HOUSTON – Delegates to the 63rd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod today (July 16) approved Resolution 5-04 that allows boards of regents of the 10 higher-education institutions of Concordia University System to appoint up to four additional voting members.
The measure is designed to allow boards to add members with special skills and knowledge in areas like finances, fundraising, human resources, facilities, and administration, resulting in better decision-making and stronger institutions.
Until now, each board of regents included nine members elected by Synod and district conventions (including the district president from the district in which the school is located) and four members appointed by the board.
While it does not change the total number of members elected by conventions, the resolution requires one fewer layperson be elected by an LCMS convention, and one additional layperson be elected by a district convention. Those to be elected to each board of regents include one ordained minister, one commissioned minister, and two laypeople from each convention.
Speaking for the resolution, Dr. Jacob A.O. Preus, president of Concordia University, Irvine, Calif., called the resolution “a necessary step” to provide the schools’ local governing boards with “a greater measure of wisdom” to analyze problems and devise solutions.
An amendment to make the new board members non-voting members was defeated by more than two-thirds of delegates.
Other higher-education resolutions, adopted yesterday (July 15), include:
- Res. 5-05, encouraging continuing education for pastors. The resolution asks congregations to support the continuing-education plans of their pastors by granting them study leaves and providing financial support. A delegate’s suggestion to amend the resolution to include all church workers was forwarded to the Floor Committee for Seminary and University Education, which may present it as a separate resolution.
- Res. 5-06, changing LCMS Bylaws to prevent employees of Synod colleges, universities, and seminaries from serving as voting members on either the Board for Pastoral Education or the Board for University Education. The measure was intended to avoid conflicts of interest.
The 2007 Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod triennial convention is meeting here July 14-19 under the theme “One Message –- Christ! His Love is Here for You!”
