Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2023 ConventionCommittee 11Registration, Credentials, and Elections

Ov. 11-31

To Address Violence

Committee: 11. Registration, Credentials, and Elections
Submitted by: —
Workbook page: 424

WHEREAS, The Lord has created human beings fearfully and wonderfully (Gen. 1–2; Psalm 139); and

WHEREAS, The Fifth Commandment says, “You shall not murder,” (Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17; Small Catechism, Fifth Commandment) since all life belongs to God; and

WHEREAS, Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead so that we may have life in His name by grace through faith, delivered through the Means of the Spirit (John 3:16; John 6; Eph. 2:8–10; 1 Peter 3:21; 1 Cor. 11); and

WHEREAS, Sinful people continue to reject Christ’s extravagant grace as violence continues in our land, especially when people use guns to murder and harm people; and

WHEREAS, Many people have been injured and murdered recently in schools, parking lots, churches, and stores; and

WHEREAS, Violence is not limited to mass shootings but also happens daily in our land through domestic violence, suicide, accidental shootings in the home, stabbings, etc.; and

WHEREAS, Much public debate and discussion have ensued with various perspectives on issues related to violence and specifically gun violence; therefore be it

Resolved, That first responders such as law enforcement, peace officers, mental health workers, and educators be prayer fully supported and encouraged in every appropriate way in our neighborhoods and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Atlantic District in convention in 2022 decry gun violence and any violence that harms the lives of our neighbors as part of our proclamation of the sanctity of human life; and be it further

Resolved, That the district in convention pray for all who have been affected by gun violence and any violence that harms the lives of our neighbors; and be it further

Resolved, That the district in convention strongly urge its members to steward their citizenship so that responsible action be taken that limits gun violence and any other violence in our time and in our land; and be it further

Resolved, That the district in convention direct The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) to provide resources to educate people and inform the public discourse concerning violence and especially gun violence; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS work intentionally with civic authorities and others to prevent further violence in our land; and be it finally

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the LCMS for consideration at the 2023 Synod convention. Atlantic District and Youth Ov. 12-01 To Produce Biblically Faithful Textbooks/Curricula for Our Day Schools, High Schools, and Home Schools

WHEREAS, Education in all subject areas is first and foremost about what is taught, namely that which is good, true, and beautiful; and

WHEREAS, Secular education in all subject areas is increasingly subject to forces from anti-God, anti-Christ, anti-family, pro-death, amoral, anti-truth, and even anti-beauty perspectives; and

WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures provide the normand framework for knowledge in all subject areas, all being interwoven in significant ways with right theology, ethics, history, and human nature as revealed by God there in; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has the second largest system of parochial schools in America, buttoo often they are using secular textbooks/curricula or publications from non- Lutheran traditions; and

WHEREAS, Many Lutheran parents who home school their children find good, biblically faithful textbook/curricula options to be sorely lacking; and

WHEREAS, Christian schools and home schools in general would benefit greatly from having more biblically faithful Christian textbook/curricula options; and

WHEREAS, The natural sciences, especially biology and earth sciences, are prone to the grievous errors of Darwinism and Deep Time, which directly undermine the integrity of the Scriptures and the Gospel itself by putting death before the fall; and

WHEREAS, The Discovery Works science textbooks available from Concordia Publishing House (CPH), the only day school curriculum available from CPH besides religion curriculum and some lesson plans, are outdated (© 1999) and rather limited (Grades 1–6); and

WHEREAS, It was resolved in 2019 Resolution 5-09A: “That pastors and other church workers be encouraged to confess, witness to, and uphold in their teaching the Synod’s publicly stated positions as set forth in A Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod, Article 5 (adopted 1932)”: We teach that God has created heaven and earth, and that in the manner and in the space of time recorded in the Holy Scriptures, especially Gen. 1 and 2, namely, by His almighty creative word, and in six days. We reject every doctrine which denies or limits the work of creation as taught in Scripture. In our days it is denied or limited by those who assert, ostensibly in deference to science, that the world came into existence through a process of evolution; that is, that it has, in immense periods of time, developed more or less of itself. Since no man was present when it pleased God to create the world, we must look for a reliable account of creation to God’s own record, found in God’s own book, the Bible. We accept God’s own record with full confidence and confess with Luther’s Catechism: “I believe that God has made me and all creatures.” which certainly should include writings as presented to students by their teachers via textbooks/curricula; and

