Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1975 · 51st Convention › Page 356
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 356

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

356 HIGHER EDUCATION

mit themselves to the establishment of a program of education
and an atmosphere on campus that will—

1. demonstrate their recognition of the urgent desirability
to add black professors to the seminary faculties:

2. affirm the personal worth and identity of each member
of the black community on campus in every aspect of their
education and life:

3. uphold the right of each member of the black community
on campus to maintain their communal identity through partici-
pation in black communal experiences:

4. guarantee adequate representation of the black com-
munity on campus in the planning and promotion of a structural
pluralism in education at the seminaries:

5. enable honest and fruitful dialog between the members of
the black community and the white community on the campuses:

6. enable the white community to gain a greater sensitivity to
and deeper understanding of the nature of the black experience.
the role of black theology. the presence of racism in the church.
and the dangers of paternalism: therefore be it

Resolved. To engage black faculty members during the
course of the next 5 years and assure the voice of black faculty
members in each of the departments: and be it further

Resolved. To carry out campuswide programs of sensitization
on the nature of the black experience and white racism: and be
it further

Resolved. To increase the utilization of black personnel to
serve as guest lecturers and resource people for courses both
off and on campus: and be it further

Resolved. To evaluate and assess the current holdings of the
seminary libraries in the area of black studies and solicit the
funds necessary to bring these holdings to a level designated by
the black faculties: and be it further

Resolved. To engage in a publicity and recruitment program
that will increase the number of black students on our campuses
to the greatest number possible: and be it further

Resolved. To initiate new courses relating to the subjects
of black studies and the needs of black students and modify
the existing curriculum to meet the concerns of the black
communities on our campuses: and be it further

Resolved. To encourage black theological students from other
theological schools to be present on our campuses periodically
for a quarter (semester) or a designated period of time where
intensive dialog and class contact would be possible: and be
it further

Resolved. To effect programs that would enable black stu-
dents to participate more fully in black community experiences
outside of the seminary campuses as a part of their seminary
program of education: and be it further

Resolved. To appoint black students and representatives to
boards and committees on the campuses: and be it finally

Resolved. That the Boards of Control in conjunction with the
Board for Higher Education and the Association of Black
Lutheran Clergymen begin work immediately.

St. Philip's Lutheran Church
St. Louis, Mo.
David L. Hawkins. President

6-128

To Combat Racism

WHEREAS. The Synod has agreed that racism is indeed sin:
and

WHEREAS. One of the most effective ways to combat racism
is to sensitize the personnel of synodical institutions of higher
education for the training of professional church workers:
therefore be it

Resolved. That the funds allocated to the Committee to Com-
bat Racism be allocated first to the faculties at St. Louis and
Springfield to sensitize faculty and students to the effects of
racism in institutionalized life and to sensitize faculty and
students to ways and means of alleviating the present situation:
and be it further

Resolved. That adequate funds be allocated to provide for
the extension of this service to all of the Synod’s institutions
under the Board for Higher Education. under the direction of
the Commission Against Racism.

St. Philip's Lutheran Church
St. Louis, Mo.
David L. Hawkins, President

To Study Minority Ministries

WHEREAS, Many people, especially those who are of minority
groups and those working among minorities. are increasingly
aware of the lack of men and women coming out of our colleges
and seminaries equipped to serve them. since many minority
groups possess cultural backgrounds and customs foreign to
the Anglo-majority society: and

WHEREAS, There is very little special training presently
being offered in our schools to equip for ministry among minor-
ities: and

WHEREAS. There is a need of almost crisis proportions to
equip indigenous members of minority groups. but without
having to remove them from the communities with which they
identify and among which they wish to serve: and

WHEREAS. There are currently candidates for entering the
ministry who are inhibited by the present structure. being
required to be trained in St. Louis or Springfield: and

WHEREAS. The same lack of trained culturally sensitive and
often bilingual church workers exists among the teaching.
director of Christian education. deaconess. parish worker,
and special ministry disciples: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod in convention direct the Board for
Higher Education to search out alternative avenues for church
work training, which also consider not removing the candidates
from their natural environments; and be it further

Resolved. That this research include grass-roots seminars
held with professional church workers and laymen in areas
serving minorities. especially Hispanics and blacks: and be it
finally

Resolved, That the BHE report back to the next convention its
findings, complete with a preliminary plan of action. if the
research so warrants it, for solving this problem.

Board of Directors
Texas District
Carl A. Heckmann. President

6-130

To Introduce Credit Courses in
Sign Language

WHEREAS. The deaf population in the U.S.A. is increasing
at a faster rate than the general population: and

WHEREAS. An average of two church workers enter the field
of ministry to the deaf each year while an average of ten church
workers leave the ministry to the deaf each year by transfer
to other fields of ministry, retirement, or death: and

WHEREAS, There is currently no course of instruction offered
for credit in our synodical schools for ministry to the deaf: and

WHEREAS, Church workers are needed and ought to be en-
couraged to enter the field of ministry to the deaf: therefore be it

Resolved. That the colleges and seminaries of the Synod be
urged to offer for credit a course of instruction on the use of the
sign language for the deaf in their foreign-language departments.

Pilgrim Lutheran Church
Bellevue, Wash.

Stanley C. Hellman, President
Ellis G. Kober, Secretary