# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S656
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

72 ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

1,229 during the past three years. Owing to the rising birth raté
there has been a corresponding increase of 7,691 in the number 3
infant baptisms. If the population continues to grow at _ the
present rate, the situation will improve; but the lowered birth rate
of the past years does not account for our loss of almost 20,00
enrollment. Factors meritioned as jointly responsible for -losse
are: lowered birth rate, lack of missionary ardor, failure to follow!
up prospects and delinquents, migration of families to defense
areas and their neglect to remain in touch with their Church
The Board of Education has hesitated to write off this loss and
let the matter rest. According to the Statistical Yearbook, the
losses in the lower departments of the Sunday school totaled abou
7,000. The severest losses (at least 12,000) were incurred by the
Bible class departments, and these losses are to be accounted for.
(1) by the indifference of our adolescents and adults toward Biblé
classes, and (2) chiefly by the drafting of almost 100,000 of our
men into the armed forces. We are of the opinion that the decrease
in Sunday school enrollment, which has been felt by most of th
Protestant denominations, is due in no small measure to
‘secularization of the American people, a rather pronounced mov
ment away from the Church and the things of God toward world
ness or. paganism. The only effective means for combating the,
neopaganism of our age and of preserving our Christians fro
its seductive power is the faithful proclamation of God’s Wor
‘pulpit and classroom.

Literature

Despite the decreased enrollment, the circulation of Sun
school literature has increased. The revision of the Junior, Inte
mediate, and Senior lessons, which was begun in 1943, will
completed during the present year. The new lesson quarterli
appeal to teachers and pupils alike and have received much favo
able comment. It is the intention of the Board to improve all
literature and to continue research and publish materials
which there is a demand. A graded memory course, origin
compiled by brethren in the active ministry and growing out ¢
actual experience in the field, is being printed and distributed
Concordia Publishing House. The publication of a graded se
of Sunday school papers is being considered.

Teacher Training

The report of the synodical Teacher Training Committee

be found on another page of this volume. Intensive instruc
and systematic training of teachers is more vital today than e
because of the breakdown of moral standards and lamentable so
conditions generally. Consecrated and well-trained teachers