To Form Task Force to Restructure Concordia University System

WHEREAS, The Synod has had to close three of our colleges in the past two trienniums plus one year; and

WHEREAS, Our colleges on average, have more non-Lutheran students than students from Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations; and

WHEREAS, A majority of students in our colleges are enrolled in programs unrelated to providing church workers; and

WHEREAS, The debt of church work students is becoming so large to make church work unattainable for students to consider;and

WHEREAS, The influence of non-LCMS students are pushing our schools in the direction of accepting or tolerating LGTBQ clubs and groups contrary to Scripture; and

WHEREAS, Government regulations are pushing our colleges into accepting LGTBQ lifestyles; and

WHEREAS, Concordia University Texas has declared itself to be no longer under the guidance of the LCMS; therefore be it

Resolved, That a committee of 13 be formed, appointed by the President of the Synod, with the President serving as a voting member of this committee. This committee shall include an expert in finances, law, and real estate. An outside law firm shall be hired to guide the committee and a reasonable budget be appropriated;

and be it further

Resolved, That this committee recommend to the Synod the following: Which one or two of our current colleges be retained while the rest are closed or divested from the LCMS; and be it further

Resolved, That the following criteria be used along with other criteria deemed necessary by the committee:

• current percentage of LCMS students enrolled;

• current debt of the school; and

• property value and potential ability to sell the facilities;

and be it further

Resolved, That the schools are divested or allowed to become independent colleges, and that after all debt is paid to the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, the LCMS be paid for the value of the property and that money go into the endowment fund for church worker tuition; and be it further

Resolved, That a district may not take over the operations of a college slated to be closed or divested; and be it further

Resolved, That with regard to all monies in endowments or pledged to be given in future gifts, the giver of the monies be informed of the colleges’ status and their legal options concerning their gifts; and be it further

Resolved, That the work of this task force be completed one year before the next Synod convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the recommendations be made known to the congregations for study; and be it further

Resolved, That the recommendations then be brought forth to the next convention for consideration; and be it finally

Resolved, That the colleges and two seminaries remaining after this process no longer be allowed to take federal, state, or local government monies, including student loans.