Official Workbook PDF page source text

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. Follow-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 process, 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 governance. 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 General 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 documents 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 programs 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 Administration The governance, leadership, and administration of the institution 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 ecclesiastical goals.

This document is supplemented by an evaluation tool that provides discussion-starting questions for use during formal and informal 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 documents are available to view on cus.edu.