WHEREAS, The need is urgent, as common experience among shows many young adults rejecting their baptismal vows, their doubts arising in middle school and high school when Darwinism and its many related false “-isms” are preached by the secular textbooks, while either no counter arguments for biblical truth are available or those presented are inadequate; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has a university system and two seminaries housing expertise across all subject areas, including early childhood education, for producing excellent textbooks/curricula for grades K–12 as well as providing theologically sound editorial oversight to ensure content is biblically faithful in its Christian apologetic (defending Gen. 1–11 as it defines marriage as between one man and one woman and human nature as fallen, infected with original sin from Adam, but tells of the seed of the woman, the second Adam, who would crush Satan’s head, and as it describes earth’s early history with creation ex nihilo in six natural days and the global flood in Noah’s day); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has its own publishing house; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Wyoming District memorialize the Synod in convention to direct and coordinate the systematic preparation and production of biblically faithful textbooks/curricula across all subject areas, prioritizing biological and earth sciences, for grades K–12; and be it further

Resolved, That this curriculum be ready for market by 2026. Wyoming District Ov. 12-02 To Produce Biblically Faithful Textbooks/Curricula

WHEREAS, Education in all subject areas is first and foremost about what is taught, namely that which is good, true, and beautiful; and

WHEREAS, Secular education in all subject areas is increasingly subject to forces from anti-God, anti-Christ, anti-family, pro-death, amoral, anti-truth, and even anti-beauty perspectives; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has the second largest system of parochial schools in America, but too often they are using secular textbooks/curricula, or publications from non-Lutheran traditions; and

WHEREAS, Many Lutheran parents who home school their children find good, biblically faithful textbook/curricula options to be sorely lacking; and

WHEREAS, Christian schools and home schools in general would benefit greatly from having more biblically faithful Christian textbook/curricula options; and

WHEREAS, The natural sciences, especially biology and earth sciences, are prone to the grievous errors of Darwinism and Deep Time which directly undermine the integrity of the Scriptures, and the Gospel itself by putting death before the fall; and

WHEREAS, The Discovery Works science textbooks available from Concordia Publishing House (CPH) (the only day school curricula available from CPH besides religion curriculum and some lesson plans) are outdated (c. 1999) and rather limited (Grades 1– 6); and

WHEREAS, It was resolved (Resolution5-09A) in the2019 Synod convention “that pastors and other church workers be encouraged to confess, witness to, and uphold in their teaching the Synod’s publicly stated positions as set forth in A Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod, Article 5 (adopted 1932): We teach that God has created heaven and earth, and that in the manner and in the space of time recorded in the Holy Scriptures, especially Gen. 1 and 2, namely, by His almighty creative word, and in six days. We reject every doctrine which denies or limits the work of creation as taught in Scripture. In our days it is denied or limited by those who assert, ostensibly in deference to science, that the world came into existence through a process of evolution; that is, that it has, in immense periods of time, developed more or less of itself. Since no man was present when it pleased God to create the world, we must look for a reliable account of creation to God’s own record, found in God’s own book, the Bible. We accept God’s own record with full confidence and confess with Luther’s Catechism: “I believe that God has made me and all creatures.” which certainly should include the written word as presented to students by their teachers via textbooks/curricula; and

WHEREAS, The need is urgent, for surveys show that 60% of young adults raised as Christian are rejecting the faith (Ham, K., Beemer B., Hillard, T. [2009]. Already Gone: Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it. Master Books), their doubts arising in middle school and high school when Darwinism and its many related false “-isms” are preached by the secular textbooks but either no counter arguments for biblical truth are available or those presented are inadequate; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS has a university system and two seminaries housing expertise across all subject areas, including early childhood education, for producing excellent textbooks/curricula for grades K–12 as well as providing theologically sound editorial oversight to ensure content is biblically faithful in its Christian apologetic (defending Genesis 1– 11 as it defines marriage between one man and one woman, and human nature as fallen, infected with original sin from Adam, but tells of the seed of the woman, the second Adam, Who would crush Satan’s head, and as it describes earth’s early history with creation ex nihilo in six natural days less than 10,000 years ago and the global flood in Noah’s day); and

WHEREAS, The LCMS has its own publishing house; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Denver Southeast Circuit of the Rocky Mountain District of the LCMS memorialize the Synod in convention to direct and coordinate the systematic preparation and production of biblically faithful textbooks/curricula across all sciences, prioritizing biological and earth sciences, for grades K– 12; and be it further

Resolved, That work on this curriculum begin by 2024. Circuit 14 (Denver Southeast) Rocky Mountain District Ov. 12-03 To Develop Biblically Faithful Textbooks/Curricula for Our Day Schools, High Schools, and Home Schools

WHEREAS, Education in all subject areas is first and foremost about what is taught, namely that which is good, true, and beautiful; and

