# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S275
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

274 SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES

offices (synodical and District) which laymen can do, such as mis-
Sionary calling, directing youth work, managing a church Office,
developing the Sunday school. These tasks in the hands of trained
laymen will make for a better stewardship of our pastors.

D. The demand for trained lay workers is increasing as larger
parishes discover their potentials in evangelism, in education, in
ministering to families (new, old, aging).

E. More men and women are coming to retirement or retiring
from an occupation earlier. Frequently these persons have a rich

experience also in church work and wish to serve full time or
part time.

F. The use of trained, full-time (or part-time) lay workers

has proved to be practical in other church bodies. It has frequently
been in the minds of leaders in our own church.

G. The production of trained lay workers would permit the
busy pastor of today to concentrate on his chief work: teaching,
preaching, counseling, soul winning, and soul keeping. This is our
most glaring need in many churches.

Il. Pattern for a Full-Time School

A. A two-year program with a good balance between Bible
courses and practical courses and a strong field-work program,
(learn by doing) under a guidance director.

B. The location should be close to a large and receptive field
of church work; congregational, institutional, community-wide;
with missionary, educational, and social welfare opportunities.

C. Close relations with our two theological training schools
are needed to maintain proper distinction between the professional

church worker and the practical church worker and for wise use
of both.

D. The training program is to be integrated closely with needs
as seen by the Boards of Missions, Education, Welfare, and the
Board for Higher Education.

E. The school is to be synodically sponsored, housed, financed,
supplied with the necessary full-time staff, a president, dean of
students, guidance director, and instructors, as needs dictate.

F. The school should be developed under the direction of
Synod’s Board for Higher Education.

I. Practical Considerations

A. The work of a full-time Bible institute is to be differentiated
from existing institutions.

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