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equipping people to practice their callings under the Gospel for the sake of the world
 

Resolution Affirming the Teaching Mission of the Church

An official statement of the Board of the Division for Higher Education and Schools on March 27, 2004

[Note: The Division for Higher Education and Schools is now part of the Vocation and Education unit of the ELCA]

Whereas Bishop Mark Hanson invited the Board of the Division of Higher Education and Schools at its meeting on March 26, 2004 to elaborate the Strategic Directions for the Churchwide Organization in order to demonstrate that all of them are permeated by educational concerns and predicated on our being at our heart a teaching church;

Whereas Martin Luther in his reflection on the importance of education in the "Preface to The Small Catechism wrote:

You should also take pains to urge governing authorities and parents to rule wisely and educate their children. They must be shown that they are obliged to do so, and that they are guilty of damnable sin if they do not do so, for by such neglect they undermine and lay waste both to the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world and are the worst enemies of God and humanity;

Therefore be it resolved that the Board of Division for Higher Education and Schools affirms the essential role of education in the realization of the Strategic Directions:

  1. Support congregations in their call to be faithful, welcoming, and generous, sharing the mind of Christ;

    Through educating and empowering the people of God for informed hospitality, enriched lives of faith, and responsive generosity in the image of our Lord;
     
  2. Assist members, congregations, synods, and institutions and agencies of this church to grow in evangelical outreach;

    Through reflecting thoughtful awareness of all people's faith and social contexts;
     
  3. Step forward as a public church that witnesses boldly to God's love for all that God has created;

    Through informed reflection and engagement with the ethical and social challenges of our time;
     
  4. Deepen and extend our global, ecumenical, and interfaith relationships for the sake of God's mission; and

    Through transformative dialogue and increased understanding of others as well as ourselves;
     
  5. Assist this church to bring forth and support faithful, wise, and courageous leaders whose vocations serve God's mission in a pluralistic world.

    Through inspired education and informed faith.

Therefore, be it resolved to call on the authors of the restructuring plan to reflect this foundational character of educational activity in their work for the Churchwide structure.

And be it furthermore resolved, that we ask that the Chair of the Division for Higher Education and Schools Board be invited to present this vision to the Church Council at its April meeting.