Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 119

2026 Convention Workbook
84 
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
A.3. Res. 7-05A, “To Bring Accountability to 
Concordia Boards of Regents and to Improve 
Doctrinal Fidelity and Amenability to 
Ecclesiastical Supervision” 
In keeping with Bylaw 3.10.6.2.2, CUS works with the LCMS 
Board of Directors to provide orientation and ongoing education 
for elected and appointed members of the boards of regents of our 
several universities. The orientation is conducted in person. Fol-
low-up education and training are delivered in person and online to 
ensure all regents have ready access to the material.
Meetings with regents are also included in the visitation pro-
cess, in the spirit of Resolution 7-05A, to keep regents involved 
in the implementation of Res. 7-04B, especially LIMOS IV and V . 
CUS staff have also been invited to attend regular regents’ board 
meetings to report on CUS activities and observe university gov-
ernance. This comprehensive system of visitation has strengthened 
the Synod’s connection with our universities.
B. CUS Institution Data
B.1. Enrollment
B.2. Scholarships and Institutional Support
In FY2026, Direct Student Scholarships were separated from Gen-
eral Institutional Support to better honor donor restrictions.
A.2. Res. 7-04B, “To Revise Bylaws to Revisit and 
Renew Relationship of Colleges and Universities 
with the Synod” 
The CUS Board of Directors has revised and amended the Ar -
ticles of Incorporation and Bylaws of CUS in compliance with the 
2023 convention’s ratification of Resolution 7-04B. After review 
by the Synod’s Commission on Constitutional Matters, these docu-
ments were filed with the Missouri Secretary of State.
The CUS Board of Directors ratified the Lutheran Identity and 
Mission Outcome Standards (LIMOS) in 2024. The three-page 
document, which may be found at cus.edu, includes specific points 
to define and clarify the seven main standards:
Identity Standard I—Ecclesiastical Mission and Goals
The institution’ s ecclesiastical mission and goals appropriately 
center on Christ, the Holy Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, 
and the shared confession and practice of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod.
Identity Standard II—Spiritual and Academic Life
The spiritual and academic life of the institution reflects and 
embraces its ecclesiastical mission and goals.
Identity Standard III—Student Recruitment and Student Life
Student recruitment, student affairs, campus life, and other pro-
grams reflect and embrace the institution’ s ecclesiastical mission 
and goals.
Identity Standard IV—Planning and Resourcing
Planning, resourcing, and personnel reflect and embrace the 
institution’ s ecclesiastical mission and goals.
Identity Standard V—Governance, Leadership, and Admin-
istration
The governance, leadership, and administration of the insti-
tution foster and embrace the institution’ s place in The Lutheran 
Church—Missouri Synod.
Identity Standard VI—Assessment of Effectiveness
The institution’ s assessment of its achievement of the Lutheran 
Identity and Mission Outcomes is foundational to and effective in 
advancing its ecclesiastical goals.
Identity Standard VII—Handling and Resolving Concerns of 
Constituents
The institution’ s handling of legitimate concerns expressed by 
constituents is foundational to and effective in advancing its eccle-
siastical goals.
This document is supplemented by an evaluation tool that pro-
vides discussion-starting questions for use during formal and in-
formal visits.
The formal and informal visitations form the backbone of the 
implementation of Res. 7-04B. The CUS Board of Directors has 
established protocols for conducting these visits in accordance with 
the Synod Bylaws. Curriculum standards for programs leading to 
vocations in the church have also been established. All these docu-
ments are available to view on cus.edu.