To Delay Consideration of Concordia University System Restructuring

WHEREAS, The 2019 Synod convention called for a task force to study and propose a reorganization of the Concordia University System; and

WHEREAS, The task force was organized and has proposed such a reorganization; and

WHEREAS, This proposal is built around the theology of the two kingdoms that distinguishes between the practical matters of an institution (kingdom of the left hand) and the theological principles that form its foundation (kingdom of the right hand); and

WHEREAS, This proposal allows the leaders in the Synod as those responsible for the right hand kingdom to exert influence that could hamper the leaders of the universities (their presidents and boards of regents) in their ability to manage their kingdom of the left hand responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, The proposal providesasignificantvoiceofinfluence for leaders in the Synod over the institutions with limited accountability for the impact of that influence; and

WHEREAS, This proposal is dependent upon an interpretation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution that provides the leadership of the Synod with a significant protection from financial liability that is still under consideration by the courts;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the California-Nevada-Hawaii District memorialize to the 2023 Synod convention to delay action on the recommendations of the task force; and be it further

Resolved, That a new task force be formed composed of at least a district president from a district of a closed Concordia and a district president with an operating Concordia University and at least multiple representatives chosen by current Concordia University presidents; and be it finally

Resolved, That this new task force study and report on the closures of the three universities in the past five years before forming a new proposal.