# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S491
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Report of Beard for Higher Education : 491 ro

F. Summary

fOur. conclusion, therefore, is that Synod should not at this time
pand the pretheological training to include a senior college division.
lle the need for more thorough pre-seminary training is quite
nt, there are no reasons to believe that the extension of the

are confident that the work at the junior colleges can be greatly
roved and that the pre-seminary year at.St. Louis can be made
ontribute far more effectively in providing a broad liberal educa-
both for the study of professional theology and for the practical
f the pastorate. -

he American’ educational system is tending definitely in the
ection of ‘curtailing the four-year liberal arts training as a pre-
fessional requirement. The present state of confusion in Amer-’
education likewise makes ‘it desirable to retain our present system
1. educational trends become more clearly defined. Moreover,
are nat convinced that complete conformity in educational organ-
ion with the current’ American pattern | is Necessary or even
pdesirable. We are much inclined to prefer that our Church pioneer

@ithis matter. This is particularly true of the pretheological year
s the St. Louis campus. It would be most desirable to give this
atrangerhent a thorough trial over a period of some years, and it
1ay well be that it will be found a most desirable arrangement. ,

“It is, of course, within the realm of possibility that the prethe-
logical -year in St. Louis will be found to be not advantageous or
that circumstances may arise which will force us to accept the current
upattern of American theological training if it survives the present
eriod of testing and re-examination. For the present we consider
‘it-an imperative necessity to improve the general effectiveness of
education in our preparatory schools, particularly in the junior college
ivisions. This, in itself, will-require a number of years. Should a
enior college division. thereafter appear to be desirable, it would
have the great advantage of being based on a thoroughly effective

‘lower division college. education.

All of the foregoing is presented from the viewpoint of average
eeds of the pastorate. Unquestionably, in the period that lies ahead,
“Synod will require among a portion of its clergy a greater degree |
“of scholarly attainment than will be provided by our synodical system,
no matter how it is organized. This has always been true, at least
o a limited extent. To meet this need, specific provision might be
m! made for entry of Seminary graduates into universities. These ‘will,
however, always constitute a minority. In its entire study of its
educational system Synod should always keep in mind the training of
‘pastors for the actual, practical Gospel ministry and not make major
changes on the basis of the needs and requirements of, a minority.
If the needs, academic and spiritual, of our pastors, working day: by
day in the Lutheran parish, are always kept foremost in our thinking,