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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 287

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

NATIONAL WITNESS
Ov. 1-18

To Give Thanks for Lutheran Educators
and Administrators
WHEREAS, The Synod has long cherished the role of Lutheran
education in forming faith, developing intellect, and preparing
young people for lives of Christian service in church and society;
and
WHEREAS, Lutheran educators and administrators, serving in just
over 1,700 schools—including early childhood centers, elementary
schools, high schools, and universities affiliated with the Synod—
are daily engaged in the sacred vocation of teaching the faith and
modeling the love of Christ; and
WHEREAS, These faithful servants consistently go above and
beyond in nurturing students academically, emotionally, and
spiritually, even amidst challenges such as cultural shifts, economic
strain, and the global pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Many of these men and women serve with limited
resources, offering their time and talent for the sake of the Gospel
and the next generation of disciples; and
WHEREAS, The Holy Spirit, through the Word, calls us to
“encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thess. 5:11)
and to give “honor to whom honor is owed” (Rom. 13:7); therefore
be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for
Lutheran teachers, administrators, and school staff who serve in the
mission of Christian education across the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations, districts, and educational
institutions be encouraged to recognize and celebrate the ministry
of Lutheran educators, especially during National Lutheran Schools
Week, Teacher Appreciation Week, and other appropriate
occasions; and be it further
Resolved, That districts, congregations, and educational
institutions make good use of the synodwide effort, “Set Apart to
Serve” for encouragement and recruitment of prospective Lutheran
school teachers; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations and districts encourage potential
Lutheran school administrators to take part in the School
Leadership Development program (LuthEd, luthed.org/schoolleadership-development-sled/) offered by LCMS School Ministry,
making available to all teachers additional continuing education
opportunities, including the use of the Concordia University
Education Network for teachers to use in the colloquy process; and
be it further
Resolved, That districts annually review and set appropriate
compensation guidelines as well as adequate health insurance and
retirement plans through Concordia Plan Services for their Lutheran
school teachers and administrators, strongly encouraging all of their
respective congregations or associations with the Synod’s early
childhood centers, elementary schools, and high schools to utilize
these guidelines and offer these benefits, since as partners in the
Gospel, “The laborer deserves his wages” (1 Tim. 5:18); and be it
finally
Resolved, That the Synod commend the work of LCMS School
Ministry and other support organizations which strengthen and
encourage Lutheran schools and educators, sharing this resolution
widely as a tangible expression of heartfelt gratitude for those who
teach and lead in the name of Christ.

287
Board for National Mission

Ov. 1-19

To Increase and Support Establishing New
and Strengthening Current Schools
WHEREAS, The Synod’s Lutheran schools afford opportunities
for mission work as they teach the Word of God and preach the
Gospel of Jesus Christ to Christians and non-Christians alike; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran schools also exist for the purpose of
assisting and supporting Christian parents in their God-given
vocation of rearing their children in the Christian faith and life; and
WHEREAS, Christian parents desire that their children grow up
believing in their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that they learn
to live as faithful, responsible, God-fearing citizens in the world in
which God has placed them; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran schools have played a vital role in the
church’s mercy work in the society and culture in upholding and
revitalizing the God-given estates of the home, church, and state;
and
WHEREAS, The Large Catechism (LC) states, “… if we wish to
have excellent and able persons both for civil and Church
leadership, we must spare no diligence, time, or cost in teaching and
educating our children, so that they may serve God and the world”
(LC I 172); and
WHEREAS, Lutheran schools have historically and rightly
emphasized doctrine and practice that is faithful to the Word of God
and the Lutheran Confessions and curricula informed and shaped
by the educational reforms of the Lutheran Reformation; and
WHEREAS, The most vital Lutheran schools have historically
been closely connected to Lutheran congregations with well-trained
Lutheran teachers and administrators; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran schools have been among the most
important ways in which the Synod’s congregations have
ministered to society and been strengthened for growth to Tell the
Next Generation the Gospel of Christ; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks and praise
to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—for all our current
elementary and secondary schools and for the many opportunities
for strengthening current schools and for planting new schools; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Office of
National Mission (ONM) to form a task force on facilitating the
growth and expansion of Lutheran schools; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force work collaboratively with districts
in identifying new areas for establishing Lutheran schools within
their districts by providing resource support (e.g., feasibility studies,
financially sustainable models for funding, etc.) to the districts for
congregations to establish schools alone or in cooperation with
other congregations and circuits; and be it finally
Resolved, That the task force work to identify and provide
resources to establish and “strengthen the Lutheran ethos” in our
schools (2016 Res. 8-01A, 2016 Proceedings, 181–82); and be it
finally
Resolved, That we thank and praise God for the exceptional
service being conducted in the area of LCMS School Ministry
within the ONM as we launch this new effort.
Board for National Mission
2026 Convention Workbook