LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 190

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7. UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
their thriving, as tuition-dependent schools with relatively
limited endowments—requires not only the sort of shared
values advanced by the visitation and affirmation review
program developed above but also efficient coordination and
collaboration or organic consolidation. To address this issue,
the first whereas of 2019 Res. 7-03 acknowledged the college
and university presidents’ conclusion that “greater
integration and collaboration would strengthen the
individual institutions and the system as a whole.” Given the
natural inertia and independence of every individual human
institution, however, broad success in such synergetic efforts
will likely require strong leadership.
CUS has in the past facilitated some common efforts of the
colleges and universities, including the employment of staff
and the maintenance of finances, principally in the area of
information technology, accounting software, and common
efforts toward distance education in support of commissioned
minister colloquy. It will no more be charged with such
business coordination. Its focus must be on confession and
mission rather than on administration and operations, areas
that demand, instead, the focused attention of the several
boards of regents and their executives. Mechanisms the
schools devise together to lend efficiency to their operations
simply must be immediately responsive and clearly
accountable to the institutions served. In recognition of the
value such shared endeavors may have in preserving and
extending the schools’ mission capacity, the Synod BOD is to
be permitted to extend to them the same benefits available to
the several schools.
Proposed Action
Therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention implore the
boards of regents and presidents of Synod colleges and
universities that, being mindful of their common confession
and mission, of the Synod’s vast historical investment in and
present and future reliance on the schools, and of the great
responsibility incumbent on them as wise stewards—for the
church’s sake—of limited resources, they seek diligently and
urgently opportunities for coordination, cooperation, and
consolidation of operations, in part or in whole, that will
reduce unnecessary duplication, share best-in-class resources
and leadership, strengthen the institutions’ ability to weather
challenges, and enhance their ability together to deliver
effectively on their mission objectives; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaws 3.10.6.7–7.2 be added as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Concordia University System Coordination and Collaboration
3.10.6.7 Colleges and universities of the Synod are urged to
conduct themselves materially in accordance with “our
Lord’s will that the diversities of gifts should be for the
common profit” (1 Cor. 12:4–31; Constitution Preface),
strengthening one another through coordination,
collaboration, consultation, and efficient consolidation of
operations, wherever prudent and practically feasible.
3.10.6.7.1 Colleges and universities of the Synod are free and
are encouraged to pursue among themselves efficient
190 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

collaboration; sharing of administrative and educational
resources; and consolidation of operations, academic
programs, or institutions, as opportunities present
themselves to their respective boards of regents and after
input from the Concordia University System Board of
Directors.
Action: Adopted (7)

It was moved but withdrawn to call the question. It was
established that division of this question would be out of order
due to the interrelation of bylaw changes among the sections.
With twenty minutes debate elapsed, the chair called the
question under the rule; this motion failed. After further debate,
the previous question was moved; this was carried. The
resolution was adopted [Yes: 882; No: 120].

To Bring Accountability
to Concordia Boards of Regents
and to Improve Doctrinal Fidelity and
Amenability to Ecclesiastical Supervision
RESOLUTION 7-05A
Overtures 7-10–15 (CW, 355–58)
WHEREAS, Our Concordia universities have long been and
continue to be precious gifts to the world and to the Church,
especially when they clearly confess Christ Jesus as Lord and
Savior according to Holy Scripture and our Lutheran
Confessions; and
WHEREAS, The board of regents at each of our Concordia
universities is vital to offering to its students, the world, and
the Church a clear confession of what we in The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) believe, teach, and confess;
and
WHEREAS, While each of our Concordia universities has
expanded its academic offerings to include other Godpleasing vocations, and at the same time our Concordia
universities continue to be the primary training ground in
preparing future ordained and commissioned ministers for
the LCMS; and
WHEREAS, While each Concordia University board of
regents is to hold its members accountable to the sacred
Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and the Bylaws of the
LCMS; there is currently no sufficient process in the Synod
Bylaws for the church at large to deal with regents, including
laity, who fail to faithfully adhere to the doctrine and practice
of the church; and
WHEREAS, Neither the Synod President nor the geographic
district president in whose district the Concordia University
resides has any ecclesiastical authority over the elected or
appointed lay regents; therefore be it
Resolved, That upon approval of the 2023 Synod
convention this action be applied immediately to any and all
board of regents members across the Concordia University
Resolutions