# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S981
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

398 MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

by which “outside” churches could use the film. To date over
700 rentals have been completed in churches of nearly all Protes-
tant denominations. The reaction to the film may be briefly summed
up in: “That’s the best religious film I have ever used. Keep up
the good work.” ‘ .

THEATER In order to give “The Power of God” a greater
DISTRIBUTION audience, arrangements were made in the fall

of 1942 to release “The Power of God” through
the nation’s theaters. To date only a limited number of showings
have been completed. Theater bookings present distinct difficulties,
but efforts are still being made to gain greater theater circulation.’

IN RETROSPECT “The Power of God” is the first religious.

feature film professionally produced by any
Protestant church body. It has ushered in a new era in religious
films, in which the Church can and will produce the kind of film
it wants and needs. “The Power of God” has not only demonstrated
the value of the motion picture for church work, but at the same
time has rallied: interest and efforts necessary for putting across
a visual education program for the Church. And aside from all
this, “The Power of God” has given our Synod global publicity
and has created general good will, which we could not have bought
in advertising space many times the investment for the film.
Because of “The Power of God” other churches are looking to
Synod for leadership in developing a program of religious visual
education.

INVESTMENT Production cost of “The Power of God,” equip-
AND INCOME ment, prints (73 16mm., 12 35mm.), salaries, trav-.

eling expenses of fieldmen, advertising, mailing,
etc., made for an expense of over $92,000.00. Total income in the
form of collections and rental fees amounted to over $83,000.00,
leaving a deficit of $9,053.33. With projection equipment on hand.
valued at $4,000, this leaves a deficit of $5,053.00.

LOOKING Although records show a small deficit, the future
FORWARD for “The Power of God” looks bright. Rental re-

quests for the film are showing an encouraging
increase. Advertisements and reviews in church Magazines are.
beginning to bring results, and, best of all, “The Power of God”
is being advertised by word of mouth. Inquiries for information
and rentals for “The Power of God” are received almost daily..:
During the past three months we had 140 bookings, with a gross
income of over $2,300 and a net gain of $2,011.