# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S47
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES 47

Two missionaries of the A.L. C. have returned to their
aldiin. New Guinea.
sac Besides the regular course for prospective missionaries, the
:department offers courses in Spanish and in the sign language.
Ret: The Mission Department has had a very wholesome influence
n the general student body of the Seminary and has contributed
ery. materially in keeping the importance of missions before
the students.
The fact that the Mission Department has been intimately
connected with the Graduate School of Concordia Seminary has
been a distinct advantage. Graduates planning to enter the Foreign
Mission service and missionaries home on furlough are thus given
an opportunity to continue their theological studies on a graduate
level, qualifying for the higher degrees in theology. People
familiar with conditions in foreign countries know that this has
an undeniable value for the missionary.

Field Work Program

The true preparation for the ministry must provide oppor-
tunity actually to practice, under direct supervision, the skills of
witnessing and applying the Word of God to flesh-and-blood people.
Actual service to people must be moved into the center of the
training program in order to make effective the learning that is
needed for entrance upon the profession of the ministry. This
‘purpose is achieved through the field work program.

Field work at present falls into three classes. The one is done
by students in residence at the St.Louis Seminary in parishes
surrounding it and in the many missions and institutions of the
city. The second is done by students during the short-term summer
recesses between academic years. The third is the long-term period,
lasting from nine to twelve months, the year of supply work re-
quired for graduation.

The Field Work Department was launched in January, 1945.
Congregations of Synod were asked to employ students during
the normal inter-academic period. The congregations co-operated
splendidly. The program was expanded to give students field
work experience in institutions, missions, and congregations in
the St. Louis area while attending classes. ,

. During the two years the field work program has been operating
it has proved its worth repeatedly. Many students have stated
that through the field work program they have gained a truer
insight into their calling as ambassadors of Christ.

-.. The field work program at present operates under the super-
vision of a director, who makes the assignments to short-term