LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 254

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254 HIGHER EDUCATION

smooth transition into the seminary’s program and life.
A wholesome attitude coupled with seriousness of purpose
and a cooperative spirit best characterizes the present stu-
dent body.

IV. Academic Program

A. Administration and Personnel

The president of the seminary continues to direct the
program of the institution, providing necessary guidance,
counsel, and support. During 1972 the Vice-President for
Academic Affairs, Arthur C. Repp, reached administrator's
retirement age and returned to full-time classroom teaching.
John S. Damm was appointed Academic Dean and Walter
Wegner, Dean of the Graduate School. George W. Hoyer
replaced Richard R. Caemmerer as Dean of the Chapel.
Kenneth Ruppar replaced Victor Mennicke as Director of
Student Financial Aid and Housing. Karl Reko assumed
duties on a part-time basis as Assistant Director of Place-
ment. Robert Smith and Wi Jo Kang were raised to asso-
ciate professor rank and Holland H. Jones, Arthur M. Vin-
cent, and John S. Damm to full professor. Mark Bangert is
completing a 2-year study leave. Two professors were
granted sabbatical leaves in accord with synodical policy.
Kenneth Siess carned the D. Min. degree last June. Members
of the faculty continue to pursue their in-service training
and work toward terminal degrees.

Carl S. Meyer entered the church triumphant in De-
cember of 1972.

To broaden the seminary’s teaching base. pastors active
in parish life and special ministries are employed for par-
ticular courses, and members of the Springfield and Fort
Wayne faculties, as well as professors of sister churches and
overseas mission faculties, served for one or more quarters
of the academic year.

It has not been possible to fill vacancies in several fac-
ulty positions. This is due to a number of factors. one
of which is the fact that synodical support has not kept
pace with rising costs.

B. Curriculum

The curriculum continues to undergo study and change
as the seminary sharpens its efforts to serve the needs of
the Synod in a responsible manner. The standards of ex-
cellence established over the years extend not only to in-
tellectual pursuits but to the practical application of the-
ology to every aspect of life and to field experiences in pas-
toral ministry. In addition to expanding field education
unique programs designed to implement the practice of
the ministry are in operation and several others are in the
planning stage. Particular attention is given to synodical
programs (Evangelism, Youth Work, etc.), and appropriate
synodical executives are consulted and often become directly
involved in such ventures. The response of pastors and Dis-
trict executives to student performance in the field is en-
couraging.

The total program is further enriched through programs
of cross-registration, travel-study, and independent study,
through the correspondence school, and through participation
in the St. Louis Theological Consortium and other coopera-
tive agencies. The concerns of black theological education
and Hispanic-American work are under study and plans
for implementation are under way.

In Res. 8-09 the 1971 Milwaukee convention asked Synod's
terminal schools to include a statement “in their next re-
port to the Synod” on what has been done “to assure that the
candidates for pastoral and teaching ministry in our Synod
are equipped with both knowledge and skills to assist the
congregations of our Synod in evangelistic outreach.” The
seminary is happy to report that five specific courses dealing
with evangelism concepts and skills are now offered to stu-
dents. In addition, several other courses include evangelism
concerns as part of their thrust. In a major course, which
introduces students to all the current programs of evan-
gelism, students receive on-the-job training in making calls
and witnessing and participate in a 3-day workshop in con-
frontation evangelism. Trained pastors and laymen demon-
strate how to bring Christ to people in their homes. Last
year alone more than 100 students participated in these evan-
gelism workshops. This year student wives are also par-
ticipating in the workshops and have responded enthusi-

astically to the training. Several faculty departmental meet-
ings discussed evangelism training programs and how the
seminary can best equip its students for evangelistic out-
reach.

C. School for Graduate Study

The present academic year concludes the 50th year of
operation of the seminary’s School for Graduate Studies,
established by resolution of the Synod in 1920. In all except
six of the past 50 years, namely, 1931 to 1937 when a depres-
sion economy dictated a temporary suspension of its opera-
tion, the School for Graduate Studies has served the Synod
by contributing to the advanced theological training of pas-
tors, teachers, and laity.

Initially only studies leading to the degree of Master of
Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) were offered. Since 1944 Doctor
of Theology (Th.D.) programs have been available, mak-
ing Concordia Seminary one of only two Lutheran seminaries
in the United States where a theological doctorate may be
earned. In 1956 graduate offerings were expanded to in-
clude programs leading to the master of arts in religion
(M.A.R.) degree. In current practice both the seminary's
summer school and extension center programs are coordi-
nated with the School for Graduate Studies, making its ser-
vices available to such graduates as are unable to do full-
time resident work in St. Louis.

D. World Mission Institute

To bring together the seminary’s concern for the overall
mission of the church a World Mission Institute was estab-
lished as part of the seminary's teaching program. Since
the formation of the Institute the number of foreign graduate
students has increased significantly. In the past biennium
students have come to the seminary from Australia, Brazil,
Germany, Hong Kong, India. Indonesia, Japan, Kenva, Korea,
Lebanon, New Guinea, Nigeria, Norway, the Philippines,
Syria, and Taiwan. A former foreign missionary cites the
seminary as one of the most strategic mission instruments
of the Missouri Synod today. The seminary now has the
privilege of training professors, pastors, and other church
leaders for rapidly growing churches in Asia, Africa, and
Latin America. Overseas church leaders cite the seminary’s
reputation for fidelity to the Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions and its innovative curriculum as major reasons
for the school’s growing popularity in the Third World. Of
24 foreign graduate students presently on campus, 18 are
Lutheran. The presence of the Institute heightens mission
consciousness among faculty and students generally. Over
half of the monies needed for the program are raised through
the effort of the Institute.

E. Continuing Education

Specific ventures in continuing education are not new
to the seminary. In addition to the Graduate and the Cor-
respondence Schools the seminary now sponsors annual
seminars, institutes, and workshops both on and off campus.
Extended use of electronic media is under study, and several
programs are already functioning for home and group study
through audio-tape cassettes and home reading programs.
Video-tape presentations for extension centers are in pro-
duction. Annual participation involves more than 600 peo-
ple in individual study and about 5,000 in group study.

V. Student Personnel Services

Because of fewer calls for candidates it was necessary
for the placement directors of the two seminaries in co-
operation with the Placement Committee of the Council of
Presidents to initiate special procedures for placing semi-
nary graduates. By the time of graduation last year, be-
cause of the diligent efforts of District presidents and others,
all seminary candidates had been placed. Similar proce-
dures will be in effect this year in an effort to place the
members of large graduating classes of the two seminaries.

Vicars and their supervisors have been meeting together
in clusters in a plan to integrate the academic and the prac-
tical aspects of theological training. In monthly meetings
attention is given to theological reflection on experiences
arising out of the student's vicarage. The cluster program