# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S160
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

160 SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES

detailed preparation for teaching and since there are so many are@
in which pastors would not normally specialize because a
specialization would contribute little to their work in the
ministry. Such fields as library science, mathematics, art,
natural sciences, piano, etc., must be adequately served in
schools, but convey little incentive for private preparation withg
some system of the type Synod has now created at her colli
During the past six years, instructors and assistant profesg
have been advanced from these ranks to called positions throg#
the regular nominations and call procedure. It appears, on
basis of this experience, that a way should be found to p
with such calls in a more efficient way if a man has proved
to be academically qualified, spiritually fit, and congenial t
other faculty members in a given position.
The extent of this problem is illustrated in the fact that di
the past triennium 27 elections have been conducted. These eff
tions required a total of 47 meetings. Five of these meetings
been conducted in Texas, six in California, and two in O
thus requiring very extensive travel. These 27 elections incely
the calling of 11 instructors or assistant professors to assat
professorships.
A total of 106 persons have served as instructors at our co
and seminaries, since these ranks have been created. At this.
58 persons are serving in this capacity. The fact that only.
the total have been called to associate professorships indicates

been chosen for advancement.

The college presidents uniformly report that their expe
with this arrangement has been extremely favorable. In:
instances they have been able to secure men of high calibe
the ranks of the ministry or teaching profession to fill
pointive ranks. .

On the basis of the evidence there is not the slightest in
that the new ranking system is reflecting any inclination |
load the. faculties with men of little ministerial or teaching
rience. As a matter of fact, from the data immediately ayy
to the Board, the evidence shows that the instructors adve
permanent tenure have had the following experience in Px
church work: pastor five years; pastor 20 years; none (4
years as instructor);.three and a half years as pastor; teng§
as pastor; 14 years as teacher; 11 years as pastor; and 16 yee
teacher. The record of such experience possessed by th
is very considerably above the average parish experience ¢
to called professors throughout the system at the time prio
introduction of the appointive ranks.