To Pause and Correct Deficiencies in Lutheran Identity and Mission Outcomes Standards

WHEREAS, The purpose of the Lutheran Identity and Mission Outcomes Standards(“Standards”) wasto find Lutheran identity for accreditation in mission and outreach; and

WHEREAS, Those involved diligently and with great expenditure of their time developed the Standards to improve the mission and outreach of our universities; and

WHEREAS, We do not want those efforts to go to waste and have the Standards fall short of reaching its purpose; and

WHEREAS, There are deficiencies with various questions, which result in the following problems:

• Lutheran identity is presented as a doctrinal category but not defined, allowing the interviewer and interviewee to define it subjectively and how they believe it should be applied.

• The absence of a definition of Lutheran identity could lead our congregations, our schools, and our associations to be confused about what it means to be Lutheran.

• An unclear definition of Lutheran identity could be used inappropriately, un ethically, unjustly, and un lovingly.

• The use of technical language without definition (e.g., high Christology; Lutheran values).

• The use of yes-or-no questions and the overuse of the word explain as a catch-all. and

WHEREAS, These problems and deficiencies have caused a lack of trust in how the Standards have been used; therefore be it

Resolved, That, because of the problems in the Standards, their use should be paused until these issues are addressed; and be it further

Resolved, That the 2026 Synod convention adopt this resolution and form a new task force, which includes but is not limited to Concordia University System representatives and all Concordia University presidents, to improve and remedy the issues in the Standards stated above; and be it finally

Resolved, That the review and corrections be made fully transparent to the members of the Synod.