Collection › LCMS Convention Proceedings (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1926 · 33rd Convention, Holy Cross Church › Page 69
LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1926, Page 69

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1926. 69

D. In view of the present shortage of men, the enormous loss of
candidates, and, if one may say so, of the working years of pasters
{two years less in office) would invalidate the advantages of the
extension.

Il. Neither present nor future conditions will ever require such
a senior college course as is proposed.

A. The Church must under all cireumstances confine to a min-
imum the scientific knowledge made obligatory upon its pastors. It
is contrary to Scripture to make the scientific education of a ‘pastor
the conditio sine qua non in nominating candidates for the ministry.
Christ added but one learned Paul to his apostles; the rest were
mostly simple fishermen.

B. The present term of instruction is adequate to reach the goal
of our institutions, to wit, to educate pastors who are able “to teach
and to defend.” Synod has greater need of a large number of candi-
dates adequately equipped for the Lord’s work than of a smaller
number who have enjoyed a higher education.

C. The study of theology at St. Louis may very readily follow the
present junior college course. This has been done hitherto and éan
still be achieved,

-a) Our junior colleges should exert themselves to do their best in
six years: more intensive work, greater demands on the scholars,
sterner elimination of weak pupils, longer scholastic year.

b) In electing professors, one ought to look about more for
pastors who are masters of the branches they are called to teach and

have good teaching ability.

ec) The junior colleges ought to be regularly and carefully visited

by experts. Necessary investigations should be carried on with

respect to branches of study, methods of teaching, and the members
of the faculties. Whatever does not serve the purpose ought to be
removed; of course, in the proper manner. ‘
“*d) Years will less determine whether ‘students are fit to enter
St. Louis than character; and the building of characters can very
well be accomplished in six years, provided the correct means and
methods are employed, to wit, God’s Word and firm discipline. Let
the chief emphasis be put on positive, aggressive preaching of the
Gospel and not upon science and beating the air fighting with sec-
tarian preachers.

e) The seminary course should be adapted to the students and
their peculiar needs, not the students to the seminary course. ,

D. Whether our candidates have obtained an academic degree
when they enter the ministry.is a matter of minor importance. oo.

a) Statistics show that only 461 of our 3,221 pastors teach school
and require an academic degree for the sake of our schools. It would