Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 1. p. 136. Original floor committee resolution.
No later published versions have been added.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 8-03
Canonical number: 8-03
Committee: Finance
Source: Today's Business, Issue 1
Printed pages: p. 136
PDF pages: 136
Version: original, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 1, p. 136
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 136
- To Fund Our Synod’s Seminaries
- RESOLUTION 8-03
- Reports R1, R1.2–R1.2.2, R1.2.4–R1.3, R5–R8, R15–57 (CW, 1–5, 15–28, 31–37, 46–56, 95–141); Overture 8-15 (CW,
- 444)
- WHEREAS, The Synod maintains Concordia Seminary (CSL) and Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW) to form
- pastors for faithful Word and Sacrament ministry in the Church and her mission; and
- WHEREAS, The Synod has repeatedly affirmed residential seminary formation as the preferred and normative route
- for preparation for the pastoral office (2019 Res. 6-02, “To Promote Residential Seminary Education as the Preferred
- Option for the Preparation of Men for the Pastoral Ministry”; 2023 Res. 6-02A, “To Encourage Proper Pastoral Formation
- through Our Synod’s Seminaries”); and
- WHEREAS, As reported through CSL’s annual report (csl.edu/files/legal/Annual-Report.pdf) and CTSFW’s Strategic
- Plan 2024–2029 (ctsfw.edu/about/who-we-are/strategic-plan), more than half of current funding is contributed by
- individuals and households; in addition, corporate Synod directs to the seminaries annually approximately $4 million
- received from supporters of the Joint Seminary Fund (JSF), Global Seminary Initiative (GSI), and Together as Synod; and
- WHEREAS, The funding mechanism throughout Synod has changed substantially over the last 40 years from a
- centralized to a decentralized funding model as evidenced by Together as Synod; and
- WHEREAS, The formation of pastors who rightly teach, administer the Sacraments, and shepherd Christ’s flock is
- foundational to every other work of the Synod; therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the faithful generosity of His people and pray for wise stewardship
- that strengthens both the Church’s mission and the formation of her pastors; and be it further
- Resolved, That the seminaries and Synod Board of Directors annually provide a joint standardized report of how
- operations are funded; and be it finally
- Resolved, That the individuals, households, and congregations of Synod be invited to directly support CSL and
- CTSFW or participate in partnership with corporate Synod through the JSF, GSI, and Together as Synod.
