# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S252 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 250 HIGHER EDUCATION called “the system.” Objective consideration leads to the con- clusion that this idea is based upon what is largely a myth. The idea that we have come from a classical educational structure of uncorrupted beauty to an inferior educational hodgepodge is compounded mostly of folklore, nostalgia, and self-depreciation, for which Missourians, at times, seem to have a liking. There is in fact every reason to believe that the changes which have taken place have been in the direction of serving the needs of the students—and of the church—better than did the more rigid, authoritarian, paternalistic ‘‘system” of doubtful existence, to which in sentimental moments we attribute magical qualities. The colleges and seminaries of the past were never identical in genius, form, or function, nor did all their students move gently and happily along some magic escalator to voca- tional goals which they, their teachers, their parents, and their church accepted with equal enthusiasm and commitment. The board is persuaded that the synodical schools, with all their history and experience and peculiarities, can serve as some of the most lively and effective agencies of the whole church as it undertakes to fulfill its mission of today and tomorrow. To deny the reality of change is to deny reality itself. There is every reason to believe that the schools of the church, if supported, will be able to assume vital and necessary leadership roles in charting that course, both in the strategy itself and in equipping young men and women, professionally and vocationally, for enthusiastic, imaginative and faithful participation in the mission. We should also rid ourselves of the notion that the church can no longer afford these schools. To be sure, as we have de- tailed in the report, certain traditional patterns and structures of support may need to be altered. But the notion that, while the whole nation looks for ways of supporting important educational and cultural institutions, our church must consider itself pe- culiarly disadvantaged and incapable of finding solutions is a counsel of despair of grave and desperate proportions. This is scarcely the time in history to relinquish the best resources for the future, to be afraid to risk and to dare the journey because of bad weather. Our close relationships with our schools and with the people who live and work on these campuses and our knowledge of what these people think and say and do as they pursue their vocation make us enthusiastic and grateful for them. We do not hide or discount the foibles, detours, and distractions. But these people are the precious and indispensible gifts of God for the well-being and growth of His body in this hour of its being. Of course no single person or structure or idea has this distinction, but the redeemed of God, joined together in faith and purpose, receive when they ask what their Lord has promised. And that should be no surprise. In this faith and in dependence upon a God who in His Son and Spirit is close at hand and rich in every mercy, God’s people go on! BOARD FOR HIGHER EDUCATION Merlin S. Pohl, Chairman Arthur P. Brackebusch, Vice-Chairman Edgar W. Homrighausen, Secretary Walter F. Brunn Morella Mensing Elmer A. Neitzel Elmer F. Pflieger STAFF Arthur M. Ahlschwede, Executive Secretary Lester R. Bayer Samuel I. Goltermann Delphin L. Schulz Gert Moddelmog 6-02 Report of Committee on Colloquies For Pastoral Ministry The members of the Board are Doctor John H. Tietjen, Concordia Seminary, St.Louis: Doctor Richard J. Schultz, Concordia Seminary, Springfield; and the undersigned. Dur- ing the past 2 years the Board held 12 one-day meetings. The following men were colloquized and certified for the pastoral ministry during the biennium: Concordia Seminary, St.Louis: Paul J. H. Haberstock, Walter J. Koch, Clifford Koenig, William Lieneck, Hilton H. McCabe, Darold A. Reiner, Harold E. Schmidt, Clarence W. Stangohr, Paul F. Stohlmann Sr. Concordia Seminary, Springfield: Roland Golz, Gerald Heimlich, Harvey Hendrickson, Wilton Hille, William Kohl- meier, Albert C. Krallmann, Harold Otte, Maynard Saeger, David L. Traster. At one time in the history of the Synod a Colloquy Board for the Pastoral Ministry was necessary because students who had little or no previous theological training were eligi- ble to enroll in the colloquy program. Such are no longer admitted to the Colloquy Program for Pastoral Ministry. Instead they are now referred to the program of the Col- loquy Committee for Lay Ministry. During the past 10 years the Colloquy Board for the Pastoral Ministry raised the standard for colloquy training, as much as possible, to that of students attending one of the Synod’s seminaries. This was done by raising the re- quirements for admission and the requirements of in resi- dence study at one of our seminaries, plus a vicarage under seminary supervision. This development has led the Colloquy Board for the Pastoral Ministry to the conclusion that its services are no longer needed. In keeping with this conclusion the Board, with the concurrence of the Board for Higher Education, herewith respectfully submits the following recommendation to the 1973 convention of Synod assembled at New Orleans, July 6—13, for consideration and favorable action. Wuereas, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., and Con- cordia Seminary, Springfield, Ill., are charged with the re- sponsibility of training and recommending persons for ad- mission to the pastoral ministry of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod; and Wuereas, Both of these seminaries have adjusted their curricula to enable them to enroll as students: 1. ministers, or candidates for the ministry, who are in good standing in Christian church bodies not in fellowship with The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and are graduates of recognized theological seminaries; 2. graduates of the Synod’s teachers colleges who have had at least 5 years of teaching experience and are in good standing in the teaching ministry of the Synod; and Wuereas, All students presently enrolled in the colloquy program attend one of the Synod’s seminaries as students for 1 or 2 years and acquire a vicarage experience under the supervision of the seminary they attend (Handbook 4.61 a and b); and Whereas, Both seminaries use screening techniques for the enrollment of students which are equally professional and accurate as those used by the Colloquy Board for the Pastoral Ministry; therefore be it Resolved, That the Colloquy Board for the Pastoral Min- istry respectfully petition the Synod that it be dissolved; and be it further Resolved, That the present admission policy of this board be assigned to the theological seminaries of the Synod; 1. to determine, in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Synod, which students shall be admitted, namely a. ministers, or candidates for the ministry, who are in good standing in Christian church bodies not in fellowship with The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and are grad- uates of recognized theological seminaries; b. graduates of the Synod’s teachers colleges who have had at least 5 years of teaching experience and are in good standing in the teaching ministry of the Synod. 2. to prescribe in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Synod, the amount and nature of professional train- ing required of each student who is accepted; a. ministers, or candidates for the ministry, in good standing in Christian church bodies not in fellowship with The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod shall be expected to receive one full academic year of resident training in one of our Synod’s seminaries. They shall also be required to serve a vicarage. b. graduates of the Synod’s teachers colleges who have had at least 5 years of successful teaching experience shall be required to take a minimum of 2 years of instruction at