To Commend Synod Seminaries for Work in International Witness

WHEREAS, Many current opportunities to expand the reach of confessional Lutheranism have made this a time of great mission potential for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), as requests from Lutheran church bodies worldwide for seminaries and programs of theological education and pastoral formation continue to grow; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), and Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW) provide theological education not just to future pastors and deaconesses of the Synod, but also to pastors, theological educators, and other servants from LCMS partner churches and other emerging confessional Lutheran church bodies; and

WHEREAS, CSL and CTSFW work in foreign mission areas of the Synod is carried out in close coordination and collaboration with the LCMS Office of International Mission, LCMS Church Relations, and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations; and

WHEREAS, Synod President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison stated in his President’s Report, Part 1, “Without our strong faculties, confessional Lutheranism would be horribly crippled globally,” since many students “come to our seminaries and return to their home countries making vital contributions to their churches in doctrine and life”; and

WHEREAS, President Harrison also noted that “our faculty travel the globe, bringing the solid biblical teaching of the LCMS and strengthening the mission of the Gospel exponentially” (Report R1, “President,” Workbook, 1); and

WHEREAS, CSL and CTSFW have current working relationships supporting theological education in Taiwan, Dominican Republic, Latvia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Brazil, Ethiopia, Norway, Finland, and, more generally, across all four of OIM’s global regions (Eurasia, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean); and

WHEREAS, CSL and CTSFW have graduate students from 25 different countries where the Synod has partner churches or emerging confessional Lutheran church bodies; and

WHEREAS, CSL has established, as one of the components of its current strategic plan, to “[r]esource international Lutheranism with clear biblical and confessional Lutheran teaching” (Report R13.1, “Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri,” Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Egger, Workbook, 62); and

WHEREAS, CTSFW has experience in providing theological education worldwide and has established an accredited extension site in Gothenburg, Sweden, which offers a Master of Sacred Theology for students from Scandinavia and Europe;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod commend CSL and CTSFW, their presidents, and their boards of regents for the commitment and support of theological education among LCMS partner churches and other emerging confessional Lutheran church bodies; and be it further

Resolved, That faculties of both seminaries be commended for their faithfulness and dedication to confessional Lutheran teaching at Lutheran seminaries, conferences, and other venues worldwide; and be it further

Resolved, That the seminaries be commended for continuing to assist in training theological educators from partner churches and other emerging confessional Lutheran church bodies through their respective graduate schools; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod encourage her congregations to support and give thanks to God for CSL and CTSFW in the work of theological education and pastoral formation worldwide