# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1962_S77
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

COLLEGES AND SEMINARIES 17

Resolved, That the Synod give its full approval to
this program.
Action: This resolution was adopted.

General Planning and Operating Principles
RESOLUTION 1-16
Report 123, II, B, pp. 53-55, Reports and Memorials

Resolved, That the Synod adopt the following prop-
ositions as general planning and operating principles for
the Board for Higher Education.

Proposition One. An intensified and continuing en-
listment program is a prerequisite for the steady growth
in number of pastors, teachers, deaconesses, and parish
workers which will be needed throughout this planning
period to provide the necessary constituted leadership
for the members of the Synod. No fruitful effort can be
spared in impressing on pastors, teachers, and congre-
gations not merely the problem of the acute present
shortage but also the continuing and possibly intensify-
ing shortage which a growing Synod faces.

Proposition Two. Our pastors, teachers, and lay lead-
ers should encourage prospective and enlisted students
to use every available opportunity for spiritual, intellec-
tual, and social maturation and to persist in full stew-
ardship of talents rather than to seek the shortest pos-
sible route of entrance into the church’s ministry.

Proposition Three. Priority in enrollment is to be
given to the most promising and best-qualified students
who apply for entrance at any level of church work
training which the Synod is able to provide. This im-
plies that pastors, teachers, and laymen will foster the
recruitment of interested and qualified students without
inhibiting the stirrings of God the Holy Spirit or post-
poning commitment to the ministry and its demands,
and that each synodical institution will view itself as
an information resource and recruiting center for the
entire system of synodical schools. When prospective
students declare themselves ready and are found ready
to begin their formal training, the synodical schools will
admit qualified young and more mature men from the
age of junior confirmation up to an age which will allow
for a reasonable service expectancy in the church.

Proposition Four. The orderly development of an in-
dividual institution and the necessary changes and ad-
justments in the entire system of schools may from time
to time make it imperative for an individual institu-
tion, at the direction of the Board for Higher Education,
to apply temporary priorities, quotas, or limitations on
certain types and at certain levels of enrollment. In gen-
eral the enlistment program for pretheological students
and male teacher education students on the high school
and junior college levels must receive high priority.

Proposition Five. Consideration should be given to
the gradual elimination of coeducation on the high
school level on all campuses.

Proposition Six. The junior college level is expected
to be both the level of maximum enrollment and the

desirable level for coeducational church work curricula.
It is also the level at which the deliberate commingling
of pastors and teachers in training is best fostered.

Proposition Seven. A program of preventive main-
tenance is to sustain existing synodical physical plants
at a high level of use and efficiency.

Proposition Eight. Since depreciation reserves are
not accumulated for campus or church buildings, care
must be taken gradually to eliminate or to replace ob-
solescent or retired facilities.

Proposition Nine. Existing physical plants are to be
expanded both where a realistic appraisal of available
land indicates such a plan to be economically feasible
and where further growth is educationally sound. This
expansion is carried out, however, so that a proper
balance of all the facilities and capacities is achieved
and maintained.

Proposition Ten. Graduates from both seminaries
should be recognized and received as precious gifts of
God to the church. The closely articulated high school-
junior college-senior college-theological seminary route
continues to be the preferred program of distinctive
theological education of The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod for those who at an early age are urged by
the Spirit to commit themselves to the ministry.

Proposition Eleven. The Synod is to continue to
train for its Christian day schools all male teachers
needed and as many women teachers as it can for the
Christian day schools of the congregations.

Proposition Twelve. The Synod is obligated pri-
marily for competent parish service and not for the
exceptional or advanced training necessary for increas-
ing specialized ministries.

Proposition Thirteen. While the Synod is obligated
to provide the requisite training for teachers, directors
of religious education, and church and school musicians,
it is not obligated to provide the specialized or advanced
training necessary in all curricular areas to meet the
demand for community Lutheran high school teachers,
guidance personnel, and administrators.

Proposition Fourteen. The approved colloquy pro-
grams should remain as a workable alternate way of
entering the professional ministries of the church.

Proposition Fifteen. The Board for Higher Educa-
tion will continue, according to Handbook provisions, to
recommend to the synodical Board of Directors the pur-
chase of property for addtional campuses and for the
suitable expansion of existing campuses.

Proposition Sixteen. The actual establishment of
new colleges and seminaries is to be left to the decision
of a synodical convention.

Proposition Seventeen. The Synod at any one time
should have as few theological seminaries as its needs
require.

Proposition Eighteen. The Synod at any one time
should establish and maintain as few graduate schools
as are needed for essential professional service to the
church.