LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 444

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444

Wuereas, Some of its opinions are of general interest
and may affect the decisions of the various boards,
councils, and commissions of the Synod, and others are
personal and should be kept confidential: therefore be it

Resolved, That the opinions of the Commission on
Constitutional Matters continue to be binding unless
overruled by the Synod in convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Constitutional
Matters be encouraged to [publish] such of its opinions
which it deems of general interest and effect in carrying
out the work and administration of the Synod.

To Dissolve Colloquy Board
for Pastoral Ministry
RESOLUTION 6-01
Report 6-02 (CW, pp. 250—253)

Whereas, For the past 10 years Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, Mo., and Concordia Seminary. Springfield,
Tll., have been charged with the responsibility of train-
ing and recommending persons for admission to the pas-

toral ministry of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod; and

Wuereas, Both of these seminaries have adjusted
their curricula to enable them to enroll colloquy stu-
dents: and

Whereas, All students presently enrolled in the col-
loquy program attend one of the Synod's seminaries as
students for one or two years and acquire a vicarage
experience under the supervision of the seminary they
attend (Handbook, 4.61 a and b); and

Wuereas, Both seminaries use screening techniques
for the enrollment of students which are equally pro-
fessional and accurate as those used by the Colloquy
Board for the Pastoral Ministry: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Colloquy Board for the Pastoral
Ministry be dissolved: and be it further

Resolved, That the present admission policy of the
Coloquy Board be assigned to the theological semi-
naries of the Synod and be administered by them in ac-
cordance with the regulations adopted by the Synod as
set forth in the Synod's Handbook, 4.51 through 4.71;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education
supervise the performance of these functions to assure
that they are carried out in accordance with the regula-
tions of the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That all provisions of the Handbook
affected by these rtsolutions be amended to agree
thereto.

To Dissolve Colloquy Board
for Teaching Ministry

RESOLUTION 6-02
Report 6-02 (CW, p. 251)

Wrereas, Concordia Teachers College, River Forest,
Ml, Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebr., and
Concordia College, St. Paul, Minn., have been and are
charged with the responsibility of training and recom-
mending persons for admission to the teaching ministry
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod; and

Waereas, These schools presently receive applica-
tions to the teaching ministry colloquy. evaluate the
applicants, recommend these for admission, determine
their courses of study and certify them as qualified
teachers in The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Colloquy Board for Admissions
to the Teaching Ministry be dissolved; and be it further

Resolved, That the present admission policy of this
board be assigned to the Synod’s terminal teacber col-
leges and be administered by them in accordance with
the regulations adopted by the Synod and set forth in
the Synod’s Handbook 4.75 through 4.87; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education
supervise this function of the Synod’s terminal teacher
colleges to assure that they are carried out in ac-
cordance with the regulations of the Synod: and be it
finally

Resolved, That all provisions of the Handbook

REFERRED RESOLUTIONS

affected by these resolutions be amended to agree
thereto.

To Promote Continuing Education
RESOLUTION 6-03
Report 6-01 (CW, pp. 241—250)
Wuereas, The ministry of all professional church

workers continues to change and become more complex;
and

Wuereas, Continuing professional education is a val-
uable asset in performing this ministry: and

Wuereas, In the past such continuing education has

been sought by only a small percentage of the total
number of church workers: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education con-
tinue its efforts to make available a variety of educa-
tional programs for the church's professional workers:
and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations through their cir-
cuit counselors be asked to make time and funds avail-
able to their full-time workers for such continuing edu-
cation: and be it finally

Resolved, That the circuit counselors recommend to
all church workers of their circuits that they take ad-
vantage of the programs of continuing education made
available to them.

To Decline Overture 6-20 to Restructure
Board for Higher Education

RESOLUTION 6-05
Overture 6-20 (CW, p. 271)

WHEREAS, The concerns expressed in Overture 6-20
are provided for in the Handbook 6.01 (note), 6.53 c,
d, e, and 6.54; therefore be it

Resolved, That Overture 6-20 be respectfully de-
clined.

