Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 1. pp. 128-129. Original floor committee resolution.
No later published versions have been added.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 7-04
Canonical number: 7-04
Committee: University Education
Source: Today's Business, Issue 1
Printed pages: pp. 128-129
PDF pages: 128-129
Version: original, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 1, pp. 128-129
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 128
- To Clarify Prior Approval Protocols for University Theological Faculties
- RESOLUTION 7-04
- Overtures 7-14–24 (CW, 428–33)
- WHEREAS, Numerous overtures to the 2026 Synod convention have addressed the prior approval protocols for
- theology faculty for our Concordia universities and a desire for transparency and clarity; and
- WHEREAS, The Synod treasures our Concordia universities as institutions that pass on the truths of Holy Scripture and
- the Lutheran Confessions to those who are a part of the Synod, those of other denominations, and many who do not know
- the true God and the Lord Jesus Christ; and
- WHEREAS, The truth is passed on in classrooms as well as throughout our campus communities; and
- WHEREAS, Theology faculty not only teach the faith with words, but also with their lives; and
- WHEREAS, The Concordia University System (CUS) has on its website “Prior Approval Protocol for Theological
- Faculty of the Concordia Universities” (cus.edu/protocols-and-procedures, accessed May 31, 2026) and these protocols
- include the Standards and Process; and
- WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.10.6.9.2 governs the prior approval panel for full-time theological appointments to the Concordia
- universities and the CUS has prepared a list of questions for those under consideration in its “Theology Faculty Information
- Form” (ibid.) including the categories: Church, Doctrine and Practice, Moral, and Duties; and
- WHEREAS, The Synod is grateful for the work of the CUS in preparing the “Prior Approval Protocol for Theological
- Faculty of the Concordia Universities” (ibid.) and “Theology Faculty Information Form,” (ibid.) as well as all who have
- served on prior approval panels and those who have gone through the prior approval process; therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to the Lord of the Church for using the Synod and its agencies to
- preserve and enlarge the workers of the harvest; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to those engaged in the various prior approval processes for this
- important work; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention express thanks and appreciation to the CUS Board of Directors (BOD) for
- developing and making public their criteria for evaluating theology faculty candidates during their prior approval process
- (cus.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Prior-Approval-Protocol-for-Theology-Faculty-2.pdf); and be it further
- Resolved, That the CUS BOD review the “Theological Faculty Information Form,” requesting input from the Council
- of Presidents (COP), to discuss if there are other necessary categories and questions to be included on the form for the
- assessment of candidates for theological faculty positions in our universities; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod request that the calling university reach out to the local district president in order to notify
- the candidate’s district president of initiation of prior approval so as to ascertain the candidate’s effectiveness and
- suitability for a teaching position in light of his service to the Church; and be it further
- Resolved, That the CUS, in consultation with the Office of the President and the COP, re-examine the size and
- composition of the university theological faculty prior approval panel and report their recommendation to the 2029 Synod
- convention; and be it further
- Resolved, That Synod leadership publish articles in both The Lutheran Witness and Reporter to explain what the prior
- approval process is and how it is being carried out; and be it finally
- Resolved, That the Synod lift up in prayer those who aspire to teach on theological faculties in our universities and
- pray that those involved in assessing candidates would be given discernment of what would best serve the church and that
- the Spirit would cultivate trust among us regarding those involved in the prior approval process.
Page 129
- The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
- Committee, estimate no incremental cost as activities contemplated are within current scope (estimate required by
- Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).