WHEREAS, Secular education in all subject areas is increasingly subject to forces from anti-God, anti-Christ, anti-family, pro-death, amoral, anti-truth, and even anti-beauty perspectives; and

WHEREAS, Many Lutheran parents who home school their children find good, biblically faithful textbooks/curricula options to be sorely lacking; and

WHEREAS, Christian schools and home schools in general would benefit greatly from having more biblically faithful Christian textbook/curricula options; and

WHEREAS, The natural sciences, especially biology and earth sciences, are prone to the grievous errors of Darwinism and other widely accepted secular theories which directly undermine the integrity of the Scriptures, and the Gospel itself, by putting Death before the Fall; and

WHEREAS, The Discovery Works science textbooks available from Concordia Publishing House (CPH) (the only day school curricula available from CPH besides Religion Curriculum and some lesson plans) are outdated(c. 1999) and rather limited (Grades 1–6); and

WHEREAS, The need is urgent, since surveys show that sixty percent of young adults raised as Christians are rejecting the faith (Ham, K., Beemer B., Hillard, T. Already Gone: Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it. [Master Books, 2009]), their doubts arising in middle school and high school when Darwinism and its many related false “-isms” are taught by the secular textbooks but either no counter arguments for biblical truth are available or those presented are inadequate; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS has a university system and two seminaries comprising expertise across all subject areas, including early childhood education, for producing excellent textbooks/curricula for grades K–12 as well as providing theologically sound editorial oversight to ensure content is biblically faithful in its Christian apologetic; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS has its own publishing house; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Montana District memorialize the 2023 Synod convention to direct and coordinate the preparation and production of biblically faithful textbooks/curricula across all subject areas, for grades K–12; and be it further

Resolved, That this curriculum be among the highest priorities for CPH; and be it further

Resolved, That the first drafts for textbook/curricula material be made available by 2025 with the rest of the textbooks/curricula to follow in a timely manner; and be it finally

Resolved, That CPH engage the expertise of LCMS university and seminary faculties, as well as LCMS day school, high school, and home school teachers for the development of these textbooks/curricula. Montana District Ov. 12-04 To Produce Biblically Faithful Textbooks/Curricula for Our Day Schools, High Schools, and Home Schools

WHEREAS, Education in all subject areas is first and foremost about what is taught, namely that which is good, true, and beautiful; and

WHEREAS, Secular education in all subject areas is increasingly subject to forces from anti-God, anti-Christ, anti-family, pro-death, amoral, anti-truth, and even anti-beauty perspectives; and

WHEREAS, Many Lutheran parents who home school their children find good, biblically faithful textbook/curricula options to be sorely lacking; and

WHEREAS, Christian schools and home schools in general would benefit greatly from having more biblically faithful Christian textbook/curricula options; and

WHEREAS, The natural sciences, especially biology and earth sciences, are prone to the grievous errors of Darwinism and deep time which directly undermine the integrity of the Scriptures, and the Gospel itself by putting death before the fall; and

WHEREAS, It was resolved in the 2019 Synod convention that pastors and other church workers be encouraged to confess, witness to, and uphold in their teaching the Synod’s publicly stated positions as set forth in Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod (adopted 1932): We teach that God has created heaven and earth, and that in the manner and in the space of time recorded in the Holy Scriptures, especially Gen. 1 and 2, namely, by His almighty creative word, and in six days. We reject every doctrine which denies or limits the work of creation as taught in Scripture. In our days it is denied or limited by those who assert, ostensibly in deference to science, that the world came into existence through a process of evolution; that is, that it has, in immense periods of time, developed more or less of itself. Since no man was present when it pleased God to create the world, we must look for a reliable account of creation to God’s own record, found in God’s own book, the Bible. We accept God’s own record with full confidence and confess with Luther’s Catechism: ‘I believe that God has made me and all creatures’ which certainly should include the written word as presented to students by their teachers via textbooks/curricula; and

WHEREAS, The need is urgent, for surveys show that 60 percent of young adults raised as Christian are rejecting the faith(Ken Ham, C. Britt Beemer, and Todd A. Hillard, Already Gone: Why Your Kids Will Quit Church and What You Can Do to Stop It [Master Books,2009]),their doubts arising in middle school and highschool when Darwinism and its many related false “-isms” are preached by the secular textbooks but either no counter-arguments for biblical truth are available or those presented are inadequate; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS has a university system and two seminaries housing expertise across all subject areas, including early childhood education, for producing excellent textbooks/curricula for grades K–12 as well as providing theologically sound editorial oversight to ensure content is biblically faithful in its Christian apologetic (defending Gen. 1–11 as it defines marriage between one man and one woman, and human nature as fallen, infected with original sin from Adam, but tells of the seed of the woman, the second Adam, Who would crush Satan’s head, and asit describes Earth’searly history with creation ex nihilo in six natural days less than 10,000 years ago and the global flood in Noah’s day); and

