RESOLUTION 18-03
Overtures 9-03–04, 9-08 (CW, pp. 379–381); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, pp. 21–31)
WHEREAS, The Synod continues to pray that our Lord would send faithful laborers into the harvest fields (Luke 10:2); and
WHEREAS, Student indebtedness can be a deterrent for potential professional church workers; and
WHEREAS, The Synod takes seriously the Lord’s command that “the worker is worthy of his wage” (1 Tim. 5:18); and
WHEREAS, The cost of higher education has increased at a substantially higher rate than has anticipated potential income; and
WHEREAS, Typical salaries for professional church workers may make it difficult to sustain a household and also repay incurred debt; and
WHEREAS, Student indebtedness can discourage healthy stewardship; and
WHEREAS, One of the Synod’s foundational objectives is to “[r]ecruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth” (Constitution Article III 3); and
WHEREAS, Research done by the LCMS seminaries has shown that undergraduate debt and personal financial management contribute significantly to subsequent educational loan debt; and
WHEREAS, Student indebtedness is a well-documented burden; and
WHEREAS, In order to qualify for federal loan programs, our seminaries and universities are being forced to accommodate Federal Department of Education policies that may be in conflict with our shared beliefs and practices in the Synod; and
WHEREAS, Attending a Concordia University System (CUS) school well equips men for subsequent seminary training; and
WHEREAS, The average tuition paid by seminarians is under $5,000 per year; and
WHEREAS, The seminaries are pursuing making financial counseling available to all students; therefore be it
Resolved, That the leadership of our Concordia seminaries and universities/colleges explore alternate funding sources apart from federal loans; and be it further
Resolved, That schools in the CUS provide financial counseling to church worker students throughout their academic career; and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations and ministries of the Synod be encouraged to identify and raise up the next generation of leaders for the ministry of the church and support them in obtaining their training; and be it finally
Resolved, That districts of the Synod be encouraged to develop means by which they may assist students preparing for church-work careers.