# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S322 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 322 HIGHER EDUCATION creasing subsidy from the Synod for current operations. Activi- ties of private, church-related schools appear to be receiving more open support, both morally and financially. by the public and the government of Alberta. Although there are many en- counters before us. we are encouraged to continue planning for greater realms of service. We are grateful to God for His many blessings on our efforts in the past. We also want to express our thanks to God's people for their prayers and support. We look ahead, confident of our Lord’s strong and steady guiding hand and reliant upon His gracious promises. Board of Control Walter A. Ritter. Chairman Alfred R. Roth. Executive Officer 6-17 Christ College Irvine. Calif. The West Coast of the United States has frequently been designated by The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod as the place for a major 4-year educational institution to prepare Kingdom workers for the church. Christ College Irvine is the culmination of efforts by Lutherans in the Pacific Southwest to provide the Synod with such an institution. In July 1973 California Concordia College at Oakland. which had been in continuous operation since 1906. was closed as a synodical college. Christ College Irvine. when it opens, will assume the educational continuity of the Oakland school on the West Coast. Already in 1962 (Cleveland) and 1965 (Detroit) synodical conven- tions authorized college construction, and during these years Property was purchased and architectural plans were com- pleted. In 1971 (Milwaukee) The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod authorized Irvine as the Synod’s major 4-year college in the western states and authorized $2 million for construction. In 1973 (New Orleans) The Lutheran Church ~ Missouri Synod authorized the borrowing of capital funds for construction, that the educational program might begin. The church's Board for Higher Education and Board of Directors have responded generously to meet the educational needs of the West Coast. In July 1974 $1 million was released for site work, and in January 1975 the construction contract to build the Living-Learning Center and the site work was approved by the Synod's Board of Directors. Construction on the site is presently taking place, with completion scheduled for fall 1975. The Board of Control wants to express its thanks to all of the synodical boards that have provided help to bring Christ College into existence. In 1973 Christ College noted in its synodical convention report that the educational purpose of the college states that the school “will interpret the historical Christian motif to ethnic and international communities.” Consequently, the academic planning committee has incorporated educational planning that would not exclude non-Western cultures. When these educa- tional perspectives in evangelism and world mission were reviewed by the Synod’s Board for Evangelism and Board for Missions in 1974, the result was endorsing resolutions. The Board for Missions resolved to “commend Christ College Irvine for the world mission emphasis in the educational program... {and} to develop programs of educational cooperation and exchanges with the colleges and seminaries of its missions and sister churches overseas” (8/24/74). The Board for Evan- gelism resolved to thank ‘Jesus Christ for providing His church with this college that puts evangelism and world mission as the first priority .. . and to remain faithful to the Great Com- mission of Jesus Christ as it develops its educational curriculum and faculty” (5/14/74). Consequently, the “Great Commission” has become the theme of the college: “Go and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them.” as Christ College prepares full-time teachers and pastors for the church both here and abroad. Christ College operates with a limited budget and staff. rof. Charles L. Manske, serves as the acting president, and Mr. Chris Culpepper serves as the director of development. The Christ College Irvine Board of Control consists of the following members: Dr. Arnold G. Kuntz (chairman), President of the Southern California District. The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod: Rev. Elmer Matthias (vice-chairman) Vice- President, Southern California District: Glenn Molyneaux, M.D. (secretary). president of the American Society of Internal Medicine: the Rev. Edw. Westcott. pastor in Arizona: Mr. Carl Schroeder, president of First National Bank of Orange County: Mr. Robert Barnes principal of Lutheran High School. Los Angeles: Dr. John A. Greenlee, president of California State University, Los Angeles. Christ College has worked on various phases of academic planning through a committee chaired by Dr. John Greenlee. It has continued its conversations toward accreditation as a 4-year educational institution with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. submitting both reports and payments. Further the college has offered accredited courses during 1975 through a joint effort with Concordia College. Seward. Further educational relationships are en- visioned with our sister synodical institution at Seward— particularly in the area of educating teacher training students. Another area has been the Institute of Evangelism and Research, sponsored by the Christ College Irvine Foundation. In the spring of 1975 Dr. James Gamaliel from India taught courses in Southern California for the college. Dr. Gamaliel is the director of the Institute of Evangelism and Research in Nagercoil. sponsored by the India Evangelical Lutheran Church through Concordia Seminary. Both Christ College and Concordia Seminary are studying proposals to jointly sponsor the Institute in India, which is providing programs in witnessing to non-Christian religions. A major concern for Christ College has been the need to provide financial assistance for construc- tion and operational programs. The Christ College Irvine Foundation (Mr. Ray Grimm, chairman) has provided the leadership and funds for a major fund raising effort known as ‘Share Christ Worldwide.” With a goal of $1.4 million, the drive is expected to surpass the halfway mark in gifts and pledges by June 1975. These efforts are led by distinguished professional and business leaders on the West Coast but have involved the participation of countless thousands who have supported the college with their prayers and offerings. The Synod's College on the West Coast has a bright future in its efforts to prepare workers for the church. There is a solid base of lay and clergy support for Christ College. Christ has told us: “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.” We have asked God for a college in the name of His Son. God has a way of keeping His promises! Therefore this report reflects both the joy and the promise of working with synodical boards to bring about the fulfillment of God's plan for the Great Commission in our time. Board of Control Arnold G. Kuntz, Chairman Charles L. Manske, Erecutire Officer 6-18 Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wis. Type of Institution For the 1974~75 school year the motto of Concordia was “Challenged by Change.’ This seemed especially apropos in view of the many changes that have occurred in higher educa- tion generally but also specifically at this institution. After 80 years of uni-purpose pastoral training on the high school and junior college level, the first major change was the intro- duction in 1961 of the Lutheran Lay Ministry program, which has since that time continued and flourished on our campus. Then in 1965 women teacher training and deaconess and social work students were admitted: in 1969 the college curriculum was decidedly broadened and more “general education” stu- dents were recruited. In 1973 the last high school class was graduated. and thus Concordia became exclusively a junior college. In 1974 Concordia's consortium partner, Spencerian College of Business, decided to discontinue its academic pro- gram and the Board for Higher Education approved Concordia‘s introduction of business administration and secretarial courses for the second semester. Thus as the North Central Association Review Committee visited the campus in April 1975 for its 10- year review, Concordia presented itself as a multipurpose Junior college but still with the primary function of preparing students for the professional ministries of the church.