WHEREAS, The LCMS has its own publishing house; therefore, be it

Resolved, That Circuit Three of the North Wisconsin District memorialize the Synod in convention to direct and coordinate the systematic preparation and production of biblically faithful textbooks/curricula across all subject areas, prioritizing biological and earth sciences, for grades K–12; and be it further

Resolved, That this curriculum be ready for market by 2024. Circuit 3 (Rice Lake) North Wisconsin District Ov. 12-05 To Produce Religious Education Materials

WHEREAS, The teaching of the faith is part of the primary work of the Church; and

WHEREAS, The use of doctrinal ly sound resources is part of the covenant in which members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) walk together, according to Articles III and VI of the Constitution of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The faith is communicated with words and images;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Atlantic District in convention petition the LCMS to publish religious education materials including, but not limited to, images and languages that better reflect and serve global diversity (cf. Rev. 7); and be it further

Resolved, That images from Bible stories, liturgical art, and images of our Lord Jesus Christ do not only include images of people of European descent, but better reflect global artistic traditions; and be it further

Resolved, That the publication arms of the LCMS consult directly with people from diverse cultures, sociological backgrounds, and ministry experiences in the LCMS to ensure the resources are appropriate; and be it finally

Resolved, That progress on this front be reported to the Synod for the 2026 Synod convention. Atlantic District Ov. 12-06 To Establish National Lutheran Teacher Student Debt Assistance Program for Commissioned Minister—Teachers

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran schools struggle to find roster ed teachers to serve in the classrooms of our high schools, elementary schools, and child development centers, as in the 2019 Resolution 12-02A, “To Exhort the Congregations of the LCMS to Actively Encourage Future Lutheran School Teachers”:

WHEREAS, The number of new commissioned teachers has steadily declined since 2005 (Concordia University System [CUS] Board for University Education [BUE] statistics); and

WHEREAS, The fulfillment rate of requests for first-year Synod- trained candidates to LCMS calling entities has declined from63 percent in 2010 to 30 percent in 2018 because of the lack of available Synod-trained candidates (CUSBUEstatistics);

WHEREAS, The CUS only graduated 23 early childhood educators, 39 elementary educators, and 32 secondary educators in2018(CUSBUEstatistics) (2019 Proceedings, 222); and

WHEREAS, Research has shown that a primary reason for this is the lower salary offered for teachers within the Lutheran school systems, as in Theme 8 of the “LCMS Church Worker Wellness Insights” presentation by Rev. Robert Zagore, Executive Director, Office of National Mission, to Gospel 2019:

• Financial wellbeing is unique among worker needs in that the major problems are beyond the worker’s ability to change – most often the problem is that the workers are in a mathematically impossible situation

• Workers are under-paid for their skill level and workload

• Costs for health care are being pushed to the workers

• Young workers are burdened with significant student debt

• Many calling bodies are unable to pay their workers what is necessary

• “The toughest work is being done in the places that can pay the least” (i.e. dying congregations, inner-city churches, immigrant ministries, etc.) and in 2019 Report R63, “Final Report of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Lutheran Schools” (Workbook, 344–45): Lutheran education is a noble calling, yet it is facing significant challenges. Data support a real need for synodical entities to bring resolution to indebtedness for church workers. With the im-pending retirement of many teachers and administrators coupled with the diminishing numbers of Lutheran Teacher Diploma (LTD) candidates enrolling in the Concordia University System, there is an increased sense of urgency to recruit and retain qualified young people in the Lutheran teaching ministry. The desire to enter the vocation of education is lessening due to several factors including classroom management issues, public perception of the profession and state regulations. Additionally, many students are coming out of college with significant debt and are paid salaries below recommended levels. The trend line on debt and salary must change or the teacher shortage will likely continue. Teachers and administrators are in a great position to influence current and future students about the joys and rewards of church work and need to be intentional in their efforts to help recruit new students for the Concordia University System. and

WHEREAS, Concordia Plans reported in 2021 that 27 percent of Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod workers have student debt that averages $46,000 per student; and

WHEREAS, The reality of student loan debt is an important part of the decision to seek employment outside the Lutheran school; and

WHEREAS, It is a value that we fill our schools with roster ed workers, as in the 2019 Resolution 12-02A, “To Exhort the Congregations of the LCMSto Actively Encourage Future Lutheran School Teachers” (Proceedings, 221):

