RESOLUTION 7-05
Overtures 7-20–21, 7-23–24 (CW, pp. 374–376)
WHEREAS, The Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions command and commend education that shapes students morally as well as intellectually, preparing them to love God and serve their neighbors:
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:4)
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy 1 of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:8–9)
“For if we want capable and qualified people for both the civil and spiritual realms, we really must spare no effort, time, and expense in teaching and educating our children to serve God and the world. We must not think only of amassing money and property for them.” (Lutheran Confessions I, pp. 172−173)
and
WHEREAS, An increasing number of Lutheran schools are choosing a classical model of education as best suited to carry out these mandates; and
WHEREAS, Classical Lutheran education requires teachers who are richly conversant in Lutheran doctrine and practice, as well as the languages, literature, and history of Western civilization, as Luther himself notes, “One knife cuts better than another; so likewise, one that has learned languages and arts can better and more distinctly teach than another” (Table Talk CXXXVI); and
WHEREAS, Current teacher education programs offered through Concordia University System (CUS) institutions do an excellent job, and have in many instances served as models statewide and nationwide, in preparing candidates for state certification allowing service in public school settings; and
WHEREAS, The Synod should commend the teacher training programs at the CUS institutions that serve the needs of those preparing to enter the educational profession, whether at public, private, or parochial institutions; and
WHEREAS, The Synod should also seek to meet the needs of congregations with classical Lutheran schools desiring Synod-trained candidates to avoid having such congregations seek teacher candidates from colleges and universities outside the CUS; and
WHEREAS, Many preparing to enter the educational profession may wish to study principles other than or in addition to the methodology required to meet requirements set forth by governmental or other secular certification agencies; and
WHEREAS, It is the duty of Synod to “aid congregations to develop processes of thorough Christian education and nurture and to establish agencies of Christian education such as elementary and secondary schools and to support Synod colleges, universities, and seminaries” (Constitution Article III); and
WHEREAS, The Wyoming District in convention, in Res. 3-02-2015, has memorialized the Synod to establish a program for training classical Lutheran teachers; and
WHEREAS, Concordia University Chicago has created a classical liberal studies program that draws on the strength of a broad variety of Concordia University Chicago programs, including music, theology, and languages, as well as the quality of worship life on campus; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of a program designed to train prospective Lutheran teachers would greatly strengthen the service of Concordia University Chicago to the Synod and help ensure the flourishing of Christian education in the Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention endorse the accredited classical liberal studies program at Concordia University Chicago for the training of classical Lutheran educators as ministers of religion—commissioned within the CUS, including a strong core of courses in the Scriptures, the Confessions, and the traditional liberal arts, history, literature, and languages of Western civilization, supplemented by practical pedagogical experience, and commend such program for study by CUS institutions who may wish to create similar programs, and others interested in classical education, for an alternate route toward The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) recognized teacher certification leading to placement on the roster of the LCMS for ministers of religion55 commissioned; and be it further
Resolved, That by June 1, 2017 the CUS Board shall establish appropriate standards for ensuring 1 that candidates for roster status from this program meet all requirements of Bylaw 2.8.1.