LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 250

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250 HIGHER EDUCATION

called “the system.” Objective consideration leads to the con-
clusion that this idea is based upon what is largely a myth. The
idea that we have come from a classical educational structure of
uncorrupted beauty to an inferior educational hodgepodge is
compounded mostly of folklore, nostalgia, and self-depreciation,
for which Missourians, at times, seem to have a liking.

There is in fact every reason to believe that the changes
which have taken place have been in the direction of serving
the needs of the students—and of the church—better than did
the more rigid, authoritarian, paternalistic ‘‘system” of doubtful
existence, to which in sentimental moments we attribute magical
qualities. The colleges and seminaries of the past were never
identical in genius, form, or function, nor did all their students
move gently and happily along some magic escalator to voca-
tional goals which they, their teachers, their parents, and their
church accepted with equal enthusiasm and commitment.

The board is persuaded that the synodical schools, with all
their history and experience and peculiarities, can serve as some
of the most lively and effective agencies of the whole church as
it undertakes to fulfill its mission of today and tomorrow. To
deny the reality of change is to deny reality itself. There is every
reason to believe that the schools of the church, if supported,
will be able to assume vital and necessary leadership roles in
charting that course, both in the strategy itself and in equipping
young men and women, professionally and vocationally, for
enthusiastic, imaginative and faithful participation in the mission.

We should also rid ourselves of the notion that the church
can no longer afford these schools. To be sure, as we have de-
tailed in the report, certain traditional patterns and structures of
support may need to be altered. But the notion that, while the
whole nation looks for ways of supporting important educational
and cultural institutions, our church must consider itself pe-
culiarly disadvantaged and incapable of finding solutions is
a counsel of despair of grave and desperate proportions. This is
scarcely the time in history to relinquish the best resources for
the future, to be afraid to risk and to dare the journey because
of bad weather.

Our close relationships with our schools and with the people
who live and work on these campuses and our knowledge of
what these people think and say and do as they pursue their
vocation make us enthusiastic and grateful for them. We do not
hide or discount the foibles, detours, and distractions. But these
people are the precious and indispensible gifts of God for the
well-being and growth of His body in this hour of its being. Of
course no single person or structure or idea has this distinction,
but the redeemed of God, joined together in faith and purpose,
receive when they ask what their Lord has promised. And that
should be no surprise.

In this faith and in dependence upon a God who in His Son
and Spirit is close at hand and rich in every mercy, God’s people
go on!

BOARD FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Merlin S. Pohl, Chairman

Arthur P. Brackebusch, Vice-Chairman
Edgar W. Homrighausen, Secretary
Walter F. Brunn

Morella Mensing

Elmer A. Neitzel

Elmer F. Pflieger

STAFF

Arthur M. Ahlschwede, Executive Secretary
Lester R. Bayer

Samuel I. Goltermann

Delphin L. Schulz

Gert Moddelmog

6-02

Report of Committee on Colloquies

For Pastoral Ministry

The members of the Board are Doctor John H. Tietjen,
Concordia Seminary, St.Louis: Doctor Richard J. Schultz,
Concordia Seminary, Springfield; and the undersigned. Dur-
ing the past 2 years the Board held 12 one-day meetings.

The following men were colloquized and certified for the
pastoral ministry during the biennium:

Concordia Seminary, St.Louis: Paul J. H. Haberstock,
Walter J. Koch, Clifford Koenig, William Lieneck, Hilton H.

McCabe, Darold A. Reiner, Harold E. Schmidt, Clarence W.
Stangohr, Paul F. Stohlmann Sr.

Concordia Seminary, Springfield: Roland Golz, Gerald
Heimlich, Harvey Hendrickson, Wilton Hille, William Kohl-
meier, Albert C. Krallmann, Harold Otte, Maynard Saeger,
David L. Traster.

At one time in the history of the Synod a Colloquy Board
for the Pastoral Ministry was necessary because students
who had little or no previous theological training were eligi-
ble to enroll in the colloquy program. Such are no longer
admitted to the Colloquy Program for Pastoral Ministry.
Instead they are now referred to the program of the Col-
loquy Committee for Lay Ministry.

During the past 10 years the Colloquy Board for the
Pastoral Ministry raised the standard for colloquy training,
as much as possible, to that of students attending one of
the Synod’s seminaries. This was done by raising the re-
quirements for admission and the requirements of in resi-
dence study at one of our seminaries, plus a vicarage under
seminary supervision.

This development has led the Colloquy Board for the
Pastoral Ministry to the conclusion that its services are no
longer needed. In keeping with this conclusion the Board,
with the concurrence of the Board for Higher Education,
herewith respectfully submits the following recommendation
to the 1973 convention of Synod assembled at New Orleans,
July 6—13, for consideration and favorable action.

Wuereas, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., and Con-
cordia Seminary, Springfield, Ill., are charged with the re-
sponsibility of training and recommending persons for ad-
mission to the pastoral ministry of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod; and

Wuereas, Both of these seminaries have adjusted their
curricula to enable them to enroll as students:

1. ministers, or candidates for the ministry, who are in good
standing in Christian church bodies not in fellowship with
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and are graduates of
recognized theological seminaries;

2. graduates of the Synod’s teachers colleges who have had at
least 5 years of teaching experience and are in good standing
in the teaching ministry of the Synod;

and

Wuereas, All students presently enrolled in the colloquy
program attend one of the Synod’s seminaries as students
for 1 or 2 years and acquire a vicarage experience under
the supervision of the seminary they attend (Handbook
4.61 a and b); and

Whereas, Both seminaries use screening techniques for
the enrollment of students which are equally professional
and accurate as those used by the Colloquy Board for the
Pastoral Ministry; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Colloquy Board for the Pastoral Min-
istry respectfully petition the Synod that it be dissolved;
and be it further

Resolved, That the present admission policy of this board
be assigned to the theological seminaries of the Synod;

1. to determine, in accordance with the regulations
adopted by the Synod, which students shall be admitted,
namely

a. ministers, or candidates for the ministry, who are in
good standing in Christian church bodies not in fellowship
with The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and are grad-
uates of recognized theological seminaries;

b. graduates of the Synod’s teachers colleges who have
had at least 5 years of teaching experience and are in good
standing in the teaching ministry of the Synod.

2. to prescribe in accordance with the regulations adopted
by the Synod, the amount and nature of professional train-
ing required of each student who is accepted;

a. ministers, or candidates for the ministry, in good
standing in Christian church bodies not in fellowship with
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod shall be expected
to receive one full academic year of resident training in one
of our Synod’s seminaries. They shall also be required to
serve a vicarage.

b. graduates of the Synod’s teachers colleges who have
had at least 5 years of successful teaching experience shall
be required to take a minimum of 2 years of instruction at