WHEREAS, the 2016 Synod convention Res. 8-01A, “To Encourage and Strengthen the Lutheran Ethos of Our LCMS Early childhood Centers, Elementary Schools, and High Schools” specifically identified that a characteristic of a Lutheran school with a strong Lutheran ethos has “LCMS- trained Lutheran teachers…who know and are committed to the truths of the Scriptures as confessed in our Lutheran Confessions.” Therefore be it

Resolved, That the English District memorialize the Synod in convention to develop a National Lutheran Teacher Student Debt Assistance Program that recognizes the service of Lutheran teachers through Student Loan Debt Reduction; and be it further

Resolved, That all Synod congregations be encouraged to contribute towards a special, designated offering to establish this program to be taken during the National Lutheran Schools Weeks of 2024, 2025, and 2026. English District Ov. 12-07 To Address Lutheran Teacher Shortage and Low Teacher Salaries by Initiating Student Debt Assistance Program for Commissioned Minister—Teachers

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran schools struggle to find roster ed teachers to serve in the classrooms of our high schools, elementary schools, and child development centers: The number of new commissioned teachers has steadily declined since 2005 (Concordia University System [CUS] Board for University Education [BUE] statistics); and the fulfillment rate of requests for first-year Synod-trained candidates to Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) calling entities has declined from63percent in2010to30percent in2018becauseof the lack of available Synod-trained candidates (CUS BUE statistics); the CUS only graduated 23 early childhood educators, 39 elementary educators, and 32 secondary educators in 2018 (CUS BUE statistics) (2019 Resolution 12:02A, Proceedings, 222). and

WHEREAS, In Spring 2022, according to the placement director of the CUS, the number of teacher candidates graduating from the CUS totaled 88 and the number of requests from calling entities was over 400; and

• Workers are under-paid for their skill level and workload

• Costs for health care are being pushed to the workers

• Young workers are burdened with significant student debt

• Many calling bodies are unable to pay their workers what is necessary

WHEREAS, Concordia Plan Services (CPS) reported in 2021 that 27 percent of LCMS workers have student debt that averages $46,000 per student; and

WHEREAS, The reality of student loan debt is an important part of the decision to seek employment outside the Lutheran school; and

WHEREAS, It is of value that we fill our schools with roster ed workers, as recognized in 2016 Res. 8-01A, “To Encourage and Strengthen the Lutheran Ethos of Our LCMS Early Childhood Centers, Elementary Schools, and High Schools,” which specifically identified that a characteristic of a Lutheran school with a strong Lutheran ethos has LCMS-trained Lutheran teachers who know and are committed to the truths of the Scriptures as confessed in our Lutheran Confessions (2019 Res. 12-02A, Proceedings, 221); therefore be it

Resolved, That Iowa West District memorialize the 2023 Synod convention to direct the LCMS Board of Directors to develop, in consultation with stakeholders including the education department of CUS, LCMS School Ministry, CPS, the LCMS Foundation, and the Council of Presidents, a loan forgiveness process for presentation to and consideration by the 2026 Synod convention. Iowa West District Ov. 12-08 To Address Lutheran Teacher Shortage and Low Teacher Salaries by Initiating Student Debt Assistance Program for Commissioned Minister—Teachers

• Workers are under-paid for their skill level and workload

• Costs for health care are being pushed to the workers

• Young workers are burdened with significant student debt

• Many calling bodies are unable to pay their workers what is necessary

WHEREAS, Concordia Plan Services (CPS) reported in 2021 that 27 percent of LCMS workers have student debt that averages $46,000 per student; and

WHEREAS, The reality of student loan debt is an important part of the decision to seek employment outside the Lutheran school; and

WHEREAS, It is desired that we fill our schools with roster ed workers for the health and well-being of our Synod and its schools: Ethos of Our LCMS Early Childhood Centers, Elementary Schools, and High Schools” specifically identified that a characteristic of a Lutheran school with a strong Lutheran ethos has “LCMS-trained Lutheran teachers … who know and are committed to the truths of the Scriptures as confessed in our Lutheran Confessions” (2019 Res. 12-02A, Proceedings, 221).

therefore be it

Resolved, That the SELC District memorialize the Synod in Convention to recognize the importance and service of Lutheran teachers by convening a committee comprised of members of the education department of the CUS, LCMS School Ministry, CPS, LCMS Foundation, and the Council of Presidents, to develop a National Lutheran Teacher Student Debt Assistance Program; and be it further

Resolved, That a special, designated offering to establish this program be taken during the National Lutheran Schools Weeks of 2024, 2025, and 2026; and be it finally

