LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1967, Page 130

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130 HIGHER EDUCATION

Wuereas, There is a clearly recognizable urgency
about the many problems at the Selma school; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education be
directed to continue its program of improvement and
development at Alabama Lutheran Academy and Col-
lege; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod make such shifts of
financial priorities as seem warranted to assist the Board
for Higher Education in its efforts; and be it further

Resolved, That the entire Synod be apprised of cer-
tain immediate and emergency needs which are ordinar-
ily considered to be legitimate opportunities to support
the general cause of higher education in the Synod, i.e.,
the need for student aid funds; and be it finally

Resolved, That an intensified recruitment program be
geared to attract and encourage youth to attend Selma.

Action: Adopted.

To Adopt General Planning and
Operating Principles for the Board
for Higher Education
RESOLUTION 6-22
(Recommitted 6-08)

Report 6-01, If, A (CW, pp. 149—150)
Overture 6-41 (CW, p. 214)

Wuereas, The Board for Higher Education has in the
past followed guidelines adopted by previous conven-
tions for the effective functioning of our system of
higher education and for the planning of its development
and improvement; and

Wuenrsas, The planning and operating propositions of
the Detroit convention, with some modifications, ought to
be reasserted for the continued guidance of the Board
for Higher Education and its colleges and seminaries;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod adopt the following propo-
sitions as general planning and operating principles for
the Board for Higher Education:

Proposition One. An aggressive selective enlistment
program is a prerequisite for securing the number of
professional workers needed by the church. At present
the enlistment of pastoral students represents the most
urgent need.

Proposition Two. The Synod should train as many
men teachers as are needed and as many women teach-
ers as its available resources will permit.

Proposition Three. The Synod is obligated to prepare
men and women for competent parish service and should
also give increasing attention to the exceptional or ad-
vanced training necessary for other ministries demanded
by the church in a changing world.

Proposition Four. The orderly development of the in-
dividual institutions and of the entire system may make
it imperative for a school at the direction of the Board

for Higher Education and the Board of Directors to
apply priorities, quotas, or limitations on certain types
and at certain levels of enrollment. No synodical school
operating at any level is to exceed the maximum student
enrollment defensible for it as determined by the Board
for Higher Education and the Board of Directors.

Proposition Five. The Synod should create and main-
tain the number of junior colleges, 4-year colleges, se-
nior colleges, seminaries, and graduate schools required
for essential professional service to the church. The es-

tablishment of new colleges and seminaries and the up- |

ward extension of existing junior colleges is to be left to
the decision of a synodical convention on recommenda-
tion of the Board for Higher Education and the Board of
Directors.

Proposition Six. The synodical high school and the
community Lutheran high schools are desirable agencies
by which a significant core of able and dedicated young
men and young women can begin preparation for any
full-time ministry. The Synod should continue to operate
those synodical high schools that are enrolling justifiable
numbers of pastoral training students and should pro-
vide adequate facilities and staff to assure a quality edu-
cation for those who attend. However, when a constitu-
ency does not make reasonable use of a synodical high
school for the training of pastoral students or when the
Board for Higher Education and the Board of Directors
regard the cost in money, staff, or space as unjustifiable
in the light of the total needs of the church, that high
school should be discontinued.

Proposition Seven. Pastors, teachers, and laymen
should encourage prospective and enlisted students to
make full use of the opportunities provided by the
church for spiritual, intellectual, and social growth.

Proposition Eight. Graduates of both seminaries
should be recognized and received as precious gifts of
God to the church. For those who resolve in early youth
to prepare for the pastoral ministry, the closely articu-
lated high school—junior college — senior college —
theological seminary route continues to be the preferred
program of distinctive theological education of The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod. Those who are called
later in life should be encouraged to pursue this calling
and should seek competent counsel in the choice of the
educational program best suited to their situation.

Proposition Nine. The colloquy programs should con-
tinue as acceptable alternative ways of entering the
professional ministries of the church. However, they
should be carefully designed programs of study and ex-
perience.

Proposition Ten, Congregations and their organiza-
tions are urged to provide financial assistance to church
work students who need it.

Proposition Eleven. Since synodical colleges and
seminaries are engaged in preparing pastors and teach-
ers for the mission of the church, they have a valid
claim on the Synod’s budget and capital dollar.

Proposition Twelve. The colleges and seminaries