LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 180

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7. UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
2.8.3
For purposes of declaring candidates qualified for
placement and recommending them for membership in the
Synod, the Synod considers the such a “faculty” of an
educational institution to be defined as follows:
(a) Seminaries: all full-time faculty members who are in
good standing on the Synod’s roster of ordained
ministers.
(b) Colleges and universities: all full-time faculty
members who are in good standing as individual
members of the Synod or are members in good standing
of a member congregation of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod.
2.8.4
Only faculties of such Synod colleges and
universities as are currently affirmed by the Concordia
University System may declare qualified and recommend
candidates for first calls, and each of these, only with regard
to programs leading to candidacy for commissioned
ministry (Bylaw 2.6.1.1) for which it is specifically and
currently affirmed by Concordia University System.
2.8.4.1
A graduate of such a program that was affirmed by
Concordia University System at the time of matriculation
but no longer affirmed or no longer in existence at the time
of qualification for a first call may apply to the Colloquy
Committee for Commissioned Ministry for examination,
any necessary remediation, and certification. The
institution offering such a program shall share records with
the Colloquy Committee as necessary to assess the
candidate’s preparation and fitness for commissioned
ministry.
and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 2.9.1 be amended as follows
(subparagraphs [a] and [b] remaining unchanged):
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
2.9.1
The Council of Presidents, acting as the Board of
Assignments, shall regularly assign to qualified graduates
of educational institutions of the Synod seminaries and
Synod-affirmed programs of Synod colleges and
universities, and to workers available from colloquy
programs, as “first calls” those calls that have been duly
extended to fill active member positions as identified in
Bylaw 2.11.1 for ordained and commissioned ministers if
positions for which candidates are qualified are available.
…
and be it finally
Resolved, That Bylaws 3.10.3.1–2, establishing the
membership and function of the Colloquy Committee for
Commissioned Ministry, be amended as follows, and Bylaw
3.10.3.3 be added as follows, to reflect the new relation of the
Synod and the schools:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.10.3.1 The Colloquy Committee for Commissioned
Ministry shall consist of the First Vice-President of the
Synod as chairman, a representative of Concordia
University System, and two college/university presidents
of affirmed colleges or universities of the Synod that
operate a program or programs that are affirmed by the
180 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

Synod to qualify graduates for commissioned ministry
appointed by the President of the Synod, two Concordia
University System and three faculty members of the same,
who are involved in colloquy and appointed by the
president of Concordia University System, and one
representative from CUEnet.
3.10.3.2 The committee shall direct the Synod’s activity in
matters of colloquies for commissioned ministers.
(a) The committee shall oversee maintain policies
specifying, for each category of commissioned ministry
at each college and university of the Synod, the
prerequisites for colloquy application, required courses
of study, and internship expectations.
(b) The committee shall also establish and monitor
academic and theological standards for each of the
colloquy programs. The committee shall consult the
directors of the programs at the Synod’s colleges and
universities Concordia University System and its
Institution Advisory Council when establishing or
reviewing the standards.
(c) The committee shall render a report on the
commissioned ministry colloquy activities to each
convention of the Synod.
3.10.3.3 The committee shall additionally facilitate the
examination, remediation, and qualification for first call of
suitable candidates from disaffirmed or discontinued
programs applying under Bylaw 2.8.4.1.
C. TO CLARIFY RELATIONSHIP
OF THE SYNOD’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO
THE CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY BOARDS OF REGENTS
Rationale
CUS has struggled to give attention both to ecclesial and to
financial oversight of the institutions, owing in large measure
to a lack of personnel with expertise and time to devote to lefthand kingdom matters. The BOD of the Synod is the “legal
representative and custodian of all the property of [the
Synod], either directly or by its delegation of such authority to
an agency of the Synod” (Const. Art. XI E 2). The removal of
business and property responsibilities from the CUS means
that the oversight of Synod property (Bylaw 1.2.1 [r]) held by
or for the universities will henceforth rest fully on the BOD,
which is charged and equipped (for example, with a Chief
Financial Officer and Audit Committee) to handle such
matters.
Proposed is that the BOD exercise its responsibilities to the
Synod under Const. Art. XI E 2 with respect to the financial
condition and operations of the Synod’s colleges and
universities. It is anticipated this will include the BOD
working with the boards and administrations of the
institutions to develop appropriate instruments for regular
monitoring as well as to address specific challenges that may
arise. The Board also is charged to undertake a process, in the
current triennium, to ensure that each college and university
of the Synod make any and all changes to its governing
documents necessary to comply with the Synod Constitution,
Bylaws, and resolutions. The boards of regents and
Resolutions