Resolved, That reports of this work be provided through regular communications of the Synod. SELC District Ov. 12-09 To Address Lutheran Teacher Shortage and Low Teacher Salaries by Initiating Student Debt Assistance Program for Commissioned Minister—Teachers

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran schools struggle to find roster ed teachers to serve in the classrooms of our high schools, elementary schools, preschools, and child development centers; The number of new commissioned teachers has steadily declined since 2005 (Concordia University System [CUS] Board for University Education [BUE] statistics); and the fulfillment rate of requests for first-year Synod-trained candidates to Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) calling entities has declined from63percent in2010to30percent in2018becauseof the lack of available Synod-trained candidates (CUS BUE statistics); the CUS only graduated 23 early childhood educators, 39 elementary educators, and 32 secondary educators in 2018 (CUS BUE statistics) (2019 Resolution 12:02A, Proceedings, 222). and

• Workers are under-paid for their skill level and workload

• Costs for health care are being pushed to the workers

• Young workers are burdened with significant student debt

• Many calling bodies are unable to pay their workers what is necessary

WHEREAS, Concordia Plan Services (CPS) reported in 2021 that 27 percent of LCMS workers have student debt that averages $46,000 per student; and

WHEREAS, The reality of student loan debt is an important part of the decision to seek employment outside the Lutheran school; and

WHEREAS, The Southeastern District in Convention memorializes the Synod in Convention to adopt a National Lutheran Teacher Student Debt Assistance Program; therefore be it

Resolved, That a National Lutheran Teacher Student Debt Assistance Program be developed that recognizes the service of Lutheran teachers through student loan debt repayment assistance;

and be it further

Resolved, That a committee comprised of members of the education department of the CUS, LCMS School Ministry, CPS, LCMS Foundation, and the Council of Presidents develop the loan repayment assistance process; and be it further

Resolved, That a special, designated offering to establish this program be taken during the National Lutheran Schools Weeks of 2024, 2025, and 2026; and be it finally

Resolved, That reports of this work be provided through regular communications of the Synod. Southeastern District Ov. 12-10 To Address Lutheran Teacher Shortage and Low Teacher Salaries by Initiating Student Debt Assistance Program for Commissioned Minister—Teachers

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran schools struggle to find roster ed teachers to serve in the classrooms of our high schools, elementary schools, and child development centers; and

WHEREAS, Research has shown that a primary reason for this is the lower salary offered for teachers within the Lutheran school systems; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Plan Services (CPS) reported in 2021 that 27 percent of Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) workers have student debt, averaging $46,000 per student; and

WHEREAS, The reality of student loan debt is an important part of the decision to seek employment outside the Lutheran school; and

WHEREAS, It is a value that we fill our schools with roster ed workers; therefore be it

Resolved, That a National Lutheran Teacher Student Debt Assistance Program be developed that recognizes the service of Lutheran teachers through student loan debt forgiveness; and be it further

Resolved, That a committee comprising of members of the education department of the Concordia University System, LCMS School Ministry, CPS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Foundation, and the Council of Presidents develop the loan forgiveness process; and be it further

Resolved, That a special, designated offering to establish this program be taken during the National Lutheran Schools Weeks of 2024, 2025, and 2026; and be it further

Resolved, That reports of this work be provided through regular communications of the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the California-Nevada-Hawaii District memorialize the Synod in convention to adopt the National Lutheran Teacher Student Debt Assistance Program. California-Nevada-Hawaii District Ov. 12-11 To Ensure Fidelity and High Quality in Lutheran Education

WHEREAS, From the founding of the Synod, Lutheran schools have been considered a vital part of the Church’s work; and

WHEREAS, In order to ensure high quality education, state teacher certification has frequently been desired for both roster ed and non-roster ed teachers in Lutheran schools; and

WHEREAS, Multiple states have proposed laws that would force teachers to deny the clear teachings of Scripture as a requirement of certification; therefore be it

Resolved, That the President of Synod in consultation with the Council of Presidents and the director of LCMS School Ministry appoint a commission to consider a process for teacher certification independent of state li censure or some other method of ensuring high quality education without state involvement; and be it further

Resolved, That this committee produce a report no later than six months prior to the overture deadline for the 2026 Synod convention. Holy Trinity Walnut, IL Ov. 12-12 To Confess Authority God Gave to Fathers and Mothers

Preamble Governmental, legal, and related institutional overreach has created severe challenges to divinely instituted parental authority. The following illustrations, sometimes more narrowly and sometimes more broadly, encroach upon God’scommand to father and mother:

• Under the educational mandates and lawsof federal and state governments and local school districts, children are often treated as wards of the state, with final authority for the education of children being seized by the government. Christian parents are being coerced into subjecting their children to a moral and religious education that denies basic teachings of the Christian faith.

