# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S335 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) HIGHER EDUCATION 335 WHEREAS. The Synod has no control over the curriculum of Seminex: and WHEREAS. An inspection of the '74—'75 Course of Studies catalog published by Seminex reveals that some of the courses offered at Seminex place the school’s and faculty’s stamp of approval upon and acceptance of unscriptural and antiscriptural assumptions and theories (such as the JEDP theory) which Synod has repeatedly rejected by convention resolutions as Scripturally unsound: and WHEREAS. Seminex's present course of action and con- tinued existence. in the opinion of many. including the Synod’s Board of Directors. will increase the present division within the Synod: and WHEREAS. Seminex needlessly duplicates what can be done Scripturally and more economically at the Svnod’s seminaries at St. Louis and at Springfield: and WHEREAS. Every additional day of Seminex’s existence means the needless consumption of large amounts of funds solicited from members in the Synod. thus depriving funds from synodically adopted projects and synodically established schools: therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod. meeting in convention at Ana- heim. Calif.. request the immediate closure of Seminex: and be it further Resolved. That should Seminex defy this request of the Synod and attempt to continue to function as a theological school, the Synod refuse ordination andyor installation of its graduates: and be it further Resolved. That the Synod repudiate the plan prepared by the Council of Presidents to allow for the ordination and in- stallation of Seminex graduates: and be it finally Resolved. That any Seminex students or graduates desiring a call into the ministry of the Synod. by ordination, installation, “consecration,” or by contract. be granted such calls or positions only after they have fulfilled the qualifications for certification established by the Synod and administered by the two semi- naries of the Synod. Holy Cross Lutheran Church La Puente, Calif. Allen Biang. President Paul Rosnau., Pastor Identical or similar 6-56B and 6-56C Peace, Garland, Tex. Trinity, Republic, Wash. Harold Schroeter Craig Smith 6-57A To Refuse Recognition to Seminex WHEREAS. Seminex. the Joint Project of Theological Educa- tion at St. Louis University established by the former “faculty majority" of Concordia Seminary. 801 De Mun. St. Louis. Mo.. has claimed the titles “real Concordia” and “Concordia Semi- nary-in-Exile’: and WHEREAS. The said “faculty majority’ continues to operate Seminex and recruit students from the educational system of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod: and WHEREAS. The operators of Seminex have proposed and con- tinue to propose the placement of vicars and graduates from Seminex in a manner contrary to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod: and WHEREAS. The “faculty majority” have heretofore refused admonishment and correction by a convention of the Synod for their position on Holy Scripture which contradicted the Word of God and the pure understanding of it (Res. 3-09. Proceedings. 1973. pp. 133-139): and WHEREAS. Funds for the operation of Seminex have been and continue to be solicited from members and congregations of the Synod to the detriment and depletion of the synodical administration's ability to financially maintain terminal schools now in operation: therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod in convention at Anaheim. July 1975. reprimand those members of the Synod who are operating Seminex for wrongly claiming the title “real Concordia” or the use of the name “Concordia Seminary-in-Exile” for the Joint Project: and be it further Resolred. That no recruitment activities or privileges be accorded to anyone representing Seminex in any way on any of the campuses of synodically established schools: and be it further Resolved. That the Synod in convention refuse to recognize or certify any graduates of Seminex for service in the ministry of the Synod or to assign vicars from Seminex for any place- ments in the Synod: and be it further Resolved. That the individual members of the “faculty majority’ who are members of the Synod be examined and dealt with by the responsible officers of the Synod under the proce- dures outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod for their positions on “Gospel reductionism”: and be it finally Resolved. That all members. congregations, and Districts of the Synod be enjoined not to support Seminex in any way financially or otherwise but rather to continue to give active financial support to the established schools and seminaries of. the Synod through the approved channels of administration. St. John and Grace Lutheran Churches Hillsboro and Grandin, N. Dak. Clyde Ahlschwede. Chairman Donald C. Riemer. Secretary Identical or similar: 6-57B Trinity. Scarsdale, N.Y. Merlin Meyer 6-58A To Dissolve Seminex WHEREAS. The synodically unauthorized formation, con- tinuing existence. and operation of the institution known as Concordia Seminary-in-Exile (Seminex! as a seminary for the training of men for professional ministry within The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod is in violation of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod and is therefore adverse to and disruptive of the Synod: and WHEREAS. Seminex’s very origin and continuation is ex- pressly a form of protest against alleged wrongdoing in our church body in a manner which bypasses the Synod’s procedure for voicing dissent decently and in good order: and WHEREAS. Those members of the Seminex faculty who formerly held positions on the faculty of Concordia Seminary. St. Louis, constituting the so-called “faculty majority.” have acted in an insubordinate fashion to synodical leadership, and by their withdrawal from teaching responsibilities at Concordia Seminary have prevented the implementation of New Orleans convention Resolution 3-09: and WHEREAS. Seminex, since its existence. has continued to show itself to be divisive and disruptive in our Synod and in the Synod's process of theological education, as indicated by the following actions: 1. Seminex continues to encourage men to become pastors of congregations of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod in a manner contrary to the Bylaws. policies, and established procedures of the Synod: 2. Seminex continues to recruit students (on the campuses of Synod’s colleges and elsewhere) who might otherwise enroll in one of the Synod's two seminaries and thereby become eligible for the ministry of the Synod: 3. Seminex continues to divert funds away from synodical channels. thereby weakening the Synod’s work in theological education, missions, and other important areas: 4. Seminex representatives continue to thwart synodical efforts to achieve reconciliation by making unreasonable and inappropriate demands on the Synod and its boards and