# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S144
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

144 . SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES

tween Synod’s requirements in pastors and teachers and the pg
tential supply of such professional personnel. %
It was agreed, further, that the present situation offers S
an outstanding opportunity to establish objective screening pr¢
esses designed to retain only the highest-quality students
graduation into the ministry. This approach was considered d&
sirable because Synod expects, shortly, to have an ideal settin;
which to conduct such screening at the three successive levels
the junior college, the Senior College, and the theological semi
An effective program of this type promises to contribute materially
under divine blessing, to the welfare of the Church through 2
tenance of the highest standards of ministerial training.
Since it is impossible for any agency to prejudge the sp
quality of students applying for admission to the preparatory‘
leges, it would seem improper and unwise to restrict the
enrollments at the institutions (except to guarantee that staff %
plant capacity shall not be overextended), or to prohibit admissi
at the college level. Such action might provide for the automi
exclusion of desirable applicants and would preclude a satisfa t
appraisal of these men. Assuming that Synod wishes to abide*a
the estimates of future needs accepted at Milwaukee and re
nizing the effects of the pronounced trend toward advanced sta
ing admissions in Synod’s preparatory colleges, your Board
Higher Education
Recommends that the functions and duties of this Board.
extended to include responsibility for efforts to maintain a he
nious balance between the production of professional servan ;
the Church and Synod’s indicated needs in this area; and the B
Recommends, further, that Synod be guided, at this time;q
the requirement estimates accepted by the Milwaukee Conven
with the understanding, however, that these estimates are 1
reviewed triennially by Synod and adjusted in accordance. '
actual experience; and the Board
Recommends, further, that,this Board be instructed to a
for the construction of objective criteria for measuring read
for admission to the St. Louis Seminary; that these criteria be
operatively developed by representatives of seminary and co
faculties and other competent participants designated by the Bo
and that they serve as basic data for determining eligibility to
the seminary; with the understanding, however, that provisions
be made for a limited number of admissions on the basis of
acter recommendations by the faculties of the preparatory sch
and the Board
Recommends, further, ‘that this Board be directed to ap