# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1015
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES 817

C. GENERAL MATTERS PERTAINING
TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

. Entrance Requirements at the Seminaries
(Memorial 117)
Since it is important that the Church have a considerable
; number of theological scholars for its work; and

Since, on the other hand, a surprising number of notable
preachers of the Gospel (as well as statesmen, inventors, and the
like) have had only meager school training, indicating that formal
classes are not the only means of effective education; therefore
be it resolved that Synod lay down the following principles to guide
the Board for Higher Education:

1. That the Seminary in St. Louis aim at high scholarship, but
arrange its courses in such a manner that graduates from other
standard colleges having the necessary spiritual qualifications may
enter with the least possible handicap; and

2. That the Seminary at Springfield widen its entrance require-
ments as much as safely possible, so that. all persons qualified to
pursue theological studies to advantage be given an opportunity
to prepare for the ministry. Martin P. Soon

ACTION
Upon recommendation of Committee 1, Synod resolved:

Resolution 50

Wuereas, The proposal advanced regarding entrance require-
ments at our seminary at St. Louis would tend to lower the pre-
vailing standards which Synod has approved; and

Wuereas, The proposal regarding entrance requirements at our
seminary at Springfield apparently ignores the fact that entrance
requirements already have been widened “as much as safely pos-
sible”; therefore be it

Resolved, That Memorial 117 be declined.

Emphasize Pastors’ Duties
(Memorial 118)

It is suggested that the following proposal be discussed and
voted upon at the 1950 convention of our Synod:

Emphasize at the seminary that a pastor’s duty is to preach
the pure Word of God, instruct, baptize, confirm, marry, give
Christian counsel, look up the unchurched, and the like, but not
to run the business, building, finance, and similar affairs of the
congregation. (That is the duty of the voting members.)

ALFRED Opi7z, Pratt, Kans.