• Children are being forced or induced by governments or governmental institutions to receive unwanted medical care (e.g., inoculations, COVID-19 injections, HPV vaccines, hormonal contraceptives, “gender-reassignment” treatments), even when their parents object.

• Children in government schools are being forced into adopting unwanted or evil social practices (e.g., social isolation, masking, the acceptance or affirmation of moral evils and vices such as LGBTQ+ lifestyles and critical race theory [CRT] exercises), contrary to the will and authority of parents.

• Children in government-sponsored schools are being forced to receive evil indoctrination in divinely instituted marital issues of sexual morality and sexual identity (“sex education;” LGBTQ+ desensitization, tolerance, and promotion; transgender training and promotion; etc.), contrary to their parents’ beliefs and intentions for their children.

• Children are being indoctrinated in anti-Christian, unscientific, and revisionist history and science (e.g., macro- evolution theory, CRT, and gender theory, etc.), contrary to the traditional norms of rigorous scientific theory, history, and justice, and against the will of their parents.

• Children in government-sponsored schools are being subjected to the deconstruction of divinely mandated and given institutions (marriage and family; the Christian Church; government with its natural powers and limitations; natural and revealed law and justice; etc.) by the assumption of an anti-Christian worldview, by the corruption of sound and truthful language, and by the conspicuous absence of sound teaching in these matters, contrary to Scripture and the authority of parents regarding their children’s education.

WHEREAS, In the Fourth Commandment, God established marriage and provides moral and legal authority to husband and wife regarding their children: “Honor your father and your mother, that it may go well with you and that you may live long on the earth”; and

WHEREAS, In the Sixth Commandment, God defends the institution of marriage and provides moral and legal protection to the lifelong integrity and wellbeing of marriage, there by also protecting children born to marriage: “You shall not commit adultery”; and

WHEREAS, We affirm and confess these truths in Large Catechism I (Sixth Commandment) 206–208: First, understand and mark well how gloriously God honors and praises this estate [marriage]. For by His commandment He both approves and guards it. He has approved it above in the Fourth Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” But here He has (as we said) hedged it about and protected it. Therefore, He also wishes us to honor it and to maintain and govern it as a divine and blessed estate because, in the first place, He has instituted it before all others. He created man and woman separately [differently], as is clear. This was not for lewdness, but so that they might live together in marriage, be fruitful, bear children, and nourish and train them to honor God. Therefore, God has also most richly blessed this estate above all others. In addition, He has bestowed on it and wrapped up in it everything in the world, so that this estate might be well and richly provided for. Married life, therefore, is no joke or presumption. It is an excellent thing and a matter of divine seriousness. For marriage has the highest importance to God so that people are raised up who may serve the world and promote the knowledge of God, godly living, and all virtues, to fight against wickedness and the devil; (Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, Reader’s Edition, 408) and,

WHEREAS, God has given the direct and full authority for the education of children to their parents, with the command to fathers to bring up their own children “in the education (paid eia) and instruction (nou the sia) of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). In accordance with the truth that Christian doctrine and faith encompasses the whole person (soul and body), this scripture teaches that God has invested parents with His authority and command to educate their own children, including their spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical care and training; and

WHEREAS, Accordingly, fathers and mothers are to give and see to the education of their children in Christian doctrine and holy living. They are to be their teachers in all matters of marriage and marital intimacy. They are to provide all care and support of their children’s bodies, including such matters as food, clothing, health, etiquette, exercise, grooming, and the like. They are to educate their children for service in their own marriage, family, and workplace; in their church; and in their neighborhood or civil community. They may designate some other persons to assist them and act in their stead in all these matters (in loco parent is) without relinquishing this divine authority (cf. LC I [Fourth Commandment] 141); and

WHEREAS, The Holy Spirit teaches Christians in 1 Timothy 5:8 that “… if anyone does not provide for (pro no ei) his own people and especially those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”Here God authorizes and obligates the members of a household (family) to make provision for the care of its own members; therefore be it

Resolved, That we confess that father and mother are not mere caregivers to their children.Rather, God has appointed them to feed, clothe, house, educate, give medical care, and above all, provide the spiritual service to their children’s body and soul, mind and spirit;

and be it further

Resolved, That we affirm and defend the rights and duties of father and mother toward their children as divinely commanded and given, and therefore not sever able except in the case of the full abdication of their office (i.e., abandonment or violent abuse of the child’sbody and mind; or in the positive, placement for adoption by others); and be it further

