To Encourage University Worship Practices Faithful to Scriptures and Confessions and Reflecting Breadth of Worship in the Synod

Official Workbook overture source text

7-06 
To Encourage University Worship Practices 
Faithful to Scriptures and Confessions and 
Reflecting Breadth of Worship in the Synod 
WHEREAS, The Synod holds worship as central to the life and 
faith of its congregations, universities, and seminaries, reflecting 
the church’s commitment to the Scriptures and the Lutheran 
Confessions; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod encourages congregations “to strive for 
uniformity in church practice, but also to develop an appreciation 
of a variety of responsible practices and customs which are in 
harmony with our common profession of faith” (Const. Art. III 7); 
and 
WHEREAS, Member congregations of the Synod are permitted to 
have a variety of worship practices, provided such practices are 
faithful to scriptural teachings and the Lutheran Confessions; and 
WHEREAS, The universities of the Synod play a crucial role in 
preparing graduates for membership and service within the Synod 
and, as such, should reflect the breadth of worship practices found 
in member congregations of the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod in convention (2023 Res. 7- 04B, “To 
revise Bylaws to Revisit and Renew relationship of colleges and 
Universities with the Synod”) revised Bylaw subsection 3.6.6 to 
direct the Concordia University System (CUS) Board of Directors 
to develop and adopt Lutheran Identity Mission Outcome Standards 
(LIMOS), which were adopted in February, 2024, including 
Identity Standard 2.1, that states, “The ecclesiastical mission and 
goals are clearly and consciously pursued in the design and delivery 
of campus worship;” and Item 2.1.5 of the LIMOS Evaluation Tool 
asks, “How is commitment to the church’s heritage and unity 
reflected in the use of liturgies, hymnals, and hymnody?” and 
“Describe the regular pattern of chapel services noting liturgies and 
hymnals used and those who serve as preacher and liturgists” (CUS, 
Lutheran Identity and Mission Outcome Standards with Evaluation 
Tool [adopted 2024], 1, 5); and 
W
HEREAS, Formal visitations were conducted with each of the 
universities of the Synod in 2025, during which the following 
observations were made regarding campus worship:  
• “Chapel services provide a range of Christian worship styles 
and liturgies” (CUS, 
Concordia University Irvine Formal 
Visitation Letter of Determination and Report, Mar. 9, 2025, 
p. 2). 
• “Documented examples and direct observation show the 
regular pattern of leadership by ordained clergy and regular 
use of LSB liturgies and hymnody. Vestments are regularly 
used,” and “Wednesday worship uses LBS [sic] Responsive 
Prayer combined with contemp
orary hymnody and 
instrumentation.” (CUS, Concordia University Wisconsin 
and Ann Arbor Formal Visitation Letter of Determination 
and Report, Feb. 9, 2026, p. 3) 
• “Chapel is offered daily Monday through Friday, and uses 
the church’s liturgy and hymnody” (CUS, Concordia 
University Chicago Formal Visitation Letter of 
Determination and Report, Jan. 30, 2026, p. 3). 
2026 Convention Workbook
423UNIVERSITY EDUCATION