To Encourage Training for Volunteers Stepping into Roles of Youth Education and Faith Formation

WHEREAS, The number of church work students from the Concordia University System (CUS) has decreased in recent years, especially in commissioned church work students; and

WHEREAS, In order to meet the need created by the decreased rate of church work students, volunteer lay persons have been stepping into roles that would be otherwise served by commissioned workers, especially roles of youth education and faith formation; and

WHEREAS, Commissioned workers in active calls are often serving in roles training volunteer lay persons in their circuits and districts above and beyond their responsibilities to their calling congregations; and

WHEREAS, Opportunities to use the internet to disseminate training in theological education exist and continue to arise;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Convention direct CUS to produce resources and credentials specific to the tasks of volunteers fulfilling roles that may be otherwise served by commissioned workers; and be it further

Resolved, That these resources be published and made available to congregations at a reasonable cost.