# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S143
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Missions in General 143

foreign missions, to inspire the young men to heed the call also
from distant lands? What is being done to give our young men
at the theological seminaries an opportunity to study the different
phases of the various missions, the countries in which we are work-
ing, the geography, the history, the religious background of the
people? We appreciate the fact that in the last decade much has
been done towards improving upon the missionary training of our
theological students; but is it adequate to inspire the young men
to go forth also to foreign lands? And if perchance one desires
to do research work on missions, do our libraries at our seminaries
offer the necessary assistance?

30. That more ought to be done toward the preliminary train-
ing of missionaries the Board of Foreign Missions long ago realized.
At a recent meeting of representatives of our mission departments
operating in India, China, Africa, and South America, this need was
also emphasized and discussed at length. Every District Home
Mission Board pleads for a more practical training of the young
men to fit them better for the missionary task before them.

31. Already in 1926 Synod passed resolutions to improve condi-
tions. It was resolved to commission the Foreign Mission Board
in conjunction with the Board of Directors and the faculty of
St. Louis to make necessary provisions for a more specific train-
ing of all foreign missionaries.

32. Until now little was done to carry out the instructions
given. But if we are to continue our work at home and abroad,
we dare not postpone the preliminary training of our missionaries.
We fully appreciate the willingness of the faculties to cooperate
and to extend the present course of study in the history of mis-
sions, but we also realize the difficulties confronting them in add-
ing a full department of mission to an already crowded curriculum.

33. But since the preliminary missionary training of our
graduates is essential to the upbuilding and expansion of the
kingdom of God, we request this venerable body to adopt the
following resolutions: Be it

Resolved to make the necessary provisions for a more specific
training of missionaries at our theological seminaries; and be it

further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors, in conjunction with the
Committee on Higher Education, be instructed to carry out this
resolution.

(It is to be understood that this be done in consultation with
representatives of the theological seminaries and with representa-