Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 1. pp. 93-95. Original floor committee resolution.
No later published versions have been added.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 4-10
Canonical number: 4-10
Committee: Life Together
Source: Today's Business, Issue 1
Printed pages: pp. 93-95
PDF pages: 93-95
Version: original, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 1, pp. 93-95
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 1, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 93
- To Celebrate Concordia Historical Institute Centenary
- and Renew the Synod’s Commitment to Treasure and Trumpet Its Redeemed History
- RESOLUTION 4-10
- Overture 4-56 (CW, 332–33)
- WHEREAS, Concordia Historical Institute (CHI) will observe its centenary anniversary on April 28, 2027, under the
- theme: “Treasuring & Trumpeting Our Lutheran History—for All the Saints”; and
- WHEREAS, Though officially incorporated as a Missouri State nonprofit in 1927, the institute’s origins reach back to
- the organizational documents drafted in 1839 by the Saxons under Martin Stephan before they immigrated to Missouri—
- plans that included provision for a church archivist. This same conviction regarding the importance of preserving historical
- materials found expression in the founding Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in 1847, when
- the office of Synod “Chronicler” was established; and
- WHEREAS, After the death of the first generation of Synod leaders and the subsequent scattering and loss of important
- historical materials related to the Synod’s early years, a renewed commitment to preserving and proclaiming the redeeming
- work of Christ in the Synod’s history took shape. Various local efforts to safeguard historical materials continued until
- 343 charter members signed the constitution of the Concordia Historical Society (Die Konkordia-Historische
- Gesellschaft), crafted by Concordia Seminary (CSL) professor and administrator Ludwig Fuerbringer on Nov. 4, 1910.
- This society became the institutional model for CHI, which the Synod in convention recognized and commended in 1929
- and later designated as the official LCMS “Department of Archives and History” at the 1965 Synod convention (Res. 14-
- 11, Proceedings, 188); and
- WHEREAS, Over the past 99 years, CHI has actively curated and published “Ebenezers” (i.e., memorials, 1 Sam. 7:12)
- of its history through its journal, the Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly, the longest-running Lutheran historical
- journal in North America, first published in April 1928 and comprehensively revised and expanded in 2014; and
- WHEREAS, Since the construction of the CHI building on the campus of CSL in 1952, books, manuscripts,
- photographs, paintings, artifacts, and commemorative coins and medals have been displayed to commemorate Christ’s
- gracious work among the people and congregations of the Synod. Today, CHI manages a permanent museum exhibit
Page 94
- chronicling the history of the Synod at the LCMS International Center in Kirkwood, Mo. It also provides regularly rotating
- exhibits in the CHI Exhibition Hall on the CSL campus—and more recently, publishes printed exhibit catalogs and posts
- digital exhibits online; and
- WHEREAS, The CHI staff responds daily to inquiries regarding the people, places, and events spanning the 179-year
- history of the Synod, providing the Synod with increased access to its archival materials and new publications that instill
- and deepen interest in Lutheran history; and
- WHEREAS, The institute continues to serve as the “corporate memory” of the Synod, steadfastly reminding the Synod
- of its responsibility to learn with joy from the Lord’s redeeming hand in preserving and nurturing His people—especially
- in times of crisis—over these many years. CHI continues to offer archival services to districts, congregations, Synod
- entities, and leaders who bear fiduciary responsibility not only to maintain records but also to secure them for posterity;
- therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the historical treasures entrusted to it over the past century and make
- fuller use of the historical resources offered through CHI, to her great benefit and blessing; and be it further
- Resolved, That members, congregations, districts, as well as Synod departments and entities be encouraged to uphold
- the institute through prayer and financial support by becoming annual members of CHI and sustaining their financial
- contributions and estate gifts (with those of sufficient means becoming annual members of CHI’s Director’s Circle or
- Vault Society), so that the work and proper staffing of the institute may be sustained and continue; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod renew its commitment to retrieve, organize, preserve, and share her rich history for the
- benefit of both church and community; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention earnestly remind congregational, district, and Synod leaders of their fiduciary
- responsibilities to maintain and secure records that document our shared history—especially in those unfortunate
- circumstances when a congregation or educational institution closes; and be it further
- Resolved, That those with historical materials of various kinds (often in fragile and deteriorating condition) be
- encouraged to share them with the church and community and make them available to be copied or deposited with CHI
- for preservation and safekeeping; and be it finally
- Resolved, That the Synod take Martin Luther’s warning to heart, asking the Lord for a greater appreciation of her
- redeemed history and the historical treasures entrusted to her care, that our joy and thanksgiving for Christ’s work among
- us might increase.