To Experiment with New Models
for Higher Education
RESOLUTION 6-06
Overture 6-22 (CW, p. 272)

Wuereas, A variety of educational models may serve
more effectively in meeting the needs and educational
goals of a changing society: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Board for Higher Education con-

tinue to experiment with pilot programs at strategic
locations in cooperation with the several Districts.

To Express Appreciation for Work
of the Board for Higher Education

RESOLUTION 6-07
Report 6-01 (CW, pp. 241—250)

Wnerras, The comprehensive report of the Board for
Higher Education reveals that many individuals have
given much dedicated attention to the task of guiding
our colleges and seminaries: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod express appreciation for
conscientious service rendered again during this bien-
nium by the members and the staff of the Board for
Higher Education.

To Study Requirements of Special Ministries
RESOLUTION 6-10
Overture 6-26 (CW, pp. 272—273)

Wuereas, A constant challenge to the church is that
it remain responsive to the needs of those it serves: and

Wurreas, The church can provide a sense of direc-
tion to its colleges and seminaries for the training of the
church's ministers; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education
gather information concerning various forms of special
ministries now in use in Districts and congregations,
and analyze the results as a basis for counsel to the
colleges and seminaries.

To Decline to Interview
Theological Candidates
RESOLUTION 6-11

Overtures 6-21A, 6-21B (CW, p. 271)

Wuereas, The faculties of Synod's seminaries are in
the best position to assess the qualifications of graduat-
ing students for certification, and are required to do so
(Handbook 66la and 4.15a2): and

Wuereas, The Council of Presidents functions in the
acceptance and placement of candidates: and

Wuereas, The pastor supervising a student during
his vicarage provides additional assessment of quali-
fication and potential: and

Wuereas, Sufficient safeguards are provided in the
existing certification and placement structure: therefore
be it

Resolved, That Overtures 6-21A and 6-21B are re-
spectfully declined.

To Promote Recruitment of Students
for Professional Service in the Church

RESOLUTION 6-12
Report 6-01 (CW, pp. 241—250)

Wuereas, The total enrollment at our synodical
schools has been declining: and

Wuereas, Recruitment efforts to date have generally
failed to reverse this trend: and

WHEREAS, Such a continued decline will cause a
serious shortage of church workers in the near future:
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education be
asked to work through the District Presidents and cir-
cuit counselors to reach all congregations of the Synod,
apprising them of these predicted shortages: and be it
further

Resolved, That through this process every congre-
gation be asked to search its membership for young
people who might prepare for professional service in
the Church; and be it further

Resolved, That every congregation be asked to en-
courage such young people. in every way possible, to
enter one of Synod’s schools: and be it finally

Resolved, That in light of the financial obligation
such education involves, every congregation be strongly
urged to support such students financially where neces-
sary throughout their schooling.

To Exercise Caution
in Granting Honorary Degrees
RESOLUTION 6-15
Overture 6-65 (CW, pp. 283—284)

Wuereas, Honorary degrees are properly conferred
upon persons rendering outstanding and or unusually
noteworthy service: and

Wuereas, The schools conferring these degrees have
an obligation to the church to seek out the most deserv-

ing candidates and to avoid any appearance of personal
favoritism or conflict of interest: therefore be it

Resolved, That we advise the faculties at our colleges
and seminaries that there is a growing concern in the
church about the possibility of abuse in the conferring
of honorary degrees: and be it also

Resolved, That we ask these faculties to exercise ut-
most care in the selection of those who are so honored.

To Encourage the Commission
on Lutheran Lay Higher Education
RESOLUTION 6-16
Report 6-03 (CW, p. 253)

Wuereas, The 1969 convention of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod established a Commission on
Lay Higher Education; and

Wuereas, This commission was appointed after the
1971 convention, but according to its own report, has not
been very active; and

Wuereas, The need and opportunity for Lutheran lay
higher education still exist; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod encourage this commission