The Erosion of Missouri's Pastoral Education System

Abstract

James Borgwardt traces the historical development and gradual decline of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) pastoral education system. Originally built on a rigorous, church-controlled model emphasizing classical languages and theological depth, the system expanded through preparatory high schools, junior colleges, and seminaries. Borgwardt details the shift from Walther’s vision of scholarly clergy to a fragmented structure increasingly influenced by accreditation demands, financial pressures, and general education priorities. Key turning points include the rise of the “practical” seminary, the introduction of general education students, the closure of high schools, and the eventual collapse of the Senior College model. Borgwardt highlights the diminishing emphasis on biblical languages and the growing reliance on secular college graduates for seminary enrollment. The essay concludes with sobering statistics and a call to reflect on the LCMS’s educational priorities, offering lessons for other Lutheran bodies committed to confessional integrity and pastoral training. Abstract generated with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).