LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 139

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SEMINARY ISSUES 139

Secondary Schools, the American Association of Theologi-
cal Schools, the National Council of Accreditation for
Teacher Education, etc.) facilitates the certification of the
Synod’s teacher graduates in the various states and the ac-
ceptance of its college and seminary graduates as qualified
professionals engaged in the work of ministry; and

Wuereas, The accreditation of Synod’s colleges and semi-
naries facilitates the mobility of its ministers — particularly
teachers — so that they can accept calls in a state other than
the one in which they are residing without penalty to their
certification: and

Wuereas, Accreditation tends to attract students and
faculty members of quality to the Synod's colleges and semi-
naries; and

Wuereas, The Synod owes it to the graduates of its col-
leges and seminaries to provide them with solid courses of
instruction and respectable degrees as certified by the vari-
ous accrediting agencies: and

Whereas, Accreditation makes it possible for the Synod's
colleges and seminaries to have access to scholarship and
fellowship funds that otherwise would not be available to
the students and faculty members of the Synod's institutions
of higher education: and

Wuereas, Accreditation makes it possible for the Synod’s
colleges and seminaries to have access to foundation and
government (both federal and state) funding for the purpose
of erecting buildings and establishing various programs that
otherwise could not be funded or established, thereby eras-
ing the financial burden on the Synod and its institutions of
higher education: therefore he it

Resolved, That the Synod commend the Board for Higher
Education and the Synod's colleges and seminaries for pur-
suing the goal of accreditation in the past: and further be it

Resolved, That the Synod instruct the Board for Higher
Education to make every effort to maintain the status of
Synod’s colleges and seminaries as accredited institutions

of higher education. Facutry

ConcorDIA TEACHERS COLLEGE
Seward, Nebr.

W. Th. Janzow, President
James Nelesen, Secretary

3-85A
To Direct Board of Control to Appeal
AATS Ruling

Wuereas. The American Association of Theological
Schools has placed Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. on pro-
bation: and

Wuereas, Concordia Seminary is threatened with the
loss of its accreditation if probation is not removed prior
to June 1, 1974; and

Wuereas, The loss of acceditation would be a_ serious
blow to the educational program of Concordia Seminary of
the LCMS; and

Wuereas, The Constitution of the AATS provides for an
appeal of the action of the commission on accreditation to
the Executive Committee acting as a Board of Review: and

Wuereas. The AATS has repeatedly assured Concordia
Seminary and other member schools that it has no desire to
judge a doctrinal position of a theological seminary or of its
supporting church body: and

Wuereas, The work of the Fact Finding Committce ap-
pointed by President J. A. O. Preus was one of the chief
factors which lead to the action of the commission on ac-
creditation of the AATS: and

Wuereas, This action of the synodical President was
prompted by concerns which he had for the doctrine being
taught at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis: and

Whereas, President Preus has recognized that the prob-
lem is essentially a doctrinal one, stating in the Report of
the Synodical President to the LCMS of Sept. 1, 1972. “Within
the faculty of Concordia Seminary the doctrine of the Holy
Scripture is subverted to the point where in effect a false
doctrine is proclaimed regarding them”: and

Wuereas, President Tietjen has similarly recognized that
the problem is essentially a doctrinal one, stating in his
letter of Sept. 8, 1972, “There are indeed genuine doctrinal
issues that must be confronted and resolved. We have grave
misgivings about the doctrinal position of our adversaries
and we have some things to say to them about their doc-
trinal soundness”: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Board of Control of Concordia Semi-
nary, St. Louis. be directed to appeal the action of the com-
mission on accreditation of the American Association of
Theological Schools: and he it further

Resolved. That the Board of Control be directed to stress
the doctrinal nature of the present controversy and what
other evidences will support its position.

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Olivette, Mo.

Kenneth Eckert, Secretary
Walter J. Hoffmann, Pastor

Identical:

3-85B

Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Metairie, La., Karl Lind-
berg. President: E. G. Tippin, Pastor.

3-86
To Appeal Action of AATS

Wuereas. The American Association of Theological Schools
has stated as one of the reasons for placing Concordia Sem-
inary, St.Louis. on probation that “Adequate authority of
the Board of Control is not guaranteed by ecclesiastical
structures of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod”; and

Whereas. The AATS states in its "Standards for Accredit-
ing” that the governing board “shall be accountable to the
constituencies of the school”: and

Wnereas, There were repeated charges within the LCMS
that the Board of Control of Concordia Seminary was not
discharging its responsibility of accountability to the LCMS:
an

Whereas. The activities of the Fact Finding Committee
appointed by President Preus were carried out in an effort
to account to the LCMS., for the doctrine taught at Con-
cordia Seminary, St.Louis: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Svnod go on record as endorsing once
more the action of the Synodical President in appointing a
Fact Finding Committee to account to the Synod for the
doctrine being taught at Concordia Seminary, St.Louis; and
be it further

Resolved. That the Board of Control of Concordia Sem-
inary, St. Louis, be asked to appeal the action of the Amer-
ican Association of Theological Schools in placing Concor-
dia Seminary, St. Louis. on probation: and be it further

Resolved. That the Board call attention to the AATS
standard on accountability and other factors which justify

the appeal. Messiau Ev. LUTHERAN CHURCH

Sterling, Ill.
Harold Nelson, Secretary
Eldor Mueller, Pastor

3-874

To Adopt Certain Positions in Seminary
Accreditation Issue

Wuereas, The LCMS has been organized to establish
and maintain theological seminaries and colleges in order
to train ministers and teachers for service in its congrega-
tions (Articles of Incorporation, Article II, b and d; Consti-
tution, Article III 3); and

Wuereas. The maintenance of its theological schools for
training faithful pastors is to undergird the objects of Synod
(Article III, for example. the conservation and promotion
of the unity of the truc faith and a united defense against
schism and sectarianism), and the conditions of membership