# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S276
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES . 275

1. It can do work not now possible under the time limitations
of the existing part-time, evening-type Bible institutes, the Sunday
school teacher training courses, and the short courses at church-
worker seminars and institutes.

2. In its practical program and by the inclusion of men, it is
to be differentiated from the deaconess-training program.

3. It is to be distinguished also from the academic training
courses for parish workers given at Winfield.

4. The Bible institute would contribute much to parish edu-
cation on the level of the local church, but would leave the training
of professional directors of education to our teachers colleges and
seminaries.

B. The school’s program would be geared to mature young
people, men and women who are capable of doing serious studying
and have some competence and experience in practical church
work. Many such persons will bring to their studies a full college
experience, or the experiences of a successful business career, or
the experience gathered from years of volunteer church work.

C. The vocational use of the graduate would be outlined for
pastors and congregations as helping the congregation in its two-
fold task of inward growth and outward growth. Examples of
this type of service are: The home and foreign mission builders,
Sunday school visitors, volunteer part-time parish workers (Holy
Cross, St. Louis, etc.), women parish workers in the Northwest
District, church secretaries. The Diakonen movement in Germany
is a demonstration of the value of such practical church workers.
The practical use of full-time workers who have been Bible insti-
tute trained is further demonstrated by a number of church groups
in America.

IV. Proposals for Action

_ A. That Synod go on record as favoring the establishment of
a full-time Bible institute or lay training school.

B. That Synod select a Board of Control to begin planning for
the physical needs of such a school.

C. That the President of Synod, in consultation with the Boards
mentioned in II, D, appoint a Planning Commission consisting of
one representative from each of the following groups: the two
theological seminaries, the boards of Home Missions, Foreign Mis-
sions, Parish Education, Welfare, and Higher Education, two pas-
tors, two laymen, two women, and two deans of existing part-time
Bible institutes.