts available for its use, the requisite
gifts and expertise to carry out its responsibilities relative to
“property of the Synod.” Mechanisms for what were always
the chief aims of CUS must be sustained and strengthened,
namely, to set forth and realize a vision for the schools’ role in
the mission of the Synod, in pursuit of which CUS has worked
with them to establish Lutheran Identity Standards for CUS
Institutions (2016 Res. 7-01A, Proceedings, 171–72) and to
advocate the schools’ provision of church workers and
preeminently and pervasively Lutheran higher education
programs and campuses.
Section B, below, elaborates the process of visitation and
affirmation by which, chiefly, CUS will guide institutions in
the way of expressing Lutheran identity in all spheres of
university life and accomplishing the Synod’s mission
outcomes, including bold confession (Const. Art. III 1–2),
quality Christian education (Const. Art. III 5), and preparation
of church workers (Const. Art. III 3) and others (Art. Inc. II d)
for exemplary service in family, church, and state. This process
falls squarely within the churchly tradition of visitation and
ecclesiastical supervision (cf. Bylaws 1.2.1 [j]; 3.3.1.1.1; 3.3.1.2;
Const. Art. XII 7) as a means of accountability of the Synod’s
colleges and universities, under the Scriptures and Lutheran
Confessions, to the whole Synod. CUS, acting in concert with
the existing Committee for Convention Nominations, will also
have an active role in commending highly qualified potential
regents for election and appointment to these boards. The
boards of regents themselves are dealt with in Section D,
further below.
The function of CUS has changed and will further change to
one of Synod theological oversight and coordination. Business
and property roles will largely cease and the corporate
structure of CUS as a synodwide corporate entity is simplified.
In addition, the intensity and scope of the higher education
landscape in which LCMS colleges and universities operate is
changing rapidly, which further increases scrutiny on the
institutional boards’ ability to fulfill their fiduciary duties as
agencies of the LCMS. Yet, the Holy Scriptures and the
Lutheran Confessions provide us with clear direction
regarding our responsibilities toward civil authorities.

Resolutions

Proposed Action
Therefore be it
Resolved, That existing Bylaws 3.6.6.4–8, regarding the
CUS, be deleted, their content being superseded by the
following new bylaws; and be it further
Resolved, That with increased antagonism toward the
Christian faith and Christian educational institutions, the
Synod in convention encourages the Board of Directors of the
Synod and the universities to consider options to best preserve
both ecclesiastical and secular rights, interests, and
responsibilities of the universities and, as appropriate, take
actions and institute processes accordingly, or if beneficial, to
bring to the convention potential further action; and be it
further
Resolved, That Bylaws 3.6.6 and following, regarding the
CUS, be revised as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Concordia University System
3.6.6
Concordia University System, as a nonprofit
corporation under the laws of the State of Missouri, is
operated by its members and board of directors in
accordance with is incorporated as provided in its Articles
of Incorporation and corporate Bylaws to facilitate
ecclesiastical visitation and affirmation of the Synod’s
colleges and universities (Bylaw 3.10.6 and following) and
to assist with their cooperation and coordination further
the objectives of higher education within the Synod. Any
amendments to these Articles of Incorporation shall be
subject to approval by the members. It shall seek to assist
them with effective and accountable:
• preparation of commissioned ministers for service
in the Synod and of pre-seminary students for study
at a Synod seminary;
• raising up of Lutheran laypersons for lifelong,
faithful service to Christ and the neighbor; and
• robust, intentional engagement of all students with
the faith taught and practiced, with application to
their vocations in family, church, and state.
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, and others desiring a
Christian liberal arts education by facilitating prior
approval as set forth in Bylaw 3.10.6.7.3 for theology
appointments to college/university faculties and by
coordinating the activities of the Synod’s colleges and
universities as a unified system of the Synod through their
respective boards of regents.
3.6.6.2
The members of Concordia University System shall
consist of the Synod and the colleges and universities of the
Synod. The Board of Directors of the Synod and the Council
of Presidents of the Synod each shall appoint delegates
representing the Synod. The boards of regents of the
colleges and universities of the Synod shall appoint
delegates representing the colleges and universities. The
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 173