Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 322

2026 Convention Workbook
287NATIONAL WITNESS
Ov. 1-18 
To Give Thanks for Lutheran Educators  
and Administrators 
WHEREAS, The Synod has long cherished the role of Lutheran 
education in  forming faith, developing intellect, and preparing 
young people for lives of Christian service in church and society;  
and 
WHEREAS, Lutheran educators and administrators, serving in just 
over 1,700 schools—including early childhood centers, elementary 
schools, high schools, and universities affiliated with the Synod —
are daily engaged in the sacred vocation of teaching the faith and 
modeling the love of Christ; and 
WHEREAS, These faithful servants consistently go above and 
beyond in nurturing students academically,  emotionally, and 
spiritually, even amidst challenges such as cultural shifts, economic 
strain, and the global pandemic; and 
WHEREAS, Many of these men and women serve with limited 
resources, offering their time and talent for the sake of  the Gospel 
and the next generation of disciples; and 
WHEREAS, The Holy Spirit , through the Word, calls us to 
“encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thess. 5:11) 
and to give “honor to whom honor is owed” (Rom. 13:7); therefore 
be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for 
Lutheran teachers, administrators, and school staff who serve in the 
mission of Christian education across the Synod; and be it further 
Resolved, That congregations, districts, and educational 
institutions be encouraged to recognize and celebrate the ministry 
of Lutheran educators, especially during National Lutheran Schools 
Week, Teacher Appreciation Week, and  other appropriate 
occasions; and be it further 
Resolved, That districts, congregations, and educational 
institutions make good use of the synodwide effort, “Set Apart to 
Serve” for encouragement and recruitment of prospective Lutheran 
school teachers; and be it further 
Resolved, That congregations and districts encourage potential 
Lutheran school administrators to take part in  the School 
Leadership Development program (LuthEd, luthed.org/school-
leadership-development-sled/) offered by LCMS School Ministry, 
making available to all teachers additional continuing  education 
opportunities, including the use of the Concordia University 
Education Network for teachers to use in the colloquy process; and 
be it further 
Resolved, That districts annually review and set appropriate 
compensation guidelines as well as adequate health  insurance and 
retirement plans through Concordia Plan Services for their Lutheran 
school teachers and administrators, strongly encouraging all of their 
respective congregations or associations with the Synod’s  early 
childhood centers, elementary schools,  and high schools to utilize 
these guidelines and offer these benefits, since as partners in the 
Gospel, “The laborer deserves his wages” (1 Tim. 5:18); and be it 
finally 
Resolved, That the Synod commend the work of LCMS School 
Ministry and other support organizations  which strengthen and 
encourage Lutheran schools and educators, sharing this resolution 
widely as a tangible expression of heartfelt gratitude for those who 
teach and lead in the name of Christ. 
Board for National Mission 
Ov. 1-19 
To Increase and Support Establishing New  
and Strengthening Current Schools 
WHEREAS, The Synod’s Lutheran schools afford opportunities 
for mission work as they teach the Word of God and preach the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ to Christians and non-Christians alike; and 
WHEREAS, Lutheran schools also exist for the purpose of 
assisting and supporting Christian parents in their  God-given 
vocation of rearing their children in the Christian faith and life; and 
WHEREAS, Christian parents desire that their children grow up 
believing in their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,  and that they learn 
to live as faithful, responsible, God-fearing citizens in the world in 
which God has placed them; and 
WHEREAS, Lutheran schools have played a vital role in the 
church’s mercy work in the society and culture in  upholding and 
revitalizing the God -given estates of the home, church, and state; 
and 
WHEREAS, The Large Catechism (LC) states, “… if we wish to 
have excellent and able persons both for civil and Church  
leadership, we must spare no diligence, time, or cost in teaching and 
educating our children, so that they may serve  God and the world” 
(LC I 172); and 
WHEREAS, Lutheran schools have historically and rightly 
emphasized doctrine and practice that is faithful to the Word of God 
and the Lutheran C onfessions and curricula informed and shaped 
by the educational reforms of the Lutheran Reformation; and 
WHEREAS, The most vital Lutheran schools have historically 
been closely connected to Lutheran congregations with well-trained 
Lutheran teachers and administrators; and 
WHEREAS, Lutheran schools have been among the most 
important ways in which the Synod’s  congregations have  
ministered to society and been strengthened for growth to Tell the 
Next Generation the Gospel of Christ; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks and praise 
to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit —for all our  current 
elementary and secondary schools and for the many opportunities 
for strengthening current schools and for planting new schools; and 
be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Office of 
National Mission  (ONM) to form a task force on  facilitating the 
growth and expansion of Lutheran schools; and be it further 
Resolved, That the task force work collaboratively with districts 
in identifying new areas for establishing  Lutheran schools within 
their districts by providing resource support (e.g., feasibility studies, 
financially sustainable 
models for funding, etc.) to the districts for 
congregations to establish schools alone or in cooperation with 
other congregations and circuits; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the task force work to identify and provide 
resources to establish and “ strengthen the Lutheran  ethos” in our 
schools (2016 Res . 8-01A, 2016 Proceedings, 181–82); and be it 
finally  
Resolved, That we thank and praise God for the  exceptional 
service being conducted in the area of LCMS  S chool Ministry 
within the ONM as we launch this new effort. 
Board for National Mission