Resolved, That we reject every assertion and practice of civil government—federal, state, and local—that assumes or implies right or authority over children as children, that is, as though children were wards of government. Any child-related services provided to a child by the government, such as education, health care, food, clothing, and housing, are provided only under the permission and authority of the child’s father and mother. Rejected here are all assertions of governmental authority or privilege in the education of children, the medical care of children, the physical care and provision of children (e.g., free lunch programs), the doctrinal and spiritual discipline and training of children, the sexual or gender identity of children, the moral education and training of children, and the like; and be it further

Resolved, That we likewise recognize that no church or religious gathering has rights or authority over children except what is granted by Christian baptism and membership in that church. It is the divine duty of the church to teach, encourage, strengthen, and assist father and mother in doing their divinely appointed duties toward their children; and be it further

Resolved, That we confess and teach that father and mother are obligated by God to bring their children to the Church for Baptism and the divine services of the church. They are to teach their children God’s Word in their home, lead them in prayer, and teach and discipline them in Christian piety and virtue, in accordance with Holy Scriptures; and be it finally

Resolved, That we teach and maintain the discipline that a man and woman are to marry each other before sexual intimacy and the conceiving of children, and that they are to remain married and faithful to each other till death parts them, in accordance with God’s holy will. Single, divorced, and remarried parents are, by God’s grace, to live godly lives in open repentance and forgiveness, always teaching and holding before their children the divine institution and pattern of marriage and household as God gave it. Pastors’ Conference Wyoming District Ov. 12-13 To Remind All That God Has Appointed Parents to Be Primary Authority in Life of Their Children

WHEREAS, In the Scriptures, we read: “Children, obey your parents, for this is right”; and, “Honor your father and your mother—which is the first commandment with promise— so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” (Eph. 6:1–3 NIV); and

WHEREAS, Luther in his Large Catechism explanation to the Fourth Commandment, makes it clear that “… all who are called masters stand in the place of parents and must derive from them their power and authority …” (Large Catechism [LC] I 142; Kolb/Wengert, eds., The Book of Concord, [Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000], 406); and

WHEREAS, Luther further declares that “God has given fatherhood and motherhood a special position of honor, higher than that of any other walk of life”; and, that God “places them near to Himself” (LC I 105; id., 400); and

WHEREAS, It has become increasingly common in modern society and in matters of education, in particular, to treat the office of parent as subsidiary and inferior to that ofthe Stateand its agents; and

WHEREAS, Parents are increasingly seen by progressive educational authorities as bigoted and ignorant and thus obstacles to the proper instruction of children; and

WHEREAS, It is increasingly clear that educational authorities behaved in ways which lead children to question the authority and competence of their parents and to reject other authority figures including grandparents and religious leaders in their life; and

WHEREAS, Educational authorities are even regularly found to have formal or informal policies which forbid teachers and staff from informing parents about issues of sexuality and transgenderism that surface in the school setting; and

WHEREAS, School systems are increasingly unwilling to be fully transparent with parents regarding the content of materials used to educate their children; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Minnesota South District, in convention, clearly and unequivocally reassert the Scriptural truth that God has given to parents both the primary responsibility and the primary authority in the lives of their children; and that all other authorities in the lives of children derive their authority from parents; and be it further

Resolved, That pastors and teachers ofthe Church be encouraged to regularly focus attention on the application of the Fourth Commandment in our modern American context and, in so doing, to lift up and expound on the godly and high office of parent; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church reject the claim of many schools that parents may be prevented from having full access to their children’s records and reasonable control over their child’s educational experience; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church support parental empowerment mechanisms such as Education Savings Accounts, which remove inappropriate State bias in parental decision-making in matters of education, by allowing State- collected education dollars to follow the child to any school of the parents’ choosing, including religious schools; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Minnesota South District, in convention, memorialize the Synod to use its resources and influence to elevate the place of parents in our Church and our society. Minnesota South District (For Delegates Only) It is important that the delegate lists published after the convention in the Convention Proceedings be as accurate as possible. Please use this form to report any correction to your personal listing in the front of this Workbook. The lower section of this page serves as your notice to the Office of the Secretary to report corrections. Remove it from your Workbook and hand it to the Secretary at the convention, or mail it within two days of the close of the convention to: John W. Sias, Secretary The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod St. Louis, MO 63122-7295 (Please note that this form is not to be used when there is a change of delegates. In such cases, necessary documentation is required from the secretary of the district.) To the Office of the Secretary: My personal listing in the front of the 2023 Convention Workbook is not accurate and should be corrected as follows (please print): On page ______, column ______, under district ___________________________________, the present reading:____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ should be changed to:__________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Thank you for making this correction. Signed:_____________________________________________________________________ Date:_______________________________________________________________________

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